Charlie's Bamboo Touring Bike

"Enjoy the process." That's Charlie's advice to other bamboo bike builders, and looking at his touring setup, he clearly practises what he preaches.

High-vis vest over a windproof jacket, panniers loaded, GPS mounted on the bars — this is a bike built for actually going places. The British high street behind him suggests a pit stop, but the gear suggests many more miles ahead.

Red panniers add a splash of practicality to the natural bamboo frame. The setup is classic touring: drops for variety, rack for carrying, mudguards for the inevitable British weather. Nothing flashy, everything functional.

What makes touring special is the self-sufficiency. You carry what you need, fix what breaks, and arrive where you arrive. Building your own bike amplifies this independence — you understand every component because you assembled it yourself.

Charlie's smile says it all. This isn't posed; it's mid-journey. Somewhere between start and finish, with enough experience to know what works and enough optimism to keep going.

The advice lands differently when you see the bike: "Enjoy the process" isn't just about workshop hours. It's about the whole arc — building, loading, departing, riding, arriving, and everything between.

Proper touring energy. Where's the next stop, Charlie? 🚴

Want to build your own? See our gravel bike frame kit.