Options to get daughter (in England) set up for touring?

[Vanilla]

end-to-end tour of England by bike with friends this summer.

I have nothing to add to the good advice that you've already been given but John O'Groats is in Scotland, not England and it's really not advisable to confuse the two

[azfiddle]

Yes, I knew that about Scotland!

Thanks for the suggestions- especially the links for the ride. I didn't realize it was such a well known route when they told me about it.

I am currently leaning toward having my son carry the Fuji with him, unless my daughter can find a good used touring bike in her size there. Neither she nor I can really afford to outfit her with a new bike - and I know the Fuji can be fit to her- it's just not the perfect touring bike.

Since my daughter plans to stay in England, and the BF likes to cycle, I like the idea of her having a bike to keep. But- do any of those rentals have touring bikes? The ones I checked were mostly "town" bikes.

Sharon

[Rebecca19804]

do any of those rentals have touring bikes? The ones I checked were mostly "town" bikes.

I can't say for certain that rental services don't have touring bikes but I've never heard of any that do. All the rental places I know of stock a particular type of bike, in a small range of sizes, and rent them out for short terms, usually by the day, possibly longer. Perhaps your daughter could contact the rental places in Cambridge and ask them?

[azfiddle]

Okay- still thinking this through...

I found that Dawes has an entry level touring bike that comes in 43 and 48 cm. One of those might fit my daughter. If I could sell the Fuji for a reasonable amount, then maybe it would be better to apply that money and the money I would spend on boxing, baggage fees, and misc like mudguards and racks) to help her buy a bike in England.

Anyone have experience with Dawes? It's alloy with steel forks. And how are the saddles?

Also- recommendations for gloves and other bike clothes she might need for the weather conditions in England and Scotland during the summer (probably July). Since I am in Arizona, I don't know much about gear for wet conditions.

[Rebecca19804]

Dawes touring bikes are very good, especially the steel ones. Alu is lighter but tends to transmit vibration and road 'buzz' more than other materials. Your daughter may be okay with this - lots of people are - though I myself can't stand it. Steel forks may help with that a little?

Of the 43 and 48, the 48 sounds promising. Quite a lot can be done to optimise fit, e.g. different stem and/or handlebars, as no doubt you know. She should probably try the 43 too before deciding, just in case that feels better and/or the component swaps needed to make it fit are easier/cheaper than what might need swapping out on the 48.

I don't know what stock saddles Dawes uses. Do you have a link? Saddle comfort is very individual. She may like the stock saddle. Again, it's one of those things that needs to be tried out, with a realistic expectation of perhaps trying several more before finding one that works for her. Again, the sooner she can get started putting time in on the bike, the more time she'll have to get these questions settled and the right stuff bedded in before the big trip.

Same goes for gear for the weather conditions and gear...! I'm happy to talk with her about this, but not via an intermediary, that would take ages - sorry!

Meanwhile - has she got cycling friends she can discuss all this with locally?

If not, I'll PM you my mobile number, but there's only so much anyone else can do on her behalf... whether it's before she gets a bike or after, the sooner she starts going round the shops, reading online threads and asking questions herself AND meeting people, the better.

Winter is a good time to get this process started.

And my previous recommendation of YACF still stands!

ETA: I know costs are a concern. If your daughter gets to chatting with people on YACF, I am sure she will find some who are willing to lend her things to try out. I know I would be, if, after talking with her, it sounded like anything I have that's not currently in use might be useful to her....

[Rebecca19804]

I have nothing to add to the good advice that you've already been given but John O'Groats is in Scotland, not England and it's really not advisable to confuse the two

LOL! Sez the lassie from Glasgow! "Not advisable" indeed!