Touring - first tour

just back from my first bike tour...if you can count one night as a tour...anyways, had a nice 29 mile trip (round trip). left home at 4 PM Thursday afternoon and rode off the mountian down to Cathedral Caverns St Pk. Camped at the primative camp ground overnight. I was the only one in the campgroud with 12 sites. Couldn't make it all the way back up the mountain with my load Friday morning...probably walked at leat half the climb. The Nashbar trailer did great but I only had about 15 lbs of gear, but I did have a gallon of water so mybe 22 lbs total weight. I had to brake hard all the way off the mountain but no fishtailling. here are a couple of pics.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3055/2679495129_3988d678a0.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3119/2679495141_237249a4ab.jpg?v=0

Looks like fun! Short trips are a great way to test your equipment and set up. Hopefully you have some longer journeys in your near future! What gearing are you running? Maybe you can change it to make the climbing a little easier.

Looks like fun! Short trips are a great way to test your equipment and set up. Hopefully you have some longer journeys in your near future! What gearing are you running? Maybe you can change it to make the climbing a little easier.

I have a 28 tooth small front ring (it is the eliptical biopace). I wanted a 24 but they were out so I took the 28 they had. I might look for another 26 or 24. the cassett is 11 by 34 so I dont see going any bigger than the 34 on the back end. I also need to hit the mountain with my trailer more. I can make it up ok without it. By OK I man, 3 mph and stopping once in the middle for a break. But I can ride it all the way if I force myself to.

Climbing isn't my strength either. Fortunately for me, I live in the mid-west and don't deal with mountains every day. Give it time. It will get easier!