this post was submitted on 06 Oct 2024
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Bicycle Touring and Bikepacking

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For all the pedal pushers out there that love long distance cycling. There are no gear requirements and no 'minimum distances' here.

Have you ridden for a cheeky overnighter or a 3 year global trek? Doesn't matter, you're welcome here.

Have you got panniers, bikepacking bags or just a backpack with the essentials? Doesn't matter, you're welcome here.

Have you got the latest in carbon engineering or your dads old 10 speed from the 70's? Doesn't matter, you're welcome here.


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Title picture taken on the way from Buis-les-Barronies towards Montbrun-les-Bains. Mont Ventoux seems to be everywhere, then again i cycled around it quite a lot ;)

Originally i wanted to do two weeks in Cyprus, but when i was checking in my bike at the airport, they did not allow me to bring it just bubble wrapped. That was such a bummer, i had done this a few times before without problem. It sucked and i could not reschedule the flight for it to make sense because the flights to Cyprus were so few.

So i sat at home depressed for a couple days, then drove my car to Valence, France and rode from there to the Luberon and back. The Drôme provençale and the Mont Ventoux Area are really gorgeus. Luberon i did not enjoy as much, still very nice, i rode the ridge road of the petit Luberon and thought i may have panoramas to both sides, but it was mostly forest, but a cedar forest, not something i have seen before i think.

On the descend from Col de la Chaudière towards Bourdeaux

First time touring without a kickstand, it was less anoying than i thought it would be, i think i'll continue doing that too. Also brought my camera again this time, that's what i had the feedbag for, fits pretty good. But i think i'll skip that again and bring just the phone, although i much prefer taking photos through a viewfinder. In this post i am using only photos taken with my phone, haha.

Gorges de la Nesque - had ridden those five years ago already but it's not like it was boring to do again :)

I also got some wider tires, 47mm so my fenders fit no more. Great upgrade in comfort though coming from40 mm. I guess i'll keep fenders off for touring, love the tires (Continental Contact Urban 47-622), and although they are basically slick, it did not feel any less grippy on gravel, did a couple good gravel climbs and downhills. No long time test yet, i got only about 600 km on them.

Testing my new tires on gravel at Col des Arles

Klick for route

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I think that some things are more hassle than it is worth it on tour. I don't have experience with kick stand (last time I had it when I was 10), but I always put my fenders off.

I was really surprised when I get from 40mm to 45mm tires how much it is different. As for tread it doesn't really matter that much, light tread is enough for 99% of surfaces. (I use Panaracer gravelkings).

[–] AchtungDrempels 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Kickstand I only missed a bit at camp, bit more of a hassle to access the bags on both sides.

Are you running your tires tubeless? I would try that, but my rims aren't made for that and I don't want to deal with the potential mess that may come along with trying anyway.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

No, I have "tubeless ready" everything but I didn't bothered to try it. Guy in LBS said that with my mileage it is worth it.

I run on slightly lower pressure and I use it everyday. So I need to buy new tires after about 6 months. It is less hassle with replenishing sealant (you don't have to do it, before it dries you have to change tires anyway).

I still think that for occasional rides it isn't worth it, but for daily use bike or long tour it may be good option.

Also I would do it on touring bike only with the "pool noodle" rim protection. It slightly leaks pressure over time and with heavy bike I worry that some rock would mess up the wheels if I forget to pump it up.