Fixed gear bikes/ Post your big bikes V2

[Brooklynrider]

Hed Belgiums or Open Pros?

[hugh.]

As of next week I'm buggering off round Europe on my bike. This is a very rough plan, based on where I have relatives, mates and having to be near Zagreb to get a train to Budapest for a stag do, plus a slight obsession with Corsica and the Balkans. Of course it'll all change but it's a start. 50 - 60 miles a day with plenty of scope for days off and changes is the plan. I don't have to be back until September. Also I think I now have shares in Ortlieb.

Shout out to Hugh - I know you did something similar last year. I think I remember that you used MAPS.ME app for navigation? How did that work out? I'm hoping to use that in combination for RWGPS when I need turn by turn.

Pictures on Instagram is anyone has any interest. www.instagram.com/martinoflockwood

Yep. MAPS.ME is what I used along with some paper ones. Didn't really navigate much cause I just pointed myself south and hoped for the best. Download all the offline maps before you leave.

Corsica is fucking beautiful. I did the west coast  from Bastia>Calvi>Ajaccio>Bonifacio.
A word of warning: bring some water purification tablets. I got caught out in  amidst those endless hills without a regular  water supply. You want to be carrying atleast 6 liters. No bus or train service to take advantage of when you get fucked with food poisoning induced dehydration  either. 

East coast could be different.
Beautiful place though. Lovely people. I think I did 52,000 vertical feet of climbing in 8 days. Felt really accomplished after.

Are you camping?

Any other questions are welcome

[Dr. Steve Brule]

I need to do some touring, next year hopefully.

Got my winter (possibly touring?) bike sorted:

[Sacrebleu]

As of next week I'm buggering off round Europe on my bike. This is a very rough plan, based on where I have relatives, mates and having to be near Zagreb to get a train to Budapest for a stag do, plus a slight obsession with Corsica and the Balkans. Of course it'll all change but it's a start. 50 - 60 miles a day with plenty of scope for days off and changes is the plan. I don't have to be back until September. Also I think I now have shares in Ortlieb.

Shout out to Hugh - I know you did something similar last year. I think I remember that you used MAPS.ME app for navigation? How did that work out? I'm hoping to use that in combination for RWGPS when I need turn by turn.

Pictures on Instagram is anyone has any interest. www.instagram.com/martinoflockwood

Yep. MAPS.ME is what I used along with some paper ones. Didn't really navigate much cause I just pointed myself south and hoped for the best. Download all the offline maps before you leave.

Corsica is fucking beautiful. I did the west coast  from Bastia>Calvi>Ajaccio>Bonifacio.
A word of warning: bring some water purification tablets. I got caught out in  amidst those endless hills without a regular  water supply. You want to be carrying atleast 6 liters. No bus or train service to take advantage of when you get fucked with food poisoning induced dehydration  either. 

East coast could be different.
Beautiful place though. Lovely people. I think I did 52,000 vertical feet of climbing in 8 days. Felt really accomplished after.

Are you camping?

Any other questions are welcome

Cheers Hugh! I'm in the South of France at the moment heading to Nice where I can get the boat to Corsica. Thanks for the advice, I didn't think Corsica would be that remote. I guess I have to think about which coast to cycle down.

I've been using RidewithGPS/MAPS.ME and paper crib sheets prepared in my tent the night before, seems to be working pretty well.

[hugh.]

As of next week I'm buggering off round Europe on my bike. This is a very rough plan, based on where I have relatives, mates and having to be near Zagreb to get a train to Budapest for a stag do, plus a slight obsession with Corsica and the Balkans. Of course it'll all change but it's a start. 50 - 60 miles a day with plenty of scope for days off and changes is the plan. I don't have to be back until September. Also I think I now have shares in Ortlieb.

Shout out to Hugh - I know you did something similar last year. I think I remember that you used MAPS.ME app for navigation? How did that work out? I'm hoping to use that in combination for RWGPS when I need turn by turn.

Pictures on Instagram is anyone has any interest. www.instagram.com/martinoflockwood

Yep. MAPS.ME is what I used along with some paper ones. Didn't really navigate much cause I just pointed myself south and hoped for the best. Download all the offline maps before you leave.

Corsica is fucking beautiful. I did the west coast  from Bastia>Calvi>Ajaccio>Bonifacio.
A word of warning: bring some water purification tablets. I got caught out in  amidst those endless hills without a regular  water supply. You want to be carrying atleast 6 liters. No bus or train service to take advantage of when you get fucked with food poisoning induced dehydration  either. 

East coast could be different.
Beautiful place though. Lovely people. I think I did 52,000 vertical feet of climbing in 8 days. Felt really accomplished after.

Are you camping?

Any other questions are welcome

Cheers Hugh! I'm in the South of France at the moment heading to Nice where I can get the boat to Corsica. Thanks for the advice, I didn't think Corsica would be that remote. I guess I have to think about which coast to cycle down.

I've been using RidewithGPS/MAPS.ME and paper crib sheets prepared in my tent the night before, seems to be working pretty well.

Awesome. Well it's not that it's remote when you look at a map, just the hills seriously hamper your mileage so it takes a while to get anywhere. Bring a mosquito net if you don't have one already. You can get them in that French superstore Decathalon for like €10.

Careful setting up your tent anywhere obvious too. I was warned that camping in illegal in Corsica and there's a small group of people who don't take kindly to tourists on their island. i never had any problems but i met a Dutch family with 2 young kids  bike touring on my first day. On my last day there I got talking to a British motorcycle traveller and he told me the family had a bomb thrown at them when they were sleeping. I don't want to discourage you but just thought I'd tell you to have your wits about you.


You going to Monaco I presume? Do the F1 track on your bike! It's epic fun.

[Sasha]

What options are for lightweight non disc all black road rims? I've got a Wiggle discount code that ends at midnight so could pick up some Archetypes but wouldn't mind something slightly lighter if possible.

Archetypes are mint. Well light enough too.

[Sacrebleu]

As of next week I'm buggering off round Europe on my bike. This is a very rough plan, based on where I have relatives, mates and having to be near Zagreb to get a train to Budapest for a stag do, plus a slight obsession with Corsica and the Balkans. Of course it'll all change but it's a start. 50 - 60 miles a day with plenty of scope for days off and changes is the plan. I don't have to be back until September. Also I think I now have shares in Ortlieb.

Shout out to Hugh - I know you did something similar last year. I think I remember that you used MAPS.ME app for navigation? How did that work out? I'm hoping to use that in combination for RWGPS when I need turn by turn.

Pictures on Instagram is anyone has any interest. www.instagram.com/martinoflockwood

Yep. MAPS.ME is what I used along with some paper ones. Didn't really navigate much cause I just pointed myself south and hoped for the best. Download all the offline maps before you leave.

Corsica is fucking beautiful. I did the west coast  from Bastia>Calvi>Ajaccio>Bonifacio.
A word of warning: bring some water purification tablets. I got caught out in  amidst those endless hills without a regular  water supply. You want to be carrying atleast 6 liters. No bus or train service to take advantage of when you get fucked with food poisoning induced dehydration  either. 

East coast could be different.
Beautiful place though. Lovely people. I think I did 52,000 vertical feet of climbing in 8 days. Felt really accomplished after.

Are you camping?

Any other questions are welcome

Cheers Hugh! I'm in the South of France at the moment heading to Nice where I can get the boat to Corsica. Thanks for the advice, I didn't think Corsica would be that remote. I guess I have to think about which coast to cycle down.

I've been using RidewithGPS/MAPS.ME and paper crib sheets prepared in my tent the night before, seems to be working pretty well.

Awesome. Well it's not that it's remote when you look at a map, just the hills seriously hamper your mileage so it takes a while to get anywhere. Bring a mosquito net if you don't have one already. You can get them in that French superstore Decathalon for like €10.

Careful setting up your tent anywhere obvious too. I was warned that camping in illegal in Corsica and there's a small group of people who don't take kindly to tourists on their island. i never had any problems but i met a Dutch family with 2 young kids  bike touring on my first day. On my last day there I got talking to a British motorcycle traveller and he told me the family had a bomb thrown at them when they were sleeping. I don't want to discourage you but just thought I'd tell you to have your wits about you.


You going to Monaco I presume? Do the F1 track on your bike! It's epic fun.

Yeah thanks, I've heard a few odd things about Corsica, being bombed however was not one of them! Scenery looks too good to miss though. If I do end up in Monaco then that's on the cards for sure. Heading for Mt. Ventoux first  Shame we're a year apart. Could've met in the Casino Monte Carlo for a beer.

Strava if it interests anyone:
www.strava.com/athletes/987614

[Sacrebleu]

Ventoux!

[cmc4130]

[Narcoleptic Insomniac]

Sweet ride yo.
I was thinking today that you could modify a rear rack to attach a BMX fork's dropouts and then you could do some touring with the little bike on tow and hit spots you find along the way. Has anyone done anything like this?

[reebzor]

New Bike Day for me

[Stoked]

Have you guys had luck with those narrow wide chainrings sans chain keeper and a non clutch rear derailleur?

[reebzor]

I have not dropped a chain since putting a Praxis NW on my cross bike with a standard 10sp rival rear der

[Prodigal Son]

What's a good helmet for road/single speed riding?

[Narcoleptic Insomniac]

I like my Giro but really just go to a bike shop and try a few on. Get the one that feels more comfortable on your head.