Very wise pointers. My biggest mistake was underestimating a loaded bike. I was a roadie with a light bike and rode 100 + km rides regularly. But that didn't prepare me for a loaded bike. Take it easy, take it slow. My new motto is, "I have no particular place to be, and all day to get there".

Good advice to go with what you already have. I planned my epic bike tour for three years. Had the perfect bike and the perfect gear. Quit my job, sold everything, then 3 months later Covid happened and it all ended. Should have just did it 3 years ago with what I already had.

Good advice Mike. The important thing to remember is that you are on holidays. The whole point of the exercise is to enjoy the experience.

Contrary to what many do on a tour, the idea is not to do as many kms as possible but to do as little as possible without getting bored. If within 15km there is lots to see then be it, otherwise keep going. Once I started doing this I began enjoying bicicle touring.

Be sure to do the pointer Mike mentioned RE: testing out your equipment on a more local ride. I, too, had an old hybrid. I installed rear panniers, loaded the rear rack, front panniers and did a ride here in north Georgia (U.S.). I cut that trip short because I had not anticipated wind loading on all that 'sail' area. So when I took my first trip in Europe all I took was what would fit atop the rear rack and a small handlebar bag. That turned out to be ideal. Start with what you have and pare down from there.

Yeah good advice. After three big tours all I've really changed is some lighter gear and less of it, but not a massive saving. Comfort is more important than weight, so don't go too ultra light. The extra weight of the bike is a big issue and it changes the geometry, especially on the front wheel. That takes some getting used to and needs a different riding style. I do plan to do 100k a day but flexible. The first few days are tough so build up the distance. And yes, it's a holiday so enjoy yourself.

Some top tips Mike, thanks for that. We are planning our first UK staycation bike tour this year to celebrate being 60 years young.

All great points, but I gotta echo #4. COMFORT IS KING. Sleeping on crappy gear is like wearing a pair of ill fitting shoes. Sure, it can be done, but it gets old quick. I always enjoy my riding when I wake up refreshed and well rested. Good sleep = good days.

Great advice, Mike. I've made all of those mistakes and then some. I did a few things right though, at least initially. My first bike tour was 26 years ago. This was before most people had internet at home so the extent of our planning was to get a paper road map and plan a route from Phoenix to Tucson, Arizona. We had no idea of how high or steep the hills were or what the road was like. It turned out that the climbs were very steep and there were many of them. It was only a 225 mile tour, but all the climbing destroyed my knees (temporarily). I couldn't ride for 6 months after I got home. Despite that, I had the time of my life and became a big fan of bicycle touring. I really loved the "discovery" aspect of it. Because we knew so little about the route, everything was a surprise, and it felt like a real adventure. All the tours I've done since then have been well planned out, and I'm now realizing how much I miss that "discovery" thing. I think my next tour might have to be one with very little planning. Thanks for the video.

Coming from road cycling, I was surprised actually how “easy” it is to match the same number of km on a touring bike. It made me realize how road bike is inefficient when it comes to distance, it is about the effort / sport, and driving at a “casual” pace on a touring bike makes you go way further with the same effort. And it is easier to go daily 6 hours at maybe 15 km/h average, than 3 hours at 27 km/h average.

One more tip: bring only the absolute minimum stuff. Don't take 2 shorts if one would be enough. Don't bring any gadgets you're not using all the time.

Going on local test runs is a great idea. I used to cycle to the local forest and other such places to test my gear before using it 'in earnest'. So you might like to go out and test a tent or camping hammock for instance. You can go out when you know the weather is going to be bad to test the gear. If push comes to shove you can always go home. It's the little things you learn like: If the weather is a bit cold, find a spot so that the sun hits the tent first thing in the morning rather than being in shadow. It makes all the difference. If it's in summer you might want to seek out shadows.

most valuable tips to beginner is advising from experienced beginner , thank you very much

Because wild camping here in the Netherlands is not allowed, I need to plan my camping spots in advance. But I plan them at a not too far distance (never over 70 km). The 'Natuurkampeerterreinen' (Nature Camping Grounds) always have place for bicycle touring people (at least for 1 night).

For such a short video, thats the best touring advice ive seen on you tube. Well done, and i totally agree with all of it. Subscribed to you channel👍

Agree with almost everything, but not "Don't wear cotton" Here are the reasons. 1. If you have sensitive skin; cotton, linen or hemp is less likely to irritate. Especially important if one gets yeast infections or eczema. Merino wool is great as a base layer if your skin isn't sensitive. 2. Cotton doesn't stink like synthetics. 3. Synthetics, including rayon, put microfibers into our water ways most municipal systems do not filter out microfibers. It is damaging the micro plankton, fish eat the plankton, it gets in the fish. We drink water that has synthetic fibers in it, so even our bodies have plastic fibers. Wool can be wonderful, but most has some polyester in it. In Sweden, the major sports retailers don't even offer 100% wool clothes. I have been biking 50 years. My favorite is a 50/50 cotton linen blend, but most of the time I wear 100% cotton, if it is cold the wool goes over the cotton layer. If cotton gets wet, just change clothes, it will dry and not smell nearly as bad as a synthetic Jersey. I did find some silk, cotton and angora socks that are amazing for winter, even if my feet get wet they stay warm.

All good points especially the sleeping pad. I have a thinner pad and find it difficult to sleep sometimes. Nothing worse even on the short tours I ride. One item worth every cent you spend.

About the planning, I like to sleep at places which are listed in "vrienden op de fiets", this is a Dutch organisation, people propose a room, a accomodation in an upgraded garden shed, a studio they made and so on, you pay 20 eur per night including the breakfast. And so I plan shorter trip so we can enjoy scenery, and have time to chat with the persons so they give us tips for things to do or see. Of course this is in the Netherlands, but we love to cycle there, for example we stayed 3 times in Amsterdam and there where 3 different types, one time a house and the lady left so we had it for our own, once a room in a residence for elderly people, there was a room where they could invite family or friends, and we slept in a small appartment from an american he was so kind and we had a wonderfull time. I could tell you more of those trips, but it would take too long.

Great tips, Mike. I 100% agree with taking it slow the first few days, I learned the hard way.

Yep Yep Yep 1. Just Go. 2. Plan Little and I say, be where you are not where you are not, just be. "Happiness is in the journey not at the destination" a random thought that came into my head on my first really major multi-month cycle tour, while cycling through the Catlins in New Zealand. One of my biggies is never pass up an opportunity to connect with people along the way. 3. Time enough to train on tour, so start easy. or "Satis est tempus instituendi dum in itinere." (yes my Latin is shyte but it looks really good in a blog title) - Ya practice mini tours for those who have never toured as it gives you time to see that you really didn't need to bring along a cast iron frying pan or two pairs of shoes. 4. Treat yourself well - always. (I might look at one of those fancy pillows and given the chance I will stay in a fancy hotel). 5. Merino is King. 6. *** Bonus *** Don't eat crap food, eat well (drop all that sugar in the garbage). Add just hydration salts to your drinking water. Eat before you are hungry and drink before you are thirsty.

Hello Mike, You are right in what you say. You only learn in practice how everything works.

Very wise words Mike. Those who wait until everything is perfect..........spend all their time just waiting

Thank you again Mike Very nice to see you again and to hear your advice and ideas from your experiences. It's very helpful.

Tack Mikael! Du är så klok och pedagogisk.

Good Job Mike with all videos. Your advises are just to the point. I watched a lot of episodes of your channel and looking forward for the next ones! I did some long distance touring with tent (over one month riding ) , but now forgot a little bit how it is due to daily routine, however your videos are inspiring enough so I'm sure I will do it again now!

Having a no plan when you plan for bike touring is really some great piece of advice👍

Just got back from a 20 mile ride this morning. I stopped and got what turned out to be, a very messy cheeseburger. I stopped at a park to eat, where the water has not been turned on yet. Not to worry, I had a little towel in my bag and that helped wipe off the grease. Greasy. messy burgers are good though. Carrying a little towel is now on my list. Take care..

I just had a racingbike rainjacket which performed well I thought. But this summer in Europe it was raining and raining all over the place and I was cold, wet and had to stop 1 weak early. I will buy a good rain jacket now....

One mistake I did a few years ago was trying to do what dad did. He once cycled to Aix-en.Provence in 15 days. On a road bike with tubulars, and the only thing he brought was a bad sheet. That is roughly 170 km per day. I found out pretty quickly that there is no way I can do more than two 170 km rides back to back. Still, just trying was kind of an experience. I git to Amsterdam before my body decide it had had enough.

My big lesson on tour 1 - use the gears on the bike to your advantage and to prevent injury. You want to spin that crankset not slowly churn with full force.

Go on any bike. But watch out. Hybrid bikes and mountain bikes can be pretty good. But there are lots of bikes that just are not made with lots of weight. I learned that the hard way.....with a broken frame. But that is part of the adventure. Right ? Right!

The fun part is when you realize all the stuff you don't need and you start getting rid of things.

I mark approximate one-hour (10mi/15km) points toward my destination which lets me adjust stop points easily (for water, food, interest, sleep). AND I always make a crude, paper map. High-tech always fails at the worst time.

...as in the old K I S S principle. And #1, for most, is key. It's really easy to get carried away buying new...back room turns into a sporting goods surplus store. Another fine one for the archives Mike...thank you!

90's Raleigh Amazon did me from England to Israel (48 days), Himalaya to Indonesia 50 days and then Spain and Portugal. Go super basic and if you go for a Backpack instead of Panniers like i did, apologise to your Gooch in advance.

Good tips. Still trying to find something comfortable to sleep on

You are right. Start now. Stay local. Relax.

Thanks Mike for all those great tips..#4 good night sleep amost👍🎥👍

have a list, go on a bike forum, post the list, await further suggestions what you may or may not need, also you need to start out with a road map ( plan ) but keep in mind that the real roadmap is that " the wind will be your road map " on your journey

Thanks for all the advice Mike. All sounds very reasonable

"Better yet: Don't plan at all!" Amen, brother. That's why I usually camp rough. At least in the countries where that's an option. I just hate having to decide in the morning where I have to be at night. "I'm happy in the summertime, beneath the bricht blue sky No tinkin in da morrnin whaur tonicht I'll hae to lie In barn or byre, or anywhere, dossin oot among the hay And if the weather treats me right, I'm happy evry day."

Simple but excellent advice

I agree with your no cotton tip. However. I do some ultra endurance racing and with a sore bum after a race another competitor advised me that he when he started cycling in cotton underwear he did not get chafings anymore. So perhaps that works for some.

Thanks for the excellent tips Mike. I've used Merino wool a fair but but not only it is very expensive but it's not very durable or hard wearing. All my icebreaker garments have holes and rips in them now, even though I tried to be very careful. Keep the videos coming and keep doing what you're doing.

I find a lot of value on this video! Thanks man.

Very useful, very practical and very pragmatic I must say, thanks for sharing Mike.

Great advice on the Merino wool. I got introduced to that a year ago, wonderful.

Thanks Mike! As always, these are great tips. I agree mostly. however I still think that not all bikes can be configured to bike touring. I tried to convert my cyclocross bike, but tire clearance is an issue and so is the ability to carry and mount bags. I agree 100% with the other 4. Keep up with the great content!

Great video for us beginners

Cotton is the Devil's fabric!

Thanks Mike! Good advice!

thanks Mike

Thanks for the video Mike. I just wonder what are you doing when any animals (wild doğa, not pets specially) try attacking you. This is my nightmare when I ride bike. This is the reason I can't imagine going tour. Thanks.

Sounds really good, thank you 👍😉

Once again thank you for your advice. Starting a tour soon.

Good stuff Mike. Definitely like #2. Go with the flow and be open-minded to the unexpected paths that open up on a bike tour. Super exciting. So itching to get on another bike tour. You have any planned coming up?

Thank you

Hello wonderful video and great advice, thank you very much, greetings.😊

Great video.

These are excellent. Thank you

Thanks, great and realistic tips!

Outstanding

Great Tipps Mike!

great points, thank you.

As Lance Armstrong said, "It's not about the bike". In the case of touring it's more about the people you meet along the way.

Tack ska du ha, herr Ambassadör! 😉

Thanks, Mike!

Tjena Mike, Great advice as always. I hope it warms up there so you can get out again soon. I was hoping you would combine this video with learning 1-5 in Swedish. Tack Ed

Awesome! Thanks Mike:-)

thanks!

Liked and subbed , thanks,

Hi Mike. Do yoou have a video on packing a bike in a box to fly?

I bet you learned a few things from Darren. Great video and well presented.

play it at 1.5 speed

Cool

Cotton kills stay hydrated and advoid hypothermia

Do you have plans for a longer trip this year?

Vet du varför inte Darren Alf ger ut videor längre?

Learn how to backpack/camp and bike commute first, then marry and apply those lessons.

Sensible advice.

Quote: Start out with tours in your local area. I will take your advice . Mm don't wear cotton ? Marina wool,, gold ... Ok got it. Thank you.

👍

Merino wool doesn't work when you're a vegan. I do wear cotton when I ride.