Shauntron

I'll be getting a Surly LHT and riding it cross country... As I have never toured before, I have many questions.

I'm thinking I'm going to want things that are decent quality, but relatively low prices, if possible.


Racks? Panniers? What kind should I get?

Should I ride clipless? Straps? Platforms?

What should I use to cook my food?

Are there any recommended foods? I'm thinking oatmeal, granola, and pasta will be pretty popular in my diet while on the road.

What's a good goal for miles per day?

What's your favorite on-bike computer, and what are its features?

Are there any garments or products in particular I should buy?

How dangerous/safe is solo touring, in case my friend flakes out on me during my trip? I don't want to end up cutting my trip short if my friend needs to go home.

If you have any words of wisdom or recommendations, I'd love to hear them.


I'm certain that while my trip will be life-changing for me, and I was thinking of attempting to write a book about it once I get back home, but it seems commonplace now that I've found this forum. Do you think anyone would be at all interested in reading such a book?


Also: sorry if my questions have been answered already, I've been reading as much as I can, but can only process and retain so much.

jamawani 

Shaun -

While not impossible, it seems you are diving into the deep end.
You have never toured. You have all kinds of questions.
You have just joined the forums.

Why don't you take a few weeks and read the stickies above?
More importantly, read cross-country journals over at Crazyguyonabike.
All of the things you list have been discussed thoroughly already.

staehpj1

Jamawani's advice is good advice as always, but... Don't let the "diving in to the deep end" comment put you off your goal. Just do your homework. It really doesn't take too much. Just a little homework and the desire and determination to do it.

Reading some journals over on crazyguyonabike is a great start. Ours is one where three newbies took off across the country on fairly short notice with no touring experience, so it might be particularly useful. Check it out at:
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/staehling2007

Our lack of touring experience was not much of a handicap. We did all have a lot of outdoor and camping experience. If you don't have that some preparation and some shorter trips are more critical. Some miles under your belt are a big plus, but my two companions did fine with a half dozen training rides of only 30 mile or so each. We just started a bit slow in the beginning. After a week to 10 days they were kicking butt.

If you want to do it the easiest way I suggest using one of the Adventure Cycling routes. Are you locked into the CT to CA route? If not consider the Northern Tier or the Trans America. The advantage is that AC puts you on reasonable routes with good riding conditions and all of the necessary services marked on the map including many free places to camp. Even if you want to do the CT to CA thing maybe think about using the TA and maybe Western Express. Personally I think for a Summer trip winding up in Oregon will be more pleasant. If you have the time you could still ride down the Pacific Coast Highway (it is spectacular and great riding).

Shauntron

Well I wanted to do a cross-country trip and go through New Mexico because I used to live there and want to visit.


I'll absolutely have to read up, sorry.


But thanks!

staehpj1

I hope it all works out well for you and you have a great trip. When you have specific questions, ask. Expect to get conflicting opinions on most topics though.

On the book... Coast to coast trips aren't very rare, so you won't have a real unique topic. That said it might make a good book depending on your slant and writing skill.

BigBlueToe

You raise many good questions. Unfortunately, many of them have lots of good answers, depending on who you talk to. Bike tourers with vast experience often come to very different conclusions. It's whatever works for you.

Equipment that works well and doesn't break will enhance your enjoyment. There are plenty of good choices for racks and panniers. If you're looking to save some money you many find some used ones on Ebay that will work fine.

Regarding cooking, my recommendation is to pick a stove for which you can readily find fuel. I have one that burns unleaded gas, and I never have trouble finding a gas station. I've watched someone with a butane cannister run out of fuel and not be able to find a replacement for 3 days. I've heard of alcohol stoves which are cheap, and alcohol can be bought at any drug store, but I have no experience with them.

One rule which seems inviolable is that you will eat far more while bike touring than during almost any other pursuit. I eat oatmeal for first breakfast, but always have to have a second breakfast. I stop at a restaurant for second breakfast, and carry supplies for P. B. & J. sandwiches if I can't find a restaurant.

How far to ride in one day is an individual choice with many answers. The answer I like is as many as feels right at the time. If I feel like being lazy and only riding 30 miles, I don't see any reason to feel guilty about it. However, if I'm on a really long ride (like CT to CA) I would feel a need to make significant mileage every day, and would be driven to push myself.

Almost any computer will work for me. I look for one with a big display so I don't have to put on my glasses to read it. I like current speed and daily mileage to show on the same screen. I like to know average speed and top speed because I record those daily in my journal. Most computers do that. I like wired over wireless. They're cheaper, less batteries to buy, and they work fine.

Get good rain gear! You need a jacket and pants you can ride in. On the bike I wear a waterproof helmet cover to keep my head dry, but my jacket also has a hood for around camp. Warm, full-fingered, waterproof gloves are really nice for riding on really cold, wet mornings, but you can get by without them. Plan on numb fingers though.

Get a good tent that doesn't leak, even in a downpour with high winds. You may have to hunker down in your tent, and if your sleeping bag and clothes get wet it's no fun.

I have always toured solo, unless I hooked up with someone along the way. I feel safe. I wear an ID bracelet with contact information, in case I have an accident and am unconscious.

The best advice I can give is to take some preliminary, weekend tours to try out your equipment. Try different packing lists. It's very common for tourers to stop along the way and send home stuff they don't really need and are tired of lugging up hills. If you can make better decisions before you start you can avoid this, but you might not really know what you'll need and what you won't until you get out there and try.

The other advice is to go for it. You'll probably have some difficulties based on inexperience, but you'll overcome them. No matter how experienced I become, I still have difficulties, and I usually manage to overcome them. If you run into any other tourers, pay attention to the equipment they have and how they do things. You may pick up some tips (and you may wonder what on earth they're thinking.)

Have more money reserved than you think you'll need. Food will undoubtedly cost more than you planned because you'll eat so much. It's nice to have funds to stay in a motel when you want to. There will probably be stuff you discover you need which you'll have to buy. You may find ways to avoid spending money (I try to) but it's nice to know you've got it if you need it. I tend to be a bit of a worry-wart when touring alone. (Not based on anything - it's just the way I am.) Having money for exigencies makes me worry less and enjoy the trip more.

I think you're right in guessing that it will be a life-changing experience. It will probably be hard, and you'll be glad when it's over, but you'll also start missing it right away, and start planning the next tour.

valygrl

Nice post BigBlueToe.

neilfein

After you do a little reading and get some basic gear, take some short weekend trips to learn what the questions are. The best way to learn is by doing.

All the gear in the world won't make up for an uncomfortable bike. The LHT has a very good reputation and quite the following of rabid riders. Make sure you get one that fits you well.

What kind of riding have you done so far?

In terms of miles per day, that depends on how much you think you can handle as well as how long you have to do the trip. The next few months will be your testbed. (50 miles per day seems to be a popular target for longer tours, but I've seen anywhere from 20 to over 100.)


Don't forget to build in tome for rest days and to stop and look at things. This is touring, after all, and not a race. The objective is to have a good time on your bike, however you do it.

Shauntron

BigBlueToe: thanks for that!


neilfein: I'm getting the LHT because I've heard so much about it, I'm going to give it a shot. The riding I do right now is just everyday riding on my fixed gear bike. I don't drive, so if I need to go to the store, I have to go on my bike unless I can get a ride. I try to ride as much as I can, but since it's getting colder, that's not as convenient.

I plan on taking my time as much as I can, because I do want to have a good time, and I'm planning on putting off starting school next fall if I have to, which is why I asked about solo touring, because my friend that I'm planning on going with will leave me if he has to to start school.

valygrl

Solo touring is fine. There are pros and cons to all styles -solo, with friend, with stranger, with group, with people you meet on the road. Solo will give you a big lesson in self-sufficiency, learning to interact with strangers, and learning about yourself. None of that is bad.

Don't make soloing a show-stopper. Starting with friends and then doing some of it alone sounds like a great combination to me - you'll have some support in the learning phase, and also get to experience the positive stuff you do get from soloing.

I personally would carry all my own gear no matter what, even if you plan to stay together, so that if you need to split up for a few days you can do that. Really that's just map, tent, sleeping gear and bike repair tools, because if you have to go stove-less for a while, that's easy to do.

If you use one of the Adventure Cycling routes, you will probably meet other cyclists along the way, too, and you might ride together for a while.

Happy planning!