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Outfitting a Bicycle for Long Distance Travel

Outfitting a Bicycle for Long Distance TravelOutfitting a bicycle for long distance touring is not a very expensive or difficult procedure. It is rather simple to do, and only requires a few days time, a sharp scavenger’s eye for useful materials, and the half ass ability to collect all of the suppiles in one place [...]

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Outfitting a Bicycle for Long Distance Travel

Outfitting a bicycle for long distance touring is not a very expensive or difficult procedure. It is rather simple to do, and only requires a few days time, a sharp scavenger’s eye for useful materials, and the half ass ability to collect all of the suppiles in one place and tie, screw, and snap them – somehow – onto the bicycle. For a mere $140 I picked up a bike in the Czech Republic, souped her up for travel, and now I am ready to roll on down through the Balkans to Turkey.
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Wade from Vagabond Journey.com
in Olomouc, Moravia, Czech Republic- June 25, 2008
Travelogue Travel Photos
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Bicycle gear for long distance vagabond touring.

The bicycle gear that I scavenged, borrowed, and purchased is as follows:

1. Beautiful old 5-speed bicycle – found in thrift shop – $50

2. An old plastic milk crate – found in a farmers field – free

3. A new tire – purchased at local bike shop – $10

4. Four new tubes – purchased at department store – $20

5. Rope – cut unutilized portions from someone’s clothesline – free

6. A good poncho for camping under – gift from mother – free

7. A bicycle repair tool – purchased from department store – $10 (note: this is an almost useless tool)

8. Two bike locks – purchased from bike shop – $15

9. A portable air pump – department store – $5

10. A 15mm and 14mm wrench – department store – $4

11. Bike helmet – bike shop – $16.50

12. Two bungee cords – hardware store – $3

13. Road map of Czech Republic and Slovakia – bookstore – $7

Total: $140

For $140 I can now have free range of motion to travel where I wish all through Europe. I do not think that this amount of money could get me even to the next country by train. I have also come to the realization that I do not like abiding by the train and bus schedules, time frames, and restrictions. I do not like waiting, standing in line, and living on other people’s or companies’ time frames when I could be out tramping under the floating clouds and gently breeze of a beautiful day.

As my old grade school music instructor once told me, “You are bullheaded.”

Yes, I realize now that he was probably correct.

I like traveling; I like to walk off into the nowheres of the earth without having to make an appointment, plan, or even to think of where it is that I am going. I like to do things as I feel the impetus, as soon as I feel the impetus.

Outfitted another bicycle for travel. Milk crates, bungee cords, and new tires all check and ready for the long Road. Riding to Turkey.

“Walk slow, but ride fast.”


Kamila, my new bicycle steed, all set and ready for the journey to Turkey.

Outfitting a Bicycle for Long-Distance Touring


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Filed under: Bicycle Travel, Czech Republic, Eastern Europe, Europe

About the Author:

I am the founder and editor of Vagabond Journey. I’ve been traveling the world since 1999, through 91 countries. I am the author of the book, Ghost Cities of China and have written for The Guardian, Forbes, Bloomberg, The Diplomat, the South China Morning Post, and other publications. has written 3694 posts on Vagabond Journey. Contact the author.

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VBJ is currently in: New York City

2 comments… add one

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  • Arthur L. Foley December 3, 2022, 2:21 pm

    Presently have: 1: TerraTrike Rambler with an E.V.O. (Electric Vehicle Option) – meaning tha a t
    Busch 250-Watt Engine is employed – powered by a 500-Watt Battery, or twin 400-Watt Batteries; going through a NuVinci transmission.

    Link Reply
    • VBJ December 4, 2022, 9:12 am

      How far can you ride it? Have you taken a long distance trip on it before?

      Link Reply

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