Touring - tips on hot weather/sand cycling

as i´m planning for the outback tour i encounter some problems,

1. water is a big one, though this might seem plain dumb, is there any way to drink less? like any training i can do beforehand that will make me not drink so much during the ride? or some specific drink/food that will have the same effect? and some tips on preserving water in your body?

2. heat: is it better to cover all up, long pants, long sleeves and maybe wrapped around the face as well? or shorts and t-shirts?

3. sand: what are the tips on riding in the sand? or no way at all and just get down and push?

what´s the biggest amount of water you have carried to survive the long stretches without water supplies? and do you prefer putting them on the rear rack, on the frame or on the trailer?

Don't screw around with water. In remote areas make sure you carry more than you think you'll need. Consider not riding in the heat of the day: get up early, put some miles in, then take a siesta during midday heat. Do some more miles in the evening. If you know what available water sources are beforehand, plan your breaks to coincide with them.

Here in the Arizona desert I usually start my summer riding an hour before sunrise and end around 10 or 11. When the sun gets high and the temperatures climb over 100 is when you will need to be pumping gallons through your body every few hours to ward off heat stroke so it doesn't make sense to ride during that part of the day unless you have water every few miles and are a glutten for punishment. I don't know about the outback but that is what works in the sonoran desert for me.

As for clothing I generally apply a generous layer of sunscreen and soak my jersey and skull cap every chance I get when riding in extreme heat. Usually I wear cycling shorts a jersey and a skull cap. I find the skull cap keeps the sweat up on top of my head where it cools as opposed to in my eyes where it annoys.

I haven't toured but that is what I do for long rides in the heat.

as i´m planning for the outback tour i encounter some problems,

3. sand: what are the tips on riding in the sand? or no way at all and just get down and push?

what´s the biggest amount of water you have carried to survive the long stretches without water supplies? and do you prefer putting them on the rear rack, on the frame or on the trailer?

Sand is always tough. If the sand is shallow and short get up speed and try to blow through it. The best way is to push back on the bike like you are going down a steep hill but lean back and try to float the front wheel through. Spin the pedals fast and go to a lower gear (maybe 2) before you hit the sand. After you get into the sand don't try to make radical changes to your course. If the sand is long and deep, try the same but be prepared to push because, after all, that's probably how you will end up going through it - on foot ;)

as i´m planning for the outback tour i encounter some problems,

1. water is a big one, though this might seem plain dumb, is there any way to drink less? like any training i can do beforehand that will make me not drink so much during the ride? or some specific drink/food that will have the same effect? and some tips on preserving water in your body?

2. heat: is it better to cover all up, long pants, long sleeves and maybe wrapped around the face as well? or shorts and t-shirts?

3. sand: what are the tips on riding in the sand? or no way at all and just get down and push?

what´s the biggest amount of water you have carried to survive the long stretches without water supplies? and do you prefer putting them on the rear rack, on the frame or on the trailer?

You will be drinking your own pee before you know it if you don't allow yourself to carry as much water as you possibly can. However, there are ways to prevent dehydration ie; don't sweat, meaning don't exert yourself unduly during the heat of the day, and breathe with your mouth closed, you lose lots of water vapor through your breath each day, but this is primarily for keeping the inside of your mouth hydrated. Suck on a small stone as well.
Take a clue from cultures that have evolved in desert climates, for this model I pick the Bedouin. Dress is head-to-toe light wool or cotton, free-flowing and generally light colored. I don't see you getting very far in the Aussie outback wearing a garabiya, so pick some loose-fitting light Western clothes. Protect all skin as much as possible from the sun, ride at night if you can, deserts are nice and dark at night and a basic white light can easily provide enough illumination for safe riding. It can be very cold in deserts at night, so a good way to keep warm is to ride...
Keep a few extra packets of instant water handy.
Just kidding.
I've suggested this before in other threads, but I'll repeat myself: bottle cages for three 1.5 liter bottles, and a gallon on the front or rear rack, whatever feels better.

I have crap-loads of more ideas, like recycling your own urine in emergencies (no, not drinking it), I apparently have a thing for nearly killing myself in deserts, although I have yet to test this... maybe this Summer.
Good luck, lemme know how it goes...

I know you have the Surly LHT and if your backcountry tour will take you over many miles of rough, unpaved terrain, fattest cross type tires you can put on wouldn't be a bad idea. This is where a loaded mountain bike would really shine, IMO... And if you're really unsure about the water situation, hauling water in a BOB trailer wouldn't be a bad idea as well.

I have crap-loads of more ideas, like recycling your own urine in emergencies (no, not drinking it), I apparently have a thing for nearly killing myself in deserts, although I have yet to test this... maybe this Summer.

In a dire situation, you can drink your own urine, but only once. Its best to not put one's self in that position in the first place.

Riding sandy roads, deflate tires.

In a dire situation, you can drink your own urine, but only once. Its best to not put one's self in that position in the first place.

I was thinking of a desert "still", if it comes to drinking one's own urine straight, then it must be realized that one is deeply ****ed and in serious trouble.

Desert still: Dig a two-to-three foot hole in the ground, about as wide as deep. Make a small earthen mound in the center, and place a cup or camp pot on the mound. Run a length of tubing (aquarium tubing works very well) from the cup to two feet beyond edge of pit. Get as much living vegetation as one can find, stomp on it really well, and surround the cup in the pit with the veg. Now pee in it, around the cup, not in it. Cover the pit with a square of visqueen, plastic sheeting or what have you... clear plastic, with the tube coming out from underneath it. Pour sand, rocks or whatever to hold the sheet in place around the edges. Lastly, place a small rock in the center of the plastic sheet directly above the cup. Give four to six hours in direct desert sun to evaporate water in the pit. As it condenses on the sheet, it will run down into the cup as pure water, which you can handily drink from the tube without having to open the sheet. Pee in the pit regularly to keep the water coming. Good thing is, it works faster at the precise time of day you'll need it most.
I would only use this in extreme circumstances, but for desert travel, I would suggest carrying these materials, just in case...

thanks guys for the great suggestions. i should follow the advice of starting early, rest at noon and continue later on everyday, it will let me avoid the hottest time of the day and save me lots of water by not sweating too much.

yeah cyccommute you´re probably right, i guess in the end i still have to push no matter what, just a matter of when. that defalte tire methods sounds reasonable, i should try it at homebefore setting out.

tourbike, i seemed to heard about the stone thing somewhere but couldn´t remember it, can you explain how it works and why? the desert still is a very fine idea, never heard of it i have to admit, but if the situation calls for it, it might very well safe my life, thanks for bringing it up. i always like cycling at night, but aren´t there more animals active at night than during the day in the desert? more ideas are welcome, no matter what.

the tanami and gibb river road as i heard are pretty rough, badly corrugated. i think about half the trip would be on tracks and half on good bitumen. the total distance would be around 5000k (65 to 70 days) so i´m not sure what kind of tire to go with. neither slicks nor mtb tire seem to be too ideal on the another part. maybe slicks with knobs on the sides? will that improve much? or will it give hell of both world?

what are those continental tires that the police use?? town and country? they may be a good choice.. I think they're 26" though. Marathon trekking tires seem to fit also. (who makes 'em??) schwalbe?

you might consider bringing along a water purifier/filter. if there are any streams or ponds along the way you can stop and fill up.. may be useful for those loong stretches of nothing.. (if they exist where youre going)

have fun!
~Steve

i´ll bring a water filter. and use a cloth to do the first filtration if the water is really dirty so the filter won´t clogged up too soon.

the schwalbe marathon xrs do look pretty good, but they´re a bit thick...2.00. however, think i should check it out, could be the tire i need.

thanks guys for the great suggestions. tourbike, i seemed to heard about the stone thing somewhere but couldn´t remember it, can you explain how it works and why? the desert still is a very fine idea, never heard of it i have to admit, but if the situation calls for it, it might very well safe my life, thanks for bringing it up. i always like cycling at night, but aren´t there more animals active at night than during the day in the desert? more ideas are welcome, no matter what.

the tanami and gibb river road as i heard are pretty rough, badly corrugated. i think about half the trip would be on tracks and half on good bitumen. the total distance would be around 5000k (65 to 70 days) so i´m not sure what kind of tire to go with. neither slicks nor mtb tire seem to be too ideal on the another part. maybe slicks with knobs on the sides? will that improve much? or will it give hell of both world?

No problem, it's fun!
The rock trick works by "artificially" stimulating saliva response. You mouth thinks it's doing something, and so produces saliva, which you should swallow by the way. It helps to keep your mouth nice and hydrated, lessening the need for excess water consumption.
Technically, the still thing could be put together just before your siesta, and provide you with a few cups extra water you might otherwise have to extract from your supply *but I haven't tested this!*. This might be fun for you to try, when you're not really needing it, that way you would know better how to do if you did. Since one cannot travel and have a still at the same time, this method would be most valuable if one were awaiting rescue- sit tight, don't sweat, wait for help...
I don't know about the Aussie outback, but there aren't many big animals in all of the American deserts, with the possible exception of coyotes, both smart and shy enough to stay the hell out your way when they hear you coming from a mile off. Hitting an animal should probably be the least of your worries.

Go with pretty wide slicks with knobby sides. That's my vote.

I would test the still idea before betting your life on it. I talked to somebody that tried it and he said with his results you would need a lot of them to sustain life.

The still yhing will get about a quart of water over night just with the plastic because of the large temperature swings. Adding smashed greens should improve that. I'm not sure about adding the pee part, but I guess since you are distilling it it should be ok. Planning a route with water in mind is the best approch. You might want to take s filter and some pills the name begins with an "H" IRRC.

Joe

I would test the still idea before betting your life on it. I talked to somebody that tried it and he said with his results you would need a lot of them to sustain life.

I think that point was inferred somewhere in what I said. I'd be willing to bet it works but how and under different conditions would be my question. There are also variables that would arise which could dramitcally change the results, like vapor leaks under the tarp, heat and angle of the sun, moisture absorbing capabilities of the surrounding soil, etc.
While I'm sure it would be difficult to sustain life (meaning getting all the water one needs) versus surviving in a desperate situation, this is simply an interesting experiment, and a possibly life saving one for desert survival, a place where any manner of bad things can happen, loss of water being only one...

the tanami and gibb river road as i heard are pretty rough, badly corrugated. i think about half the trip would be on tracks and half on good bitumen. the total distance would be around 5000k (65 to 70 days) so i´m not sure what kind of tire to go with. neither slicks nor mtb tire seem to be too ideal on the another part. maybe slicks with knobs on the sides? will that improve much? or will it give hell of both world?

There should be no real shortage of water on the Gibb River road , a category 4 Cyclone has just passed through the East Kimberley region, lots of rainfall.The road is graded at the start of the dry season so the cattle trucks don't do too much damage to it nad the tourist traffic will be fairly regular

Tanami track is a different proposition, the road is also graded so expect more garvel than sand, tourist traffic is much lighter than the Gibb River Road, but you also get truck traffic.

FKS

Here's an odd tip I learned while living in the deserts of southern CA, and continue to apply today as I work in a hot factory environment. Keep an eye on the color of your urine, if it gets really yellow your not drinking enough. It should actually run clear if your hydrating properly. This holds true unless you are consuming a fair amount of vitamin C, then urine will be bright yellow anyway. I'd also advise researching nutritional needs as well.