Summer holidays are almost here and I am going up for a ride on my bicycle. Ride from Prague to Warsaw to be more precise. Is there anyone in here with some long distance biking experience? Any useful tips to be offered?
bring a knife, gun, or something that you can defend yourself with, you probably wont need it, but its better to be on the side of caution. Other then that, i dont know never been long biking, i go for long nature walks.
See, if you had posted this in the Lounge, you would've spared yourself from such responses I can only think of money, water, map, and mobile.
Wow, I never knew about guns in Europe. I'll never understand "Bad people with guns are dangerous. I know! Let's make laws so they only end up in the hands of criminals with black market ties!" Here's a tip. While in Poland, you maaaay not want to mention being an atheist. My people are in the ****ing stone age when it comes to that. Scroll down on the page and you'll see it. **** you John Paul II. Lech Walesa ended the Soviet Union's grasp on Poland, not you...and he did it without protecting child molesters.
Guns don't really exist in Europe amongst the civilian population. Also this doesn't belong to the Lounge.
I apologize if it seemed like I was trying to make into one of those conversations. I'm seriously advising you not to bring up religion while you're over there. It won't go over very well. I even got a dirty look from a family member when I didn't cross myself when entering a historical church while site-seeing last I was in the Motherland. I did ramble though, sorry, the stranglehold Christianity has on my place of birth just bothers me that much. Actual biking tips. Don't weigh yourself down with too much water. I don't know your exact path, but I would imagine you'll have plenty of opportunity to refill a small water bottle. If you don't know the languages of the countries you'll be traveling through, get some English to Whatever books. If you have an iphone or ipod there are a lot of good apps for that too. I'm well aware many people in Europe are fairly proficient English speakers... but you might need assistance from someone who isn't. Or you just might meet a cutie that doesn't speak it. Bring a multitool/ spare tire/ and bike pump. If you are in the middle of nowhere, you do not want to be stuck there. Be aware of how far you or the slowest member in your party can comfortably ride in a single day with the payload you bring. Don't forget to consider the terrain as well. Either plan accordingly so you stop near somewhere you can rest or pack a tent.
What's the distance? I've gone on an about 300 mile (480km) bike ride two years ago. Damn near killed me actually, but it was a blast. First thing, and this really is a no brainer, bring extra tires and plenty of water. Calculate what you need to get to the next town, then double it. Cell phone if you got it. A Leatherman (multitool type thing) will possibly save your life. If not, at least something with a blade. Self-defense aside, having a knife is immensely useful. Are you planning on camping out or staying hotels/hostels?
@Fenix: I am actually planning to go more than that but then again I will have several weeks to do it. I plan on staying in hostels since I don't want to drag all the stuff with me. Central Europe is hopefully much safer place to do it in than the US so it's not like if I get 'lost' or run out of water I am in a life threatening situation. Really only the traffic is the thing I am concerned about the most. Can you tell me how much stuff did you take with you? Did you carry it on your back or on the bike?
I brought a few changes of clothing, small amounts of high-protein food (I actually bought most of it on the way since I was biking next to our major interstate), Camelback, first aid kit, cell phone, debit card, cash, ID, a flattent, some MRE's for when I was camping, 2 spare tires, Goo (stuff is a lifesaver}, a pump, and some other stuff that I cannot recall at the moment. I carried most of it in a backpack with a few things on a little wiremesh shelf...thing?
