Cycle Touring Tips & Tricks

⭐ Go tubeless ... 

but be ready to revert to tubes

We prefer to ride tubeless. 

It makes flat tyres a rarity.

As an example of how good tubeless can be: we recently changed a Goodyear Gravel tyre due to wear, after nearly 4000 miles.

It was only once the tyre was removed that we found this "Titanic" nail (below). The sealant had prevented any deflation ! 

We've had to go back to tubed on a few occasions.

Due to some sealant being ineffective in extreme heat, or being unable to successfully plug a hole in the tyre. 

So we always carry inner tubes too.

⭐ Bike tools & parts

It's not practical to carry everything you might need. Sometimes you just have to limp on to a bike shop !

This is our compromise kit, below:

Top row: Zip ties. Hose clamps (used these to bodge the rack onto frame), various sizes. Good-quality pump with gauge. Tyre levers. 4 spare tubes. Repair kits. Cut-off tyre pieces (use inside a tyre if torn or ripped).

Middle row: Derailleur hanger (specific to your bike, so a must- carry). Chain links. Brake pads, 2 sets. Adaptor valves (for use with compressor/garage or forecourt). Tubeless valves x2. Tubeless repair kit.

Bottom row: Good-quality multi-tool x2. Pliers. Screwdriver. 

We also carry:-

1 x Chain lube/oil

1 x Spare gravel tyre

2 x 50ml tubeless sealant.

A box of internal plugs - below. These are great, but you'll need an air compressor to re-seal the tyre to the rim post-repair. Unless you're Eddie Hall (World's Strongest Man 2017)💪 !

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⭐ Bike boxes: pearls of wisdom

Please learn from our mistakes !

⭐ Allow time to find your bike box. Many stores dispose of them quickly, to save on space.

Sometimes the hunt takes a couple of days. So we prefer to book our flights AFTER securing boxes. It's less stressful !

⭐ Consider contacting local bike stores in advance to "reserve" a box.

⭐ Bike boxes come in various sizes ! 

So check which will fit your bike, 

and what size & weight your airline will carry.

⭐ It's fine to fold the empty box so you can carry it like a surfboard, for easy transport.

⭐ You can usually squeeze extra items like sleeping bags into the box too - just know your weight limit (varies by airline). 

But remove bike lights (batteries must go into your cabin bag).

⭐ On occasion when only small boxes were available, we've had to remove both wheels and wrap them separately.

This can mean more baggage charges 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♀️

⭐ Be prepared to box bikes at the airport. 

You may not find a taxi big enough to carry the boxed bikes, but most can accommodate a flat box + dismantled bike.

⭐ You'll need LOTS of strong parcel tape to secure your box, once packed.

And consider airport luggage wrapping services if your box looks war-torn, or it has to withstand connecting flights.

Above: Charlie looks on pensively as his beloved bike is flipped about by the airport luggage wrappers.

⭐ Think outside the box

⭐ We've been amazed at how some of the poshest hotels have been happy for us to store our bikes in the room.

And vice-versa 🤣

Above: The "wheelie" manoeuvre gets a loaded bike into a tiny lift, every time ! 

⭐ We do love pedalling, but sometimes it makes sense to use other transport.

Our bicycles have travelled with us on ferries, coaches, trains, local buses and even a cruise ship !!

Above: Bikes can fit easily into the luggage compartment of a coach. Keep a photo to convince doubters at the ticket booth !

Above: We love a "roll-on, roll-off" ferry ! Easy peasy 🤗

⭐ Keep that drivetrain clean & oiled 

You can buy all sorts of specialist cleaning materials for bikes.

For us it's just not practical to carry.

So if there's no option to borrow proper bike stuff we "bodge it" by using various stuff.... like shampoo, shower gel, washing up liquid or the ultimate: laundry washing powder ! 

A regular thorough wash & rinse of the chain, chain ring, cassette and jockey wheels will ensure smooth running, lengthen the life of your bits and save you money. 💰👍

Don't forget the all-important lube on your chain afterwards.

And if you can get your hands on some WD40 (or similar) a quick spray of the cable links and cleats. NOT the brakes !!

⭐ Look after that body

Our daily distance on pedalling days can range from 9 to 99 miles, depending on many factors.

We take a rest day or two whenever we feel the need.

Don't forget that good healthy nutrition is essential or in our case eat whatever you fancy !

You will earn it and NEED IT !!

Lifting the bikes and luggage every day means you have to look after your whole body.

Otherwise, "Popeye legs" but no upper body strength 🤦🤦‍♀️

Above: "Painted Animation Lane" in Taichung, Taiwan

So we work out regularly to keep our upper bodies strong.

Pull-ups, press ups, dips, sit-ups & stretching are all part of our routine. It's good to keep changing it up: our latest addition is the "Mike Tyson push-up" (see YouTube) - thank you Coach Eitan 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♀️

 We also swim whenever the opportunity arises. Sea, lake or pool will do! 

Above: A rare find - a hotel pool that's great for a proper swim (in this case, Charlie's 100-length pyramid set 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♀️). Nature's Village Resort, Talisay, the Phillipines

Oh yeah ... we take personal hygiene seriously too!

Super-important to keep those cycling shorts and nether regions squeaky clean !

We carry a mini pot of Sudocrem. Bloody marvellous on sore bits 😍