Touring - Last minute weekend tour.

I just found out that i have a 5 day weekend, and decided to go on a nice 5 day 4 night weekend tour. Any last minute things i should remember for a first tour?

I have already planned a route, I decided to keep it simple, and short. I'll be staying in motel's each night, and want to go as light as possible. Daily millage will be between 40 miles (mtn pass, 3000' climbing) and 80 miles. Day time temps should be in the upper 70's, and in the 50's when up in the mtns.

As for gear, This is what i have so far:

2 Jerseys
Bib shorts
Pull over tights
Pair of arm warmers
Rain jacket
Two pair of socks
A set of cheap sandals.
A skull cap / cycling hat
Helmet.

In my saddle bag, i'll have my mini-tool (alien), a spear tube, a patch kit, tire irons, and a few packs of carb-boom. I will also carry a frame pump on the bike, two watter bottles, a minimalist head light, and a rear blinky.

All my clothing and gear will fit in a rack mount trunk / bag. I more or less plan on eating out for each meal, but will take along a few snacks for extra carb's.

I also have a few things I'm not sure if i want to take, such as a cell phone, extra tire, camelbak, camera, additional tools & a fleece jacket

Am i missing anything? I'm really looking forward to my first tour, should be a blast! :D

I'm jealous! Sounds like you have everything you need for a credit card tour, I always find it enjoyable to bring a book along as well. Tours, for me, are a great time to catch up on some reading. Have fun. Where exactly are you going?

Take 3 pairs of shorts. I know the minimalist ethic says 2 pairs, but I've never regretted carrying a third.

Have fun!

and maybe a long sleeved jersey/lightweight fleece pullover. Useful for cold descents and evenings.
Map and compass, small light camera.

In warm conditions, shorts can dry on the bike. I use a small nylon net bag to put any damp washing on top of my bags.
You need 3 shorts when its cool and damp.

You might consider Knee or Leg Warmers for the cooler parts of the ride. Have fun!

definatly take the camra 2 pair of shorts is plenty since you are staying in motels wash one out in the sink and let it dry over night in the room. sounds like you are ready you didnt mention a note book and pen to use as a journal I concider that a must have item, most important thing to remember is HAVE FUN
catfish

Thanks guys, I went and purchased some arm warmers today, as well as a disposable camera & fresh batteries for my lights. I'll make sure i take a notebook along with me. I will also take along a 2nd pair of shorts, but honestly, dont think i need them.

I also found out today that the senic byway (Nebo Loop (http://www.byways.org/travel/story.html?SUBJ=B&TYPE=Virtual%20Tour&CX_BYWAY=2012&CX_STATE=UT&SUBJ=B)) on the 2nd day, has 4600 vertical feet of climbing over 18 miles, anyone want to calculate the gradient of that for me? :)

Heh Joe you lucky beggar We have all got to work the whole week.
Definitely take the camera and you had better post some piccys when you get back for us to all drool over
For such a long ride I would also take my cell phone. You never know what could happen out there
:eek:
I would probably take a couple of chain links and a link tool too and double check BB HdSet and crank arms etc for tightness.
Second thoughts maybe you shoukld take a back up truck with you:lol: :roflmao:

Joe,


Why not post a travelogue here or maybe on www.crazyguyonabike.com about your travels? Being stuck in my office right now I always enjoy perusing others touring fun.

I'll post my tour here when i get back :)

I didnt go... Bike Nashbar was a day late for some of my needed gear (rack & bags), also a major weather front came in today, we had 50mph winds, there was no way i could ride 80 miles solo into the wind.

I now have all my gear, and im ready to take off, i may do a simple overnight trip tomarro and friday, if so, i'll report back then.

Originally posted by Joe Gardner
I didnt go... Bike Nashbar was a day late for some of my needed gear (rack & bags), also a major weather front came in today, we had 50mph winds, there was no way i could ride 80 miles solo into the wind.

I now have all my gear, and im ready to take off, i may do a simple overnight trip tomarro and friday, if so, i'll report back then.
What a jip! The best laid plans of mice and men...
Oh well, good luck on the modified version of your tour. :)

Originally posted by Joe Gardner
there was no way i could ride 80 miles solo into the wind.

Where's ChrisL when you need him most? :)

You could always change your destination, and enjoy 50mph tailwinds.

Take 3 pairs of shorts. I know the minimalist ethic says 2 pairs, but I've never regretted carrying a third.

on my tours i usually take 2 pairs of bike shorts and 2 pairs of poly underwear (yes, i wear them under my shorts) although on my last TransAlp i only took i pair of bike shorts and 2 pair of undies. when you stay in a hotel washing in the sink should be no problem.

my only real differences in equipment from your list were:
* leg warmers rather than tights b/c they are smaller and easier to put on or take off
* vest - it's small but can make a difference on a downhill or mountain pass

for the 8-day TransAlp the first week of September, i had about 6.5kg (14lbs) w/o food and water in my backpack. generally, anything less than 7.5kgs(16lbs) is fine to carry in a backpack for a long tour. anything more and you need saddle bags or a trailer. but getting it all into a backpack is really nice is you do offroad or technical stuff (or is yours a road tour?)

i also take a really light shirt and pair of pants for in the hotel off the bike.

and i can also recommend magnesium/calcium tablets to add to your water to help with mineral replacement.

have fun! i have a race this Saturday, then a tour Sunday and then next week is a Thursday holiday so i will be taking a trip to Lake Garda Italy for 2 days of end-of-the-season Mountain Biking!!! it's not really a tour, but we'll be sleeping in a VW bus and riding 2000-3000m vertical each day! Lake Garda is so awesome with the lake at 50m and then peaks of 2000-2200m! and rideable paths up, plus wicked singletrack down!