I am a Runner who is in very good shape. A friend and I have been thinking of doing a trip that would be an experience and something we would always remember. We decided that we were going to Bike to Boston MA from Dayton OH. First is this realistic to do in 2.5 Weeks. We would go about 100 miles a day. Second I am looking at getting the trek 2.1 is this a good bike to do it with? I am getting properly fitted and everything from my LBS. They are pretty kickass knowledgable there. I need advice and guideance. Any suggestions would be helpful because i am a noob.

This bike won't carry any substantial luggage. The 2.1 has no mounts. If you're credit carding it, it's possible on that bike.

100 mile a day average is a little ambitious, though, if you're not carrying luggage. . . : P

I would do a little research, even if it's clicking around on the forums, about touring in general. That's what I'm doing now. : P I've only been on short trips, but I'm planning.

You may find that bike and that schedule doesn't fit you, but again, I'm bias toward my opinions, so don't take just my word on anything. : P

Oh, food for thought, the Trek 520 is an all time favorite for touring bikes, and it's the same price as the one you're looking at.

Running and cycling are a bit different.
While you may have leg/lung power for running, you will be using different muscles pedaling. Your butt will likely take a beating unless get in some good and fairly long practice rides.
If you are planning 100 miles a day you best start off by trying to ride a few 50 milers first.
Could you run a full marathon every day for 2 1/2 weeks? That's what cycling for 100 miles a day will be like.
Is it doable? Certainly.

If you don't think you'll be touring much after this trip, you might want to consider a BOB trailer with your Trek. That way you can easily sell the BOB at not much loss when you're done with it and be left with a bike that you'll be happy with for other purposes. If you are planning to go loaded, you'll need your Trek with a triple and if you're in shape a standard road triple is doable. Your lowest gear combo with a triple would be 30/26 (30 gear inches) again doable if you don't take the kitchen sink.

+What Zona Tandem said. You'll need to practice centuries before you take your tour. But I'm not sure if the marathon analogy is accurate, because 10 hours on the bike at 10 mph puts alot less stress on the body than 4 hours (or whatever) running 6.5 mph.

Yep, 100 miles a day with gear, for someone who hasn't spent a lot of time on the bike is asking for an overuse injury. It's almost like doing a half marathon every day for 2.5 weeks in a row without any training. 50-70 miles is more typical.

The 2.1 is not an ideal bike. It could work, if you use a trailer and/or have someone in a car who transports your luggage, but it's more of a racing bike than a touring bike. As a set of general principles, for touring you want:
• a compliant and rugged frame
• low gearing
• wide tires (700 x 28c or wider)
• a relaxed, semi-upright riding position
• rack mounts, at least on the rear

The 520 is Trek's touring bike. If you plan to do fast rides after the tour, something like the Jamis Aurora Elite, Jamis Quest or Specialized TriCross might be a little more suitable. They may also have some 2 week tours that appeal to you.

If you only have 2 to 2.5 weeks, I'd do a loop of the Adirondacks. If you look on the Adventure Cycling website, they sell a downloadable map of that route, should be a snap to do that in 10 days or so.

you must be credit card touring or have a support vehicle if that's your choice of bike. You might take this to the long distance cycling forum.

If you're a runner in good shape your issues are going to be conditioning and finding comfort as six to eight hours of riding every day will be very wearing. The basic trick is to never go into debt or recovery since you're doing the same thing the next day. I can't speak to the trip.

I don't see why it wouldn't be possible.

When are you embarking on this trip?

Re: running vs biking -- In college I was mainly a runner (2.5 hr marathon class), but I also rode my bike a couple of miles each way to class. For spring break one year I tied a pack on my bike and in one day rode 135 miles over the coast range and down the Oregon Coast to visit a friend. That was a long time ago and I can still remember how tired I was by the end of the day. I was really sore the next day. Not as sore as after running a marathon, but pretty sore. The saddle was not my friend. The following day I rode the 135 miles back home. I made it, but I can't imagine doing that daily without a lot of seat time before the trip.

Good luck,

I see a nice big fat train some place along my way.

Erie canal would be a blast.
10 hours on a bike everyday ?
10 hrs * 10mph = 100 mi

No way, at least not for me. As a runner and a cyclist, I would agree with Bacciagalupe that riding 100 mile days is more like running a half marathon every day and would add that it is like running a slow easy pace for that half marathon, not racing it.

Running isn't that great of a preparation for doing 100 mile days in the saddle unless you top it off with some saddle time. As a runner you can get in riding shape quickly, but if you plan to be averaging 100 mile days you definitely need to put in some road miles first.

Adventure Cycling's Atlantic Coast route fits the bill for you. After sections 1 and 2 (up through Norristown, PA), you'll have to peel off the route to head west.

The Novara Randonee is another good touring bike - often mentioned in the same breath as the Surly Long Haul Trucker and the Trek 520.

100 miles a day is pretty ambitious. There are prople who've done it, but you don't get to see much along the way. This isn't a race!

Personally I feel 100 mi a day is too much. Simply because the only thing you really see is your front tire. Recently, I bought a 2009 Trek 520, the original seat lasted about two days, that seat went places only a licensed proctologist should be allowed to go...hehe

I think there are 2 different types of people who bike tour:

Type 1's primary love is the physical process of riding their bike. Going on a tour is a way for them to ride their bike a lot. As an aside, they also get to see some nice scenery, etc.

Type 2's like to mosey along, enjoying being outside and taking in the sights, meeting new people, etc. Traveling by bicycle gives them a good way to engage in that activity, plus they get some exercise. They like riding their bike, but that is not the primary motivation for why they are out there.

I'm not saying one approach is better than the other, just that the two types approach touring much differently. If you're a Type 1, riding 100 miles per day isn't that big of a deal. In fact, it can be a challenge. For a Type 2, riding 100 miles every day would be mental torture, even if they were up to it physically. Not fun. Similarly, limiting your riding to 50 miles per day for the Type 1 would drive them crazy. Type 1's and 2's can both enjoy the same tour, but they don't do well riding together (been there).

The point is, if the OP is a Type 1 and if he spends some time on his bike getting ready for the trip, 100 miles per day shouldn't be that tough. If he's a Type 2, it won't be any fun even if he is in shape.

I think having these 2 different types makes it more difficult to give and receive advice on this forum, since it's hard to know where the other person is coming from.

Well put Ranger Dan! Oil and water. I'll do 100 if conditions are favorable and being held to 50 by a group drives me nuts. I see plenty riding my bike and meet plenty of people at 2nd breakfast and lunch.

Ranger Dan, I'd like to see a poll to see proportionately how many of us are type 1 and type 2. Could you do this? I would, but it would be presumptuous of me.

I prefer to average something much less than 100 miles days, but... I think the comments that all you will have time to do is ride are not true. At a very modest pace of 12.5 mph, 100 miles is only 8 hours of riding. So figure 8 hours of sleep, 8 hours of riding, 1 hour of making and breaking camp, and 2 hours of cooking and/or eating. That still leaves 5 hours (more for faster riders) for stops, checking out the town you stay in, or hanging out in camp.

I know that on our longest day on the TA we did 115 miles and still had time to take a few long breaks to hang out and chat with the locals, take a very long lunch at an all you can eat Italian restaurant, do our laundry, and spend a very pleasant evening with our gracious hosts.

100 miles on an everyday basis might be a bit of a drain on your energy levels, but you won't need to ride all day to do 100 miles. Still it is more pleasant for most of us to do more like 60-80 mile days including rest days.

It would be an interesting poll, but I don't think it is quite that clear cut. I can see myself doing either type trip depending on who I am riding with and where I am riding. It seems reasonable that some might be either a type 1 or 2 depending on the trip.

Riding with a group you get delayed somewhat, it is inevitable. It can be worth it though depending on the group. It was great riding the TA with three of us. Were there times where it was frustrating waiting on others? Of course. Was it worth it? In this case definitely.

On another trip traveling alone or with others with the same goal, I might be inclined to try to average 90-100 miles or whatever was a challenging pace for me for the particular route.

I will say that on the TA we met quite a few riders and I don't think we met any who actually managed to average 100 miles per day despite a few who had intended to. The ones we met who started out with that goal had scaled their goal back to 80-90 per day average (I always include rest days in the average).

+1 .... I could be either depending on my goals, the person or people I'm riding with, etc. etc. etc.



I'd still like to know when the OP is going on this trip. If the OP isn't leaving till next summer, there's heaps of time to train for a trip like this.

Have at it, Cyclesafe! I think it would be interesting. I'm new on here and don't know how to run a poll.

Thanks for all the input from everything. To answer the question i am going to put in some serious time on my bike before the trip. I am going to pretty much replace my car with my bike. Also i think we would be more type 1 ing it because thats just the way we are. We will definately co mingle with the locals. As for luggage we are going to haul trailers for sure. Neither of us have racks but we don't want them anyways. I am leaving for the trip on August 15 and it would go into the beginning of september because we both have to go back to school. The trip would include 2 of us until we get to canton OH will we are being met. This forum is awesome thanks for everyones input.

Now a question about roads...We know it is inevitable to avoid all the dangerous roads. But what roads is it the best to go on. Like would two lane state highways be the best or are drivers nice and courteous enough that country roads are free game?

I'll leave input about what roads are safe for the others here. : P I will say that it may be good to get maps that match what you're trying to do; they sell maps without major highways, etc. I would look into those. Other people have useful links I'm sure. : )

Sounds like an awesome trip! I'd agree with everyone else in saying that as long as you are getting a good amount of time in the saddle before the tour, you'll be fine.

Also, if your schedule is based on making 100 miles a day your priority, then that should be enough time. But if your schedule is including sight-seeing as a priority, then you may find yourself making adjustments. I'd also recommend getting yourself introduced to some basic bike repair before you go on tour.

Enjoy the ride!

Here's a decent site which has a lot of stuff you need to know if you're just getting into touring:

https://www.biketoledo.net/pages/touring.html

Also some good tour ideas in the midwest and east.

It depends. I'm fairly bomb proof as a rider (despite being slow), and while I don't *like* riding with 50 and 60mph traffic on a 2 lane road with no shoulder, I can do it. Other riders are more nervous, and will react badly if they're passed at high speeds. Badly in this case means doing things like steering off the road or making a panic stop... it's *really* dangerous. In some cases, the road surface might be 6-12" above the grass shoulder, so going offroad even at 15mph is a great way to get hurt. (or there might be a several foot drop into a drainage ditch)

Some cyclists are even more bombproof than me, and rather enjoy the narrow two lane roads, even when speeds are high.

Knowing where you stand on this means you'll do a better job picking routes. The way to figure it out is do a fair bit of riding. If you're a more nervous sort, you'll probably do best on low traffic routes. No matter what sort you are, state tourism departments offer some help on route choice and it's well worth consulting them (your tax dollars at work... might as well take advantage of it!). There are also bike touring organizations that sell route maps, which you might find quite helpful.

A trailer sounds sensible if you want your bikes to sportier.
Im not sure a road racer would be the most appropriate tow vehicle, you will need lower gears, a rear traingle strong enough to tow the trailer, enough tyre clearance to fit light touring rubber (25-28mm) and depending on the weather, some fenders. You can fit Race-Guards with zipties and velcro which are OK but the full-length bolt-on style are more effective.

Note that the professional racers who have just ridden the notorious cobbled roads of N France select bikes that are stronger, have more tyre clearance and lower gearing than usual. They still havent fitted fenders but we live in hope....