Folding bikes

[charles_reed]

I used to have an old beat up folding bike that I never took on board (boat too small) in B.C. Canada. I just left it locked on the dock and rode it (on a bike trail) shopping five miles or so. In the Med I never needed a bike because the shops are so close to the harbours. I prefer to walk to the mom and pop shops or outdoor markets in the villages even if they are a bit more expensive (I enjoy the cultural experience), rather than to the big supermarkets, which are outside of towns usually.

Also, I'd rather rent a scooter for excursions - it's cooler and easier to ride a scooter on bumpy roads in the summer heat. Also, many roads in places like Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain, are very narrow, hilly and the drivers don't look out for cyclists. You must be a very dedicated cyclist in my opinion to want to ride a bike in the Med.

I usually use my Trek, but during a visit to Cephalonia, hired a scooter.

Unfortunately i was forced off the side of the road by a car (driven by a Brit tourist in an hurry).
Whilst it was a very low speed prang, the cost of repairs to the scooter were €70 and it's only now (end January) that I can say I've recovered from the effects of the incident which took place on 25th June.

My daughter's response, when told about it was pretty typical "Dad, youre old enough to know better..." and it's not that there's all that much to see in Cephalonia - though they have the largest Mycenean cemetary I've ever seen, 143 chambers!!

 

[tri39]

I'm glad you pointed out Charles the perils of hiring a scooter!
I have purchased a cheap supermarket bike, 119Euros iirc. Very useful during my refit periods in Nautec boatyard. However I wouldn't dream of taking it to sea even if it folded up.
Spending most nights at anchor I have no desire to manhandle a bike into and out of a dinghy twice every trip, this can't be practical. When I finally leave it will be donated to the staff!

 

[BobCooper]

Bickerton Folding Bikes

We recently purchased two Bickerton aluminium folding bikes from Derek Baker who buys and repairs them, and supplies spares and bags. The bikes were in very good condition and he also supplied us with new bags and new spare tyres.

The bikes do flex a bit when you go over bumps, but we are very pleased with how light they are to move around on the boat.


You can read all about Derek at www.bickertonbicycles.co.uk
and he has his own website at www.bickertonbicyclespareparts.co.uk