Rothar Routes

The pro racing bike industry has a lot to answer for! 

It seems no one can go out on a bike these days unless they are like a mobile billboard. Cycle clothing takes the biscuit.

The price of this stuff is outrageous!!

All the claims made about the gear really don’t matter to ordinary folk like us who don’t race bikes! And I’m not sure it makes much of a difference to pros either!

Don’t be taken in by the marketing of the gear…

There is no need to spend a kings ransom on kitting yourself out for touring. For a start less is better. You don’t need countless changes of clothing; two tops, two shorts, two pairs of socks, a long sleeve top, a wind cheater and maybe a poncho for the rain.

Loose fitting tops are better for circulation, and lets face it, cycle tops are designed for whippets so we all look ridiculous in the gear! Why do we do this to ourselves!

I say a poncho rather than an expensive ‘guaranteed waterproof’ as I don’t believe there is such a thing on a long distance bike ride. And again the poncho covers more than the body and allows air in too.

And while talking of waterproof, line your panniers with plastic bags and store all your gear in the plastic bags – now that is waterproofing for a fraction of the cost!

Personally i go with ordinary pedals so I can wear runners on and off the bike. I also find it more comfortable to be able to adjust my feet position. I would bring a light pair of flip flops too. 

A few tools and some spare parts are needed too but I’ll come back to that.