Touring - Training

I did a search and didn't find much, or at least not a list of regimes. I will be doing my first tour in early March. We will be riding Ft Worth to Corpus Christi, about 450 miles in 8 days with some heavy miles upfront. Right now I commute 42 miles round trip 2-4 days a week, mountain bike 6-15 miles 1-3 days a week, and am a trail steward on a mtb trail so my "work out" consist of carrying chain saws, rakes, and other tools 1-2 days a week and using them 3-8 hours. I know this is not really a regime, but what are some of you other hard core touring buffs doing?

Not much that is specifically targeted at touring. I try to stay at a good general fitness level by riding and indoor rowing. I trained for the transamerica by getting on a plane to the start and just starting :)

If you commute a fair amount already, that's half the battle. I'm not sure of the terrain you'll encounter, but what I've found is, one must be prepared for hills/mountains.

That being said, developing a good (high) cadence is paramount. Your knees will love you for it.

Here is a thread from 2 months ago discussing this same topic: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=361771.

It is worth noting that there is a difference between an 8-day tour and a cross-country trip. If you are planning on biking for many days, then you can spend the first few getting your body accustomed to biking all day. On an 8-day tour, you would be spending up to half the trip sore, tired, and not having much fun if you wanted to "ride into shape."

I try to ride from SF to LA every year, which takes about 8 days. I try to be in "tour ready" shape when I start that tour so that I can enjoy it from the get-go. What I do, starting about a month before the ride, is to put all 4 panniers on my bike and begin adding weight to them (I ride with about 10 pounds on my bike all the time) so that by just before the start date, I have the full weight on the bike and have ridden a day's mileage. If I have the time and inclination, I try to do two rides back-to-back at the tour's length, so that I can get accustomed to the every day nature of a bike tour.

Given how much your ride, I would think that you are close to tour ready shape right now. The only thing I might suggest is adding weight on the bike so that you get comfortable with how your bike acts when loaded and you get some experience pushing a loaded bike. Also, remember that on tour you have all day to ride that day's distance so you can always stop and rest when you get tired, so you can actually do more mileage comfortably then you might think.

Ray

This hardcore touring buff is currently walking 3 kms a day. :)

I hate training. I hate riding to a structure. So I don't. I ride when I want, and how much I want ... absolutely no "regime" about it.

That said, what's your longest day on your tour? Because you're only going for 8 days, you should be able to ride that length comfortably. And you're already lifting and carrying ... that's good. I strongly recommend building up the upper body strength before a tour.

And you're already lifting and carrying ... that's good. I strongly recommend building up the upper body strength before a tour.
I am curious as to your rationale for that statement. I enjoy indoor rowing so I maintain good upper body strength, but it never occurred to me that it was important for touring. I am not doubting the statement, just wondering why.

I am curious as to your rationale for that statement. I enjoy indoor rowing so I maintain good upper body strength, but it never occurred to me that it was important for touring. I am not doubting the statement, just wondering why.

If you check out that page I posted about touring equipment, you'll see why ... scroll down to where it says, "A few other comments" ... I talk about in a few paragraphs there:

http://www.machka.net/pbp2007/2007_PBPTouringGear.htm

I lift weights full body three times a week and ride the exercise bike for 30 minutes about 4 times a week during the winter months (now). Usually about April first I begin commuting, and try to commute as much as possible during the spring, summer and fall. Of course, as the weather gets better I begin to ride more (above and beyond the commuting), so that when I do a short tour in June I should be in good shape, and when I do my bigger tour in September I should be in my best shape. I am going to try a similar approach as Raybo mentioned above: As tours get close ( about 2-3 weeks out) I will begin loading up my bike with weight incrementally for my commutes. By the time the tour is at hand, I will be acclimated.

8 days
450 miles
=56 miles everyday.
I would commute with my gear.

I myself look at how long I can cycle straight thru and be efficient.
My recent tour 9,6,rest,5,9 day/hours
5 days 226 miles
4 cycling days
226
= 56 miles a day

I don't train just commute with my load.

Looks like I'm on track...pulled the BOB yesterday with my weeks clothes plus 2 gal of water. Didn't really notice it, but Dallas is realitivly flat, then agin so will most of my ride.

If possible, you do not want to jump from doing 50-70 miles one week, to 450 miles on a loaded bike the next. That's very likely to cause some overuse injuries.

The goal is to increase by 10% per week. You should also taper a bit in the week before you go.

If you have the time and the inclination, consider interval training. That will increase your endurance much more efficiently, and mentally mix it up a bit more, than just riding at the same level of effort day after day.

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Book-Long-Distance-Cycling-Confidence/dp/1579541992 <--- has some tips on training, among other things. It's mostly oriented towards centuries and long distances, but much of it also applies to touring.

Tate, I've got that book that Baccia mentioned above. It's pretty good. Let me know if you want to give it a read. I can get it back from you on/after the tour.

Steve

I was reading it a B&N today...