Touring - 8 centuries in 8 days...launch time!

Well, tomorrow morning (Monday June 14) @ 6am, my tour from Reno to the Grand Canyon begins. Finally it's here!
My bike is a Motobecane aluminum as follows....Ultegra 26,40,50 triple, 12-27 10 spd cassette, carbon fork, Richey Pro wheels and 28 cm Gatorskins. I installed a very high bar stem and double wraped the bars...quite comfy. Total weight without water...24.5 lbs. I'm pulling a Bob trailer, went from a 45 psi tire to a 90 psi one. Total weight of Bob (including water and all cargo) is 51 pounds.
My riding buddy is also towing a Bob so our average mph should be similar. I know I could have packed lighter but my test rides have been really successful. The only critisism of the Bob I have is that you must pay more attention to steering and not let down your "riding focus".
I tried about a 9% grade this morning and made it in 1st gear.

Anyways, I'll be "off the air" for a couple weeks but will take pics and post the results upon my return....take care. Raydog

Oh wow, that sounds like an ambitious plan! 100 miles a day for 8 days? Good luck, have fun and be safe!

dang thats ambitious. well, have fun.

Check and see what the total weight limit of that trailer is - don't exceed the weight limit - or the speed limit until you are sure it's handling OK.

Have a wonderful trip!!!!

Check and see what the total weight limit of that trailer is - don't exceed the weight limit - or the speed limit until you are sure it's handling OK.

Have a wonderful trip!!!!

Thanks for the well wishes, the max capacity of the Bob is 75 lbs. and I'm only at 50....including the trailer itself.
OK, final farewell! In 15 minutes I'll be hammering down the road listening to the 1000 songs I put in my ipod (yes including Lady Gaga). Has anybody noticed how much more enjoyable music listening is WHEN you use a sunglasses mounted rear view? I feel so much better knowing what's comin from behind. BTW, I only use the earbuds on relatively untraveled roads....not busy city streets. Bye! Raydog

How was the trip.

How was the trip.

Good question. I don't think I've seen a ride report.

probably died on the fourth day.

probably died on the fourth day.

Oh man, don't say that:( I read stories on CGOAB where people actually died on a tour from heat and heart attacks.

only joking adamdz but hey doing 100 miles a day for 8 days ..
can you see a point touring like that i certainly cant .i hope they made it ok i would love to read there report ,
i know i would never be able to tackle those miles day after day nor would i want to.

can you see a point touring like that i certainly cant .

I toured like that this summer. I had a slight regret about not wanting to shift from my riding schedule too much but overall it was worth it.

I knew if I took too long in one area I would be risking my stay in major cities I wanted to visit later in the ride.

I averaged 90-100 miles a day and saw many great sights. Had I covered less ground, I would have missed quite a bit.

but hey doing 100 miles a day for 8 days ..
can you see a point touring like that i certainly cant .

I can ... but then I'm into long distance challenges like randonneuring and 24-hour races.

I figure there are two ends of the scale with tours:

1) Tours where you ride a little bit and sight-see, relax, take it easy ... maybe use alternate methods of transportation to get around, maybe participate in other activities like say, canoeing around a small lake just for fun, or going on hikes, etc. The goal might be to get to know another area a bit better, to get to know some new people, to see and try different things.

2) Tours where you challenge yourself to cover a certain distance in a certain amount of time, and where it is all (or mostly) about the bicycle and riding. RAAM would be an extreme form of this sort of tour. A tour where you ride 100 miles a day for 8 days is at this end of the scale ... it's a challenge. The goal is not sight-seeing or getting to know an area (although that may happen while cycling). The goal is to accomplish the challenge the rider has set out for him/herself.

And there are lots of variations of these two.

Because of my long distance cycling, I have a tendancy to lean toward the second one. I get out there and want to ride like I ride when I'm training for a long distance event, especially since there is usually a long distance event right in the middle of many of my tours. But I'm working on separating the tour from the long distance event ... ride easy, sight-see, do other things before and after the long distance event, and ride long and hard during the long distance event.

last year i done just over the 100 mile mark in one day , ok i enjoyed the days cycling but i was glad i didn't have to do it the next day.
besides here in Ireland you don't have to cover distances like that to get from one beautiful place to other,(don't know how to add smiles).nah 60 miles a day is good for me thank you very much.

Machka, I'm working on combining your 1 and 2 in a different way: I ride quite hard and fast but will stop on a dime for the smallest thing. I'll take hundreds of photos in a day, hold several enriching conversations, visit any attractions, yet since I bust a move on the bike, I'd still make 70-100 miles per day routinely.

RayDog where are you??? Last post 6-14-10? Blues Frog

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?228445-Clyde-climbing&p=11096774&viewfull=1#post11096774

look like he survived :)

I was thinking I'd seen an after-trip report on this, but don't remember what came out of it. Possibly there has been a post deleted at some point. Edit: Or maybe I'm remembering his comments where he tried the first century off the trainer for the year.

He had a wheel question post on the 19th, which was not 8 days later, so presumably he was not out 8 days.

RayDog will be back.

...can you see a point touring like that i certainly cant ...

I often average 100 miles/day on my tours. Riding fast doesn't take the joy out of cycling nor does it preclude meeting interesting people and taking in the sights. If one averages only 15 mph it only takes seven hours of riding to go over 100 miles.

Hi you all! I'm so sorry I flaked out on a post ride report. My buddy and I started out and all was great for a couple hundred miles.....THEN....on Hwy 95 s/b the "bike trail" portion of the highway was 24" wide with 18-20 inches of that an effin rumble strip surface. It was endless, then the white line would disappear into a guard rail that narrowed the lane. A few times I felt the wind of big rig rearview mirrors on my head. A redneck lowlife drove up behind me and honked his locomotive type air horn, just to have a laugh. In a small central Nevada town (Mina) the wind picked up to 40 knots and in the evening, even in the tents, my mouth was full of sand. We called our wives, got picked up, drove to the North Rim and trecked for a few days. I then split, drove to Colorado and had 2 weeks of mixed road and mountain bike riding at altitude. It was heaven and the locals took me to places in high altitude meadows I would never have found otherwise. Anyways, yes, we wussed out and I learned a big lesson for my next tour.....PICK YOUR ROUTE! I will put so much effort into route selection in the future! BTW, my conditioning was fine and it was disappointing to not complete the planned experience. Next time it'll be way better, meanwhile I continue with 80-100 miles weekly to retain my base conditioning. Raydog

Thanks for the recap raydog! Route selection is crucial, to be sure. So is having enough time flexibility built into the schedule so that you can wait out adverse weather or do shorter days when the riding is going slower than expected.

In case you don't know about it already, www.adventurecycling.org sells maps of long distance touring routes, many state Departments of Transportation have some cycling information and sometimes traffic volume and shoulder width maps. There's no one web site to go to, but with some googling and some phone calls (yes, really!) you can get a lot of info to plan better routes. you can sometimes also get info on www.crazyguyonabike.com, and ask in the regional forums here about specific roads you are planing to use.

If you decide to tour in CO, hit me up for info - but generally most of the mountain passes are OK to ride - some better than others.

I often average 100 miles/day on my tours. Riding fast doesn't take the joy out of cycling nor does it preclude meeting interesting people and taking in the sights. If one averages only 15 mph it only takes seven hours of riding to go over 100 miles.

i could never average that speed on a loaded tourer just about manage it on my road bike, guess i'm getting old.
but i still say 100 miles a day is way to much cycling for a big percentage of cycle tourers .

Thanks Valygrl, I will ask you about some routes in the future. BTW, something I forgot to share, my Bob trailer weighed 52 lbs. out the door....I stopped at a post office 170 miles out and sheded 14 lbs., mailed stuff home, OMG, I can't believe how much better that trailer felt! "Every extra pound is an issue" is a true statement. Raydog

i could never average that speed on a loaded tourer just about manage it on my road bike, guess i'm getting old.


+1

Thanks Valygrl, I will ask you about some routes in the future. BTW, something I forgot to share, my Bob trailer weighed 52 lbs. out the door....I stopped at a post office 170 miles out and sheded 14 lbs., mailed stuff home, OMG, I can't believe how much better that trailer felt! "Every extra pound is an issue" is a true statement. Raydog

raydog better luck next time around, can i ask what you taught of the bob trailer and what gear did you send back.

raydog better luck next time around, can i ask what you taught of the bob trailer and what gear did you send back.

Well, for camping I think the Bob is great. If my route made for easy motel choices each night instead of camping, I would use my rear rack/pannier combo for tools, food, electronics, etc. and not use the Bob. With the Bob....for me....keeping it under 40 pounds gross (including trailer) is a necessity! I sent back extra food, rain clothes, ammo(20 rds), knife, 2 tubes (kept 2), co2 device (kept manual pump). Remember, the lighter the Bob, the less you realize it's there and when that feeling is coupled with nothing on the bike itself, it's quite nice! Raydog

thank's for that raydog i don't think i would have a problem keeping my load under 40lb.living here in ireland i would never have to worry about sending home 20 rounds of ammo or indeed a knife that came as a bit of a shock.
anyway like to try out a bob trailer could be the way to go.except maybe on hill's.

sending home 20 rounds of ammo or indeed a knife that came as a bit of a shock.


Perhaps raydog was hunting his food along the way????

I learned a big lesson for my next tour.....PICK YOUR ROUTE! I will put so much effort into route selection in the future! BTW, my conditioning was fine and it was disappointing to not complete the planned experience. Next time it'll be way better, meanwhile I continue with 80-100 miles weekly to retain my base conditioning. Raydog

BTW, something I forgot to share, my Bob trailer weighed 52 lbs. out the door....I stopped at a post office 170 miles out and sheded 14 lbs., mailed stuff home, OMG, I can't believe how much better that trailer felt! "Every extra pound is an issue" is a true statement.

Yes, the route choice is quite important. It can be very worthwhile to pay a visit to your local Tourist Information Centre, or to Tourist Information Centres along the way, to pick up information about the area ... especially maps of scenic and/or quiet routes, as well as information on interesting things to see along the way. I have a large collection of quite detailed maps of many of the places I've visited or want to visit. Rowan and I also have a collection of very detailed maps of the local area, including topographical information and all sorts of other information, which we have purchased. They've been great for mapping out interesting local routes.

One other suggestion is to keep an eye on the weather information for the area you want to travel through so you can see things like prevailing winds and temperature trends. That information can help you plan the direction you want to go, and some of the things you might want to carry (like warm socks for the evening, for example, if it gets quite chilly at night). Of course the weather information is a bit of a guessing game ... it might be completely different once you get out there.

If you contact Randonneuring/Audax clubs, the members can often give you quite a bit of information about an area because we ride such long distances all over every decent paved road (and some not so decent ones) in the area.

And when it comes to carrying stuff, I've found that what works for me is to keep my bicycle + gear weight at half my body weight or less. If it goes over that weight, I start to struggle badly on climbs and the ride becomes a chore. The weight you can haul around may be different, and this is where doing practice tours can help.

However, it sounds like you salvaged the event and had a great time anyway. :)

Perhaps raydog was hunting his food along the way????


That is funny! I just finished laughing at that quality "dry" humor. The truth is....I'm a retired big city copper and have what is called a "50 state carry card" which allows a firearm. For long distance bicycling I have a S&W Airweight which is quite light. I am NOT a gun freak but since it's legal and I'm skilled with it, I pack it (especially when going alone in really remote areas).

i cycle with a retired cop he was glad to hand his gun back when he retired (drug squad).i guess you could control your anger if something was to go horribly wrong you been trained in firearms use,
but me guess i would shoot the sucker and end up in jail for my troubles ,
glad i'm not allowed to carry a firearm.

I would be naked without the knife in the wilderness and probably the J-frame (or something else) as well. Being prepared is not being paranoid. I have worked in a prison setting for almost fifteen years. Also as night clerk in convenience stores in bad Kansas City neighborhoods. I have a vivid idea of reality. There are some remote areas in the US that are ideal for touring, eh Raydog? I must say I have not seen many problems while on a bike. And I don't anticipate any. People are quite helpful if you are in need. I also stop to ask if folks need help. Once in a while I change a flat or loan a tool. I'm glad Raydog is well. Looks like a learning experience here. I need more base miles!

I would be naked without the knife in the wilderness and probably the J-frame (or something else) as well. Being prepared is not being paranoid. I have worked in a prison setting for almost fifteen years. Also as night clerk in convenience stores in bad Kansas City neighborhoods. I have a vivid idea of reality. There are some remote areas in the US that are ideal for touring, eh Raydog? I must say I have not seen many problems while on a bike. And I don't anticipate any. People are quite helpful if you are in need. I also stop to ask if folks need help. Once in a while I change a flat or loan a tool. I'm glad Raydog is well. Looks like a learning experience here. I need more base miles!

Isn't it strange how the more miles one invests in conditioning....the more you feel that you need additional big miles! I was doing 80 plus miles weekly AND a century every other Saturday for four months last year and ran into a guy that was doing 200 plus miles weekly! Like the old saying...."One man's ceiling is another man's floor". Regardless of the mileage, as long as it's totally fun and you feel you are improving and building on your base conditioning.

yes i can never understand big mile eaters myself.60 mile a day touring is enough for any cyclist.
i reckon if you need to cover 100 miles plus in a day to get the tour done in time then your in the wrong sport,
but wait touring is not a sport (is it) more like a holiday on a bike at least it is for this kid.

yes i can never understand big mile eaters myself.60 mile a day touring is enough for any cyclist.
i reckon if you need to cover 100 miles plus in a day to get the tour done in time then your in the wrong sport,
but wait touring is not a sport (is it) more like a holiday on a bike at least it is for this kid.
It's likely that so-called big mileage riders aren't in it for recreational touring. Those people are often just as passionate about cycling but find a different output. A friend of mine, who was running at the time, came across Lance Armstrong yesterday as he was finishing up his ride. I didn't ride outdoors yesterday because it was hellishly windy, but LA later posted on tweeter that he had done a four hour ride in the miserable conditions. The guy isn't training for the TdF anymore, yet he's still out there mixing it up. Also, FWIW, my buddy said he has come across LA quite a few times and he's always been a real good guy. Nice to hear that...

yes i can never understand big mile eaters myself.60 mile a day touring is enough for any cyclist.
i reckon if you need to cover 100 miles plus in a day to get the tour done in time then your in the wrong sport,
but wait touring is not a sport (is it) more like a holiday on a bike at least it is for this kid.

That makes sense, it's just that for some of us (at least me for sure) I kind of have multiple personalities.....1) touring mode(long distance/Motobecane 30 speed) 2)go fast, always push it, sometimes with group(Pinnerrelo w/compact) 3)mountain biker(Cannondale Team Scalpel)usually with guys way younger than me.
It's almost like three different sports! Saddle time in any one of the categories sure helps performance in the remaining two though.

yes i can never understand big mile eaters myself.60 mile a day touring is enough for any cyclist.
i reckon if you need to cover 100 miles plus in a day to get the tour done in time then your in the wrong sport,
but wait touring is not a sport (is it) more like a holiday on a bike at least it is for this kid.

Not the wrong sport at all ... one of the wonderful things about cycling is that there can be so much variety.

yes i done the fast riding myself but the fun just went out of it for me ,coming home shattered after what was to be a training spin but turned into a race.
but the touring was my salvation now i can ride at my own pace for as long as i want cover as many miles as i want and no idiot trying to wheel me for 50 miles .
but i suppose i'm not able for speed now if i was i probably would be mixing it with the best of them,
but thank god i got sense now i can once again enjoy my cycling.
btw lance Armstrong is my hero great guy and probable the best cyclist ever.

To use another "wheeled" sport as an example, some motorcyclists are happy with a BMW or Gold Wing touring bike and simply don't see a need for variety. On the other hand, some motorcyclists must own a performance bike, a dual purpose/dirt bike AND a dedicated touring motorcycle....each machine focused on their design intentions. I applaud both types of enthusiasts, the "one avenue is for me type" and the "I play in each sub-sport" type!