Touring - A couple of questions about touring around Europe as a newbie

Sup.

I'm an adventurous soul and this summer I plan to take a nice tour around Europe, starting from Copenhagen and riding south through Germany. I plan to see Amsterdam and from there work my way down south through france. Or maybe through Germany. Havn't decided yet.

Heres some questions:
(I'm not fit at all, though I reckon that if I start bicycling now before summer, I'll get more in shape)

1) Theres around 600km from Copenhagen to Amsterdam. If I traveled in a medium-speed tempo with breaks every 4 hours to eat, how long would you reckon it would take me to reach Amsterdam? Ought to note that Netherland and Denmark (and probably northern Germany too) is flat.

2) I have no equipment nor a bike, how much would it cost me to get all the equipment needed? (backpack, panniers, water bottle, racks, lock, compass, map, side-money, rain coat, touring-clothes, shoes, helmet)

3) What would be more luxerious and more beautiful to see, southern Germany or southern France?

4) When In France or Germany, do they speak English properly? I know that the new generation in Germany all speak English fairly well, but in France its different. Not many speak English. Correct?

5) Should I try and get to Italy to see the beautiful landscape or would it be better if I stayed in central-europe (Southern Germany, France, Switz) - Italy may have fewer bicycle-friendly routes

6) Can you camp anywhere in Europe? For example if its getting dark, would it be fine that I just set up my tent in some field or woods, or would it be risky in terms of law enforcement or robbery? Would it be tolerated that I started a little campfire to grill some meat or some canned beans?

7) As a first time traveler, inexperienced, should I pack lightly with just 1 bag and a couple of other stuff, or get extra bags too to hang on the side of the bicycle but not neccesarily fill up?

8) Should I use a map or just follow sign/directions? Is there a map of bicycle routes in Europe?

9) A bike costs a lot. I reckon atleast 300$. Any way I can get something cheaper but still comfortable to ride on (seat is important)? Perhaps recommend a cheap bicycle producer?

10) Should I bring any electronics with me, or would it be too much of a hassle? (phone, portable gaming device, radio)



Thanks all :)

You've posed quite a few questions and it is clear you have done very little (if any) research on the subject.

My advice would be to browse these forums, check out www.crazyguyonabike.com (http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/), and come back.

I've never toured Europe by bike but I will attempt to get you started.

1) 600KM over fairly flat terrain (your assumption, not mine) would take anywhere from 6-10 days depending on what kind of training you have done prior to the trip. If you're really out of shape - could take longer than 10 days. (You might want it to take longer than 10 days...I would)
2) VERY rough estimate: 750$ to 2000$
3) Can't answer.
4) Plenty of people in France speak english, though you shouldn't assume they do. Learn some basic phrases in the native tongue (hello, good morning, do you speak english) and you will have an easier time. This is good advice for anybody outside their native land.
5) If you have time and resources - why not?
6) Don't know - I think it's all about location. Use your best judgement.
7) Bring only what you NEED. Figure out what you need by doing some overnight trips before you head to europe.
8) Use maps.
9) Look at the used bicycle market. A NEW touring specific bicycle is likely to cost a lot more than 300$.
10) You could bring the kitchen sink - but do you really want to lug it all around europe?

In Germany , almost everyone speaks English . In southern France you have to search a little harder, but you'll not have to search all that hard.. Particularly in Provence.. Deciding between France vs Germany. Both are beautiful.(. ie. Germany , head for the Romantic road.. France , the interior of Provence near Aix or Mt Ventoux.. _ Really it's a cultural thing in addition to scenery.. Do a photo tour of both regions through maybe Flicker or Crazy Guy on a Bike.. Then decide which has more appeal to you.. It's mostly up to your interests and not what someone else recommends.

Do your research on here and at Crazyguyonabike. Look for a book or two on bicycling through Europe. Plan on a couple of shakedown mini tours before you leave. Very important for optimizing your gear needs and determining a comfortable travel pace. Cruise www.couchsurfing.com and www.warmshowers.org for potential hosts. The people you meet are likely to be the highlight of your tour.

As you begin to get more specific ideas for routes and gear, come back for more specific opinions, if you can't find good answers already posted.

The North Sea Cycle Route (http://www.northsea-cycle.com/default.asp?id=1&mnu=1&lang=1)goes from very near Copenhagen to very near Amsterdam in a non-direct route. The segments I'm familiar with in Holland are signposted somewhat regularly, but are almost entirely off motorways.

Your phone may not work on the European networks.
I'd be very surprised if you could get away with cooking over an open fire in Holland anywhere other than an unpopulated beach or campground.

Sup.

Sup.

1) You need a new map. I reckon at least 800km. (Note: Take the ferry from Bøjden to Fynshav if you want to save some distance.)
2) Less than a couple thousand dollars.
3) Both are better than northern Germany / southern Denmark.
4) Properly? Like the Queen's English? Or do mean at all? (Half the fun is when they don't.)
5) Yes.
6) I wouldn't worry about robbery. You might get kicked off the land. Don't start a fire.
7) Depends on your credit card limit.
8) Get a map. Danes seem to enjoy turning bike route signs around. Any 1:200000 map or better should do.
9) Huge variety here. Do some test rides?
10) Bring a phone. A radio won't do you much good if you don't speak Danish, German, Dutch or French. (Edit: Unless you mean to use it for listening to crappy Euro music.)

Having toured in Europe and Britain, I can say that it is much easier to communicate in English in Denmark, Northern Germany and the Netherlands than it is in certain regions of England and Scotland. I couldn't understand a word in Newcastle or Glasgow. Most young French people have had at least seven years of English in School, but that always doesn't always mean they can speak it.
As far camping any where, I would advise against it as there is not a lot of vacant land. However there are lots of campgrounds, youth hostels and small hotels. As far as it getting dark, that is not a problem in Northern Europe in May June or July. So if a hostel or campground is full it isn't a problem riding another 30 km to the next one before dark.

Having toured in Europe and Britain, I can say that it is much easier to communicate in English in Denmark, Northern Germany and the Netherlands than it is in certain regions of England and Scotland. I couldn't understand a word in Newcastle or Glasgow. Most young French people have had at least seven years of English in School, but that always doesn't always mean they can speak it.
As far camping any where, I would advise against it as there is not a lot of vacant land. However there are lots of campgrounds, youth hostels and small hotels. As far as it getting dark, that is not a problem in Northern Europe in May June or July. So if a hostel or campground is full it isn't a problem riding another 30 km to the next one before dark.

Yeah, even though they speak English in Scotland and Ireland, a lot of times I simply can't understand them. They're speaking with such a heavy accent that lots of words just seem totally different. You're right about the English in northern Europe. We speak excellent English. :-)

I am thinking about starting my trip in May since I can't wait for July and June. Would the weather be rainy in Europe or summer-ish?

Why don't know try a few shorter tours first? It would probably lead to a much more enjoyable longer tour. I agree with others that you need to do some research on touring. As to a few of your questions:

Don't try this without a map! Depending on the country, you want to stay away from major highways and enjoy less traveled roadways.

Although a young man (you sound like one) can probably travel up to 150 k/day on flat terrain, that's an extremely full day of riding and doesn't allow for much sightseeing or anything else. Many tourists would figure something like 80-100 k/day as plenty of traveling, and allowing for seeing something along with way. Lots of touring cyclists travel less per day.

Equipment varies, and you can buy cheap stuff. Even so, I think you'd need a couple thousand US dollars, not including purchase of a bike.

A nice touring bike could easily cost you US$2000, but you could get a passable hybrid for a few hundred.

With camping gear, I would try to keep under 25 kilos. For credit card touring (no camping) we try to keep under 12 kilos. Not always successful however!

Good luck!

I am thinking about starting my trip in May since I can't wait for July and June. Would the weather be rainy in Europe or summer-ish?

Hi,

It's europe, it rains even when it is summer-ish!

I am biased but France is great. I spent 3 months looking for a house in the south of France and travelled by car with a tent in the boot. I camped in fields, woods and anywhere I thought I could get away with it. I never had a problem (I do have the advantage of speaking French). Hunting 'chasse' season starts around September - if you are out camping, make sure you are somewhat visible and near a track if in a wood or forest. I've seen some of the old French fellas shoot...damn right scary!

As for the Language, most can utter a few words of English though generally refuse to if the other person doesn't make an effort. A simple 'bonjour', a smile and many hand gestures will get you a long way.

Sorry I can't contribute much to any of the other questions but I am new here myself and learning.

Bonne chance et bon courage.

Daz

Why don't know try a few shorter tours first? It would probably lead to a much more enjoyable longer tour. I agree with others that you need to do some research on touring.


I will do shorter tours, but by shorter I'm talking 30km and not the 1000km I'm planning :P.

As for research..It's really not as easy as it sounds, bicycle hiking isn't really active on the internet and googling anything with "bicycle + tours" only give useless sites. Try it. I couldn't find anything proper.

The-crazy-guy-on-a-bike-site was a decent site, but his interface is horrible, I couldn't navigate properly. His forum is a mess and his articles are clustered together. He seems very experienced, but his site needs some serious re-haul.

But anyway, bike isn't a problem. I'm really excited though because I plan to purchase some aluminium cooking gear so I can cook over fire (i wont be going to hostels). Maybe in the big cities such as Amsterdam and what not, I'll check out a hostel, but, it seems kind of expensive..even for a hostel.

Also I'm really considering starting in May rather than June-July. Is this a good idea?

Ahem . . . as to research, the internet is wonderful, but there is such a thing as a book, and plenty have been written about bicycle touring in all its aspects.

I took the North Sea Cycle Route in the other direction (from Paris to Amsterdam) last year. One thing that surprised me is that it contains just about every hill in all of Holland. The route follows the shore of the North Sea, so you spend a lot of time going up and down sand dunes. It's really pretty and there will be lots of other cyclists out there. It's also one of the places where you'll find plenty of campgrounds.

If you plan to go that route, consider getting the official map and guide book of the LF1 cycle route. It shows the locations of campgrounds, hostels and cafes along the route. It also shows the route in detail, although the map doesn't show much of anything away from the official route. Even though it's supposed to be well signed, I found that there were quite a few critical junctions that either were not signed at all, or where the sign was after the turn. The map made it possible to find my way back.

As for language issues, I didn't speak a word of Flemish or Dutch, but everyone in Holland and Belgium was very accommodating. I do speak a little tortured Canadian grade-school French. It was enough to get by in northern France, with a little help from the locals. I think they just appreciated the effort.

I will do shorter tours, but by shorter I'm talking 30km and not the 1000km I'm planning :P.

As for research..It's really not as easy as it sounds, bicycle hiking isn't really active on the internet and googling anything with "bicycle + tours" only give useless sites. Try it. I couldn't find anything proper.

The-crazy-guy-on-a-bike-site was a decent site, but his interface is horrible, I couldn't navigate properly. His forum is a mess and his articles are clustered together. He seems very experienced, but his site needs some serious re-haul.

Also I'm really considering starting in May rather than June-July. Is this a good idea?

30km isn't a tour in my book. It's a 1.5 hour ride :)

I'm not sure what you're typing into Google, but there are loads of sites and sources of information available. There is no excuse for not researching the regions, types of equipment to bring, bicycles and methods of camping you're interested in. The previous threads on this site alone would allow you to plan and have a successful tour. Not to mention the other excellent touring sites on the internet. I think you just haven't done any research at all.

I am reluctant to give any specific advice as there is so much knowledge available regarding what you've asked.

I do agree with your comments about the Crazy Guy site. It's full of fantastic information but you're right: the interface is absolutely horrible and I feel lost trying to navigate around. I would visit the site more often if it were easier to use. But when planning a trip, it's well worth the effort; and the site owner provides a valuable service to the touring community with little thanks or compensation for the time/money he consumes in keeping it running.

Hi,

1) For a beginner 8 days (if there's no head wind)
2) depends what you. Side money is very difficult to estimate
3) What do you mean with Southern France? We don't have a Mediterrian Coast in Germany. Elsaß or Black Forest - there isn't a big difference
4) In Germany more people speak and are opener to speak English
5) Amsterdam - Lake Contanze - Switzeland - over Sea Alps - Cote Azur
6) It's not allowed but you can. Campfire are strictly prohibited in summer (In Germany only allowed in public barque places)
7) depends
8) map
9) no
10) a camera would be a good idea

Thomas

I am reluctant to give any specific advice as there is so much knowledge available regarding what you've asked.



Jees, talk about hostility eh :rolleyes:

I've only ever used crazyguyonabike for finding info on specific countries or areas. For that the interface never stopped me. Neil (cgoab site owner) provides a great service and lots of information there. BTW, he's a frequent member in Bike Forums too.

You seem to be suggesting stealth camping with open fire in (relatively densely populated) Central Europe.

Dude.

Where did you plan to get the firewood? You don't speak much of the languages, how were you going to find out if there's wild fire hazard? "Monsieur, the forest you speak of was already ablaze when I got here?" :D They have more than enough B&Bs, hostels and campgrounds there to accommodate you comfortably with minimal planning.

My suggestion for camping: stick to the campgrounds. Bring a stove for cooking (though many campgrounds will have some cooking facilities available). Even if you have to wild camp, you'll be able to cook with the stove. If you do wild camp, leave no trace. And if you're worried about the amount of gear, best way to radically reduce it is to not camp. You'll be able to drop tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, stove, cooking utensils and fuel, all with that one decision.

There are a myriad of details on bike touring in the Internet. If you do your research, you'll learn that you'll need lights in your bike to be street legal in Germany, for example. Many people don't care about that stuff, they play it by the ear and there's nothing wrong with that either. Problem is, you try to eat the cake and keep it too. You don't want to do the research but you do want to get info on details. That's probably why you get answers you don't like.

--J

Last week I bought a bike for my girlfriend and the guy would not let me take it out of the shop without a bell on it (luckily it was provided as part of the package). If you are riding through France, have a bell - IT'S THE LAW!!!!!

Last week I bought a bike for my girlfriend and the guy would not let me take it out of the shop without a bell on it (luckily it was provided as part of the package). If you are riding through France, have a bell - IT'S THE LAW!!!!!

A bell.


On a bike.





:lol:

I would strongly advise against camping outside of established campgrounds in Europe, or for that matter, in many parts of North America. There have been horrible and as yet unsolved crimes against campers on private property. I remember there was a gruesome murder of an English couple who were camping "sauvage" in Brittany a few years ago.
As far as an expensive touring bike goes, it's not necessary. I remember meeting a Dutch cyclist in Denmark who had ridden to the North Cape in Norway on a three speed he had found in the trash.
Weather in Europe in May? Who Knows? Weather patterns are so variable and unpredictable now you just have to take your chances.

Nokoyoko,

Clearly as with everything else, discretion needs to be applied. The chances of the Gendarmerie pulling you over are very remote, however, there have been occasions. Just wanted to pass on some French insight!

Personally, I won't have one either. If there ARE any Gendarmerie reading this then I'm only kidding, I'll have two bells to be extra careful....honest - je vous donne ma parole!! :lol:

Last week I bought a bike for my girlfriend and the guy would not let me take it out of the shop without a bell on it (luckily it was provided as part of the package). If you are riding through France, have a bell - IT'S THE LAW!!!!!

Finny.. Once a shop in Lille claimed bells were required on bikes, by that city.. I see new bikes going out the door every day at my favorite bike shop. With my association of bike clubs , I see hundreds of bikes every Sunday. Never Have I seen or heard a bill attached to any member's bike. Could it be that bells are required by a city ordinance of your town, as I understand was the case in Lille.. ?

As far as an expensive touring bike goes, it's not necessary. I remember meeting a Dutch cyclist in Denmark who had ridden to the North Cape in Norway on a three speed he had found in the trash.

Indeed. On the same note, Heinz Stucke rode same 3 speed bicycle from 1962 until the late 2000s (doing 100,000s of miles). Thomas Stevens, 10k+ miles in the 1880s on a direct drive ordinary (on dirt, clay and alkali flats). It's all a matter of comfort and determination :D

Hey cyclezealot,

Perhaps it could be a city/regional/departmental law. I shall endeavor to find out. However, as you say, there are very few bikes that have them!

Daz.

NokoYoko, with your lack of experience, lack of equipment and lack of language skills, perhaps you would be better off on a packaged tour. Something to consider anyway.

As for research..It's really not as easy as it sounds, bicycle hiking isn't really active on the internet and googling anything with "bicycle + tours" only give useless sites. Try it. I couldn't find anything proper.

The-crazy-guy-on-a-bike-site was a decent site, but his interface is horrible, I couldn't navigate properly. His forum is a mess and his articles are clustered together. He seems very experienced, but his site needs some serious re-haul.?

You don't come across as very self-reliant. I'm wondering if long-distance bike touring is really going to be fun for you.

As for research..It's really not as easy as it sounds, bicycle hiking isn't really active on the internet and googling anything with "bicycle + tours" only give useless sites. Try it. I couldn't find anything proper.


I am new to bicycle touring but all 10 questions you asked can easily be answered by using the search feature on this very site. I found tons of information by reading threads on this site before I purchased my bike in January.

Whether one country is more beautiful than another is subjective but can be easily googled to give you an idea

+1 Bengeboy & Ubermensch84.

NokoYoko, nobody is being disrespectful or insensitive. The questions you ask are either so subjective and impossible to answer; or so elementary that you should be able to answer them yourself.

I am sometimes critical on here about top-of-the-line gear being touted as essential for first time tourers; along with technical bike specification language that confuses and discourages first-time tourers like yourself. Likewise, I am critical of those who do not do any research before posting.

You are talking about touring in May. That is only eight weeks away. You are at the very early planning stages of getting into your first tour. Why Europe; and why so soon? I am not sure if you're American, English or from a Commonwealth nation. I have a feeling you're English because you didn't ask about putting bikes on planes and commented on Scottish accents. Why not stay at home and do the Trans-America route; John-o-Groats to Dover; Melbourne to Sydney etc. (depending on your nationality)? Minimise the risk and trouble for yourself. Spend the money you were going to spend on the flight/ferry on the bicycle/camping gear you need instead.

I spent almost six months preparing for my first trip (Hong Kong to Shanghai). I listened to language-learning MP3s while riding for an hour or more each day. I absorbed everything I could from this site and other excellent bicycle touring sites (yes, there are many out there including one fantastic site -- www.biketouringtips.com (http://www.biketouringtips.com) -- hosted by a member of this forum) . Also I spent time on Google Maps, Lonely Planet and countless general travel sites which gave information on the areas I was visiting. I made sure I had the language ability to order food, ask for directions, book hotel rooms etc. Then there's packing lists, weather information, mobile phone coverage, tools and spare parts, whether small town ATMs would accept my credit card, visas, maps, tents, how effective a 3 season sleeping bag would be in late Autumn, where to buy cooking fuel and so on, and so on... In hindsight I knew very little and was ridiculously unprepared! But I had a great time. I often wonder how much hopeless I would have been without the planning I had done.

I don't wish to discourage you from touring and want to help. I just think that even if you do make the trip in eight weeks' time it won't be enjoyable because you need to progress a lot further along your planning/research learning curve before tackling Europe (or any tour), as well as learning to be more self-reliant. I hope you don't take this in a disrespectful way and hope that I can help you to plan this or another trip in the near future.

I hope you don't take this in a disrespectful way and hope that I can help you to plan this or another trip in the near future.

Just because I ask question, doesn't mean I haven't done my research. I have done tons of research and I'm almost at a point where I'm out of questions or don't need any help. It irritated me at first that people thought I was a clueless idiot that thought he could jump on a bicycle and ride hundreds of miles without a problem.

Thats not how it is. I am extremely prepared and I am already training everyday to get ready for May. As for language, almost everyone in Europe speaks English to some degree. Sure the old grandpa-generation doesn't, but the new generation does.

And you said you had a great time but you were unprepared on the trip - well hey - atleast you had fun right?

Thats the whole goal of my tour. Not to see sights or to meet people. Just have fun. Enjoy it. If it means getting stuck in the middle of no where, then so be it.
I will have maps and mapmyride.com already planned my route for me.

If I were to write everything I know about touring it would've been half a site, and you wouldn't have read that, would you? I was just gonna ask questions and thats it.

As for googling and searching those questions on the forum, I was originally gonna copy paste the question, or atleast a small part of it, paste it into google and this forums search bar and then see if I got any results. I would then take a screenshot, save it and post it here to show you that you can't just google everything.
I suggest you try it yourself:

South Germany vs South France
Italy cycle touring route
Can you campfire in europe

etc.

J
As for googling and searching those questions on the forum, I was originally gonna copy paste the question, or atleast a small part of it, paste it into google and this forums search bar and then see if I got any results. I would then take a screenshot, save it and post it here to show you that you can't just google everything.
I suggest you try it yourself:

South Germany vs South France
Italy cycle touring route
Can you campfire in europe

etc.

NokoYoko,

This is the part of your approach that made me wonder how self-reliant you are. If you are trying to argue that Google is not a perfect research tool, you win. But there are plenty of ways to get the information you need, especially if you helped yourself a bit along the way.

Let's just take one of your questions:

"2) I have no equipment nor a bike, how much would it cost me to get all the equipment needed? (backpack, panniers, water bottle, racks, lock, compass, map, side-money, rain coat, touring-clothes, shoes, helmet)."

There are at least 3 or 4 questions "baked into" that one question of yours, which are:
- How much will a bike cost?
- What equipment should I take?
- How much will the equipment cost?
- How much "side money" (spending money?) am I likely to need?

Taking these one at a time, you can easily use Google to find a number of touring- and camping-related websites that probably contain the answer to all these questions. Those websites would be this one; Adventure Cycling; CrazyGuyonaBike, REI.com; Campmor.com; Sierra Trading Post; and Bicycle Touring Pro.

In these websites, you will find:

1. Endless lists of appropriate touring bikes, and lengthy discussions about pros/cons and costs.
2. Packing lists. (There are dozens, if not hundreds of packing lists at Crazy Guy on a Bike).
3. Suggestions of where to shop for non-biking equipment. So, to answer your question, you just write down your packing list, and research the prices of each item. I just threw out REI and the others because you can quickly find the prices of practically anything you would need to tour with as a guide. Probably 30 minutes of research and you're done.
4. There are even polls of how much money people tend to spend off the bike; If you had read any of the journals of cyclists who have traveled around Europe you'll find a number of diligently record what they spend on food, campgrounds, lodging, etc. The guy who runs Bicycle Touring Pro spent several months in Europe last year and appears to have written down practically every Euro he spent, and then he reported on it.


Just a thought.

One other thing, let me address one thing based on my own experience about languages in Europe. You said: "As for language, almost everyone in Europe speaks English to some degree. Sure the old grandpa-generation doesn't, but the new generation does." IMHO, the issue is not whether "everyone in Europe speaks English." In my own experience, even in fairly small towns, you're likely not to be too far away from someone who speaks English. In case of a serious accident, or big problem (say, you get robbed), you'll quickly find some kind soul who speaks English who will be happy to help. But in more common, day-to-day situations, it's super helpful to know a few words of the local language. I learned this one of the first times I was in France -- I can understand many restaurant menus in French; hack my way through road signs, airports or mass transit; but I can't understand or speak a word of spoken French. I found myself one day in a little bakery / sandwich shop where people were standing in line, working their way to the front of the line, and then having to talk to a (very busy) person behind the counter to communicate an order. As I stood in line, I realized I was too embarrassed to shout out in English in front of a crowd of locals; I had no real way of pointing to what I wanted; and I couldn't even think of the French words to say, "I don't speak French." At that point I realized I needed to learn at least a few basics to get through situations like that. My advice to you would be the same.

My advice to you would be the same.

Oh don't worry. I ALWAYS prepare when I'm doing something. I'm planning to get some french people to help me write some basic sentences like "Excuse me sir, may I use your bathroom?". I know a bit of german, but not much. I have a german friend though, back in Dortmund. He said that he'll help me with my German. Sweet, eh?

Also since I am fluent in Polish I won't have that much trouble talking with serbians/croatians/bosnians. Even if the language barrier prevents me from expressing myself, I'll have a notepad with me with serbian/croatian sentences. :-)

Get a bicycle.

Start riding ... lots. In all sorts of weather. In all sorts of terrain.

Get some touring gear.

Ride out 100 km from where you live, camp overnight with whatever you brought, and ride back.

You'll figure out the answers to most of your questions that way.

I would strongly advise against camping outside of established campgrounds in Europe...and I hear the weather is horrible in the US. :rolleyes: This "Europe" you mention consists of several dozen countries, and in some of those countries (Northern Europe specifically) wild camping is recognised and perfectly legal concept since forever? I'm not sure it's a good idea in Central Europe, where OP plans to tour, and I know open fire is not. But speaking of the whole of Europe in this context is just a sweeping generalisation.

--J

I shouldn't have said Europe because concepts of land ownereship vary from country to country, but since the OP is heading toward the more populated countries. he would be well advised to find out what is permissable and not. But even if wild camping is legal I don't know if I would do so close to a road. There are a lot of strange people in cars.

I agree with your advice. I started touring in the seventies after using my bike to commute and do errands. A five mile commute beame a twelve mile commute, then a twentyfive mile round trip. Then I realized I could go fifty miles to the beach. I started carrying more stuff so I got rack and then panniers. An overnight trip led to a week in Vermont and NH. Then I heard about Bikecentennial and I realized it was possible to ride across North America, and I did so on my own, then to Europe.

So my advice to the new tourist is to find an old bike , learn about it and start riding to the store or post office or school first.

NokoYoko, Google is the best search tool humanity ever invented. Learn some advanced search syntax and you can find anything. The Internet is full of bicycle touring knowledge, there are hundreds related site that come out in Google. If you were unable to find good touring info that means you have been doing something wrong. Your original questions clearly show that you have done no research. CrazyGuyOnABike site has tons of info as well. Show some effort if you want people to help you.

You don't own a bike yet? When was the last time you've ridden a bike? You may not be physically prepared for such tour. Get a bike first start riding then start planning a tour. Do a few overnight trips to test your gear. Then do some longer rides before you embark on a long journey.

$300 is an expensive bike? Actually, that's a cheap bike.

Adam