Isn't it funny how the uphill is so often gruelling and lasts for hours and hours. We push through praying for the dowhill the whole time. And then when the downhill comes we whizz past and it is over in minutes and we barely get to enjoy it at all. Then we realise that the slow brutal uphill gave us plenty of time to enjoy the magic of the mountains. You beautifully captured all of this, thank you so much for making this video so excellently and having such a wonderful adventure. You are beacons of inspiration!!
Aww thanks! And yeah, it’s something we think about a lot… bikepacking, time-wise, is mostly grinding uphill. So you gotta really learn to love it, or at least get through it!
Hello, Hillary and Chris! Just found your channel the other day (I subscribed) and proceeded to binge watch a couple playlists. You guys do a good job of putting together your videos. Thanks for sharing your adventures with us! Take care!
Thank you so much! Glad you liked them. We are always trying to get better at making these little stories, so we’d always love feedback if you have it!
Thanks, good to hear from you too! Life has been so busy lately, but this project brings us joy. We'll always be back. :) I hope you are well and enjoying your travels!
Hi Hillary. Maybe you have a bit of this ... 'Nyctophobia is more than just being afraid of the dark. It's also a fear of what you can't see. ' Cheers from Canada.
Thanks for spending the time to edit and share videos of your adventures. The scenery is spectacular and your commentary conveys what you are feeling and experiencing. Both of you are very adventurous souls. Is there any hill you won't attempt to climb?
I like it a lot! I don't think I'll be going back. And we actually do use a water filter -- it's called a BeFree, we use it a couple times in this video.
Chris has a Cateye Rapid-X rear light that attaches with rubber bands to the rear rack with the help of an added small wooden dowel (Cateye does make an adapter clip). Hillary has had surprisingly good results from a cheep light off Amazon that appears to be discontinued.
…Oops😳❗️Nice recovery several times AND aren’t walking tours of Italy the Best⁉️ But seriously, nice video once again …. Q?: do you filter the water coming out of the mountain-side springs?…Thanks again for a wonderful view and sharing of your trip🙃
Now that you have some more time on it, how are you liking the rolhoff conversion? Is it handling the climbs as well as the derailer drivetrain did? Also, the shoe thing was hilarious…
About Europa en campgrounds. I camped/camp a lot. Good and bad. There is often a big difference per country. In Germany these is little specie fors tents, but good facilities. Italy.... well, another experience.
So many things! We should say, we’ve only been to Italian and Turkish campsites so others might be better. But here we go: In the US, we have both private and public campgrounds. They vary wildly in quality, but in general, our private campgrounds are much like European ones, whereas the public ones (run by state parks, national parks, or national forests) are cheaper (they tend to charge per site, not per person, and are between $5-20 per site), quieter, in more wild settings with lots of trees, and usually you have lots of space between campsites in the campground. Also, the showers (if they have showers) are usually free with unlimited hot water. There’s usually a picnic table at each campsite. There are no bright shining lights kept on all night. We also have lots of free legal wild camping, where on certain kinds of public land you can camp pretty much anywhere you can fit a tent. There’s no bathrooms, and your water usually comes from a creek or spring, but nobody’s going to bother you and you’re usually alone so it’s easy to sleep. It’s like wild camping in Europe, but legal and no stress. I think they have something similar in some Scandinavian countries. We never found a public campground in Europe. All the campsites were private, and it seems like “camping” usually caters to German and French tourists who have semi-permanent structures or RVs/vans. The sites are so small and close together, and they try to pack as many people in as possible. With all the vehicles, the campgrounds are rarely beautiful or peaceful. If you’re in a tent, you usually have a tiny site right next to tons of other people in an open area with no shade or privacy, and it’s often on sloped ground. You’re often right next to (or sometimes underneath) a loud road. There are usually barking dogs. There are usually bright lights shining all night long. There are rarely picnic tables, and the showers often cost extra and you only get like 4 minutes of hot water. And the bathrooms are usually in really bad condition. Also, the campgrounds often cost per person rather than per site, and usually at least $20 per person, so for two people $40, and often much more than that. So we are paying a lot for a cramped site where we don’t get much sleep. So usually in Europe I prefer to wildcamp, because it’s quieter and darker and we are able to get much better sleep and it’s much cheaper. But we are always worried about being woken up and made to move. I hope that answers your question!
@@slow_spokesThanks, that was really interesting. I'm Italian and I think our campsites are especially bad and expensive compared to the rest of Europe, so I'm confident you'll find better spots abroad. The ban on wild camping is really frustrating, I love Scandinavia for their freedom in that regard. Happy pedaling!
Thank you, thank you for your wonderful biking vlog. I'm really enjoying it, but I'm having a hard time reading the captions. Could you please leave the text on the screen for a few more seconds and make it just a little bit larger. I'm constantly rewinding to read them, and it's ruining the ebb and flow of the vlog. I know some people are speed readers, but most aren't. Thank you for your consideration. God bless you and your family.
I smiled so many times watching this, thank you.
Yay! That’s a great compliment. :)
Isn't it funny how the uphill is so often gruelling and lasts for hours and hours. We push through praying for the dowhill the whole time. And then when the downhill comes we whizz past and it is over in minutes and we barely get to enjoy it at all. Then we realise that the slow brutal uphill gave us plenty of time to enjoy the magic of the mountains. You beautifully captured all of this, thank you so much for making this video so excellently and having such a wonderful adventure. You are beacons of inspiration!!
Aww thanks! And yeah, it’s something we think about a lot… bikepacking, time-wise, is mostly grinding uphill. So you gotta really learn to love it, or at least get through it!
Ahaha “an actual whimper” 😂 totally fair, that tunnel looked intense! But what a view at the end 😍
Haha I’m a little embarrassed by my fear because I know it’s irrational but I really can’t control it. :)
Hello, Hillary and Chris! Just found your channel the other day (I subscribed) and proceeded to binge watch a couple playlists. You guys do a good job of putting together your videos. Thanks for sharing your adventures with us! Take care!
Thank you so much! Glad you liked them. We are always trying to get better at making these little stories, so we’d always love feedback if you have it!
Chris and Hillary, so nice to see your video and yourselves. It's been so long since you posted.
Wonderful video.
Atb,
That Travelling Guy....
Thanks, good to hear from you too! Life has been so busy lately, but this project brings us joy. We'll always be back. :) I hope you are well and enjoying your travels!
Epic scenery……. Especially in the sunshine ☀️
Sun does make a difference!
It's so incredibly beautiful up there!
Hi Hillary. Maybe you have a bit of this ... 'Nyctophobia is more than just being afraid of the dark. It's also a fear of what you can't see. ' Cheers from Canada.
Ohh thanks! Yeah that might be it. I didn’t know that was part of nyctophobia.
Riding a bike with a little buzz is always a kick 🎉
It’s pretty fun!
Thanks for the great video!
Glad you liked it!
Great stuff Chris and Hillary, ATB.
Thanks!
I am subscribed, and you will have me viewing again soon. What a great video, an area I hope to take our bikes to next summer and explore...
Thanks for joining us! We hope you get to go!
Thanks for spending the time to edit and share videos of your adventures. The scenery is spectacular and your commentary conveys what you are feeling and experiencing. Both of you are very adventurous souls. Is there any hill you won't attempt to climb?
Aww thanks! We’re glad that it’s landing right.
So much love the view. Thank ypu for sharing your beautiful ride.
From Philippines. ❤
Thank you so much!
You did very good on the Romantsch!
Thank you! Do you live in an area where it’s spoken?
What an awesome, tough and adventurous route!! I can't seem to find you on komoot any more?
Thanks! And here you go! www.komoot.com/user/2606712238245?ref=imk-qr
Tell me more about how you like your Rohloff. I ordered mine with a Rohloff. I Enjoy you should really consider using a water filter.
I like it a lot! I don't think I'll be going back. And we actually do use a water filter -- it's called a BeFree, we use it a couple times in this video.
Tell me you climb w/out telling me you climb. “Thanks for the beta.”
You caught us :)
Totally random question, what make are your rear lights. I have been searching for a light that mounts to my quick rack without success
Chris has a Cateye Rapid-X rear light that attaches with rubber bands to the rear rack with the help of an added small wooden dowel (Cateye does make an adapter clip). Hillary has had surprisingly good results from a cheep light off Amazon that appears to be discontinued.
Nice!
Thanks! 😊
…Oops😳❗️Nice recovery several times AND aren’t walking tours of Italy the Best⁉️ But seriously, nice video once again …. Q?: do you filter the water coming out of the mountain-side springs?…Thanks again for a wonderful view and sharing of your trip🙃
Usually we do, unless we can see it coming out of the mountain. We have a BeFree filter.
Another more ride specific question, what gearing are you using?.
Chris is using a 2x11 with 46/30 upfront and an 11-42 cassette. Hillary is riding with Rohloff Speedhub paired with a 36 tooth chainring.
Hi, amazing trip! Perhaps you could share a gpx file with the route?
Thanks!
Hi! I’m sorry, we don’t have a great way to share gpx files right now.
Now that you have some more time on it, how are you liking the rolhoff conversion? Is it handling the climbs as well as the derailer drivetrain did? Also, the shoe thing was hilarious…
Haha thanks! And I love it and will never go back to a derailleur, ever. It handles climbs great, especially now that I’m practiced changing gears.
About Europa en campgrounds. I camped/camp a lot. Good and bad. There is often a big difference per country. In Germany these is little specie fors tents, but good facilities. Italy.... well, another experience.
Hi! As a European, I'd like to know what you dislike about the campsite here, as they're the only ones I've experienced myself 😅
So many things! We should say, we’ve only been to Italian and Turkish campsites so others might be better. But here we go:
In the US, we have both private and public campgrounds. They vary wildly in quality, but in general, our private campgrounds are much like European ones, whereas the public ones (run by state parks, national parks, or national forests) are cheaper (they tend to charge per site, not per person, and are between $5-20 per site), quieter, in more wild settings with lots of trees, and usually you have lots of space between campsites in the campground. Also, the showers (if they have showers) are usually free with unlimited hot water. There’s usually a picnic table at each campsite. There are no bright shining lights kept on all night. We also have lots of free legal wild camping, where on certain kinds of public land you can camp pretty much anywhere you can fit a tent. There’s no bathrooms, and your water usually comes from a creek or spring, but nobody’s going to bother you and you’re usually alone so it’s easy to sleep. It’s like wild camping in Europe, but legal and no stress. I think they have something similar in some Scandinavian countries.
We never found a public campground in Europe. All the campsites were private, and it seems like “camping” usually caters to German and French tourists who have semi-permanent structures or RVs/vans. The sites are so small and close together, and they try to pack as many people in as possible. With all the vehicles, the campgrounds are rarely beautiful or peaceful. If you’re in a tent, you usually have a tiny site right next to tons of other people in an open area with no shade or privacy, and it’s often on sloped ground. You’re often right next to (or sometimes underneath) a loud road. There are usually barking dogs. There are usually bright lights shining all night long. There are rarely picnic tables, and the showers often cost extra and you only get like 4 minutes of hot water. And the bathrooms are usually in really bad condition. Also, the campgrounds often cost per person rather than per site, and usually at least $20 per person, so for two people $40, and often much more than that. So we are paying a lot for a cramped site where we don’t get much sleep.
So usually in Europe I prefer to wildcamp, because it’s quieter and darker and we are able to get much better sleep and it’s much cheaper. But we are always worried about being woken up and made to move.
I hope that answers your question!
@@slow_spokesThanks, that was really interesting. I'm Italian and I think our campsites are especially bad and expensive compared to the rest of Europe, so I'm confident you'll find better spots abroad. The ban on wild camping is really frustrating, I love Scandinavia for their freedom in that regard. Happy pedaling!
Thank you, thank you for your wonderful biking vlog. I'm really enjoying it, but I'm having a hard time reading the captions. Could you please leave the text on the screen for a few more seconds and make it just a little bit larger. I'm constantly rewinding to read them, and it's ruining the ebb and flow of the vlog. I know some people are speed readers, but most aren't. Thank you for your consideration. God bless you and your family.
👍👍🇮🇳🇮🇳❤❤