Touring - Met a bicycle tourer today.

Tonight, on my way home I noticed a man touring on a bicycle stopped on the highway next to my road. This was unusual because hardly anyone rides a bicyce down this highway (myself excluded). I stopped to greet him and asked if he needed anything. At first he said no, but I could see that something did not look right, so I went over to chat. He was headed for Michigan, but had taken a hillier route than the map showed. After a few minutes of talking he said that he felt weak. So I gave him, his Bike Friday and trailer a lift to the hotel where he had reservations.

We discussed routes, training, and a previous tour he had made. Unfortunately, he was second-guessing his trip at this time, but I give him credit for attempting the ride. I should call in the morning and check to see if he needs anything.

You must be in the far south of Illinois. I can't imagine trying to find a hilly route in northern or central Illinois (with the exception of the Galena area).

bike friday? that's one of those mini folding bikes, isn't it? i can only guess what the gearing must be like. and hauling a (overloaded?) trailer to boot. no wonder he was tuckered out. if you call him back , recommend a decent bike and a couple of panniers. :rolleyes:

You must be in the far south of Illinois. I can't imagine trying to find a hilly route in northern or central Illinois (with the exception of the Galena area).

I am not sure what your definition of a hill is, but mine is when 26/34 gearimg does not seem low enough. There is a lot more to Illinois than you can see from the Interstate. :)

I am not sure what your definition of a hill is, but mine is when 26/34 gearimg does not seem low enough. There is a lot more to Illinois than you can see from the Interstate.

yeah... try riding thru NW Illinois, around Galena. I did that a couple times. Thankfully, I was in my teens!
I think following up with the rider is an EXCELLENT Idea. I did a round the lakes tour when I was about 19-20 (Chicago area, up thru Wisc, the Upper Penninsula, southern Ontario... on my way to the East coast)
When I got to around Manitoulin Island, I broke down physically (my achilles tendons were so sore I could ride but barely walk), and mentally (several consecutive days of rain and miles and miles of pine trees). People would rescue me... a kind word or a great hostel overnight. I did eventually ferry over to Port Clinton, Mi and train home from Detroit as I was too beat and ready to quit

so do try to see him again; maybe some kind words... or even try to encourage him to take a 'mental health' day off

Good Kharma

bike friday? that's one of those mini folding bikes, isn't it? i can only guess what the gearing must be like. and hauling a (overloaded?) trailer to boot. no wonder he was tuckered out. if you call him back , recommend a decent bike and a couple of panniers. :rolleyes:

I can see all the Bike Friday owners typing on their keyboards this very minute! I don't know what type of BF he had, but I'm sure the gearing should have been low enough unless he ordered a racing version. You can get pretty low gearing on a Bike Friday.

bike friday? that's one of those mini folding bikes, isn't it? i can only guess what the gearing must be like. and hauling a (overloaded?) trailer to boot. no wonder he was tuckered out. if you call him back , recommend a decent bike and a couple of panniers. :rolleyes:

There are several models of BF built specifically for touring - and having test-ridden several, I can tell you I'd be willing and happy to take one for a loaded tour!

What part of Illinois are you in? I do day tours out from Dekalb pretty often, and am planning a month-long tour that follows the Illinois-Iowa border.

What part of Illinois are you in? I do day tours out from Dekalb pretty often, and am planning a month-long tour that follows the Illinois-Iowa border.

I live about 45 miles southeast of the Quad Cities. The Hennepin Canal bike path is 12 miles away and is really flat. I ride the Great River trail along the Mississippi after work quite often.

so do try to see him again; maybe some kind words... or even try to encourage him to take a 'mental health' day off
Good Kharma

I went back to the hotel today and bicycle tourer looked much better. He decided to stay another day and rest. I suggested that if he needed anything he could contact me, but he politely refused. I did not want to be condescending, so I shook his hand and wished him good luck on his trip.

I live about 45 miles southeast of the Quad Cities. The Hennepin Canal bike path is 12 miles away and is really flat. I ride the Great River trail along the Mississippi after work quite often.
Probably won't see me then ;). I'll be heading south to Henry and from there northwest in a zigzagging pattern to Muscatine, then from there down the Iowa side into Missouri and further south.

Have a good ride. If you are taking the route that goes near Toulon. La Fayette, or Cambridge you will within 15 miles.