Comments for Ride Earth - Tom's World Bicycle Travel Blog http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk Overland bicycle travels around the world Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:31:11 +0000 hourly 1 Subscribe with My Yahoo!Subscribe with NewsGatorSubscribe with My AOLSubscribe with BloglinesSubscribe with NetvibesSubscribe with GoogleSubscribe with PageflakesSubscribe with PlusmoSubscribe with The Free DictionarySubscribe with Bitty BrowserSubscribe with NewsAlloySubscribe with Live.comSubscribe with Excite MIXSubscribe with Attensa for OutlookSubscribe with WebwagSubscribe with Podcast ReadySubscribe with FlurrySubscribe with WikioSubscribe with Daily Rotation Comment on Cycling The Middle East And North Africa – A Photography Exhibition in Yerevan by Andy http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RideEarthTom-Comments/~3/r7kjK6kecPc/ Andy Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:31:11 +0000 http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/?p=955#comment-1827 Good luck with that. I think the photos are great Good luck with that. I think the photos are great

]]> http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/blog/2010/03/09/cycling-the-middle-east-and-north-africa-a-photography-exhibition-in-yerevan/comment-page-1/#comment-1827 Comment on Why I Can’t Live In Armenia (I’m Too British) by Adrineh http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RideEarthTom-Comments/~3/Eu8ft77U9ew/ Adrineh Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:40:02 +0000 http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/?p=903#comment-1825 Tom Allen, @sacfunraiser and Darby Flynn: you might be interested in this American journalist/blogger's thoughts on living in Yerevan: http://ashleykillough.com/ And yes, I'd say Yerevan has changed a lot since the 90s, though yes, the underlying attitudes are still the same. In any case, there are definitely more foreigners (expats, repats, tourists and immigrants) and I'd no longer say that Armenia is 99% ethnically Armenian. I don't think wearing sneakers gets you looks, but being more fair-skinned and fair-haired might! There are lots of folks living here who are not from here or are not Diaspora Armenians (though there are plenty of us too!) and many keep blogs. I've met lots of Fulbright scholars and US Peace Corps volunteers, for instance. In any case, it's interesting to read different people's perspectives, especially since I made the move from Canada to Armenia last summer :) Tom Allen, @sacfunraiser and Darby Flynn: you might be interested in this American journalist/blogger’s thoughts on living in Yerevan: http://ashleykillough.com/

And yes, I’d say Yerevan has changed a lot since the 90s, though yes, the underlying attitudes are still the same. In any case, there are definitely more foreigners (expats, repats, tourists and immigrants) and I’d no longer say that Armenia is 99% ethnically Armenian. I don’t think wearing sneakers gets you looks, but being more fair-skinned and fair-haired might! There are lots of folks living here who are not from here or are not Diaspora Armenians (though there are plenty of us too!) and many keep blogs. I’ve met lots of Fulbright scholars and US Peace Corps volunteers, for instance.

In any case, it’s interesting to read different people’s perspectives, especially since I made the move from Canada to Armenia last summer :)

]]> http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/blog/2010/01/23/why-i-cant-live-in-armenia-im-too-british/comment-page-1/#comment-1825 Comment on The Brick Wall Of Eternal Dissatisfaction by Adrineh http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RideEarthTom-Comments/~3/t0Pa_4vH-38/ Adrineh Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:59:51 +0000 http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/?p=928#comment-1823 Nope! Looks like it's not just your mum and your brother who read your "random musings" :-) I have to say, I had a bit of a chuckle on the paragraph about being unable to reconcile the fond memories with the actual grunt work of bike tours and cycling trips. I myself went on a bike tour with 3 other women last summer from Yerevan to Tbilisi (remind me to tell you about that some time) and even though the group dynamics got to me more than the cycling, my main thought when I remember the trip is "That was amazing! When can I get back on the saddle and go on another bike tour?" C'est la vie, n'est-ce pas? :)) Nope! Looks like it’s not just your mum and your brother who read your “random musings” :-) I have to say, I had a bit of a chuckle on the paragraph about being unable to reconcile the fond memories with the actual grunt work of bike tours and cycling trips. I myself went on a bike tour with 3 other women last summer from Yerevan to Tbilisi (remind me to tell you about that some time) and even though the group dynamics got to me more than the cycling, my main thought when I remember the trip is “That was amazing! When can I get back on the saddle and go on another bike tour?” C’est la vie, n’est-ce pas? :))

]]> http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/blog/2010/03/04/the-brick-wall-of-eternal-dissatisfaction/comment-page-1/#comment-1823 Comment on Cycling The Middle East And North Africa – A Photography Exhibition in Yerevan by Adrineh http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RideEarthTom-Comments/~3/zQNUATD7kL8/ Adrineh Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:37:23 +0000 http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/?p=955#comment-1821 FYI: http://tert.am/en/news/2010/03/09/tomallen/ (press coverage is good, isn't it? :))) FYI: http://tert.am/en/news/2010/03/09/tomallen/
(press coverage is good, isn’t it? :)))

]]> http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/blog/2010/03/09/cycling-the-middle-east-and-north-africa-a-photography-exhibition-in-yerevan/comment-page-1/#comment-1821 Comment on Cycling The Middle East And North Africa – A Photography Exhibition in Yerevan by Adrineh http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RideEarthTom-Comments/~3/YE8pR9F1mMc/ Adrineh Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:29:31 +0000 http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/?p=955#comment-1820 Hi Tom! You probably don't remember me, but we met briefly on Dec. 6, 2009, as we cycled the streets of Yerevan and made a film to send to Copenhagan for the UN Climate Change Conference (loved the video on Vimeo, by the way :) In any case, I found out about this exhibit through local media and I will make a point of coming to your opening (so, no worries, at least one person will show up :))) Congrats on your first solo exhibit! (Yerevan is great for providing opportunities such as this one, isn't it?) Hi Tom!

You probably don’t remember me, but we met briefly on Dec. 6, 2009, as we cycled the streets of Yerevan and made a film to send to Copenhagan for the UN Climate Change Conference (loved the video on Vimeo, by the way :)

In any case, I found out about this exhibit through local media and I will make a point of coming to your opening (so, no worries, at least one person will show up :)))

Congrats on your first solo exhibit!
(Yerevan is great for providing opportunities such as this one, isn’t it?)

]]> http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/blog/2010/03/09/cycling-the-middle-east-and-north-africa-a-photography-exhibition-in-yerevan/comment-page-1/#comment-1820 Comment on Blog by brendan mclaughlan http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RideEarthTom-Comments/~3/SdCuu1-AAO8/ brendan mclaughlan Fri, 05 Mar 2010 09:49:16 +0000 http://localhost/ride-earth-new/wordpress-2.5/?page_id=222#comment-1815 wicked web site Tom.. living the dream my son.. my name is Brendan , 23 year old from Essex, UK planning to bike it around the world in a years time.. just reloading on the cash after being in australia for 16 month travelling around.... keep up the good work take it easy brendan wicked web site Tom..
living the dream my son..
my name is Brendan , 23 year old from Essex, UK
planning to bike it around the world in a years time.. just reloading on the cash after being in australia for 16 month travelling around….

keep up the good work take it easy

brendan

]]> http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/blog/comment-page-1/#comment-1815 Comment on The Brick Wall Of Eternal Dissatisfaction by Ben http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RideEarthTom-Comments/~3/LXs0Ot0bA4o/ Ben Thu, 04 Mar 2010 23:48:48 +0000 http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/?p=928#comment-1809 Do not worry, dear brother - I read this too. You live a fuller life than most people in their twenties so do not fret too much! This reminds me; I must find time to write a new blog entry myself (or just stop putting it off) Do not worry, dear brother – I read this too. You live a fuller life than most people in their twenties so do not fret too much! This reminds me; I must find time to write a new blog entry myself (or just stop putting it off)

]]> http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/blog/2010/03/04/the-brick-wall-of-eternal-dissatisfaction/comment-page-1/#comment-1809 Comment on How To Camp Anywhere And Not Get Busted by Doug http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RideEarthTom-Comments/~3/GStr_z_g5Y0/ Doug Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:00:17 +0000 http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/?p=844#comment-1808 Hi Tom! Just a funny story I though I'd share. Years ago I was cycling with a friend from Amsterdam to Nice and along the way we stopped in Lausanne to visit a friend who was living there. Well, we stayed out rather late and decided to sleep in real beds for a change. After being refused a room at a couple of hotels, which perhaps was not surprising as we probably looked and smelled a bit dodgy, we decided to fall back on camping. We got back on our bikes and rode downhill toward Lake Geneva. After stumbling about in the dark for a while we got our tent setup on the lakeshore and hit the sack. We woke up to discover that we had pitched our tent beside a boardwalk that runs along the lakefront. Various joggers and dog-walkers looked at us curiously as we spread our wet clothes in the sunshine. We had a spendid view of the mountains across the lake and no-one bothered us at all despite our having camped in an area that was in all likelihood off-limits to the likes of us. Good times... Hi Tom! Just a funny story I though I'd share. Years ago I was cycling with a friend from Amsterdam to Nice and along the way we stopped in Lausanne to visit a friend who was living there. Well, we stayed out rather late and decided to sleep in real beds for a change. After being refused a room at a couple of hotels, which perhaps was not surprising as we probably looked and smelled a bit dodgy, we decided to fall back on camping. We got back on our bikes and rode downhill toward Lake Geneva. After stumbling about in the dark for a while we got our tent setup on the lakeshore and hit the sack. We woke up to discover that we had pitched our tent beside a boardwalk that runs along the lakefront. Various joggers and dog-walkers looked at us curiously as we spread our wet clothes in the sunshine. We had a spendid view of the mountains across the lake and no-one bothered us at all despite our having camped in an area that was in all likelihood off-limits to the likes of us. Good times…

]]> http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/blog/2009/11/17/how-to-camp-anywhere-and-not-get-busted/comment-page-1/#comment-1808 Comment on The Brick Wall Of Eternal Dissatisfaction by Tom Allen http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RideEarthTom-Comments/~3/Lcko8UQcqPs/ Tom Allen Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:32:26 +0000 http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/?p=928#comment-1807 Thanks Mum! Hope I'm not the only one who reads this... Thanks Mum! Hope I'm not the only one who reads this…

]]> http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/blog/2010/03/04/the-brick-wall-of-eternal-dissatisfaction/comment-page-1/#comment-1807 Comment on The Brick Wall Of Eternal Dissatisfaction by liz allen http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RideEarthTom-Comments/~3/vpNx4-1Rd2E/ liz allen Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:32:35 +0000 http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/?p=928#comment-1806 I like the title. Most thinking people of your age search for meaning to their lives and interpret it in different ways - climbing the career ladder, setting themselves physical challenges, renovating what seem like impossibly derelict houses (like us), building up a business etc. Some flounder and flit from one challenge to another but eventually that word 'compromise' rears it's head and hopefully a certain amount of contentment will result. Unexpected setbacks may come to try us and a different direction may have to be taken but being positive to change and compromise will make your life more fulfilling. Good luck 'If you are always craving, always wanting, never satisfied with what you've got you end up even more lost and lonely' Tony Parsons (man and boy) Love Mum x I like the title. Most thinking people of your age search for meaning to their lives and interpret it in different ways – climbing the career ladder, setting themselves physical challenges, renovating what seem like impossibly derelict houses (like us), building up a business etc. Some flounder and flit from one challenge to another but eventually that word 'compromise' rears it's head and hopefully a certain amount of contentment will result.
Unexpected setbacks may come to try us and a different direction may have to be taken but being positive to change and compromise will make your life more fulfilling. Good luck

'If you are always craving, always wanting, never satisfied with what you've got you end up even more lost and lonely' Tony Parsons (man and boy)

Love Mum x

]]> http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/blog/2010/03/04/the-brick-wall-of-eternal-dissatisfaction/comment-page-1/#comment-1806 Comment on Why I Can’t Live In Armenia (I’m Too British) by Tom Allen http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RideEarthTom-Comments/~3/lFEFIfPILOM/ Tom Allen Mon, 01 Mar 2010 07:17:05 +0000 http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/?p=903#comment-1805 There are as many ways to travel as there are travellers, I guess. For me, the important thing at the outset was to see some of the world and have a great adventure on a mountain bike, for the sake of adventure itself and for the freedom to go anywhere at any speed from 20 to 200km a day. Round-the-world per se wasn't the focus, but it seemed to be a good way to explain the idea to media/sponsors. I think it's good to have a goal of some sort, not necessarily for the final achievement but more because it can help give a direction to a process which can easily become lost and unfocused. I never intended to let the goal dominate my experience and attitude to the day-to-day act of travelling - I set no time limit and am very glad to not have done so. I know of plenty of people who did so and regretted it! I think a variety of modes of transport would be great fun - walking and sailing are really appealing, and hitching is always an experience. Motorbiking's probably not for me - too fast and I suppose not quite challenging enough at this age! There are as many ways to travel as there are travellers, I guess. For me, the important thing at the outset was to see some of the world and have a great adventure on a mountain bike, for the sake of adventure itself and for the freedom to go anywhere at any speed from 20 to 200km a day. Round-the-world per se wasn't the focus, but it seemed to be a good way to explain the idea to media/sponsors.

I think it's good to have a goal of some sort, not necessarily for the final achievement but more because it can help give a direction to a process which can easily become lost and unfocused. I never intended to let the goal dominate my experience and attitude to the day-to-day act of travelling – I set no time limit and am very glad to not have done so. I know of plenty of people who did so and regretted it!

I think a variety of modes of transport would be great fun – walking and sailing are really appealing, and hitching is always an experience. Motorbiking's probably not for me – too fast and I suppose not quite challenging enough at this age!

]]> http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/blog/2010/01/23/why-i-cant-live-in-armenia-im-too-british/comment-page-1/#comment-1805 Comment on Why I Can’t Live In Armenia (I’m Too British) by Darren Saunders http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RideEarthTom-Comments/~3/Uaai6KShlYQ/ Darren Saunders Sun, 28 Feb 2010 17:02:25 +0000 http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/?p=903#comment-1804 Hi Tom, Just come across this site whilst looking for information on traveling the world by bike. I have read some of the articles you've posted with great interest and will continue to gather as much information from this site as I can. A question if I may - from the outset, was it always going to be by bike or was it the circumnavigation that was more important? I have the desire to circumnavigate the world but by which means I'm still not sure of. I have considered: sailing (i did a trans-Atlantic crossing for some experience); motorbike - I think this is more complicated where paperwork is concerned, expensive and everything rushes past too quickly; mountain bike - looking at your site for more information and finally by foot/hitch hiking. In any case, I'm in no rush. It's something I'd like to achieve but will not give myself a deadline to achieve it by. Thanks, Daz. Hi Tom,

Just come across this site whilst looking for information on traveling the world by bike. I have read some of the articles you've posted with great interest and will continue to gather as much information from this site as I can.

A question if I may – from the outset, was it always going to be by bike or was it the circumnavigation that was more important? I have the desire to circumnavigate the world but by which means I'm still not sure of. I have considered: sailing (i did a trans-Atlantic crossing for some experience); motorbike – I think this is more complicated where paperwork is concerned, expensive and everything rushes past too quickly; mountain bike – looking at your site for more information and finally by foot/hitch hiking. In any case, I'm in no rush. It's something I'd like to achieve but will not give myself a deadline to achieve it by.

Thanks,

Daz.

]]> http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/blog/2010/01/23/why-i-cant-live-in-armenia-im-too-british/comment-page-1/#comment-1804 Comment on Magura Louise Hydraulic Disc Brake Review by Tom Allen http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RideEarthTom-Comments/~3/tqjCf7spaZ8/ Tom Allen Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:52:41 +0000 http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/?page_id=520#comment-1802 Hi Joe, thanks for this. It sounds like the other brands of brakes might be easier to repair from what you've said. It's a shame that the caliper end of the hose can't be refitted easily. I carry a spare hose which weighs next to nothing, and any light oil will work to refill the system, so if I snap a hose I should be OK, although it hasn't happened yet - the hoses seem to be very durable. I also carry a tube of plastic which can be cut and heat-welded around a broken section of hose using the flame from a lighter, although I hope things never get that desperate! I wouldn't write off Maguras for the reasons you've given, though - it's just a case of bringing a spare hose along. Hi Joe, thanks for this. It sounds like the other brands of brakes might be easier to repair from what you've said. It's a shame that the caliper end of the hose can't be refitted easily. I carry a spare hose which weighs next to nothing, and any light oil will work to refill the system, so if I snap a hose I should be OK, although it hasn't happened yet – the hoses seem to be very durable.

I also carry a tube of plastic which can be cut and heat-welded around a broken section of hose using the flame from a lighter, although I hope things never get that desperate! I wouldn't write off Maguras for the reasons you've given, though – it's just a case of bringing a spare hose along.

]]> http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/articles/equipment/magura-louise-hydraulic-disc-brake-review/comment-page-1/#comment-1802 Comment on Along the Egyptian Nile to Luxor by Tom Allen http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RideEarthTom-Comments/~3/PDFL_43AusM/ Tom Allen Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:46:46 +0000 http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/?p=607#comment-1801 Hi Ramez, I'm happy you found encouragement here. Egypt is a great place to cycle, especially along the Nile and away from the tourism areas where it is quite flat and easy. I didn't do any planning. I found it very easy to find food and water on the Nile as there are towns and villages all the time. There were a couple of days in the Sinai desert where I didn't find any food or water and I had to bring it with me. People were very friendly outside of the tourist areas and often gave me somewhere to sleep. I camped in the Sinai desert, but by the Nile there were a lot of people. I think you'd find it easy to find places to sleep most of the time, maybe easier than me because you are from Egypt and can communicate! It might be quite hot in the summer though... Good luck, please do ask if you have any other questions. I hope you enjoy the trip. Hi Ramez, I'm happy you found encouragement here. Egypt is a great place to cycle, especially along the Nile and away from the tourism areas where it is quite flat and easy. I didn't do any planning. I found it very easy to find food and water on the Nile as there are towns and villages all the time. There were a couple of days in the Sinai desert where I didn't find any food or water and I had to bring it with me. People were very friendly outside of the tourist areas and often gave me somewhere to sleep. I camped in the Sinai desert, but by the Nile there were a lot of people. I think you'd find it easy to find places to sleep most of the time, maybe easier than me because you are from Egypt and can communicate! It might be quite hot in the summer though…

Good luck, please do ask if you have any other questions. I hope you enjoy the trip.

]]> http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/blog/2009/03/11/along-the-egyptian-nile-to-luxor/comment-page-1/#comment-1801 Comment on Along the Egyptian Nile to Luxor by Ramez Albert Barsoum http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RideEarthTom-Comments/~3/jdECdJK5znY/ Ramez Albert Barsoum Sun, 21 Feb 2010 00:28:41 +0000 http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/?p=607#comment-1797 Hi Tim i liked ur story I am an Egyptian livin in Alexandria and i want to cycle egypt in summer and u encouraged me , u know the cycling here in egypt is not habitual ; but i would like please to know some information about what u had to plan before ur trip ; and where u camped and what about food and water ? i know its maybe be strange that I am from egypt and i am asking you .. Finaly i wish you good luck in ur life and i wish you happy cycling .. Hi Tim i liked ur story
I am an Egyptian livin in Alexandria and i want to cycle egypt in summer and u encouraged me , u know the cycling here in egypt is not habitual ; but i would like please to know some information about what u had to plan before ur trip ; and where u camped and what about food and water ? i know its maybe be strange that I am from egypt and i am asking you ..
Finaly i wish you good luck in ur life and i wish you happy cycling ..

]]> http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/blog/2009/03/11/along-the-egyptian-nile-to-luxor/comment-page-1/#comment-1797 Comment on Carradice Super C Rear Pannier Review by Ortlieb or Vaude Pannier - London Fixed-gear and Single-speed http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RideEarthTom-Comments/~3/e2Dk3Q96xlQ/ Ortlieb or Vaude Pannier - London Fixed-gear and Single-speed Fri, 19 Feb 2010 10:59:14 +0000 http://www.ride-earth.org.uk/about/equipment/six-months/carradice-super-c-rear-pannier-review/#comment-1796 [...] did consider their panniers but they aren't quite large enough. This was quite a useful review - http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/article...annier-review/ The problem I've found with the Ortlieb is that they are fiddly and a bugger to carry off the bike [...] [...] did consider their panniers but they aren't quite large enough. This was quite a useful review – http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/article…annier-review/ The problem I've found with the Ortlieb is that they are fiddly and a bugger to carry off the bike [...]

]]> http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/articles/equipment/carradice-super-c-rear-pannier-review/comment-page-1/#comment-1796 Comment on What Happened When I Tried To Organise A Bike Ride In Yerevan by Sheila http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RideEarthTom-Comments/~3/CVfpSY_kj1s/ Sheila Fri, 19 Feb 2010 04:23:23 +0000 http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/?p=855#comment-1795 Very well written! Bravo. I'm grateful for your efforts and contributions. Very well written! Bravo. I'm grateful for your efforts and contributions.

]]> http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/blog/2009/11/29/what-happened-when-i-tried-to-organise-a-bike-ride-in-yerevan/comment-page-1/#comment-1795 Comment on Have Micro-Adventures For Better Weekends by Exciting news « Because It Is There: A Zero Emissions Odyssey http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RideEarthTom-Comments/~3/s1vKX2HoaAg/ Exciting news « Because It Is There: A Zero Emissions Odyssey Thu, 18 Feb 2010 20:09:50 +0000 http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/?p=719#comment-1794 [...] coverage as possible and i will also be undertaking a 2 or 3 Micro Adventures (examples here and here) to try and sedate my [...] [...] coverage as possible and i will also be undertaking a 2 or 3 Micro Adventures (examples here and here) to try and sedate my [...]

]]> http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/blog/2009/08/07/have-micro-adventures-for-better-weekends/comment-page-1/#comment-1794 Comment on Magura Louise Hydraulic Disc Brake Review by Joe Sheffer http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RideEarthTom-Comments/~3/bw3e0ZcJt0Q/ Joe Sheffer Thu, 18 Feb 2010 10:23:10 +0000 http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/?page_id=520#comment-1793 The stupid thing about magura brakes is that if you slash a hose at the caliper end, you cannot reattach the olive onto the hose.It happened to me recently on a tour of the Pamirs and i ended up with no brakes for the duration of the trip. It means buying a whole new hose if you catch a bungee in the hose and slice through the hose at the disc end. Shimano/Hope/Hayes brakes are superior in their ability to be repaired with emergency lengths of hose which are easily stored in your panniers for zero weight. I don't agree with people who say hydraulic brakes are too much hassle for a long tour...bring a syringe, an eight mm spanner and a small bottle of fluid and you're away...just leave the maguras at home. Mineral oil is also a pain in the arse to get hold of anywhere but europe. Dot systems might be corrosive and messy to set up, but make sense really. The stupid thing about magura brakes is that if you slash a hose at the caliper end, you cannot reattach the olive onto the hose.It happened to me recently on a tour of the Pamirs and i ended up with no brakes for the duration of the trip.

It means buying a whole new hose if you catch a bungee in the hose and slice through the hose at the disc end. Shimano/Hope/Hayes brakes are superior in their ability to be repaired with emergency lengths of hose which are easily stored in your panniers for zero weight.

I don't agree with people who say hydraulic brakes are too much hassle for a long tour…bring a syringe, an eight mm spanner and a small bottle of fluid and you're away…just leave the maguras at home.

Mineral oil is also a pain in the arse to get hold of anywhere but europe. Dot systems might be corrosive and messy to set up, but make sense really.

]]> http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/articles/equipment/magura-louise-hydraulic-disc-brake-review/comment-page-1/#comment-1793 Comment on Why I Can’t Live In Armenia (I’m Too British) by @sacfunraiser http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RideEarthTom-Comments/~3/NCTcjWG-kPM/ @sacfunraiser Wed, 10 Feb 2010 08:16:02 +0000 http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/?p=903#comment-1784 Thanks Tom, I'll look forward to that blog. I was in Armenia teaching English and volunteering. I've heard from my friends that I still keep in touch with in Yerevan that things have changed a fair amount....I'm sure I would be shocked a bit! And I'm sure it's much easier to find Western luxuries like Peanut Butter than when I was there! Thanks Tom, I'll look forward to that blog.

I was in Armenia teaching English and volunteering. I've heard from my friends that I still keep in touch with in Yerevan that things have changed a fair amount….I'm sure I would be shocked a bit! And I'm sure it's much easier to find Western luxuries like Peanut Butter than when I was there!

]]> http://tom.ride-earth.org.uk/blog/2010/01/23/why-i-cant-live-in-armenia-im-too-british/comment-page-1/#comment-1784