A reader writes: Hey Tom, I’ve got a nice one for you: ‘Longer bike trips for the older generation, how to go about? How to train?’ Everywhere we get slapped around our ears with bike trips, bikepacking and more on social media. Not only the bikes look new, the gear high-tech, but the riders all so young? I’m mid 50’s (only), and wanting to take a bike trip, but was wondering about training schedules on my my (t)rusty old steel frame… Thanks for the question! It sounds like you’re concerned that cycle touring doesn’t look quite as simple as perhaps it should. This can be confusing ..read more

A reader writes: I’m sorry to be awkward but my question is about race. I’m planning to embark on a cross-Europe cycle tour this spring. I’ve read a lot of people’s blogs on similar journeys but I’ve noticed that they tend to be white travellers. As a North Indian looking guy with a very Southern English accent, I wondered if Islamophobia / anti immigrant sentiment was something I should worry about in Eastern Europe? I’d love some pointers to blogs I might have missed, as well — I understand if this might not be a topic you feel totally comfortable explaining. Thanks for raising an import ..read more

A reader writes: [What is] the future of cycle electrics? Dynamos vs power banks. Lights are becoming much more efficient, but there’s more and more requirements for charging eg: mobile phones and navigation. Any thoughts? Thanks for the question! I’ve had a fair few questions about tech and cycle touring, specifically about getting the best out of smartphones on bike trips – but none about what the future might hold in terms of electronics and their ever-increasing demands for power. It’s an interesting one! Well – I don’t know exactly what the future of bicycle electronics holds, of course ..read more

A reader writes: I have two questions, both of which you have probably been asked frequently before. I am planning a 6 month cycling tour through France, Spain and Morocco so this winter/spring: Do you know where I can buy decent maps for cycling in Europe and Morocco avoiding busy roads and mountains? Any ideas on basic sat-navs for cyclists? Thanks for the questions! This fits into the more general topic of route planning for cycle touring. I don’t get as many questions as you might imagine on this subject, so there’s actually plenty to say here. 1. Where Can I Buy Cycle Touring Maps Of ..read more

In this episode of Tom’s Bike Shed (also the first episode, for what it’s worth), I conduct a test-run of packing and attaching to my new bike the camping gear I’ve selected for the bikepacking race later this year. Further reading and links to some of the things I mentioned: The bike: Oxford Bike Works Outlander custom-build The race: Ascend Armenia 2024 Sleeping bag: Alpkit PipeDream 250 Sleeping bag liner: Scottish Silkworm Camping pillow: Alpkit Drift Camping hammock: Hennessy Hammock Deep Jungle …and if you’re one of the readers who asked me to start a YouTube channel, you’d better “li ..read more

A reader writes: Are you familiar with [the Great American Rail Trail] at all?  The route is currently about 55% off road and more complete in the east but there is an almost 1,000 [mile] gap through Montana and Wyoming. So my question is what app do you use when riding to find the best on-road [but] safe cycling conditions on the gap sections between trails? And do you have a favorite app to find accommodations: camping (preferred) or hotels on the route every few days? Thanks for the question! Let’s start with what might be called “dynamic” route planning for cycle touring. This is wh ..read more

A reader writes: [What is] the future of cycle electrics? Dynamos vs power banks. Lights are becoming much more efficient, but there’s more and more requirements for charging eg: mobile phones and navigation. Any thoughts? Thanks for the question! I’ve had a fair few questions about tech and cycle touring, specifically about getting the best out of smartphones on bike trips – but none about what the future might hold in terms of electronics and their ever-increasing demands for power. It’s an interesting one! Well – I don’t know exactly what the future of bicycle electronics holds, of course ..read more

A reader writes: I would like up to date information on integrating my iPhone to my bikes as a GPS. Everything from safe phone mounting through power supply (I have built a usb feed into my elekky bike’s battery shoes) and route planning and following on the phone. I was raised on 1” OS and Bartholomew’s half inch maps. The half inch are unusable nowadays and the OS 1: 50,000 are too large but when folded into a map clip not big enough. I can read OS maps and like to see the Historical and Landscape information that may make a detour interesting. I have installed OS Maps and OS locate on my p ..read more

So I’ve caved in to demand and rebooted my long-abandoned YouTube channel. Check it out here. This is a long-overdue experiment to see if my obsession with exploring the world by bike will translate into the short, informal video format. I have no more intention of becoming rich and famous on YouTube than I did when I created my first free Blogspot account in 2006. My articles seemed to help more people get out riding, so I kept writing them. Likewise, if these videos help more people get out riding, I might keep making them. Cue dramatic music: Will Tom’s enthusiasm fizzle out when he realise ..read more

A reader writes: I have two questions, both of which you have probably been asked frequently before. I am planning a 6 month cycling tour through France, Spain and Morocco so this winter/spring: Do you know where I can buy decent maps for cycling in Europe and Morocco avoiding busy roads and mountains? Any ideas on basic sat-navs for cyclists? Thanks for the questions! This fits into the more general topic of route planning for cycle touring. I don’t get as many questions as you might imagine on this subject, so there’s actually plenty to say here. 1. Where Can I Buy Cycle Touring Maps Of ..read more