My first ride over 40 miles.......
02-22-09, 12:30 PM
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My first ride over 40 miles.......
My first overnight ride also my longest ride: On my MTB with no suspension and semi knobbies.
So I did 42 miles this weekend 1/2 on trail and half on country highway. The first half of the trail was pretty easy then it turned into an equestrian trail, literally a foot of sand or more on the trail so I had to walk on loose sand pushing my bike for about 3 miles, 2 of them in the dark. I finally made camp at about 9pm and ate then slept so I could slip out at dawn with no one seeing me. This worked out well except for the fact is was 26 degrees when I woke up. I rode on the highway on the way back because the second half of the trail took it out of me, I was super tired. Oh did I mention I was wearing a 25 pound pack or so. I do not know how people do these insanely long tours but I definitely want to get there. Does it get easier?Although the two trees with a 150 or so hawks in them made it worth while in itself, seeing them all take off at once and hearing the sound was simply aaamazing! Well, onto things I have learned:
1. Do not carry a backpack, it sucks the life out of you...or at least it did me.
2. Double the water you think you need is a good thing, I actually overshot by 2 liters, I drank over a gallon the first day.
3. Leave in enough time to setup camp during daylight hours. Don't push it thinking you will make it.
4. Hennesey Hammocks seem like they will be my next buy. Away with the tent for Cycling. Hiking yes. Cycling No.
5. You only learn by doing, no matter how much you read you can never be perfectly prepared.
6. I am sitting here tired and sore but all in all it was worth every moment.
If I think of anything else I will comment later.
If you made it through this post thanks for reading! If you are new to this like I am hope it helps a little.
P.S. Headwinds are the devil!
So I did 42 miles this weekend 1/2 on trail and half on country highway. The first half of the trail was pretty easy then it turned into an equestrian trail, literally a foot of sand or more on the trail so I had to walk on loose sand pushing my bike for about 3 miles, 2 of them in the dark. I finally made camp at about 9pm and ate then slept so I could slip out at dawn with no one seeing me. This worked out well except for the fact is was 26 degrees when I woke up. I rode on the highway on the way back because the second half of the trail took it out of me, I was super tired. Oh did I mention I was wearing a 25 pound pack or so. I do not know how people do these insanely long tours but I definitely want to get there. Does it get easier?Although the two trees with a 150 or so hawks in them made it worth while in itself, seeing them all take off at once and hearing the sound was simply aaamazing! Well, onto things I have learned:
1. Do not carry a backpack, it sucks the life out of you...or at least it did me.
2. Double the water you think you need is a good thing, I actually overshot by 2 liters, I drank over a gallon the first day.
3. Leave in enough time to setup camp during daylight hours. Don't push it thinking you will make it.
4. Hennesey Hammocks seem like they will be my next buy. Away with the tent for Cycling. Hiking yes. Cycling No.
5. You only learn by doing, no matter how much you read you can never be perfectly prepared.
6. I am sitting here tired and sore but all in all it was worth every moment.
If I think of anything else I will comment later.
If you made it through this post thanks for reading! If you are new to this like I am hope it helps a little.
P.S. Headwinds are the devil!
02-22-09, 02:54 PM
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first ride
Glad you enjoyed your trip.
You will learn something new each trip you go on.
I agree with most of your points, but I will still take a tent on my cycle trips. The weather here in the UK is often cold, wet and windy so you need a good shelter.
You will learn something new each trip you go on.
I agree with most of your points, but I will still take a tent on my cycle trips. The weather here in the UK is often cold, wet and windy so you need a good shelter.
02-22-09, 05:44 PM
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agentxcell, thanks for sharing. You'll discover what works for others doesn't work for you and vice-versa. Tweaking your set up is a lot of the fun in my opinion.
Getting out of a warm sleeping bag on a cold morning is one of the hardest thing a human being can do....
Getting out of a warm sleeping bag on a cold morning is one of the hardest thing a human being can do....
02-22-09, 11:09 PM
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I think hennessy hammocks are great when touring in certain areas. As long as you are touring in an area that has a lot of tree cover, they're awesome. But they are rather difficult to use in terrain where trees are few. I always carry a small tent or bivy sack so I can melt away easily and avoid detection when I'm camping in places that I might not be wanted.
02-22-09, 11:22 PM
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1. Do not carry a backpack. Don't do it.
2. Double the water you think you need is a good thing, I actually overshot by 2 liters, I drank over a gallon the first day.
Yes a gallon daily intake at the lowest levels. I was getting about and average .75 but I was used to the desert.
3. Leave in enough time to setup camp during daylight hours. Don't push it thinking you will make it.
Think in terms of hours of daylight (8 mph * 8 hours = 64 miles) . Remember you can just pull over to a safe spot and sit down to fall asleep.
4. Hennesey Hammocks seem like they will be my next buy. Away with the tent for Cycling. Hiking yes. Cycling No.
I like tours where I take no tent or hammock.
5. You only learn by doing, no matter how much you read you can never be perfectly prepared.
Yes this should be number 1, because what I do may not be what someone else wants to do. Fresh gravel for some rest anyone?
6. I am sitting here tired and sore but all in all it was worth every moment.
Yes you can rest when you are dead.
Great Job!
2. Double the water you think you need is a good thing, I actually overshot by 2 liters, I drank over a gallon the first day.
Yes a gallon daily intake at the lowest levels. I was getting about and average .75 but I was used to the desert.
3. Leave in enough time to setup camp during daylight hours. Don't push it thinking you will make it.
Think in terms of hours of daylight (8 mph * 8 hours = 64 miles) . Remember you can just pull over to a safe spot and sit down to fall asleep.
4. Hennesey Hammocks seem like they will be my next buy. Away with the tent for Cycling. Hiking yes. Cycling No.
I like tours where I take no tent or hammock.
5. You only learn by doing, no matter how much you read you can never be perfectly prepared.
Yes this should be number 1, because what I do may not be what someone else wants to do. Fresh gravel for some rest anyone?
6. I am sitting here tired and sore but all in all it was worth every moment.
Yes you can rest when you are dead.
Great Job!
