File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
Okay /trv/, help me out here.
I'm planning on using the coming summer to see whatever coutryside the Netherlands has left, on my bike. I know from previous years that the success of your trip is decided before you leave by your choice of equipment to bring along. Since this will probably be a cyclingtour of about a week, I'd like YOU to help me figure out what to take

tl;dr what stuff to bring when camping by bike.
>> Anonymous
I'm in a similar boat as you. Taking my first bike tour, but I'm a little bit more ambitious. I'm going to try a 2+ month tour of national parks of the US.

Try looking up bike tour packing list. There are plenty of decent sites.
>> Anonymous
I don't think you need anything special for a bicycle tour. You just need a well working bike, a palce to sleep (Hotel or Tent) some spare clothing, rainproof clothing and what else you would take on a Hike.

Much more important than the equipment is the daily planning of the Tour. You have to keep in mind that you need a lot of Water to drink, and you burn a lot of energy, so you have to eat a lot. It is important to plan the eating brakes, else you will loose your power and motivation.

I made 3 tours myself, and usually the equipment was the smaller problem.
>> Anonymous
>>26988
Aye, the smaller problem, but if tackled well before you leave, not a problem at all, I ran into real problems my first tour because I had cludged together all my belongings, didn't think about what was important to take with me, etc. After a while, the trips got a whole lot more enjoyable because I didn't have to worry about my gear anymore.

Advice for OP; take a weekend off to a local park or something to test your setup if you plan on taking a trip for a week+. If you made any serious mistakes packing, you'll find out.
>> Anonymous
Some extra inner and possibly outer tires would be pretty usefull, and ofcourse the equipment needed to put them on. I haven't done any cycling tours myself, but from what i've heard it's pretty much mandatory to have a comfortable seat and pants with those cushion things in it if you plan to bike a lot .
>> Anonymous
>>27015
A repair kit + inner tube is fine, dragging along a tire is not. Flimsy fuckers, and you can't put them anywhere.
>> Anonymous
Extra weight is not that bad on a bike tour. You will just be a little slower.

It is also a good idea to take stuff to repair your bike. Last tour i even needed the spokes i took with me.

And if the Bike ion the Picture is yours, you should reconsider the handlebar. I used a similar one on my first tour and got real problems after a week (i couldn't close the pinky finger to the rest of the fingers for about a month).

For the one who wants to start with a 2 month tour: Make your bike as comfortable as you can! buy a good saddle (Brooks for example) and tune the handlebar to your liking.
>> Anonymous
>>27018
The bike in the pic is not mine, I just googled for a tour bike, I still need to buy mine. My current citybike is in no sense usable for more then an hours worth of cycling.
>> Anonymous
>>27021
If you can spend the money for a new bike, think carefully how you want to use it. A real touring bike can easily be around 1000 € or even 2000 € without unnesecary extras, so you may have to choose some flaws.

Also i recommend waterproof bike bags (like teh Ortlieb on the Pic). Not only will your stuff stay dry even if you have to swim across a river, the fastening system is alyo very good (but then again, they are expensive, about 250 € the whole set)
>> Anonymous
>>27023
Since I'm just starting, and my budget is on the low side of the low side, I'd like to see where I can get with a second hand bike I can pick up at a local auction site. For the moment, I'm just seeing where this newfound interest will take me, buying an expensive bike is not yet an option at all.
>> Anonymous
>>27025
When you manage to find a good frame, you can exchange the other parts over time.
If you buy a used bike, you have to check all bearings work with no tolerance, or you have to exchange them. Also check the brake system. If the Bowden cables are damaged, change them.
Depending on how the bike was used before, it may be good to exchange the chain and the tires.
>> gizmogal !MmLOyiCYJs
My sis biked across the US last summer, and all she took were two panniers full on her bike...
>> Anonymous
Bring a first aid kit and a repair kit (tubes, patch kit, etc.). I'd also suggest staying in hostels instead of camping. What parts of the Netherlands are you going to bike in?
>> Anonymous
>>27079
No fucking clue; I figured I'd just pack and go, somewhere, prolly heading South. The camping thing will be a bit annoying because you can't just setup camp anywhere in the netherlands, there are laws against it.
>> Anonymous
>>27138
There's usually enough farms to camp for cheap.
It's also a good idea to check with the local VVV for camp sites.
>> Anonymous
Well, i don't know about the Netherlands, but i camped in germany in the wild, and there were no problems.
If you camp on "used Land", you should however ask the Person who appears to be the owner. A save way to camp almost everywhere is to be a member of the Scouts or a similar organization, at least in germany.
>> Anonymous
>>27592
Wild camping is forbidden in Germany. Show some common sense (Don't litter, don't camp on private property or near settlements) and most Foresters won't give you shit.
>> Anonymous
>>27599
That is exactly what i meant. Even if it is forbidden, you will propably get away with it, as long as you show some common sense (you forgot to mention: no open Fire, unless you find a fireplace)
>> Anonymous
Bikefag gb2/n/