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Single Speeds and Touring....How far have you gone?

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Single Speeds and Touring....How far have you gone?

Old 08-10-11, 01:27 PM
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Single Speeds and Touring....How far have you gone?

A while back I was thinking of just how amazing it would be to tour on a single-speed bike. The simplicity of it all just seems perfect for the experience. It didn't take much researching on forums to find that for everyone that asked the question, there were teams of naysayers that said it can't (or shouldn't) be done. I couldn't find any web-sites boasting examples of cross-country tours on a single-speed, but then again, maybe Google is trying to hide them from me...it's a conspiracy man! But seriously, tell me about your tours.. did you ride it up the hills or walk it on up? How far have you ridden on your single-speed? Do you know of any examples I can read about on the web? Personally, I think that lugging gear up a steep grade would be hell, but maybe getting off and walking the bike up is just part of the experience...

Anyhow, I've been interested in this for a while. If you have some time to share your experiences, I'd be happy to read them.
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Old 08-10-11, 01:45 PM
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Vimeo has a few videos of people doing tours on fixed gears, but many of them have support vehicles from what I have seen. There's one from London-Paris, and some southeast asia tours as well.
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Old 08-10-11, 01:53 PM
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There's two guys who rode fixed gears across the US (SF to Florida IIRC). They wanted to take their bikes on a plane from FL to India or something but I guess they never raised enough money so they stopped there. My longest ride is only like 35 miles. I've been struggling with patellar tendinitis for months so I have to build up veeerryyy slowly.
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Old 08-10-11, 01:56 PM
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There's a video of a group of riders riding 100 miles a day, for about 4 days. It's an A to B sorta ride taking place in Japan.
I myself, have rode about 50 miles or so in a day. Not a crazy amount, but then again no one does longer rides 'round here.
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Old 08-10-11, 02:55 PM
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I checked out some of those videos on Vimeo. I must say I was pretty impressed watching those SS bikes roll down the road. It really makes me wonder just how much efficiency is lost through a derailleur.

I have to figure that someone has gone across country on a SS bike, however, I get this vision of that person not being so much of a cycling enthusiast, but rather someone who rode out of necessity on a bike. Likely on a bike that nobody would have figured would make it across country. That in itself is the amazing story to me.. that despite all of the naysayers who ride daily on $1000+ bikes that believe it can't be done, not only is it done, but it's done on a cheap bike to boot. Now, don't get me wrong, I have nothing against anyone who rides a nice bike.. I do too, but we all know the group that rides really expensive bikes simply because they match their golf clubs. I just love the notion that someone out there with a cheap old SS bike and a dream got on their bike and rode till they ran out of road. Not because they had the latest carbon fiber add-on, but just because they love to ride.
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Old 08-10-11, 03:01 PM
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I think that if someone was willing to invest in ultralight gear (thinking sil-nylon tarp instead of Coleman 10-man tent) and pick their route carefully it would be an awesome adventure.

I am stilling wanting to start my S24O's but my wife wont let me go by myself.....arg.
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Old 08-10-11, 03:22 PM
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Great thread! This has been on my mind for a while now. I've wanting to do a SF to NYC ride but nobody I know wants to do this with me.
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Old 08-10-11, 03:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Lycosa
I checked out some of those videos on Vimeo. I must say I was pretty impressed watching those SS bikes roll down the road. It really makes me wonder just how much efficiency is lost through a derailleur.

I have to figure that someone has gone across country on a SS bike, however, I get this vision of that person not being so much of a cycling enthusiast, but rather someone who rode out of necessity on a bike. Likely on a bike that nobody would have figured would make it across country. That in itself is the amazing story to me.. that despite all of the naysayers who ride daily on $1000+ bikes that believe it can't be done, not only is it done, but it's done on a cheap bike to boot. Now, don't get me wrong, I have nothing against anyone who rides a nice bike.. I do too, but we all know the group that rides really expensive bikes simply because they match their golf clubs. I just love the notion that someone out there with a cheap old SS bike and a dream got on their bike and rode till they ran out of road. Not because they had the latest carbon fiber add-on, but just because they love to ride.
In Brazil this is VERY common, on a touring trip on the coast I encountered a rider on this bike (rusted, slow, heavy) with just a backpack. He said he was travelling to his town wich was 1000Km of we were. It was mainly out of necessity but it was also because bike was his mean of transportation for a long time.
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Old 08-10-11, 04:46 PM
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I am tentatively starting to plan a bike trip to LA to visit some friends once money allows. According to google maps the bike route is 574 miles. I'll have to make a few changes to the bike. Probably run 3 gears with a standard cog on one side and a surly dingle on the other so I have some options knowing there are some intense hills on the way there. For sure add a brake, which means probably borrowing somebody elses front wheel. Look into a rear rack or very light traveling gear.
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Old 08-10-11, 04:50 PM
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Originally Posted by stryper
I am tentatively starting to plan a bike trip to LA to visit some friends once money allows. According to google maps the bike route is 574 miles. I'll have to make a few changes to the bike. Probably run 3 gears with a standard cog on one side and a surly dingle on the other so I have some options knowing there are some intense hills on the way there. For sure add a brake, which means probably borrowing somebody elses front wheel. Look into a rear rack or very light traveling gear.
A few of my friends are planning to do this as well.

Seems like a pretty awesome trip. I need to figure out when would be the best time to do this, summer may be too hot, whereas winter may be too cold.
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Old 08-10-11, 04:55 PM
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In Brazil this is VERY common, on a touring trip on the coast I encountered a
rider on this bike (rusted, slow, heavy)
That's awesome! If you do a quick search on Google for SS bike touring you'll find that when the question is brought up in a forum, you'll read post after post of people telling the guy that asked the question that it can't be done and to just suck it up and buy the touring multi-speed bike. I think we are a little spoiled to be honest. Sure it would be a lot easier to kick in a granny gear going up a hill, but that doesn't mean you can't go coast to coast simply because you don't have one. I think some people might even say it can't be done just because if it could, then it would be hard to swallow the lump in your throat from having spent 5k on a touring bicycle. lol I'm not saying that I'm going to run out and do it tomorrow.. I'm not in the shape to do it yet, but hell.. I would love to hear about how somebody got on their old BMX or beach cruiser and toured.

One day my old man and I were out fishing in a row boat. A big ol' oversized pontoon boat came by blaring music and we watched as plumes of smoke rolled out of the bbq grill that sat on the deck of the boat. My dad looked at me, reached into the cooler and grabbed a sandwich, and said "Just because they have a bigger boat doesn't mean they're having anymore fun". I guess that mentality sort of stuck with me. SS bikes bring me back to that idea that it doesn't have to cost a fortune, doesn't have to have that titanium spoke or carbonfiber fork in order to be fun.
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Old 08-10-11, 05:00 PM
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Originally Posted by stryper
I am tentatively starting to plan a bike trip to LA to visit some friends once money allows. According to google maps the bike route is 574 miles. I'll have to make a few changes to the bike. Probably run 3 gears with a standard cog on one side and a surly dingle on the other so I have some options knowing there are some intense hills on the way there. For sure add a brake, which means probably borrowing somebody elses front wheel. Look into a rear rack or very light traveling gear.
Sounds like an awesome trip. I'd love to hear the details when it gets underway.
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Old 08-10-11, 05:11 PM
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Originally Posted by mashtofu
There's two guys who rode fixed gears across the US (SF to Florida IIRC). They wanted to take their bikes on a plane from FL to India or something but I guess they never raised enough money so they stopped there. My longest ride is only like 35 miles. I've been struggling with patellar tendinitis for months so I have to build up veeerryyy slowly.
Do you know if they had any travel logs they posted online? I'm wondering how the obvious challenges affected their trip and how they coped with it.
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Old 08-10-11, 05:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Jaytron
A few of my friends are planning to do this as well.

Seems like a pretty awesome trip. I need to figure out when would be the best time to do this, summer may be too hot, whereas winter may be too cold.
What would the route be along?
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Old 08-10-11, 05:31 PM
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Single speed touring is awesome in that it's a feat in itself (IMO)... just make sure you're in a gear that you'll be comfortable with...probably one that is slower on flats but make most hills combatable, and just walk the bigger ones! Treat it like a biathalon.
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Old 08-10-11, 05:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Lycosa
It really makes me wonder just how much efficiency is lost through a derailleur.


I am waiting for Squirrelli or puppy to chime in on this thread...
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Old 08-10-11, 09:33 PM
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my longest so far is about 70, i plan to do 100 on my next distance ride and then 140(brooklyn to ocean city, nj) by the end of september, everytime i do a distance i feel like i need to get clipless
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Old 08-10-11, 09:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Lycosa
Do you know if they had any travel logs they posted online? I'm wondering how the obvious challenges affected their trip and how they coped with it.
They have a web site. It was posted in this forum. I'll try to find the link.
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Old 08-11-11, 01:20 AM
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I'm planning a 3 day single speed tour through Big Sur, CA. Map My Ride says 68.54 miles and 4810' of verticle gain from San Simeo State Park to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. I'll be using a seatpost rack and rear panniers only. I'll be sleeping under a tarp with a fleece sleeping bag. No cooking gear, plenty of nice restaurants in Big Sur.
I reckon the rack and panniers together weigh 5lbs. Add to that about 10lbs for camping gear and clothes.
I won't be carrying much so I don't plan on changing my gearing, 76gi.
My companion will also be riding single speed. The plan is to ride up on day one, spend 2 nights in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, and ride back on day 3.
Many California State Parks have Hike and Bike campsites where no reservations are required and the fee is 6-8 dollars a night.
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is in the redwoods with a river running through it, hot showers, wifi, and a good restaurant right in the park.

The longest ride I've done is 100 miles with 9200' of verticle gain.

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Old 08-11-11, 02:02 AM
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There are quite a few on Vimeo/Youtube.

Here's some

Tokyou To Osaka

The 5th Floor: London to Paris 2010

From Malaysia,

Penang - JB (800km)

JB to KL

Tour of Singapore 2010



Philly to Boston (Blog)
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Old 08-11-11, 11:42 AM
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I've done weekend camping trips. I was loaded a little heavy and running 38x16. Hills longer than a quarter mile took way too much out of me (and I ride hills every day).

I couldn't imagine pushing one gear for 100 miles a day on varied terrain while hauling a load. (Actually sounds like a fun challenge, but I would rather have a freewheel and couple gears).
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Old 08-11-11, 12:43 PM
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People ride 2800+ miles from Canada to Mexico on ss mtb's every year in the Tour Divide Race, and that's 90% off road. A coast to coast ride on an ss road bike pales in comparision.
For some inspiration, Google Deanna Adams- she did the Divide route, later averaged 114 miles a day riding from Mexico to Panama, and is now in Europe on a planned 10,000 mile ride. This is all on an old cyclocross bike converted to fixed!

Tell that to the whiners who say you can't tour fixed!

https://deannadares.blogspot.com/

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Old 08-11-11, 01:55 PM
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Touring on a fixed gear is awesome. I did a small tour my first day on a fixed gear bike last year. in oct. I went from Half Moon Bay-->Big Sur ~200miles
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Old 08-14-11, 11:06 AM
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Originally Posted by stryper
I am tentatively starting to plan a bike trip to LA to visit some friends once money allows. According to google maps the bike route is 574 miles. I'll have to make a few changes to the bike. Probably run 3 gears with a standard cog on one side and a surly dingle on the other so I have some options knowing there are some intense hills on the way there. For sure add a brake, which means probably borrowing somebody elses front wheel. Look into a rear rack or very light traveling gear.
Are you planning on going to visit Scott, Tommy, and Gabe? That would be intense!!!
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Old 08-15-11, 04:12 PM
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wow.. some really great replies here. I'll be sure to check out all the information that you've all provided so far after I get a few minutes to sit tonight. I'm quite impressed to say the least.. thanks guys.

If anyone has anything else to add, I'd be glad to read about it.
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