I’d like some opinions from some “seasoned” tourists.

I am 64 years old and have been a moderately serious bicyclist all my life. I did some 3 – 5 day touring in my late 20’s and early 30’s in Washington State and Vancouver Island. I am now, and have always been, reasonably fit and in good health.

I can ride 60 miles at a 17mph pace with only one short stop. I can ride a MTB 25 miles a day and climb 4000’ of single track with no problem. I have been riding 100+ miles/week for many years.

I ride 4 to 7 days a week and usually get 150 or miles a week. I ride a Specialized Roubaix Elite (triple) on the street and a Stumpjumper MX2 hardtail on dirt.

My problem and the reason for this question is that my ‘past’ is catching up with me. I have always been a serious athlete/adventurist and have engaged in many sports that caused violent injury and damage to my body. (football, soccer, rock climbing, mountaineering, ski mountaineering, board sailing, racquetball, basketball…etc). I have broken and/or dislocated most bones and joints from my fingertips to my neck and down to my toes. In particular my shoulders, elbows, wrists, and fingers have suffered badly over the years.

I can ride for hours a day for many days in a row with no problem. Then suddenly, one morning I wake up and can hardly move because my joints are so stiff or my bones hurt so badly. That pain may last a day or several days and then suddenly, again, I can go out and do another 60 miles with no pain and actually enjoy the ride.

I have been to countless doctors; (orthopedic, arthritis, GP, internists, dieticians), before, during and after one of these spells and none of them can name the problem or determine how to prevent or alleviate the symptoms. I have kept rigorous food journals but can find no discernible trigger. Additionally, the problem does not seem to correlate with level or type of activity.

I may have several weeks of daily riding with no problem and then have an “attack.”

I know frequent and consistent exercise is good for me. I would like to start doing some long distance tours but am concerned about getting stuck somewhere.

Usually the more I ride the better I feel so the questions for you “experienced” touring riders are:

1) Have any of you suffered similar problems and if so how did you deal with them while touring?

2) Did the soreness and stiffness eventually disappear when on a multi-week tour?

3) Is there anything more I can do to prevent the occurrence of the problems?

4) How do you deal with short term disabilities while touring?