Bycicle touring depends only on one thing: The will

@WheelstoWander

9 ай бұрын

It's essential!

Good sensible information. No matter how many years and miles you have toured, it does not hurt to do a weekend close to home to try out new ideas and updated your equipment. Start at your home. Bike to a place a day's ride away traveling on a wide range of surfaces and return to you home by the same route or make a loop. To the young riders wanting to get started. Don't be intimidated by the cost. When, I started touring 53 years ago I started collecting good equipment one piece at a time, and I am still using most of that equipment today. Everything I bought I could also use on a backpacking or a kayak trip. I have only one bike at a time, and it has to be able to travel on all types of surfaces. Today so many people think they need a different kind of bike to ride on every type of surface. I have worn out a lot of bikes over the years but only had one at a time. Just today a local news magazine interviewed me as why an 81-year-old man would bike touring. My answer was, I have because that is what I do. 50 years ago, the local newspaper asked me why I bike toured instead of car camping. It still brings joy to my heart to see and smell the Fall colors and the V's of geese flying south on their grand tour.

@WheelstoWander

9 ай бұрын

Hi Tom! Thank you for sharing your story and valuable insights. Fantastic to hear from your deep experience and I love to read how you are still enjoying the magic of the outdoors. Wishing you many more majestical miles, Tailwinds, E&M

I always love your videos. You guys are my favorite cycling couple.

@WheelstoWander

9 ай бұрын

That so cool to hear! Thanks 😊🙏🏼 All the best, E&M

I agree with you. But want to add (to the last myth): if you never rode a bicycle and then you decide to go bicycle-touring, I think you need to do some training. Get your bicycle some weeks before you want to start your tour and do some daily riding. Every day a little longer. Try out riding with your panniers and other gear too, to get used to it. That's all.

@WheelstoWander

9 ай бұрын

Thank you for adding some valuable information. It is good to get a feel for riding and have some muscle memory and fitness if you never rode a bike before! Best wishes, E&M

@stephenmundane

3 ай бұрын

I agree too, it is good to get muscle memory and fitness but just to prove that there can be an exception to the rule, at the age of 45 I bought a bike in Scotland having not been on one for decades and then cycled 1200 miles through the UK to the western-most point of England in winter. I eased myself in with 20-30 mile days and as I gained fitness increased the daily distance if I felt like it. Your mileage may vary.

Great video! The one thing that can ruin a tour is mechanical failures. So I would emphasis the part that you should at least know basic bike repairs (gears, brakes and wheels) before going on that epic tour around the world. Personally being a tinkerer, I always build my bikes complete up from scratch, so that I know every part used. To me this is an important part so that I don't worry while being out in the middle of nowhere.

@mountaintruth1deeds533

9 ай бұрын

Yep, lifelong wrench here..

@WheelstoWander

9 ай бұрын

Me included 👍🏼

@rasmuswi

9 ай бұрын

One thing I'm wrestling is that it's so very tempting to get varoius parts that aren't easily serviceable. I built my touring bike with mechanical gears just because they are easy to fix, but everytime I ride any of my di2 bikes, and have that always-perfect shifting I'm so tempted to swithch to di2 anyway, even though I know a lot of places where a broken DI2 would be a nightmare...

@ingeleonora-denouden6222

9 ай бұрын

you are right. But this is why I do all my bicycle touring here in the Netherlands. Even when you're 'in the middle of nowhere', it's only a two hour walk (by foot) to the nearest bicycle repair shop!

Excellent

Very beautiful landscape shoots ❤

@WheelstoWander

9 ай бұрын

Thanks 😊 All the Best, E&M

Many good points and well presented. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Take care, Al

@WheelstoWander

9 ай бұрын

🙏🏼 Thank you Al! Wishing you all the best, E&M

I always learn something new on every video. Thank you.

@WheelstoWander

9 ай бұрын

Happy to hear that! All the best, E&M

Very nice video 👍 Greetz from Belgium.

@WheelstoWander

3 ай бұрын

Thanks 😊 All the Best

Thanks for the great info you did a good job explaining it all

@WheelstoWander

9 ай бұрын

Thanks 😊 All the Best, E&M

You guyz are best ! keep travelling . im setting up / plan of my tour now. Mabuhay ! From Philippines

@WheelstoWander

9 ай бұрын

Thanks 🙏🏼 Wishing you lots of fun on your upcoming trip! E&M

Good video and great information!

@WheelstoWander

9 ай бұрын

Thanks 😊 Happy you enjoyed the vid! All the Best, E&M

Great video, myself i love doing bicycle tours on the rail trails in my area. They have crushed stone dust, like riding on pavement, no traffic worries :)

@WheelstoWander

4 ай бұрын

Thanks! Yes, those tracks are among our favourites too 🙏🏼

Always fun vids Eric,great tips that I relate too! Where are you guyz currently?loved the Morocco content,fascinating country! Stay safe &happy!!😊👋

@WheelstoWander

9 ай бұрын

Thanks so much 😊 Morocco was fantastic, still two more videos to come... currently back home, Thanks & All the best!

great advice

@WheelstoWander

9 ай бұрын

Thanks! Best wishes

Hi😊 i am from Brazil. Congratulations

@WheelstoWander

8 ай бұрын

Muito Obrigado 😊

Thank you 🌻

@WheelstoWander

9 ай бұрын

Nice to hear 😊 Best wishes, E&M

I found that all the peddling kept ruining my adventures 😮 so I put a motor on my bicycle 😅😅😅

@WheelstoWander

7 ай бұрын

Haha! If that is what it takes 👍🏼 Enjoy!

I always look forward to your videos and you never disappoint. Take care you two. Where next for you? Have you done the Americas yet? I will check back can't remember. Forgive me, age effects the memory.

@WheelstoWander

9 ай бұрын

Thank you Mark! The America's sure sound and look great. We haven't been there yet... Who know some day 🤞🏼 All the best, E&M

1:30 from wich episode are this encounters?

I really like your videos! Any comments about tadpole trikes? I’m thinking about buying one. I’m 77 years old, and can no longer walk long distances due to hip and ankle arthritis, but I can bicycle all day on my 2 wheel recumbent. My only problem is hill climbing. Steep hills require walking. Sometimes I veer dangerously toward traffic to keep balance on uphills. I know you’re not trike people, but you might have some extra trike knowledge.

@WheelstoWander

9 ай бұрын

Thank you Paul! I am not familiar with that style of trike. They look interesting I must say. From your story I gather that a trike will help with remaining straight on uphills and be on a safer line. If the difference between your current recumbent is they extra wheel than it might just do the trick. Perhaps test drive one before buying! Good luck and all the best!

@johnhardwicke7285

8 ай бұрын

get some lower gears for the hills

@Jarrod_D

7 ай бұрын

2023 put a motor on it, easy problem to solve 😅

👌👍good info 👌

@WheelstoWander

9 ай бұрын

Thanks Matt! All the best :)

mooie vlog 😉

@WheelstoWander

9 ай бұрын

Dank je Johan! Groet van ons :)

Was just wondering what type of bike is the best to tour with..i was building one from an old 26inch mountain bike. But i also have a gravel bike with plenty of brase on attachment points..all the best from Australia

@WheelstoWander

9 ай бұрын

A 26" MTB makes for a great platform to create a very capable touring bike. A gravel bike is a bit more sport oriented but with the right tweaks also a worthwhile option. Personally I like higher straight bars over drop, flat pedals over clip in and some wider tyres for comfort, possible float and grip.

@mwe1337

9 ай бұрын

@@WheelstoWander many thanks for the reply..yes I have fitted flat peddles and like yourself have a brooks saddle on it and flat raised bars as well..I also had all the gearing customise as it was 3 by 7 so I had a mega gear fitting at rear and slightly smaller front 3 gears. Have a Topek rack at rear. Just getting a front sought. MTB rides awesome..all the best from Australia 👍

Thank you for this very informative video. Do you have any tips on how to choose the best roads when travelling? Do you have an app which is good for something like that which you could recommend? I am still a novice and am not sure how to plan routes and avoid dangerous roads. I only know that I should avoid highways.

@WheelstoWander

9 ай бұрын

Thanks 🙏🏼 This video can provide some insight: kzread.info/dash/bejne/ma6m0Nd9grKuedo.html Unfortunately Maps.me has recently undergone some updates that are not making things better but is still our main navigating app. We might updates this video coming year though with better options. All the best and have fun on your upcoming tours 🍀

@joaomarveloso1049

9 ай бұрын

@@WheelstoWander 🙂 Thank you very much

Mooie filmpje.

@WheelstoWander

9 ай бұрын

Dank je Wesam 🙏🏼 Groet, E&M

Regarding danger, I'm kind of aware of some risks that come from the fact that I don't have a partner to tour with. An injury due to a crash on a low traffic road or a forest trail could potentially turn into a very bad situation because noone knows that I'm in trouble, or where I am. Yet it's usually preferable to high-traffic roads where I'd certainly be found if I had an accident, but accidents are also way more likely than on quieter roads. Regarding other people who want my stuff, I've done some touring on a 7000 euro carbon fiber bike with DI2 electronic shifting and that's definitely a nerve-wracking thing. When doing it, I never entered any place that didn't allow me to bring the bike with me. Among other things, it limits where I can eat, and where I can buy groceries, which means I'll sometimes have to ride on a very empty stomach. At least I've learned to avoid expensive luxury hotels as they are typically the ones that refuse to let me bring the bike up to my room. I guess this would be a lot easier if I had a partner, so one of us could watch the bikes while the other went shopping. I'm a lot less nervous when touring on my steel bike, which was of course a lot less expensive. Oh, and touring from Stockholm to Amsterdam on 25mm wide road bike slicks also wasn't my best idea. But it was all I had by the time. It worked until it had been raining for a few days and I started having punctures a few times per day, which I of course had to fix in the rain, and nowhere near any kind of shelter. Of course my dad wondered why I didn't check the wind direction before I left off, I had headwinds from Stockholm to somewhere in Germany, and rain more or less until that wind stopped.

@WheelstoWander

9 ай бұрын

Thank you for adding context regarding cycling alone! We are always mindful about off road riding and try and avoid risks. With such an expensive bike I can imagine being very cautious to never let it out of sight. Sounds like a bit of a battle against the elements that trip. Your probably ace now in fixing tyres 😉 Best wishes & Tailwinds 🍀 E&M

@johnhardwicke7285

8 ай бұрын

cell phone

I've been wanting to ask for a long time.....what camera do you use to record while paddling?

@WheelstoWander

9 ай бұрын

We recently upgraded from the Sony A6000 to the A6400. For the newer videos with a Tamron 17-70mm F2.8 Lens.

Funny how the clip accompanying you saying “always wear a helmet”, you’re not actually wearing a helmet.

@WheelstoWander

9 ай бұрын

Really 😅

Cool

@WheelstoWander

9 ай бұрын

Nice 😊

What happened to the rest of the Morocco series? You left us a month ago in the Sahara without a conclusion. Are you just sprinkling in these latest how-to episodes, and will pick the story back up, or was that it?

@WheelstoWander

9 ай бұрын

We are working on them and made a break because of a recent tour. The adventure episodes always take up a lot of time to edit and get right. As it looks like there are 2 more episodes coming fairly soon...

@alethearobinson8132

9 ай бұрын

@@WheelstoWander was a bit worried you both might have been caught up in the earthquake. Glad to see you are safe

hi.... are you still in marocco ?

@WheelstoWander

9 ай бұрын

Not at the moment!

Great ideas and for sure use a helmet.

Saudi is safe for biking

@WheelstoWander

2 ай бұрын

We heard some good stories coming from there recently!

🇳🇵🇳🇵🇳🇵

@WheelstoWander

9 ай бұрын

👍🏼

Wild camping is nice, economical and adventure some but some pre-caution must be noted due to global warming climate change and wildlife shifting areas to look for food. That said, depending on where you are, there are still some economical stays (hostels, etc) that offer a shower, social area and pleasant company.

@WheelstoWander

9 ай бұрын

Interesting point! I will have a look at that. Best wishes!

@yoohoo909

9 ай бұрын

LOL!@@WheelstoWander

Some really good ideas but stay away from Israel at this time

@WheelstoWander

9 ай бұрын

Thanks Sylvia! It's terrible what is happening there. Beste wishes, E&M

Sorry, bicycle touring does have a higher level of inherent danger, above, say, traveling by car or plane. I suspect statistically this can be proven fairly easily. Your at the mercy of motor vehicles, many of whom, in at least some places, don't like bicyclists. And you stand out more to those with bad intentions. Yes, there's a lot to be done to mitigate these, and other risks. But i don't think it helps to sugar-coat it too much.

@dillroastington

9 ай бұрын

In a study by the CDC in the USA ranging from 1976 to 2012 cyclists died in 0.41 out of 100,000 trips (that number is an average, but has decreased on average year over year and is now closer to .23 out of 100,000 trips). During the same time motor vehicle deaths were 12.9 deaths for every 100,000 trips on average. Cars are significantly statistically more dangerous in the USA, which is widely considered one of the less bike friendly countries. A simple Google search would show you how wrong you are if you actually wanted to know. Also, anecdotally, when I travel by bike I find that because people see you as more at risk and vulnerable it brings out the kindness of strangers. I am constantly offered shelter, help, food, water and kindness in general. Something I have very rarely experienced in my time driving. Stop being afraid of the world you live in, and you might get a chance to have a wonderful experience and meet some amazing people. Media portrays everything as dangerous and deadly because sensationalism garners more views and clicks, but those things are more often than not few and far between. There are certainly horror stories for all modes of travel... But statistically, as you suggested, bikes are far safer than cars and other motor vehicles in almost every way.

@mountaintruth1deeds533

9 ай бұрын

I agree I would need to carry but the traffic is a no go for me, experienced and seen death and near death accidents, a couple intentional. Gave up road racing because of it 35 years ago. I moved over to off road bike quick, at least I can choose a rougher line if it gets me out of the road, great bike town where I'm at so going on out on a 60 mph road ..nope

@r.davies2702

9 ай бұрын

Everything in life has a certain amount of danger attached to it. Imagine, something as simple as switching the kettle on with a little moisture build up in the switch causing a massive electric shock. A simple task of crossing the road, and an idiot dressed all in black flying up the pavement in his surron smashing into you before you even step foot off the curb. The list is endless, at least cycle touring gives you an experience of different places. You take your choices in life.

@sboag5

9 ай бұрын

@@r.davies2702 yeah sure. The point was, does it have an inherent level of danger, above other choices?

@sboag5

9 ай бұрын

@@dillroastington please cite the study. I did a "simple Google search" with "cdc danger of cycling vs cars in usa" and just found statistics that cycling is twice as dangerous as cars. But that's all ridiculous, because those studies are not measuring cycle touring where you often have to travel on through roads that one would not normally take. And thanks for the lecture about being "afraid of the world". I was not stating anything about fear, and certainly not about my personal fear. I am a quite experienced bicycle tourist, starting in the early 80s. My point is only to contend the sugar-coated statement that bicycle touring is not inherently dangerous.

Try sitting down and not flailing your arms around so much when you speak. People are suppose to look at your face when you speak and it’s difficult to do that with your hands constantly flitting about.

this is the bicycle touring media, click how to... series for more GBTN content - Gobal Bicycle Touring Network. xD

@WheelstoWander

9 ай бұрын

😉 Nice! Love that 👌🏼