How many bikes do I have? Answer is 3 for the moment.

But in my life time that I can remember, I most likely have 4 bikes. The tricycles or anything with wheels during my early childhood days below 5 years old, I seriously cannot remember.

The first one that I can remember was during my primary school days. As I recall, it was white in colour (or was it cream?), had some memories of it but very fuzzy. It was one of those “ladies bike" without a top tube. Most likely to be a single speed as I do not recall it having any speed shifting levers. But that was that, riding around the neighbourhood and so forth. Nothing great, no exciting stories. Some crashes I sort of remembered but really nothing inspiring.

Then came the my junior college days. Got into cycling then with a few of my friends. Don’t know why but I guess it was peer pressure and trying to share a passion. I did not have a bike then so I borrowed it from another friend (Ernest … I think). Also could not remember what bike it was and what stuff was on the bike. But I do remember that it had gear shifting … hahaha … an improvement! It was a a road bike, that much I remember. Had some wonderful times cycling down Singapore streets with it.

The next bike came about 18 years later, in Taiwan. A Giant Yukon Disc, mountain bike to be exact. It was not satisfying as it was a different construct from road bike and the difference is HUGE! See more on this bike’s description in my blog.

2 years later, appeared my round Taiwan bike. A Gary Fisher Nirvana. See more descriptions here.

After the 1st round Taiwan trip, I was itching for a new bike and Cannondale Bad Boy was chosen. See more descriptions here.

Bad Boy was still not right for touring. With 2 round Taiwan trip under my belt, I did more research, throught internet and magazines. This bike popped up: Surly Long Haul Trucker. See more descriptions here.

There you have it … the latest edition to my bike history.

OK … here is a few things on what works and what don’t work for touring. Just my own point of view, you can disagree, sue me or kill me but don’t go start a conversation war about it. Having said that, I welcome any suggestions …

Saddle:

Forget about those small and hard ones, get one with larger surface area to support your butt. You are going to sit on it for at least 5-8 hours a day, those skinny, look good racing saddles will kill your butt! I know it does not look good, but comfort comes in at higher order than looking good.

Tires:

No matter what others say, get a folding tire as spares. It saves you so much space. If you have good tires, you save on inner tubes. I know these “good" tires cost more than usual but it does save you lots of time and energy, not mentioning mental anguish. For a trip like round Taiwan (1100km), bring along at least 2 inner tubes and 2 spare tires.

Just to illusrtate the importance of right tires. 2 of my friends came along the tour with me with ordinary road bike tires. They, in combination, end up using 5 tires and 12 inner tubes! If you have bought good tires to start off with, you might not even get to use the spares. In my case, I brought 4 inner tubes and only use 1 at the end.

What tires? Puncture-proof would the one you want to buy. Continental and Schwalbe makes very good puncture-proof tires. Get them if you can spare the budget.

Bags:

Make sure your bags are waterproof. Not splash-proof but waterproof! Not those with rain covers!

I went through 5 days of heavy downpour during my tour and my faithful Ortlieb Classics hold up just fine. Not a single drop of rain got into my bag. You really don’t to be wrapping up all your things in plastic bags while you are touring. Imagine you have to unwrap them at the end of the day and wrap them back again in the morning before you start your day. You really do not have the energy for that. Also imagine that you are riding and you are suddenly hit by rain, you hurried along to pull out the rain covers for the bags and trying to get them fitted on. By the time you finish the process, half your things are already wet!

A handle bar bag is very useful in putting your little person things … mobile phones, wallet, sunscreen, snacks …etc. With a waterproof bag, you don’t have to worry about anything.

Watch this space, I will continue to update this page and share my experiences.