Hi everybody! Although we don't enjoy the things mentioned in the video, they can all be overcome. Bicycle touring gives an incredible amount of joy, inspiration and positive energy and it's the best descision we've ever made! 🌟

@ReimaginedAdventures

2 жыл бұрын

o yes the joy of bike touring is indescribably wonderful it simplifies your life and makes you really appreciate the most important things in life !!

@tebelshaw9486

9 ай бұрын

I could never overcome #6. 😢💔

Wonderfully done. Your poetic descriptions of the downsides of bike touring interestingly make it seem all the more beautiful. Sometimes it’s the dark that makes us enjoy the light so much. Keep traveling and finding joy.

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Telepopepic! Nice to hear the poetic ring brings a positive lining to the less enjoyable side of bike touring! I hoped that would be the case. Best wishes

@verenacharmine6335

2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely agree! ❤️

A lot of wisdom and respect in your description, it is hugely satisfying to find this type of content. You bring light to youtube.

As a bike-touring enthusiast, I can certainly agree with many of the items that you have identified. I most especially want to convey that your thoughts were wonderfully articulated. Well done guys , great video 🙂!

Life is an exploration of oneself and the World around yourself. You both do it on a bicycle others do it in different ways, neverthless it is the experience that counts and more so the joy that comes from it. Happy cycling and thanks for being very candid for the life of cycling. Cheers to both of you.

I agree with telepopepic. You make the hard times seem like something one can take the time to enjoy. And we should enjoy them. In my life (60 plus years) I have been going camping, hiking, doing outdoors stuff etc and I have noted my most consistent memories of entire trips were the ones where we struggled the most. The hard ones, the bad weather, the steep terrain, treks much longer than anticipated etc. Where one needed to reach deep and discover a part of yourself you didn't know was there. They have become my cherished memories. I don't actually remember any trip or excursion where everything was "normal". I've had hundreds of them, maybe even thousands but the memorable ones, the challenging ones, they have stuck with me.

@WheelstoWander

Жыл бұрын

That true for us as well Dave! What a wonderful thing that experiences in the moment can be hard but in hindsight we start to see them as something worthwhile and in a way essential to us. All the best, E&M

Love your documentaries. For a moment they take me away from the stresses of life. I am in the process of watching all you videos. Be safe

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Suresh! That is lovely to hear 😊 We hope you'll enjoy our series. All the best, E&M

Your empathy and openness are fabulous. Thank you for sharing your experiences and your insights.

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Marty! Best wishes, E&M

Yes, agreed; even the most beautiful experiences in life come with challenges. Thank you for honestly expressing some of the struggles that come with bicycle touring. As someone who dreams of cycle touring and is working towards that goal, these honest reflections are just as welcome as your other inspiring videos. Thanks again.

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! I am happy to hear this was helpful too. Wishing you all the best for your own journeys 🚲🏕

Probably one of the most important videos you have made. Tnx a million for this sharing this deeper understanding of travelling on bikes!

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Ralf! 🙏

This video is deep, honest and thought-provoking! It not only reveals challenges that come with touring, it also opens a window into your values and outlook. Thanks for your candor.

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your uplifting words Philip! Really appreciated 😊 Wishing you all the best, E&M

We love bike touring, backpacking, camping, traveling... All of the challenges you mentioned are valid and we've experienced them. Thank you for sharing in such a concise way.

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Kim!

Great job showing and explaining the down side of touring. Seems like now days the only thing that matter is the adventure and enjoying it, almost like if not done that way you're not cut out for travelling with your bike. Seems like life just as the road we travel on are are made of up and downs. Once again, well done!

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Well said! I think the ups + downs make it such a complete experience. It's good to have contrast to appreciate the good moments that much more!

Great video. And these are not minor concerns. I experienced several of these on my tour across the US. I would LOVE too great more about your sleep system!!

Thank you Erik. We love your honesty!

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you too Hybrid Roundhead 😊 All the best, E

Thanks a lot. You two are so brave.

The "Missing a Deeper Level" was most important to me. The roadkill one was a new one for me. I've experienced both but was not conscious of either. Smack head! Thank you!

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Great to hear there was something new and we made a good point with “Missing a Deeper Level”! Thanks for letting us know 😊 All the best

thanks for this very honest view from people who have lived it, great stuff, love it

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your uplifting comment Reece :) All the best, E&M

I hear you. These things can really put you down. Great that you have the strength to overcome them.

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Ambient Walking! We try too at least 😉 All the best

This is an excellent review! Well written, well thought out, and wonderfully pictured.

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Jason! Really appreciate you reaction. All the best, E&M

Very well done, a good set of tips of how to cycle for fun.

I LOVE your honest videos. Thanks for sharing your experiences. We’re looking forward to take our bikes just for the weekend to small and beautiful towns around our city. Regards from Puerto Vallarta, México.

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Sounds like a lot of fun, enjoy!! :-)

Nice video guys. I've had huge problems with sleeping when camping in the UK when I recently completed the Land's End John O'Groats ride as I just felt so cold. Definitely the no.1 issue for me too!

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Biking360! Cold sleeping is horrible and we have had many a night shivering away. We hope you can improve for your next adventure! All the best, E&M

Very interesting! Thanks for sharing your insights and preferences. Looking forward to more videos from your tour of northern Europe.

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Stephan! We are working on the videos as we speak... All the best 😊

Thanks to both of you for all the hard work and a very nice video like always 🙌, It was really nice to hear your point of view about this topic! ❤

@omare_biketonature

2 жыл бұрын

You can also tell us your less favorite things when touring 😅

@NomadsTrails

2 жыл бұрын

@@omare_biketonature I will in the future 🙌, now I need to cycle towards South Africa 😁

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks 😊 Great to here this one hit the spot too! We would be curious about your angles 💪🏼 Best wishes for you both ❤️

Yes definitely a video on y’all’s sleeping system

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Noted, Thanks OD GREEN Outdoors 👍🏼

Very thoughtful video. Thank you

@WheelstoWander

Жыл бұрын

Thank you too John! All the best

Really i just love to ride along with you on your shoulder..so happy with this channel.

@WheelstoWander

11 ай бұрын

😊 So nice to hear that! Thanks

hi Eric, I have just subscribed to your channel full of interesting facts, I like your laid-back approach to things and your speech which I find particularly understandable. keep it up. ciao from ferruccio, Venice, Italy

@WheelstoWander

Жыл бұрын

Thank you, that sure is nice to hear! Wishing you All the Best

Great insight! I love the content of your channel!

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Bobby 😊 All the best

Very open and honest! Thank you.

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much :) All the best, E

top notch work, as always!

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Rob! Always appreciate your input 😊

Real life in many ways is meant to be struggle . Thank You for Your story .🙏

Love this Chanel and hopefully one day - I can go bikepacking with you guys....

Enjoyable video. I could've done without seeing the tic! They are very thick this year. Safe travels. Kentucky says hi.

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Sandra! Sorry about that 😉 I hope they don’t cause too much nuisance. Best wishes from us here between the English sheep 🐑

Hi guys. Agree with everything you say. Bike touring, although a very rewarding and lovely way to travel. It is difficult, and tiring. Not long back from a trip in the highlands of Scotland. It was enjoyable, but nice to get back to some comfort. Keep up the good work 👍

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks you for your insights Catch You Later 😊 Great to hear the Highlands where enjoyable! Tailwinds

Very interesting point of view from real experience. Thanks for sharing.

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you too Pons 😊 All the best, E

Absolutely Excellent 👍👍👍 Keep up this excellent Channel

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Craig 😊 Great to hear! We working hard at it! All the best, E&M

Yes, I would enjoy an in-depth video on sleep systems. 🌻

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Another one checked ;) Thanks Vive 😊

@KirklandHoffs

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the great video. I’m heading out on my first cross country tour in 6 weeks. Would love to hear more on your sleep system advice.

There are many happy and sad things on a cycling trip, it will make a life experience........ greetings from Indonesia

Very well put Eric 👏 for me I think the weather and sleep are the worst for sure hope you guys are awesome 👌.

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Doing good Dave :) Hope you are fine too 💪🏼

Love you guys 😊🙏🤟

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Charlie 😊 All the best, e&m

Thank you for the reality check. I was surprised by #1, even though it is something I struggle with on a daily basis.

@WheelstoWander

10 ай бұрын

I hope there is some good info there for you! Sleep is perhaps underestimated on a tour and not that easy to optimise. I hope you are able to sort it out!

Great content!

@WheelstoWander

7 ай бұрын

Thanks 😊 All the Best, E&M

It was nice hearing your thoughts about this.

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Seeking Snow :) Happy to hear you liked it! All the best

I'm from Wales,and have been away for 5 months now. I'm 10,000km away and love my travel but yes your right, you do miss family,but the internet is a great think for keeping in touch. Great content 👍

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Jonathan! Wales is an amazing place to come back to. Lots of fun on your travels and good to hear the internet is helping out!! All the best, E&M

A very good video. I would have guessed heavy traffic, especially big trucks, as your no. 1 dislike. While cycling across Canada, many years ago, I got knocked down by a truck when I reentered the United States. I guess getting a good sleep would be very important for you on these very long trips. Thanks again and take care.😊

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Traffic certainly is the biggest concern when it comes to direct safety. We know multiple stories of people being hit and it’s always in the back of our minds. We hope you are ok with no permanent injuries! Thanks & All the best, E&M

Really helpful video- loving all your videos. Really interested in worry and size that the zenbivy system packs down to

Great vid, thanx

@WheelstoWander

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Philip 😊 All the Best, E&M

Oh yeah, all excellent points, especially #1. A good night sleep seem so elusive and is so important to a wonderful following day. I think most people struggle with this. ✌

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks 😊 Elusive is a good word to use here and is applicable to most. A work in progress... All the best

Good tips! I’d agree a good nights sleep is most important to mental function and making correct decisions going forward. Even worse take two ppl without sleep and get them arguing over a map things grind to a halt!

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Haha, we now that experience all to well 😅 Thanks Andy

Eric Good advice. For years I often carried a tarp, year around. Not anymore. With world climate warming critters of all sizes are moving into new heat and former cold zones. The biggest threat to humans is diseases carried by ticks and mosquitoes. My new find is an A frame tent with the two poles on the middle of the sides instead of the ends, with floor and netting that has almost the same amount of air floor as a tarp. I now limit my tarp camping to non bug season.

@WheelstoWander

4 ай бұрын

I love tarps and different setups but insects are a huge nuisance. It sounds like you found a great shelter! Thanks & Best wishes!

Your cycle travel philosophy mirrors my own, particularly the idea of Hot & Cold, Bright & Dark. Happiness doesn't exist without experiences of Hardship.

@WheelstoWander

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Marcus, always good to hear similar angles 😊 All the Best!

nice video as always thank you eric have a good time in wales

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Slimane! Wales was awesome :) All the best, E

I agree,especially about a good nights sleep. Ive struggled with different sleep systems to find the best for me which is totally different for my partner! As someone who's done extensive touring I've found that being sick ranks up high on my list. Often one must still ride which is difficult.

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

That is a good one Annie! Being sick is terrible on the bike. We🤞🏼 haven't had many experiences so that's probably why it's not in our list. All the best, E&M

Normally I hate list videos, but this was very well thought out. 👏

Quality sleep is so very important. While it's rejuvenating powers are not fully understood, a goods nights rest is essential for both mental and physical health. I've foiund a Quilt, Nemo pillow, and a wide / long pad, is the closest to sleeping at home.

Nice trip 😊

"Discomfort brings contrast" : I whole-heartily agree with that statement and as Calvin's dad (from Calvin & Hobbs) would put it, "it builds character". I would also add: A full day of headwind I can deal with but if it is followed directly by another one, the extra fatigue and constant noise from it gets the better of me, I even get angry at the wind which is ridiculous and an absolute waste of energy...

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

I believe it's important, at least for me, to make a better judgement about the reality of life. I love that bit about getting angry at the wind if it where a person. Tailwinds 😉

Great video, thank you

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Vincent! All the best

I guess that at bicycle touring the world one must think rational about it, you know, it's not like it's going to last for ever... One day it will come to an end where you two will go back home definitely and start a new chapter of your lives together (or not... "Shit happens" ) This you both are doing with it's sacrifices and it's paydays will fuel your lives forever and when you reach a level of maturity you will wish with all your hearts to be back at those long gone world trails! I know the feeling for that and lost opportunities to follow the dream to see the world and believe me it's sickening! My unasked for advice: Keep touring while your bodies can take it or you feel the need to settle to raise a family which is not only noble but a great thing to do! Take care my friends!

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing Fehr! It feels you had some experience with a similar kind of lifestyle yourself. We are taking as much in as possible. Inevitably life will have its progression... will try and see it coming with open arms. All the best, e&m

Comes to Wales and decides to do a "things we dislike" vlog. Says it all really 😉

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Haha, Wales was tough indeed! ...totally worth it though 😉

very good bicycle adventure touring programme

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Shaukat 😊 All the best, e&m

I appreciate your knowledge and know how, however I lean towards credit card touring. Perhaps its because I still require some comforts, but watching your adventure is always a welcome.

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

That sounds lovley 😉 Definitely no right or wrong way of doing it. Happy you are enjoying the vids! Tailwinds

My sleep set up; 3-season compact light weight sleeping bag. 2) Sleeping bag Fleece Liner (these add 12 degrees more of warmth) 3) light weight and compact size ground tarp (to protect inflatable sleeping pad from possible punctures) 4) inflatable sleeping pillow (has a soft cover over it and can be removed to wash) 5) small equipment, sleeping pad inflator (inflates a sleeping pad under 2 minutes; rechargeable. If you need any other ideas about what may have your camping easier, don't hesitate to ask. I have shared with several other tourists and they were fascinated by some of my touring items...gave them ideas to help alleviate some of the woe's of bike touring. :)

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Again an interesting insight Tracey! You could really add some value to the community with some good videos about your choices :)

My flight from New York to Paris touched down in Orly airport at 6:20 a.m.. the sky was dark gray. A moderate rain cooled the air fully wetting the tarmac around the jet. Customs and immigrations were a breeze. There was hardly a check or a question as we moved through the various lines and booths to the luggage area. The French did not even require a Visa which was surprising. In 1988 I had gone to France to enlist in the French foreign legion. Then the French required everyone to have a Visa because of terrorist threats they were keeping a close watch on everyone's comings and goings. There had been a waiting in line at a special office in London along with other people who had gotten themselves and Tangled in the Visa crunch. Now though it was just walk through and get it done. Two cardboard boxes weighted at baggage claim. One contained a chromoly touring bicycle and the other held the remainder of the gear. Because the other passengers had made off with all the baggage carts the best way to move them was by placing the smaller box on top of the box containing the bicycle and skidding them along the smooth tile floor. To some people it might have had an effect similar to screeching ones fingernails across a chalkboard but that was the only way. The immediate goal was getting into Paris to some discernible point from which to begin the journey. People at the airport said to take an Orly bus to somewhere in downtown Paris but where I did not know. With the two boxes loaded onto the bus it was necessary to hold them tightly as they swayed from side to side during the serpentine 20 minute ride into the City of lights. The first likely place was a rain drenched sidewalk in front of a city bus station in the small square d e n f e r t r o c h e r e a u. There was a clear plexiglass bus stop shelter there to keep out of the rain. The first plan was to unpack the bikes there assemble the bike and be ready to go when the rain stopped. However the shelter was so small and so many people kept coming and going from the buses that it was not possible. There was a small green park with an earthen footpath running through it just across the street that would make a good assembly point when the rain stopped. Two young women from California were in the shelter. One was crying. She said their vacation had turned out miserably. She described their experience as a horror a nightmare. She said she and her friend were lost and penniless nearly late for their flight home and unable to speak French without a way to the airport. That did not seem to qualify as a genuine horror or a nightmare. It was more the case of the spoiled poor little rich girl who upon experiencing some minor inconveniences overreacts and blows they predicament completely out of perspective and proportion. But there was no use saying anything about that. however her words did bring back memories of August the 1st 1980 in buttevant Ireland when my train was derailed resulting in the worst railroad disaster in the history of Ireland with 18 people who were killed and more than 75 who were injured. Those injuries were truly horrible and appalling. For 6 months before that there were clear terrorists threats and warnings from soldiers in the United States army who were protected by the United States government. That was a horror and a nightmare. A few minutes later both of them were speaking French and boarding their bus to the airport. They made a quick recovery. Hunger was setting in. The red neon lights of a pizza restaurant down the street to the left called out and made the stomach growl and set the juices to flowing. The questions were these. Was eating worth the trouble of carrying all that weight for a block? If not was it safe to leave everything unattended? The answer or the best answer to both questions was no. Had to besides that a frugal budget was necessary as usual and eating in Paris is notoriously expensive. The rain stopped in 2 hours and a dark gray sky remained. It took only 30 minutes to move the boxes to the park and spread out everything on two benches. The ground was a drenched red clay that had splattered up on everything and stuck there. Moving carefully to avoid dropping any parts into the sticky clay it took about 2 hours to assemble the bike pack the panniers and then put everything together. A man and a woman two benches away we're smoking marijuana. The camping gear clothing and other items weighing about 60 lb were distributed in two large rear panniers two smaller front panners and a handlebar bag with the rest stacked onto a rack mounted over the rear wheel. The bike itself weighing about 32 lb seemed to wobble under the strain of body and gear. When I pulled out for the first time onto the streets of Paris it must have been a site. Straddling the bike at some street corner to confer with a map of Paris, it was time to set out through the bustling City traffic following road signs to Led Halle, g a r e. du nord, there was a right turn to parallel a quay at the S e i n e River and after that there was a canal. Somewhere in town was a McDonald's which charge $6.50 for hamburger Coke and fries. The streets of Paris were lined with apartment houses, businesses of all sorts, and sites of historic interest. Mary ettinger and I had been tourists in Paris in the summer of 1982. We were on a one month rail pass in Western Europe and visiting in Paris many of the attractions to tourists go there to see. Now those places no longer held an allure. For this was the commencement of a major bicycling Odyssey whose first task required cycling successfully through the world's fourth most densely populated city with its more than 4,082 streets, 314 places, 8,016 intersections, and more than 2.2 million people distributed at more than 54,000 per square mile. That according to an encyclopedia. And already there were feelings of apprehension about what conditions might be encountered in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet republics. August 8, 1994

Well thought out and balanced with reality. I saw three coyotes once over a span of a few hours that were victims of traffic collisions. Gets me thinking how vulnerable we can be on bikes in urban areas.

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Michael! We are nothing much compared to a car or even worse. Bike lanes are a wonderful invention 👍🏼

Thanks!

@WheelstoWander

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Viktor 🙏🏼 Wishing you the very best, E&M

My bicycle route to my workplace is 6 km paved wide bicycle path and I very often encounter some extreme surprises, bumpy rides over municipal sewer system manhole covers, pine cones and small but annoying tree branches.

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

😆 Sounds like quite the adventure!

Croeso i Cymru - if you haven't been greeted properly yet. Well explained Eric, oh those tanker drivers and cabs! I found an add for sleeping kit was "hot hands", hand warmers - ear plugs, eye shade? like you get on planes and not drinking two hours before bed. Thanks for sharing your trips with us. My least favourite to add : noisy camping neighbours, wet tents and sleeping gear, chains that break too often - I think I may need to replace my rear cassette and crank wheels - not looking forward to that! stay safe you two.

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for that proper greeting Mark!! All good annoying points there 😆 We dislike all of them too! How do you use the hot hands?

@marksadventures3889

2 жыл бұрын

@@WheelstoWander place two in your sleeping bags, one up where your torso would be and one or two in the footbox. The bags contain chemicals that release heat over about 6 hours and they're cheap, about £1 a pack of 2. Some places they are even cheaper. Just wriggle the pack to set the chemicals off, I put them into my sleeping bag about an hour before I get in. Toastie! Stay safe you two. Lynn or Lake Bala is a magical place for Arthurian legend enthusiasts - possible residence of the Lady of the Lake who brought forth Excalibur Arthur's sword.

Hi Eric, third vid I've watched, some very good advice, Thank you, Subbed I wasn't prepared for the roadkill/stray animals, that made me sad. I always move dead animals off the road so that those creatures who might benefit from the deceased carcass may feed in some degree of safety. Dead badgers are deceptively heavy!

@WheelstoWander

4 ай бұрын

Hi Greg! It is a sad aspect of touring. I appreciate your tip to move the animals so others can be safe! Thanks & Best wishes!

Welcome to Wales, where to, great advice

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks 😊 To the north... and beyond!

Pet peeves: Having to reverse my loaded bike so as to rest it against a wall. Trying to load it onto trains; no ramp and the bike is heavy.

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

A loaded bike can be cumbersome... I feel ya ;)

For wild camping i started off minimal with tapered sleeping mats etc , in the end I know only buy rectangle matts , infact the sameone xtherm you have , and my pillow is gradually getting more comfortable , sleep is so important , so much so that I no longer have coffee and minimal alcohol in evening , esp if camping solo :)

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

We have that exact same evolution! Only the coffee is a thing 🙄☕️

Nice idea for a video.

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

😅 Thanks

I agree with sleep being most important. As you get older, a poor night's sleep has more impact on your emotional and physical performance the next day and recovery can take more than one day

@kennethkuhl1188

2 жыл бұрын

You are wise to pursue this level of adventure at your age. I have to adjust my idea of adventure now. For example, I rarely wild camp, I only travel gravel or rural roadways, I avoid trips where potential for problems with dogs is high, and normally gravitate to large public lands that offer a more secure and predictable experience. I know this level of adventure is far below yours, but it allows me to thoroughly enjoy the experience, contribute to my mental and physical health, and keep me in tune with our natural world. Thank you for sharing your feelings.

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Kenneth! There are no adventure levels to compete with I believe. Perhaps with your own inner competitor is the only one that counts for something. A challenge is good at the right time. Great to hear you are keeping the adventure alive 😊 Tailwinds

Another well made video, as always - Thanks. If you are near Edinburgh and need somewhere to stay you would be welcome with us, let me know. Kris

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Kris 😊 Your hospitality is really appreciated, Cheers!

I did a short 60 miler a couple weeks ago with the Yak BOB trailer . All my flyfishing gear , pretty heavy load . Trailers are kinda spazzy, but it worked . Slept in stealth mode just one night in a very cool 1700's house foundation . It started pouring rain right on schedule around 2 AM. Wierd noises . Ghosts? Bigfoot? Mountain Lion?(we do have those here) . Amazingly, the spot I chose didn't flood, thank God, (stupid me) but thinking about that all night drove me insane. Finally around 4:30 AM I got 4 hours sleep by wrapping my black scarf over my eyes to avoid the dreaded sunrise. I spent most of the next day eating deli sandwiches and prepping fly tackle until 3 PM. Fished hard again, left river at 10PM , was in bed back home at 2 AM. It took three days to recover from that, but I scored a huge brown trout. So mission accomplished. Yeah the recovery thing after beating the crap out of yourself. Short home based tours are interesting, you're out only two days, feels like you've been gone a month. But you will never sleep the first night out. Never.

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

I like those mini adventures Robert :) Keep e'hmm going

Thank You friend. I guess I never was seriously ill while my tours except sometimes the problems with the insects. I never "met" so many animals. I saw a turtle in Africa and a child missed it. I gave it back. In the desert a wild but harmless dog made friend with me. Wild camping when you dont find a place in every county was possible except of my own (your nabour country).😊 Sometimes i got there by strange people disturbed. I' m now ill again with 62. Healing will be breaking up again and hope to share with others my life. - Good Ride to You and your Partner. Ps I guess the very worste is not to sleep good. So You couldn have power for the next day. Very bad. 😣But I m shure to handle it. Learning by doing. And the best was to know people You never met staying home or alles the Dame colleques Learning about nothing. And These simple people helped to learn a dozens of languages. You would not even learn in university. - Take Care of bad people. Everywhere. Learn to deal with them. Look for the simple working people and be friendly to them.

@WheelstoWander

8 ай бұрын

Hi Karl! I hope I read your words correctly. I see you have had many experiences over a wide spectrum of things. Bicycle touring can be like that. I read you are able to manage a to learn as you go. We want to wish you many more wonderful miles and positive learning curves. All the best, E&M

Good job wheeler

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks 😊

Welcome to Wales🙌

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Philip 😊 All the best

Love from india........i like your videos and appreciate your efforts

@WheelstoWander

Жыл бұрын

Thanks 😊 All the Best, E&M

Cheers from Canada

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Horacio :) All the best from the UK

Hi, I see you are in uk. Check out the Canal network, the towpaths often provide a safe and interesting cycle route. Love the vids.

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Dave! We cycled many already and love them 😊 Coming up in future videos. All the best!!

Nice video 📸

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks 😊 All the best

I take some light hiking shoes with me when doing long distance cycle tours and a pack in the bottom of my trailer! The rest of the gear is almost the same, so it's quite doable. Quite a few times I have skived off into the hills a few times, the harder part is finding a place to store your bike securely 🙂. I also go to movies when I can! Traffic is about the worst thing IMO, the rest of the things can be managed.

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Brent, thanks for your reaction. Securing the bikes is perhaps an interesting topic to explore, we have some gripes with that. Lucky for us a lot can be managed including traffic in most cases if you are willing to go the extra mile 😉

Great videos, After falling ill doing LEJOG 800 miles in ,I think it might be wise to get a cycling partner as my girlfriend hates cycling , especially as I'd like to go further afield.

He tried to point out bad things about bike touring but still made bike touring sound like the perfect life.

@WheelstoWander

10 ай бұрын

Ha, Thanks 😊

stay safe always

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Adli 🙏🏼 All the best

About n.1: carry a pair of hammocks with ridge line and bug net and look for hanging opportunities. Surprised no one else suggested it, I had to! Since I discovered hammock comfort I no longer carry a tent when bikepacking. I will still carry an inflatable mat if I absolutely have to go to the ground but I almost never use it. I do have to carry 2 sleeping quilts: over and under and a tarp (dyneema with doors). "Hammocking" i.m.o. is a more immersive camping experience, often stealthier and I don't feel so vulnerable sleeping under a tarp as I feel enclosed in an opaque tent. Of course a hammock is a 1-person-only deal, an obvious disadvantage for a couple. Amazonian natives may disagree but that has been my experience.BTW I'm 51yo and single ;D

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

On longer tours there is often no place to hang so we never really gave it a chance. We hear many people like it so we are tempted to try! All the best, E&M

@luisfaim2061

2 жыл бұрын

@@WheelstoWander , trees are the obvious choice for hanging but are not required; fence posts, phone line poles, shed pillars and other man-made structs work but also rock walls p.e. As stated above I have become hammock stubborn and carry 96g worth of stakes and climbing anchors (rock nuts) so I can hang above the tree line (that is the weight of an UL tent that I prefer not to carry). I can hang from the bike seat's rail if I only have one other hang point and if I have none other then... seatpost height on one end, stake the tarp's other end to the ground and use the hammock as a bivi bag. Keep on wandering, it'll keep you fit and young!

You nail it, insects are the most dangerous animals, i served in French foreign legion, in French Guyana, and mosquito and others insects are the most dangerous, big animals we never saw them.

@WheelstoWander

6 ай бұрын

Happy to hear from an expert! Thanks

Yeah, I can confirm that: shepherds' dogs are a big problem here in Greece. Many short cycling trips went wrong trying to find a solution to avoid or face those dogs. I even plan my rides taking account this fact! It's a shame, because there are such beautiful places to see, but you cannot reach them due to this problem...

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

That is very unfortunate! We hope this will change in the future! All the best, E&M

10:49 Magic 😀

Yes!your sleeping system please.!

@WheelstoWander

Жыл бұрын

We are working on it...

Do you ever consider, instead of coffee usltilizing caffeine tablets instead? Advantages: better control of caffeine intake and dosages; lower cost; less time consuming; more consistent; more convenient; fewer stomach issues; and others. Whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages depends on individual factors of course. I've just been researching the combination of caffeine and L-theanine, which is a naturally occurring amino acid found in green tea and elsewhere. The conbination can also be achieved, as well as being much more tunable, through supplemental L-theanine (which is also used to improve sleep quality). The combination of caffeine and L-theanine is preferred by many people over caffeine alone. People feel more balanced. Studies have shown improved performance as well with the combination. There is some kind of synergy. The usual recommendation is a 2:1 ratio, L-theanine:caffeine - 200 mg caffeine with 400 mg L-theanine, for example. One study I just read recommended experimenting with amounts and ratios to find the sweet spot for your own experience.

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Interesting idea, we never contemplated using caffeine in tablet form. The combination with L-theanine sounds promising and is perhaps something we should research. We are addicted to the experience of coffee though and really enjoy the hot warming and pleasant taste of a good brew. It's a mental thing too in making it that is hard to mimic any other way.

Im sure you mentioned you are in Wales - not sure of timing but i live near Carmarthen West Wales. There is an offer of a shower and a bed!

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your hospitality! We are already past that area. All the best, E&M

I never had trouble sleeping on my bike tours. The effort to cycle just 50km was enough to make me sleep soundly. However, the area cycled was sans rabid dogs, lyme disease, bears, snakes and everything that bites except mosquitoes. No malaria though.

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Great to hear that Jamie! It can be done 💪🏼

Nice video. A friend of mine was bitten by a tick and he now has heart palpitation problems that were diagnosed as coming from the tick bite. You can get vaccinated against one of the viruses (causes „Frühsommer-Meningoenzephalitis“ in DE) that are transmitted by tickets. FYI: I'm not a doctor.

@WheelstoWander

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the tip! Always good to know more about those things. All the best, E&M

What tent are you using on your tour?

@WheelstoWander

Жыл бұрын

At the moment a Marmot Tungsten 3P UL.

I have found to sit where I want to set up a tent for a minimum of fifteen minutes to make sure I am out of range from any potentially loud noises. There is nothing worse than getting all set up and a dog from a farmhouse starts barkin' (all night). Sometimes I have had to dismantle/ pack up and move. Definitely a hassle.(especially once it gets dark)

@WheelstoWander

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, we have had that same problem! I believe we never moved on but for sure a couple of bad night were the consequence. Good tip to first "feel" out the place! Thanks