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I've just come back from a long distance fixed gear tour through the Netherlands and Germany.

I can totally recomend Holland for fixed gear / cycle-touring and the paths are fantastic.

I noticed on your route plan in Holland that you were highlighting main roads.

You are much better off taking routes along minor roads and cycle paths. For example, you can easily ride from the Hoek of Holland to Rotterdam without using the roads, simply following excellent cycle paths across open fields. Rotterdam is a fantastic cycling city and the facilities must be amongst the best in Europe.

Rotterdam - Utrecht is a delightful ride and if you roughly follow the towns along the N210 and the River Lek you won't be disappointed.

As a friend of mine who lived in Utrecht said before I set off "you couldn't get run over or lost if you tried!"

I kept a blog which might be helpful: http://brylonscamel.blogspot.com/ Have a great trip!

Hi Joerg, and thanks for takingthe time to reply in my blog.

1/ I did use a carradice saddlebag (Nelson) only attached via the leather straps supplied without any support or rack. This was OK although the bag did swing about with a bit of weight in it. Also, taking the bag on and off the saddle was a slower process than I was used to.

I am thinking of getting carradice "bagman" - it'll support the bag better and allow it to be quickly released from the saddle. It'll keep the bag free of the wheel if you have no guards

2/ Fundraising - Set up a Justgiving page - it's really easy and works excellently. It's what most fundraisers seem to use. I found it excellent and you can email updates to all your sponsors from the site!

3/ Sponsors - I'd get the word quickly to friends, friends of friends, family, fellow bike riders and anyone you know socially. I found people you know are great for putting the word around!

4/ Keep in touch - Don't be afraid to pester people and above all else, find things to say to keep a bit of interest. If you're getting the miles in, going on any little adventures beforehand or doing any planning - let everyone know - writing a blog or emailing people with updates.

5/ Have lot's of fun along the way!

I agree with the comments about the Carradice QR carrier. I used the Carradice just with the straps supplied and it has a tendency to swing when honking out of the saddle, is a bit of a faff to undo and refit every day and noticed a bit of chaffing on the leather straps which might eventually cause them to split.

I've just popped my long distance fixed gear cherry having returned from an 8 day, 840 mile trip from Bristol to Berlin and thought I'd pitch in with my experience.

Basically I was glad of a any planning and training that I did, had a fab time and really felt "up for it" by the time I pedalled away from my front door.

Saying that, I'm sure this isn't always necessary as "the spirit of adventure" will get you a long way. One of the guys at my local bike shop returned from study in Copenhagen on a delivery bike with his spare frame and worldly posessions and still managed to make it all the way back to Bristol OK!

Terrain,distance and accomodation dictate what sort of weight and gearing will work for you.

I knew that a multi day tour across Southern England, Holland and North Germany staying in youth hostels is fine - essentially flat or undulating and on metalled roads, first rate cycle paths or (in East Germany) some farm access roads, forestry trails and the odd cobbled road.

However, I wouldn't plan a multi day alpine tour with camping gear on a fixed unless it was simply to prove that it was possible!

I new that travelling light with a suitable bike was essential.

My bike is a Cotic RoadRat - with guards, drop bars, front v-brake, touring wheels and tyres, dynamo hub and geometry suitable for roughish roads or paths.

I opted for a smallish saddlebag (Carradice Nelson long-flap) and bar bag to constrain the amount of kit that I carried. This proved really important as I would have begrudged any excess weight.

NOTE: One important thing I discovered is that any stop-start-stop riding can be hard on your ankles with a fixed. Getting that bit of extra weight moving from a standstill can ask alot of your ankles and I suffered on a 125 mile day through central London and out through Essex to the ferry port at Harwich. Getting into the habit of easing away from a standstill rather than powering hard away proved really helpful as the days (and miles) passed by. This is one thing I would consider if thinking about a much hillier route.

Essentials only

• 2 pairs of wool socks
  
• 1 pair waterproof socks
  
• Waterproof
  
• Spare bib shorts (alternating between a 3/4 length fleecy lined and a short normal pair)
  
• One pair overshorts
  
• One set of long johns
  
• Merino l/s top
  
• Wool mix s/sleeve top
  
• Spare gloves
  
• Basic Toiletries
  
• Microfibre towel
  
• Basic tools inc long allen key for the rear wheel
  
• 2 x tubes
  
• Maps (UK maps simply printed off and discarded wehn finished)
  
• Camera
  
• Mobile
  
• ipod nano
  
• Travel documents
  
• Wallet