Originally Posted by
Doug64
I'd have to ask the question:why wouldn't you train for a cross country ride? It seems like a lot of folks equate training with some onerous exercise that is as much fun as going to the dentist.
I guess it depends on what you consider training. It really helps to be at a good general fitness level. It also really helps ti have enough saddle time in that you don't suffer too much with a sore bottom. Beyond that no further training is really necessary.
Originally Posted by
Doug64
I make the assumption, maybe erroneously, that someone contemplating a cross country bike tour actually likes to ride bikes. We take long rides whenever we can, not because we are "training", but because we enjoy riding. Training can be fun!
A good approach, but it is questionable in my mind that riding as much as you want to, do normally, or even a little more is "training" for a tour.
Me, I actually have not ridden all that much in recent years when not on tour. I tend to prefer to go trail running as my normal daily exercise. I do ride some, but don't really ride all that much and don't consider it training. I also do not consider my daily trail running to be training.
So my advice is to ride enough before the tour so that your butt isn't too sore and take it easy the first week of the tour. Ride more if you want, but it isn't a necessity.