I originally started cycle touring on a mountain bike - with racks fitted front and back, and sometimes pulling along a trailer. Whilst the range of gears was useful for climbing, the nobbly tyres were on the most part dreadful. As my cycling touring distances and durations increased I invested in something more up to the job. My Trek 520 has been a solid, if heavy companion, over the 10,000 or so kilometres that we've been together. My wife prefers an e-bike finally deciding on the the Cube Touring Hybrid EXC 625. It ticked all the boxes, well one main box - it's an e-bike. Taking each in turn.... Trek 520 - Overview The only disadvantage of the strong steel frame, is the weight - highlighted when I got back from my last long tour and jumped on to my carbon road bike. Worlds apart. The frame geometry of my Trek 520 allows me to maintain a comfortable position during extended rides, and has enough space on the wide handle bars to shift around a little when needed. I'm on my second set of tyres, replacing the original with something very similar, as those performed well - over rough gravel paths and smooth tarmac. The whole bike offers stable handling, even when loaded with gear. And more so, when riding with the front panniers. My Trek 520 touring bike packed and ready to go Gearing, Drivetrain & Brakes Front ring is a triple chainset and the rear is nine speed. The lowest gear allows for climbing up steep hills, fully loaded at walking pace - slow and steady. Gearing is vital for touring, and the Trek 520 excels in this area. It features a Shimano drivetrain with 27 gears, allowing me to tackle any hill with ease, though its tougher when I'm fully loaded, even in the lowest of gears. The highest gear allows for signifiant speed when required. It was especially useful in southern France when two stray dogs a couple of hundred meters ahead spotted me, and then bolted at full speed toward me. Once I'd turned - they were never going to catch me - but they did give it a fair go. Gears are patchy on my bike - something that despite getting serviced haven't been fully sorted to my satisfaction. I'm putting it down to the different temperatures of servicing in spring in the UK, and riding in the continental summer temperatures. My minor tweaks have never resolved issues fully. That said - it's currently behaving. The disk brakes are reliable. Comfort Features For long-distance tours, all round comfort is key - not just the legs. I find my feet and hands can suffer. The Trek 520 is very comfortable - causing me very few issues. I swapped out the factory fitted saddle to a Brooks B17 saddle that has moulded over the years to be a perfect match for my bum. Now that it has broken in - I don't find that I need padded shorts. I ride with wider tyres (typically around 700x32c) to provide extra comfort and grip, that said I've had my fair share of slips and tumbles - mostly due to inattentiveness. The upright position works well for touring, there is less pressure on my back and shoulders. Storage and Accessories The Trek 520 is designed for touring, and has multiple mounting points for racks and mudguards. I added mudguards when I first got the bike, and added Ortlieb panniers shortly after. When I wear my red cycling jacket - I've been mistaken multiple times in the UK for a postman. I use both front and back bags - the Ortlieb have proven to be bomb proof. I don't camp - preferring a bed each night - but there is loads more room for camping gear. Maintenance and Durability It's a pretty simple bike when it comes to maintenance. I also stick it in for a service once in a while. Though services are pretty expensive these days - but necessary prior to a longer tour. I've had to re-tape the handle bars a couple of times, new chain and new tyres. Would I recommend it? 100% yes. Though not sure how useful that is as Trek have discontinued the model I continue to be very pleased with my Trek 520 as it ages along side me. It looks to be better built than me, and expect it will still be around in 50 years. I've added a few photos of the adventures we've had together below. Cube Touring Hybrid EXC 625 Overview That's its full name. It's almost the modern e-bike equivalent of my Trek 520. We found it for the right price at www.theonlinecycleshop.com And if I thought the Trek 520 was heavy - the Cube is a beast - weighing in at over 27Kg. That said - with the electric assist - its very comfortable to ride. Only let down when you need to man-handle it through a gate, or load it onto the bike carrier. Gearing, Drivetrain & Brakes As its an e-bike the need for gears on the mostly flat terrain that we tend to cycle over is limited. Not unnecessary - but limted. My wife prefers to be in one of the higher gears - with the ECO assist helping. I guess similar to keeping a car in gear to maintain control, rather than having her legs spinning wildly. The brakes are hydraulic disk brakes - which are new for me. They perform well. Jane's sister went over her handlebars after having her bike serviced and the brakes adjusted - so Jane knows to treat the brakes with respect. We don't go that fast anyway - what's the point, we aren't ever in a hurry. The motor is a Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX (85Nm torque) and the battery is a Bosch PowerTube 625. Comfort Features We were lucky with the geometry and sizing of the Cube, as my wife didn't get to test ride before buying it, and went only the measurements on the Cube website. It worked out a perfect fit - allowing a comfortable upright position during extended rides. The seat post is cushioned with hydraulics and so is the front fork. That together with the electrical assist (good for 100+ miles on ECO from one charge) has rekindled Jane's relationship with cycling. I'm not saying all is good - but with the addition of a gel seat and padded shorts - some sunny weather we are well on our way. Storage and Accessories The whole bike offers stable handling, even when loaded with gear, and is so heavy that it makes no difference to ride only with the larger panniers on the bike. So that's what we do now. Jane has the majority of the load on her e-bike, giving me much less to carry. The Cube comes with a back rack, front and back mudguards, together with front and back lights. The detachable screen and associated app provides lots of information on the bike, distance covered etc Maintenance and Durability If I ignore the motor - I'm not touching that, then the rest of it is fairly simple to maintain. We haven't yet done enough miles for the Cube to ask for a first service - I'm expecting that it will be more than my Trek, and a little less than having the car serviced. We did have a problem with the rear mudguard falling down and rubbing on the wheel. Took me a little time - as it wasn't immediately obvious, but figured it out in the end. It was a simple fix of accessing the right bolt, lifting the mudguard back up, and tightening it. Would I recommend it? 100% yes. It allows my wife and I to enjoy cycling together - so gets the thumbs up from me. I've added a few photos of the Cube below.

When planning a holiday, sorting out cost effective transportation can be challenging. I always aim to find great deals, especially for car hire. My technique is to book my rental car well in advance and recheck prices periodically. Last night I applied the technique and saved a further £100+ off what I had accepted as already a good deal. Here’s the actual detail from my real world example. TL;DR I've a car booked with stressfreecarrental.com for 7 days in September, to be collected from and returned to Brindisi airport. I booked in February after shopping around for a few hours and got the car that I wanted - knowing that if I wanted to, I could easily cancel. The cost was £11.48 deposit online, with a further 199.74 Euros to pay on collection. Last night, as part of my regular checks of the 3 car rentals I've currently got booked, I checked current pricing for an equivalent booking - via skyscanner.com and found a similar car with a different supplier GotRentalCars.com - but for just £83. I booked it and cancelled the original booking. That's a £100+ saving for just 10mins work. I won't get cheaper than £13/day - so will take this particular booking off my regular checks. The Early Bird Gets the Best Car Hire Booking my vehicle several months before my travel date was the first step to getting a great deal. Car hire prices can fluctuate dramatically. It’s not uncommon for rates to increase as the departure date approaches, particularly during peak travel seasons. However they can also fall. I researched online and found a reputable car hire service that offered free cancellations and flexible bookings. Having the ability to cancel my booking without any penalty gave me peace of mind. I felt secure in my choice while also keeping the door open to better offers. Keeping an Eye on Price Fluctuations I've made it a habit to check car hire prices, along with hotels, experiences and car parking every few weeks. Once you've benefited from this approach the habit naturally beds in. Thanks to the cancellable option, I canceled my original reservation and easily secured the new deal. The Best Part: Low-Risk, High-Reward This strategy combines low risk with high reward. By booking early, my transportation was already set. I could keep looking for better prices without the fear of getting stranded. Found this on the internet - A 2023 study found nearly 40% of frequent travelers use this same tactic, highlighting its effectiveness. Passengers often discuss finding value during their trips, and this approach exemplifies that. The option to cancel and rebook was key in getting the most for my money. I've learned that smart planning can lead to substantial savings, and more that it can be applied to hotel, car parking and experience bookings. The Emotional Satisfaction of a Great Deal Saving money on car hire is not just about the pounds saved; it’s about the satisfaction of making smart decisions. Each time I manage to secure a lower rate, I feel a sense of achievement - a travel superhero, overcoming the challenges of pricing to secure a great deal. It's not just a savings game; it’s about the pride that comes from being strategic and informed. What Makes a Great Cancellable Option? If this approach appeals to you, look for these key features in a cancellable car hire: Flexibility Choose a service that allows free cancellations and modifications. This way, you can adjust your booking if better deals arise. Check Pricing Regularly I do this manually as part of my other regular checks. I'd looked at services that do this for you - but didn't like the way that they would take-over your booking. Transparent Pricing Always check for hidden fees, different terms. Clear pricing helps you confidently make the decision to cancel and rebook. In Conclusion Getting a good deal doesn't have to be stressful. By booking my car hire early and keeping track of prices, its a simple process. If you are preparing for your next holiday, consider using this method for your car hire. It's effective and allows you to appreciate the value of your expenditure. Enjoy your travels!