Originally Posted by
Randybb
Ha yup I'm 25 and getting fitter every day.
Only thing is, it's depressingly flat where I live, so I've never really dealt with a legitimate climb. Is 42/26 going to completely wear me down on a day going through the Appalachians? I guess only experience will tell...
Also, if you can go faster on a descent, why not peddle?
42/26 won't work. Try 24/34 for a steep assent up an Appalachian mountain pass.
My first tour involved walking my bike 6 out of the 7 miles up a 7% grade in Colorado because I didn't have a third chain ring. Don't make my mistake.
You will be using bags and camping equipment, right?