83 GI high = LOL for me.
I did 3,900 miles in 13 weeks this summer. Going thru BC Banff to Vancouver, then Seattle, Astoria, Portland, Spokane, to Cranbrook, Calgary, home.
120 lb bike with Rohloff at 46/ 16T. 21.5 to 115.5 GI or so. Most of the time when I couldn't go 4 mph I got off and pushed. Likely about 30 miles total.
It IS easier than wizzing my brains out, especially when sweating in heat or cold. Golden to Revelstoke was the longest day, 98 miles with 3 walking. A few days on the freeways with a tail wind I did make fine use of the 115 GI. Like the second last day going north to south end Red Deer to what is called gasoline alley. Halfway between Edmonton and Calgary. I got there at noon to the A+W for lunch. While I was getting ready to go inside, THREE drivers came over and said WOW you were flying. Yup, 25 to 27 mph for 20 miles on the mostly flat road. Same on the 84 going up the Columbia. I passed the river grain barges 2 or 3 times. ha It was hotter than a bugger 4 straight weeks. Had to hole up a bunch of days. I also make plenty use of high gears to keep up momentum at the bottom of a hill or in dips going back up. Then I will downshift 4 gears at a time. Derailleurs are pathetic for that.
Last edited by GamblerGORD53; 10-16-18 at 11:11 PM.