first solo tour

[Sky King]

Just a question, what is the best set-up for long distance biking on and off road?

how much "off" are you thinking. We call that adventure cycling

I just put Grand Bois Hetre tires on my Rivendell and had a blast on Saturday - 30 miles on pavement 6 on dirt.

the Surly Disc LHT is getting great reviews as an on/off road, the bike hermit is riding one with Schwalbe Big Apples for our Owyhee Bylands Tour June 1st.
We have some nice blog posts on our website if you want to learn more.

other bikes we have helped set up for "combo" touring - Surly Pugsley, Surly Ogre, Salsa Fargo, Surly Troll

[Suze]

You won't forget it, as an experienced camper, though so was I and I forgot ... toilet paper. Real freedom came after I found a place to buy some!

And, I'd love to hear more about France to Morocco....for how long, when, how are you getting to Morocco, solo? I'm hoping to get back to southern France (Pyrenees) in September, and one of my cycling dreams is about riding in Morocco some day. I'm new to this forum, well to all forums and don't know how to associate my response with your response, above.

[Slowspoke]

This has not been a pleasant summer. My dad passed away on June 7. My DH went into the hospital a week later for 5 days and is now home on IV antibiotics and we are in the process of moving! yikes.
I painted our new house and am packing and loading most of our stuff myself. DH can't lift more than 10 lbs for 6 weeks. I haven't been on my bike since June.

So here is my plan. August is mine. I will swim every day. I will ride where ever I want, and before I go back to work, I will do a short tour. Plans change, chin up!

[indysteel]

I'm so sorry about your father, and I hope your DH is better soon. I'm sorry the summer hasn't gone as planned, but I love your attitude. May August proceed without a hitch.

[Tri Girl]

So sorry about your father, and your DH with his illness (and moving- yikes the stress).

So here is my plan. August is mine. I will swim every day. I will ride where ever I want, and before I go back to work, I will do a short tour. Plans change, chin up!

LOVE your attitude!! August will be YOUR time!

[Pedal Wench]

So sorry to hear about your loss and DH's illness. One idea that DH might like, and with all that's going on with him, might make it easier for you to take the time for this -- if he can travel, how about he meets you for the overnights - if it's just 40-50 miles, he can drive to the campsite and you can spend the time together. You get your riding in, and he won't worry as much.

[emily_in_nc]

Oh, so sorry to hear this news. I know how incredibly difficult it is to lose a father.

Please do take good care of yourself. Loss of a loved one and moving are two of the toughest stressors on a person, and you don't need to get sick yourself. I love your plans for August, but don't overextend yourself.

[Slowspoke]

Here it is September. My lovely road bike is sold in hopes of finding a better touring bike. I started back to work and beginning tomorrow may need to bring a cot and sleeping bag to work for a few weeks! LOL Yes, it will be crazy. I'll use my bike to release when I get home before dark.

keep on pedaling!