videticj

Hey guys,

I'm just starting the process of planning a major touring trip, my first ever. I'm hoping to leave by the end of August and essentially circle the US, though not all the way. Obviously the exact route is still up in the air. At this point it looks to be roughly a 8200 mile trip, and I'm thinking at least ~160 days total.

My first concern is the bike. I recently purchased a new Trek 7.3 FX disc, '06 model. I've taken a few ~56 mile trips so far and I like the feel of it, although this is my first bike in quite a few years (since I was probably 14 or so, actually...) so I don't have much to compare to.

It would appear it can mount panniers and fenders which I assume I'll need and/or want. I don't have those yet, however. Suggestions would be appreciated; I could likely even make a small bracket for mounting around the disc brakes as I'm just finishing my engineering degree and have several friends that could help machine that out.

Any thoughts on the bike and what would be most likely to break on this type of trip? Is it even remotely likely to survive?? I'd assume new tires along the way, several tubes and patch jobs, probably some chain links, maybe spokes? Would the axles and gears likely wear to nothing? I suppose there's always the possibility of buying a new one along the way, but I don't have a good idea of what to expect as far as mileage on a bike.

Another thing that concerns me from the start is the timing of the trip. A five-month trip leaving at the end of August would get me back to the middle of the US (Indiana and Michigan, my start and end point) at the end of January. It can get pretty snowy and chilly that time of year. Does anyone have experience biking and camping in the winter? Is it feasible or completely crazy?

I'll likely be around these forums a lot in the next couple of months as they seem fairly active.

- John

markjenn

You're going to embark on a 8.2K+ mile trip on a $600 fitness bike ending up in Michigan in January? Camping? Hey, I'm all for a challenge and I hate to discourage anyone from a dream, but you might as well make Everest your first mountain climb too.

My suggestion is to start taking some shorter trips (even just one overnight) and find out what works for you. You have a lot of equipment and techniques to get sorted and you'll figure things out best one step at a time. You'll figure things out by doing more than reading, but you've got to take it one step at a time. And you do need to adjust your route/schedule - camping or not, road touring in the midwest in the winter isn't really feasible unless you are willing to hole up for days or even weeks waiting for breaks in the weather.

Good luck,

- Mark

videticj

Oh, I'll definitely be going on some shorter trips in the next couple of months. My plan is to research and think through what I'll need at different stages of the trip right now, get the stuff, set up the bike, and try it out, readjust, and repeat as necessary.

As far as the final stages of the trip, I was going to come back from the West Coast at a south-easterly trajectory so as to be further south as December and January roll in. I'd actually be coming into sourthern Indiana where I don't hold much regard for the severity of the winter season... at that point hopping a train or some such back sounds fine to me or I could head north until winter really hits. I suppose there's really no way to travel in the snow.

As far as the bike goes, what am I missing by having a "$600 fitness bike?" What's in a name? It is heavier than the more expensive bikes for sure, but I don't think serious touring bikes would be much lighter. Assuming panniers and fenders fit and it's a good ride, what else? Are all the components simply lower quality meaning they'll wear out faster?

Tom Stormcrowe

vid, you've certainly set yourself a challenge, I'll say that!

I won't say you can't do it, because you can, but bear in mind, you aren't planning a tour, you're planning a major expedition!

First thing, do a search for "equipment lists: Bike touring "

Try not to overload yourself with weight ( I tend to do that STILL!)

Second thing, Learn how to fix EVERYTHING on your bike

videticj

Agreed, it is a major undertaking which is why I'm doing it. Once I pick up some tools I'm going to take the whole thing apart and put it back together; that should help me get a feel for what's liable to break on me.

This site has some good information about what to bring:
https://www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/touring/campgear.htm

I'm doing all the research I can at this point; if you have any suggestions I'm eager to hear them.

valygrl

visit crazyguyonabike.com for tour journals

visit adventurecycling.org for trip planning / bike specific maps.

visit thetouringstore.com for racks and panniers - Wayne sells the best quality, not cheap, but great stuff. he can also help you with decision making and advise you on rack fit. he sells on ebay, too.

Old Man Mountain makes racks for bikes that don't have rack-mount braze-ons.

The thing that will most likely break on your bike is the wheels. Especially since those are almost certainly low-quality machine built wheels. Be prepared to fix broken spokes, which means removing the cassette.

Remember the days get really short in winter - I did a one-week tour at the beginning of November last year, and found myself spending a lot of time in my tent. You should carefully think about your goals for this trip, as it sounds really rad, but not really that fun.

Think carefully also about what sorts of riding YOU enjoy. Plan your route accordingly.

For me, I did one cross country trip, and I knew in advance that I like being in the mountains, and not so much the flats. It turned out that my time in the plains was not very enjoyable. I won't go across again, because a month is just too long to be riding somewhere I don't really like.

Have a great adventure!!!
Anna

markjenn

Why not take a three month trip and end it in Oct? Sorry, but I just don't think it is going to be feasible, at least not with resonable risk, to be crossing the rockies in Nov/Dec and riding across the plains, even the southern plains in, in Dec and Jan. The mountain passes you'll have to get over, even the southern ones, often have significant snow/ice issues in Sept and Oct, let alone Nov-Dec. And you'll be at elevation for almost all the time you're west of the continental divide, which means very cold temperatures, even sub-zero at night.

The rest of your trip sounds like a huge challenge and one with lots of pitfalls, but nothing really stupid. Bicycling from the west coast back to the midwest in the winter is just stupid. Sorry to be so blunt.

- Mark

Juha

Combined camping and biking in winter is doable to an extent, but it's going to be tough going. IMO you face some practical challenges:

- Winter equipment will be completely different from your equipment for other seasons. Specifically tyres, some of your clothing, sleeping bag and sleeping pad(s) will have to be winter specific gear. It is possible to get by with one tent, but such a tent will be an overkill (heavy) for summer. If you plan carrying everything with you throughout the whole trip, you will need panniers AND a large trailer.
- You cannot expect to dry anything overnight in a tent in winter conditions. Riding in the snow with all your gear is hard work, you will end up sweaty at the end of the day. I'd imagine you can camp out every other night at most, and stay somewhere inside every other night to take care of your gear.
- In summer, warm food is nice when you're camping. In winter, it's a necessity. You'll need a stove + fuel + pot(s) + water = more weight. You can melt water from snow (if it's clean enough), but it'll take lots of fuel. With an alcohol burner you won't save any weight to speak of, with gas burner it just might be worth the hassle. Then again, alcohol burners are more reliable and easier to use in extreme cold.

All things considered, I would plan on "credit card touring" for the wintery part of the tour, staying in motels and such, eating my warm meals in cafeterias / restaurants. Just riding long distances on studded tyres with all the gear would be challenge enough for me.

--J

Tuffwolf

apprentice yourself to a bike shop for a few weeks so you can learn everything about the bike... if you explain to them what you want to do they should let you... and you can always get a trailer to pull as far as how cold it will be i imagine thatyou will be going south in the winter so that should help but remember it can snow in the rockies as early as hmm year around...

videticj

Hey, thank you for the advice. I changed the route (I forgot about crossing the Rockies... obviously impossible in December!) and now am planning on biking north along the Pacific as far as weather comfortably permits before turning around and heading down south again along the coast.


So far I got an Axiom Journey Disc rear pannier and Planet Hardcore fenders; the fenders may need some modifications for the discs but should be doable. Any suggestions for a front rack? I can't tell for sure - do most front racks mount on the brazeons mid-fork? None seem to be made specifically to fit around disc brakes so I was wondering if that might be the case.