#pedallingforpints

[pedallingforpints]

It's not all Rosé in Provence, they also do beer (but mainly Rosé). This lovely blonde from Marseille is called 'La Cagole', which in local slang means... 'Slut' 🤷🏻‍♂️#pedallingforpints (at Marseille, France)

[pedallingforpints]

Tastes even better when it's been earned [IPA from @galliaparia] #pedallingforpints (at Generator Paris)

[wearegoingawol]

Have You ever wondered about how others do touring in the digital age. If it's not on Instagram, it never happened right? Pedalling For Pints Luke has made an awesome review of hi-tech / lo-tech touring. He's soon about to finish his ride from New York to Seattle, these are his reflections:

TOURING TECHNOLOGY

Touring is, of course, all about getting back to nature. But what’s nature if you can’t prove that you were there enjoying it. That’s where the tech comes in… iPhone 5 - I can whip it out my jersey, unlock and shoot before you can say “hashtag”. iPad Mini 32gb - Bought in New York. Not as cheap as I’d hoped after the sales tax. Think I’d go mad trying to type on my iPhone the whole time though. iPod Nano 16gb - So I don’t use up my phone battery. Didn’t load half enough music though. Sony RX100 - This has been one of the best purchases I made for the trip. I wanted a decent camera but didn’t want to lug around (or buy) a DSLR. After plenty of research, I came across the RX100 and couldn’t find a single bad review. It’s small, lightweight and takes amazing photos. It has a huge sensor (?) and can take lovely out-of-focus photos that make anything look good. Combine that with some VSCOcam filters and you’ve got yourself some InstaLikes. 3 SD cards - Surprisingly, still on my first one. Apple iPad SD Card reader - Bought a cheap one, it broke. Saved by Walmart. Anker Astro Slim3 USB Battery - Most campsites have a plug in the toilet so I just leave it in there overnight to charge. Kindle - Real books are great but the Kindle was surely made for cycle touring. Small, lightweight and battery lasts forever. Currently reading some book about a kid wizard, seeing what the fuss is about. Dual USB US wall charger and various cables (Lightning, iPod, mini and micro USB) - It was pretty tricky to get this in the UK but I managed. Means I can charge 2 things at once and don’t need to worry about an adapter. Apple headphones - I don’t normally like or use these. They were a last minute addition. I’ve listened to a lot more music and podcasts than I thought I would while cycling. It started off just in the afternoons, with one ear and by Kansas it was both ears in from the go. Now, it depends on landscape, weather, mood and traffic. The Apple headphones are great as they let in a lot of ambient sound, you can pause easily with the controls. Casio digital watch - it’s waterproof, it wakes me up in the morning and it’s classic. Garmin 500 - I’ll chuck this in here as well as it needs charging. Purely for tracking not navigating. I like the idea that I can look back at the exact roads I rode when I’m 70 years old. I’ll have no doubt forgotten by then.

[wearegoingawol]

Oh man, starting off the day by looking at the pedaling for pints blog was a bad thing. Too many rad roads to GOAWOL on, too little time. Luke really throws some prime inspiration at us right now. He's ridden more than 4000 miles transcontinental and have less than 1000 to go through Oregon and Washington. Thanks for the inspiraiton!

[wearegoingawol]

Nothing. Nothing makes us more excited than photos from cyclists on empty roads. Nothing. Luke makes fast progress across the U.S, it's like every time we visit his blog or sees an Instagram post, he's in a new state. We've never been to The Adventure Cyclist Association HQ but would love to go. Thanks Luke. Remember to chill once in a while to!

[wearegoingawol]

Our Pint Pedaling AWOL friend posted a very cool camp kitchen spread and helpful list to go with it. Packing moderately when it comes to camp kitchen is difficult. A notion of a warm meal at the end of the day can keep you going for hours. Eating shitty food could demoralize you. Team AWOL never sacrifice low weight for shitty food, Luke would agree to that.

THE KITCHEN

Some people are content with boil-in-a-bag meals when touring but for me, cooking is a huge part of the experience. It’s cheaper, you can cook bigger portions, use local produce, get the right nutrients and it’s definitely therapeutic after a day in the saddle.

My kitchen equipment is far from minimal but I’ve not once regretted any of the choices. Here’s the list…

Trangia 27-8 - Yes, there are smaller and lighter stoves but you can actually cook proper meals on a Trangia.

Gas - I went for the gas attachment over meths for speed and ease - definitely happy with this decision trying to set off early, but I have found it difficult to buy this type of gas in the US.

MSR Deep Dish Plate - fits perfectly over the Trangia.

Trangia Multi-Disc - colander, chopping board, lid

5th Floor Enamel Mug - awesome design by the talented Sam Dunn. Holds coffee, tea, beer and whisky only.

Alpkit Titanium Cutlery - because I couldn’t afford a titanium bike

Miscellaneous Adventures Wooden Spoon - hand-carved from a log by me

Opinel Knife - the perfect picnic knife

Victorianox Swiss Soldier’s Knife - straddles the Kitchen and Toolkit. Has a serrated knife, can and bottle opener

Sawn-off spatula - gotta flip those eggs

Cooking oil - I’ve been asking nicely in cafés to get it refilled

Spices - salt, pepper, cinnamon (on porridge), cumin (in beans), chilli flakes and, my luxury item, Maldon Sea Salt. Reserved for special occasions, normally eggs. The great idea to store them in 35mm film canisters came from The Hungry Cyclist and works a treat.

Vegetable stock cubes - transforms any meal, even plain rice. Boil up pasta with one of these and strain off the water for a delicious hot beverage.

Plastic clips - seals up bags of crisps (yes crisps, not chips). Normally Chex Mix, for which I developed a mild addiction.

Lighter - kinda essential

Small plastic box - to keep most of the above in

Tea towel and sponge - not shown as I left them at the last campsite

[wearegoingawol]

Oh boy, You have no idea of how many brains you are screwing with right now. The photography, the good vibes, the open mind, the (r)adventure. What your doing is perfect:

Newton to Sterling. 61 miles. Sterling to Ness City. 105 miles. Ness City to Scott City. 56 miles. Scott City to Eads, Colorado. 104 miles.

Well, after 6 days, 520 miles and 4 roads - I’ve made it across Kansas. Here’s how I coped…

1. Made the most of the wind. The direction changes hourly in Kansas, so when I had a tailwind it was head-down and go for of it.

2. Stayed in motels. They’re fairly cheap and most haven’t changed since 1983, which is amazing. Back to campsites after Denver though.

3. Started everyday with Bill Withers, Lovely Day.

4. Podcasts. Lots of them. Particularly one called ‘Err Yea Dude’, America through the eyes of two American Americans.

5. Ice cream

It wasn’t actually as bad as imagined. The limitless horizons of crops, cows, dirt and grass are strangely beautiful, particularly early morning with the sun rising behind you. But I’m definitely ready for some mountains now.

Follow Luke Clark as he's going AWOL across the US of A on Instagram