Touring - First Tour - Questions

My brother and I are planning a 300 + mile tour through Wisconsin this summer. We are both new to this type of adventure so we have a lot of questions.

Bikes:
We will both be riding road bikes vs. touring specific bikes. I have a Lemond Buenos Aires and my brother is riding a Specialized Allez(?). Are there any concerns about loading up a road bike with racks, panniers, and gear? I recall reading something about heal clearance with rear panniers on a road bike vs. a touring bike. Is this something we need to be concerned about? What about weight distribution and balance?

Racks/Panniers:
This is our first trip and depending on how it goes we may do this more often. Where can I find some decent, but not break-the-bank, panniers? We have friends and relatives at the beginning, middle and end of the route so we will travel relatively light. Although we will camp for at least one night.

Other Considerations:
What are the items that we absolutely cannot forget? Are there specific bike accessories besides the standard tire irons, spare tubes, patch kit, etc. that we need to bring?

Is it better to push for long miles one day and ride shorter distances the following day? Or should we plan even mileage each day?

Sorry for all the questions but this is the best resource for biking information that I have found.

Thanks in advance.

There are different ways you might do this trip successfully, but let me describe what I think is the best way.

Your road bikes won't be very good for large panniers with a load. There is the issue of heel clearance, but there is also the question of frame wobbling, brake issues, and wheels/tires. You shouldn't plan on carrying a full touring load on these bikes.

Which brings me to the second point. You say that you have friends at the beginning-middle-end of your trip. Why not stay in motels the night or two you won't be with friends? That would be cheaper than buying large panniers and full-strength racks. You'll also be better able to take advantage of the real strengths of your bikes: their speed on the road.

you also might consider a trailer over the racks and paniers.
if you dont have to, i wouldnt plan on daily miliage, that way if theres things you want to stop and see on the way you dont have to worry about making your miles for the day. do what feels good and enjoy the trip.

this website has a ton of info on touring, it's worth looking thru.
http://www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/

this is a site with a lot of tour journals
http://www.bicycletheamericas.com/sharingtheexperience.html

id read thru a few and also the journals on this site. they are an enjoyable read ( i especially like Koffee's) and give you some insite into the kinds of problems you may run into and what you might want to have along on your trip.
should be a great trip, have a blast :)

when and where are you riding through Wisconsin I live here in south west part of state 30 miles south of La Crosse and 3 miles from the Mississippi river If yo are comming through you can stop by or i might meet up and ride some miles along one day
catfish

I would suggest travelling ultra-light, without camping gear. You will still need a rack and pannier, but a much lighter, smaller setup. If you are hostelling or staying in motels, you can even ride with just a large saddlebag ( a 20-25l Carradice model, not a little seat pack)
Do your bikes have threaded eyelets for panniers, do they have threads brazed onto the seat-stays just above the brakes?

Do a search on packing lists to see what people take, and try a shakedown tour on weekend, carrying the stuff you need.

Catfish - thanks for the offer. Unfortunately we will be heading up the other side of the state. Milwaukee to Eagle River. Unless you do some seriously long rides I don't think we'll cross paths.

Thanks for all fo the good advice. We are now contemplating the hotel/motel route, travelling lighter might be a really good idea.

Hi!
I love to tour and I hope you and your brother will too.
After five years, I've refined my packing to an art.

The real secret to successful touring is keeping it fun. Eat before you're hungry and stop before your tired.

In my area the predominant wind is from the west, so I travel from west to east when possible. Most people can only take 3 hours biking in driving rain. Even the best equipped cyclist will need 12 hours to dry their clothes. 100 km downhill is easier than 25 km uphill, so plan your daily distances based on the variables.

I have a couple of inexpensive panniers.
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=14075&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=580957&bmUID=1054773881250

This is what I put in them:

Packing - bike tour 2003
LEFT PANNIER
· Helmet
· Medicine bag (see below)
· Foul weather gear (top and bottoms)
· Wicking underwear
· Bike shorts with chamois
· 2 pair pants (1 in summer)

RIGHT PANNIER
· Handlebar bag (see below)
· Reflective jacket with pit zips
· 2 pair long sleeved wicking undershirt (1 in summer)
· polymer t-shirts
· 2 pair cycling socks

HANDLEBAR BAG
· Maps
· Compass
· Snacks
· Tour info (B&Bs, attractions, etc)
· Cycling gloves
· Photocopies of passport, ID, cash and credit cards
· Disposable camera

TOOL KIT
· Multi-use tool
· Set of compact Allen keys
· Pedal wrench
· Spare tube

MEDICINE BAG
· Aspirin (or other anti-inflammatory
· Wipes (ones for baby will do)
· Prescription medicines with copy of prescription
· Toothpaste and brush
· Underarm deodorant
· Anti-nausea pills
· Anti-diarrhea pills
· Anti-fungal cream (gets rid of jock itch)
· SPF 30 sunscreen
· Shampoo and rinse
· Body cream
· Bandages
· Items of a personal nature
FOOD BAG
(any five of the following)
· Tuna in a pouch
· Banana
· Packaged cheese
· Bread or crackers
· 2L water (obligatory)
· Energy snacks
· Energy drink powder (optional)


MONEY BELT ((on your body at all times)
· Passport or other ID
· Cash
· Bank card
· Credit card

Another good site for infomation and tour journels is www.crazyguyonabike.com