Generally

Preparation

We start to plan our trip as early as we can, at least about 6 mounth in advance. Then we have time enough for vaccination, credit cards, passport for example and we have time to collect all further information we need, regarding time table, best rates for tickets, travel time, our vacationtime.

The World wide web is the best thing to get all information we need.

Sometimes our routing depends on transportations for example airplane, ferry and train. We make sure, where we can take all our luggage and equipment with us.

We took Sophie with as early as we could, she was 8 mounth, at first to England (B&B)

We plan about 55 km/35miles per day, it depends mostly on road conditions, the gradient, our fitness, next accomodation and of course the weather(wind). If we cycled ones 80 km/50 miles, then we made a rest next day or only 20 miles. We were prepared for the worst weather and we had always sunny days as we had in Norway.

As the average speed with a trailer we made about 8 miles per hour, but to calkulate our traveltime for the day, we take 6 miles per hour, rests included and transportation to be considered.

With the trailer bike we are be about 2 mi/h faster. We plan our routing as fussy as we can, also we take into account alternatives regarding accomodation, other transportation etc.

We are equipt with light things, a good tent fast to build up, light sleeping bag etc. We start to collect our equipment at least 1 mounth in advance on a special place and if we have an idea we don´t hesitate to lay down there.

We take this year (summer 1999) the trailer bike and the trailer with. If weather is bad or  Sophie (3 1/2 years) is tired, she can lay down in the trailer.

In the trailer we had for Sophie, when she was 8 month old, a coat of sheep

On tour

We cycle relaxed, the routing plan is only a support, but if it´s good prepared we follow exactly.

We visit museums, we take a seat in a bar, it´s holiday and not only hard work. Sophie determine the day, we show her the world, we discover new things. We let ourself surprise.

some hints - mostly you know

• passport we check validation and we make copies
• flightticet we check validation and we make copies
• credit card we check validation and we make copies
• traveler-check as money back-up and copies
• money no copies
• money destination goes at least everywhere
• vacciation certificate for special areas we consul our doctor and the health department
• driving licence international if we need
• health insurance international, which covers your destinations
• maps consultate also cicling clubs and tourist offices, make copies
• Cycle log or plan as you see I made it in exel
• check list for fast pack up
• adresses
• internet, e-mail
• transportation plan time table if we have
• travel-guide we take copies for most importent information, mor you´ll get from tourist office

Clothes

• Goretexjacket
• trekking-pants
• shirts
• fleecepullover
• cycle-pants
• rain-pants
• cap also as sunprotection
• Legging long to waer below the rain-pants
• bathpants
• Insect-net closemeshed
• gloves
• trekkingshoes already with SPD available
• cycling shoes with SPD-pedals we are 2 miles per hour faster, better cycling in mountainious area
• sandales
• waistcoat to have all important things on our body, good to restore objectives

Medicine

• we consultate our doctor
• glases extra glases
• sunglases also against the insects
• camara we have a good one for good memories
• films we take Kodak 200 because of using telezoom
• batteries
• radio to be in tuch with our country
• daybag for shopping
• Leatherman best tool I´ve ever had
• mess kit Trangia, antistick
• gazkit on camping areas we fond mostly all cooking facilities, only as back-up

Camping

• tent we have one with 17 lbs, 2 cabines, big hall to store all equipment
• sleeping bag we prefere down, waterprotected material
• sleeping mat Term a rest
• camping seat light, one for my back
• water sack 5 l

Bicycle

Others