Bike Forums - Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling http://www.bikeforums.net/ en Sun, 26 May 2013 03:50:54 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.bikeforums.net/images/misc/rss.png Bike Forums - Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling http://www.bikeforums.net/ newbie long distance touring question. http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/891720-newbie-long-distance-touring-question?goto=newpost Sat, 25 May 2013 18:59:39 GMT hi,all!

this summer i'm going to biking from NJ (clifton) to niagara,NY then to cleveland,OH from there following rail trail to connect with great allegheny passage and then connect with O&C to maryland then jump to delaware and finnaly philly to X-ing into NJ.total mileage approx 2000mi.about 20days or so..i hope i can pull this of.
the longest i did was 400mi in 4days and 3nights.



i'm going solo,
and would like to camping or stealth camp,certainly no hotel (not enough dough) i don't mind sleeping or living like a bum.
my question is:
1.can you bike entire route 30 from hancock,NY to malone,NY
(30a is OK for bike) my concern only route 30.

2.bivvy sack or sleeping bag?what brand/type?budget under $200

thanks in advance
fell free to give me advice what to do and what not.

sincere
liong
crazyasiancyclist. ]]> Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling liong71er http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/891720-newbie-long-distance-touring-question Dns http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/891710-Dns?goto=newpost Sat, 25 May 2013 17:59:41 GMT DNS on a 400k in Ohio; I was there in the hotel near the start, but unable to go. This ride was just not destined to happen. Chunk out of a front tire - found Monday and replaced when the tire arrived Friday Broken front spoke - found and addressed when replacing the tire Friday evening.... DNS on a 400k in Ohio; I was there in the hotel near the start, but unable to go. This ride was just not destined to happen.

Chunk out of a front tire - found Monday and replaced when the tire arrived Friday
Broken front spoke - found and addressed when replacing the tire Friday evening.
Broken seat strut (recumbent seat) occurred when loading the bike. Drilled a new mounting hole and made it work.
With available sleep hours down to 5, I stopped at Wendy's on the road. Bad choice. Upset stomach hit me within 10 minutes of eating; by the time I arrived at my hotel 3 hours later the ride was in doubt.
Assembling the bike in the parking lot, I found my computer wire had been ripped in half during loading. Field repaired with duct tape, it was not pretty but worked.
Spent too much of my sleep time on the hotel bathroom floor. Enough said.

Now I'm back home, still not able to eat, watching my friends put up facebook posts from what looks like a beautiful ride. Bummed. ]]> Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling downtube42 http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/891710-Dns Mixte for Audax? http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/891448-Mixte-for-Audax?goto=newpost Fri, 24 May 2013 03:02:53 GMT Hello!

I'm considering getting a mixte to do some brevets (coz I'm small and the sloping top tube gives me enough SO clearance!). Has anyone (or does anyone know of anyone else who has) done long distances on Mixtes before?

I kindda narrowed my choices down to either the Soma Buena Vista or the Rivendell Betty Foy. I'd love love love to get the BF, but I'm holding back coz I'm not sure if the mixte can really go the distance (PBP here I come!:D). I mean, I don't know anyone within my small circle of bike friends who have a mixte to begin with, what more going more than 200km in a day on one. The BV would be a cheaper gamble for me to take.

Any kind advise anyone?

Much appreciated! ]]> Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling sleepyrando http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/891448-Mixte-for-Audax Trek Domane 4.0 http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/891238-Trek-Domane-4-0?goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 01:09:24 GMT IMG_5667.jpg

I am the new & excited owner of a 2013 Trek Domane 4.0. I've already ridden it on a 300k brevet & loved it. I need to consider a gearing change between now & next season to help me on the climbs. It's not as smooth as my steel Waterford, but what is!? The Domane, though, makes me want to find the hills.
Attached Images
]]> Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling davemd1820 http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/891238-Trek-Domane-4-0 A few questions about maintaining my brand new Gilles Berthoud Aspin Saddle http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/890932-A-few-questions-about-maintaining-my-brand-new-Gilles-Berthoud-Aspin-Saddle?goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 14:29:20 GMT I just got a Gilles Berthoud Aspin last week, and after just a few rides (totaling about a measly 100 miles) it has been extremely comfortable. A few questions about taking care of it:

1. Should I treat it with Brooks Proofide or Gilles Berthoud's concoction? I already have a tin of the the Brooks stuff, and wonder if it's basically the same as the GB, or if I should just go ahead and get the GB stuff.

2. Will it significantly darken the saddle? I got the natural, and really dig the light khaki color.

3. When it starts raining, do I have to cover it with a plastic bag or saddle cover? If you've purchased a saddle cover for this saddle, which did you get and how do you like it?



Bike to Work Day 2013 by bundokbiker, on Flickr ]]> Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling Drevil http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/890932-A-few-questions-about-maintaining-my-brand-new-Gilles-Berthoud-Aspin-Saddle Boosting the mileage http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/890869-Boosting-the-mileage?goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 03:04:01 GMT I have been trying to gradually increase riding and the mileage. I was hoping to do a metric century ride this weekend or next with the goal of a century at the end of June. Unfortunately, due to weather, work, family, etc (all the usual culprits) I am not quite as far along as I had hoped. My... I have been trying to gradually increase riding and the mileage. I was hoping to do a metric century ride this weekend or next with the goal of a century at the end of June. Unfortunately, due to weather, work, family, etc (all the usual culprits) I am not quite as far along as I had hoped. My longest rides have been 40 miles with no real problems. (Last year my longest was 55 miles)

Any reason why I couldn't do a metric this weekend, or would it be best to wait another week or so? I don't want to push myself past what would make sense, but this is new territory for me so I would rather ask for advice from those with more experience. ]]> Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling etw http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/890869-Boosting-the-mileage Cycling Shoes http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/890052-Cycling-Shoes?goto=newpost Thu, 16 May 2013 16:20:28 GMT I'm in need of a new shoe. Currently, wearing Sidi 5.5 which are too narrow and causes hot spots on the top right of my foot where I have small tailor bunions after 40 to 50 miles. I plan on going to a wide, however none of the local bike shops carry wide shoes but they can be ordered. They don't want to order more than one because they don't want to keep them in their inventory which is understandable. I would like to try on a selection of correct sizes before dropping the cash.

The two shoes I like most are as follows:

Specialized S Works Road. The fabric on top seem very thin and conforms to the foot. The BOA lacing system was really comfortable but seemed not as durable as a strap.

The Shimano Pro Tour Racing Custom Fit. These did not fit as well but will be adjusted through the fit process.

I've been suffering with Planter Fasciitis which was caused more by standing at work. Just last week I received prescription orthotics. Not sure if they would be better than no othotics in cycling shoe? The Dr. tends to think that I would not need them in cycling shoe.

So I'm looking for any good advice on shoes in particular in the wide versions that may be comfortable in the 100 to 150 mile range. ]]> Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling WeTommyD http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/890052-Cycling-Shoes What can I expect http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/889956-What-can-I-expect?goto=newpost Thu, 16 May 2013 02:20:32 GMT So training hasn't gone quite as planned this spring due to lousy weather and lack of time. So in preparation of my first National 24 hour challenge in a month, I signed up for a 147 mile group ride this Saturday with my local club. I plan on going with the B group (15-16 mph) and not put too much pressure to hang with the A group that I would normally want to ride with on a 20-30 mile ride. I did a metric century solo yesterday afternoon, and felt pretty good. (even ran 4 miles this morning). My longest ride to date was a solo century at the end of the summer last year where I felt I could keep going 15 plus miles per hour for quite a while.

I am anticipating being exhausted but feeling I can make the extra miles with the help of some group riders. Am I jumping up too fast mileage wise if I plan on taking it down a notch? This is a well supported ride, so I am not anticipating nutrition or hydration problems. Will the legs just stop working at some point or will my speed just dwindle? I just feel like the extra miles just become an exercise in mental toughness after 100 miles as long as you eat and drink. ]]> Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling JasonCarp http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/889956-What-can-I-expect <![CDATA["BLACK AND BLUE" 208 miles/16,700ft.]]> http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/889457-quot-BLACK-AND-BLUE-quot-208-miles-16-700ft?goto=newpost Mon, 13 May 2013 17:25:06 GMT There are far fewer events of this length/difficulty in the eastern US than out west; this particular one is not well known and appears on few calendars, so I thought I would post a basic info thread-

It's a timed race that starts and finishes in Boone, NC. Traverses gaps into Tenn and VA. May be entered relay or solo.

I've spent a lot of time biking in the appalachians since I live in Georgia: this is the best one I've ever been on so far. Is also probably the hardest, solo.

http://blackandbluerelay.com/ ]]> Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling Gerry Hull http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/889457-quot-BLACK-AND-BLUE-quot-208-miles-16-700ft Found a Casseroll - Is this a good deal? http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/889147-Found-a-Casseroll-Is-this-a-good-deal?goto=newpost Sat, 11 May 2013 21:14:42 GMT I found an LBS with one last Casseroll and it's in my size. I got a general build quote from the guy and I was wondering what you guys thought about this? I want to use this for some 100-200k rides as I get into randonneuring and see if I like it enough to do longer.

This is the exact wording he gave me "With DuraAce 9s barend shifters, Sugino 46/34 crank, 11-34 cogs, 105 hubs, handbuilt wheels, Soma Highway one bars" for $1500-1600.

Sorry if this is a serious newb question, but I don't want to pass up on a bike I was really eyeing before they discontinued it.

By good deal, I mean are those components worth that amount, plus the labor of building (I wouldn't mind trying my hand at doing the easier stuff if need be). He is willing to sell the frame for $500 plus tax if you think I can do better elsewhere. ]]> Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling disabledbobcat http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/889147-Found-a-Casseroll-Is-this-a-good-deal A question regarding preregistration for PBP http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/889132-A-question-regarding-preregistration-for-PBP?goto=newpost Sat, 11 May 2013 19:08:18 GMT Does this essentially mean that a 1200 ridden the year before PBP will allow you to preregistration the earliest?

Link
Preregistration

Preregistration is open to all riders who successfully completed a BRM (or a RM1200 and +) from November 2009 to October 2010. With your preregistration, you will reserve a place for the PBP 2011, as far as there are enough available places. You will have to convert your preregistration to a final registration before June 19, 2011 at midnight (French time) to preserve your preregistration.
My assumption is that you still have to ride the full SR and this is for preregistration only.

Thanks for helping me understand the process used in the past. ]]> Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling k7baixo http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/889132-A-question-regarding-preregistration-for-PBP Question About Garmin 500 And Gomadic - Or Other Chargers http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/888990-Question-About-Garmin-500-And-Gomadic-Or-Other-Chargers?goto=newpost Sat, 11 May 2013 00:02:16 GMT I have a Garmin eTrex 20 - and can't stand it. It's great when it works, which seems to be about one time in three, and when it isn't trying to auto-correct your route. Besides - it's a brick. Chunky and heavy, and on the April fleche I had to replace the AA batteries twice.

So I'm looking to get a Garmin Edge (at last).

From the reviews I've read, the new 510 is too buggy and has too many drawbacks, whereas the old 500 still seems to be a gem. But the obvious (for this forum) problem is battery life. The 500's 12-to-18 hour battery life simply could not support a fleche, a long brevet, or the National 24-Hour Challenge (which I'll be riding in June).

So a Garmin 500 with a charger may be the answer.

So my I 'Googled the Interweb' and found this item:
Portable Emergency AA Battery Charger Extender for the Garmin EDGE 500 - with Gomadic Brand TipExchange Technology
http://www.gomadic.com/garmin-edge-5...-extender.html

I'm aware that you cannot use just any charger on the 500, because that puts the system into recharge mode, and it cannot be used while plugged in. Apparently the Gomadic has tweaked the USB port to avoid that problem.

I've seen a few references to this charger in older threads, but I'm hoping someone here can confirm the item's suitability, and/or answer a few questions, and/or offer alternatives..?


Looking forward to your feedback. ]]> Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling DGlenday http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/888990-Question-About-Garmin-500-And-Gomadic-Or-Other-Chargers Good Luck 2013 TOSRV riders! http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/888718-Good-Luck-2013-TOSRV-riders!?goto=newpost Thu, 09 May 2013 15:28:10 GMT Good Luck 2013 TOSRV riders! Keep the rubber side down, enjoy the weather (No matter how bad or good weather may be.), and watch out for the locals who may not be so nice (Does not happen much, but ya never can be to safe!) Might see some of you Sunday, may ride down to Circleville to ride... Good Luck 2013 TOSRV riders!

Keep the rubber side down, enjoy the weather (No matter how bad or good weather may be.), and watch out for the locals who may not be so nice (Does not happen much, but ya never can be to safe!)

Might see some of you Sunday, may ride down to Circleville to ride back to Columbus with my son and his friends.

Can't do the full ride myself, new job has been keeping me busy. ]]> Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling look566 rider http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/888718-Good-Luck-2013-TOSRV-riders! Protien Drinks, shakes, Bars http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/888553-Protien-Drinks-shakes-Bars?goto=newpost Wed, 08 May 2013 18:45:50 GMT hey all, any good recommendations on protien drinks, shakes and bars. Where to purchase, good deals etc. would be appreciated. Thanks hey all, any good recommendations on protien drinks, shakes and bars. Where to purchase, good deals etc. would be appreciated. Thanks ]]> Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling bikebum202 http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/888553-Protien-Drinks-shakes-Bars Training tips for long distance race http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/888272-Training-tips-for-long-distance-race?goto=newpost Tue, 07 May 2013 13:02:34 GMT I know there are tons of threads on training tips:o and I read a few but I thought a direct feedback to questions might be nice:)

I'm planning a 2 week long distance race. Every contestant rides on his own and it's up to him at what pace he races. Since I don't want to win and only get there on time, I'd have to cycle about 240 km per day on average for 2 weeks.
At the moment I'm basically just doing a lot of mileage at a moderate pace. I'm doing about 4-5 long distance sessions per week, increasing the distance by about 15% every week. Every 4th week I want to do an active recovery week(less mileage/less intensity). Now I'm starting my 5th week(70 miles per workout) but I'm thinking that only cranking out the miles won't be enough and I should probably do a few short interval sessions. Then again, my plan is just to cycle a long and even pace during the race so I want to get used to being on the bike for long hours as much as possible. That's where I'm stuck. If I only do a long distance ride twice a week and otherwise do short intensive interval workouts, I might not be able to do 240 km a day later on. I also don't want to make training over complicated.

Any advice? ]]> Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling Eljot http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/888272-Training-tips-for-long-distance-race