Lamabb

I have been stalking these forums for far to long, and I finally have a question I couldn't look up.
Now, I have been cycling very avidly these last past 6 months or so and now I am planning on my first real tour.

I live in lower New York State and am cycling a 500 mile tour to Quebec City, Quebec Canada. Now, tell me if anything sounds off. I am planning this trip for early spring and I am planning on covering 100 miles a day, so it should take 5 or 6 days. I will be taking a train back down after spending a day with a friend who lives up there.

Now my problem is that I am the only one of my friends and family that avidly cycles and I can't seem to find a riding partner. What's the best way to find a partner? would posting on this forum be acceptable for this purpose?

I appreciate any information

Machka 

1) Do a search for cycletouring clubs in your area. In Canada and Australia there are a lot of cycling clubs almost entirely devoted to touring. In the US, I think there tends to be general clubs with branches for racing, touring, etc. But either way, find the club or area of the club that does cycletouring.

2) Join the club.

3) Start riding with the club. There you will have the opportunity to meet and get to know like-minded cyclists in your area, and perhaps one or more of them would like to join you on your tour. Or maybe they already have a tour in the area where you want to cycle and you can ride with them for at least some of the days of their tour.

thecrunge

4) put an ad in the 'Companions Wanted' section on Adventure Cycling's website and/or Crazy guy on a Bike in the classifieds, under 'companions'.

SweetLou

Yeah, if you have a touring club around you that would be a good start in finding someone. Another place is Crazy Guy on a Bike. They have a section for Companions Wanted. You might want to give that a try.

nun

Touring with someone you don't know can be a bit of a crap shoot. I have two suggestions:

1) consider doing the tour solo. It's a great way to discover stuff about yourself and you have complete freedom.

2) you say you will be doing 100 miles a day for 5 days. That is a tough pace, and probably unsustainable if you aren't a regular century rider. You'll also have some fairly serious climbing if you go through Vermont. If you can knock out hilly centuries easily day after day then go for it....if not I'd suggest trying to average 50 or 60 miles a day as you can do that at a relatively easy pace and still have time to relax each day.

markf

I agree with both of nun's points. Touring solo is a great way to go, especially given the stiff pace you plan on setting. The odds of finding someone close to your level of fitness, with time for a tour in the same time frame as yourself, who you want to spend 5 or 6 days with, just aren't that great.

100 miles a day is a stiff pace. Are you camping or credit card touring? If you can manage 5 days of 100 mile days that's great, it will be an excellent workout. If not, slow down, take time to enjoy the scenery, and you'll still get a decent workout.

Machka 

If you really want to do 100 miles a day ... which is quite doable, especially if the ride is only 5-6 days long ... you might want to check out Randonneuring clubs in your area. Randonneurs would be more likely to want to ride those kinds of distances than most cycletourists. Here is the Randonneur USA website: https://www.rusa.org/

BigAura

If you only have 5 or 6 days allotted early spring weather (snow/rain/sleet) might be an issue. If you're going to be camping be sure you are properly equipped.

BigBlueToe

Machka can do multiple, back-to-back 100 mile days. I can't. Even if I could, I wouldn't enjoy myself. If you can do it and enjoy it, hats off to you. If you've never done it, don't be surprised or disappointed if you find it doesn't happen. I think touring isn't about how many miles you can cover, it's about the enjoyment you feel during the trip. If I only go 10 miles in a day but have a great day, good for me! If I cover 80 miles in a day and don't suffer too much, I feel good. If I travel X miles in a day and don't enjoy it, what's the point?

Finding companions is always difficult, especially if you're not married to someone with the same affliction....I mean hobby. I've found companions by choosing a well-traveled route. I started my tour alone, but before I was too far along I had a group of fellow travelers. Some became casual acquaintances, and some became companions that shared campsites, ate meals together, planned legs of the trip with, etc. I kept in contact with a couple and we hope to tour again sometime.

Popular routes can be found on CrazyGuy. Any of the major routes on the ACA website will have enough tourers that you'll bump into a few. On the Oregon Coast route I ran into dozens. On the Northern Tier I met several - not the large numbers in each hiker/biker campsite, like in Oregon, but I either passed or was passed by a tourer almost every day, at least between Anacortes and Glacier, where I stopped.

acantor

A lot depends on what you mean by "early spring." If you are talking about April, forgot about it, unless you are prepared to ride through snow and ice. And it could be quite cold.

If you are planning on camping, it is unlikely that campgrounds will be open until the third week in May.

I would say that the third week of May is the earliest that you should embark on a trip like this. If it were me, I would wait until at least the end of the first week in June.

staehpj1

100 mile days back to back for longer trips are doable as others have said, but not that many find it is what they really want to do that after they have been on the road a few days.

It is more possible if traveling very light. Are you camping of credit carding it? In any case I personally would not consider that kind of mileage unless I was carrying less than 30 pounds and or it was pretty flat. Really though, I would advise taking your time a bit more especially on your first tour. Given the terrain there most people would find 60 miles more pleasant.

Most of the folks I met who had planned to do 100 miles per day average had backed off to 80 miles per day or so.

Lamabb

Wow, thanks alot for all the replies guys. I still do belive that I can handle 100 miles per day since I often go on 60 mile long rides and finish them in about 4 hours in very hilly terrain. I know I will be moving much slower due to my load, but still if I can do 60 in 4 hours I figure 100 per day is reasonable.

Thanks for info about when to start, I had something like april in mind but I would be self-sustained and stealth camping, so I wouldn't want to travel through snow and ice and cold. I may just postpone until june or so. I may just go solo now because thinking about it, I wouldn't want to be slowed down when I have a "end date" that I want to meet.

Machka 

Have you ridden 100 miles in a day yet? If not, I'd recommend getting out there and doing that before deciding to ride 100 miles a day for 5 or 6 days in a row. There is a difference between 60 miles and 100 miles. Most people really struggle between the 60 and 80 mile points on their first few 100 mile rides.

If you can do 60 miles in 4 hours without a load, 100 on a loaded touring bicycle could very likely take you 10 hours.

TomM

I guess it depends on where you live. When I went looking for a touring partner I looked in some of the above mentioned places and found nobody. There is no "Touring Club" around where I live. None of the Randonneuring people I rode with was interested in touring and the majority of the local bike club riders were Lance Armstrong want a be's so I started solo touring.

Lamabb

Well I guess if the snow melts into the pavement and the roads aren't wet for one day this winter, I'll give a century a try and see how I feel afterward. I may just extend my tour a few days to give me some time to rest if need be.

While I am here, I have another quick question...

I am currently shopping around for racks and panniers for my road bike and wanted to get an estimate as to how much outfitting my bike for touring would cost. Since I have never done any prior touring, the only bag I have for my bike is a small under-saddle container in which I would put my lock. I am willing to spend up to $450 for the whole rack / bags, but maybe there are "combos" or packages.

So any estimates? or possible deals or suggestions?

cyclezealot

Sounds like you are in the greater NYC area.. There must be numerous bike clubs, some favoring cycle tourism... San Diego is about 1/4 the size of NYC and it has like 6-7 clubs , two dedicated to cycle tourism.. Check your bike shops for magazines dedicated to cycling news. NYC likely has one.. San Diego does.. . Quebec sounds great. Upstate New York is beautiful...

Machka 

This might give you an idea how much panniers might cost:
https://www.mec.ca/Products/product_l...=1262073687108
https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/SubCate..._200277_200282

And this might give you an idea about racks:
https://www.mec.ca/Products/product_l...=1262073657939
https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/TopCate...19_-1_200280_N


I paid $15 for an MEC rear rack, about $90 (on special) for a set of Axiom panniers from my LBS, and about $40 (I believe it was at that time, I see it's $50 now) for an MEC handlebar bag. And I got a Carradice Nelson Longflap as a Christmas present.

I also got this trunk bag from Nashbar for about the price it is listed there. Sometimes I use the Carradice, and sometimes I use that trunk bag.
https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...7_10000_201501


Is your $450 also for the tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and any cookware you might want to bring?

VT_Speed_TR

If you are looking for routing infomation, try

www.lakechamplainbikeways.org

They have many good routes thru NY and Vermont around Lake Champlain. Also, though the Vermont State parks are closed until mid to late May, I often camp in them before they "officially " open. I think you would be find traveling in early May. The weather will be cool, but the bugs haven't hatched yet.

nun

I think your tour sounds great and I really encourage you to do it, but I want to inject a note of caution. If you are to come close to 5 back to back Centuries early in the spring and your max daily mileage to date is 60 then you need to be out now putting in the miles, or you need to cut your miles to 50 per day. Wet and cold should not be stopping you form getting on the bike! I can knock off 60 or 70 mile days easily, but getting up to 100 is a challenge. Your physiology will start to rebel somewhere around 80 miles and you have to have done it before to know how to eat, hydrate and generally baby your body along to be successful. Also you are going through Vermont and having ridden across a couple of the Gaps I can tell you that they are a challenge. While I'm sure you'll get lots of help on here about riding and gear I strongly encourage you to load up your bike and go on some long day rides before setting out for Canada.

Lamabb

Man, you guys are great. I actually found a wide grin on my face as I read all this. It's all very useful and detailed information.

I actual don't live close to the city, I'm around 70 miles north of it in the suburbs and surprisingly enough I can't find many bike clubs around here other than 1 good one in which I will be joining soon. I have never found a touring club around my area, but I'll look a bit harder.

I got to admit that when it's freezing outside and sometimes wet, I am reluctant to get on my bike, and the problem I often encounter is the air... O god, the air. Whenever I breathe hard ( which is often since I live in a very very hilly area of new york) I require double the amount of air as I would in summer, and I't can hurt my lungs after breathing very hard going up hill. I have actualy tasted blood in the back of my throat a few times. so... it's not enjoyable to say the least. well... I'm going out to get a mask that will cover just my jaw and mouth so that should stop being a problem, it still will be cold though XD.

But seriously, you guys and this forum are awesome and I'm just happy to have such experienced experts around to answer my questions. I already have plans to go to Bolivia in 2 years or so. This is the first, but not the only tour I will be doing before going to bolivia. I want to train myself by doing many one week or two week tours so when I head over to Bolivia, I will already be experienced enough to bike through it without as many problems.

I'll be sure to check around here for all my touring and cycling questions .

Lamabb

Well I have a good durable sleeping bag I can bring. The prices you listed for the panniers and racks are much better than the prices I found at my local bike store. To me it seems I could probably fit a decent tent in my budget of $450, but If the total of everything exceeds 450 somewhat, I could stretch my budget if it is worth it. What I'm really worried about is the racks would be compatible with my bike. I do not own a touring bike, but rather a heavier more durable road bike. I'll post a picture of me and the bike.

Tell me how you guys think a bike like this would handle for tours.



That's me ( yes, I'm young. In college) with said bike. I'm not wearing what I would be when biking, this is just a quick shot. Behind me is the car I use to commute to college. I wish I could bike to class but my classes are early in the morning and the campus is about 40 miles away.

Actually.. for my upcoming semester I have classes in a closer campus that is 30 miles away, that would be 60 miles a day. you guys think that is a plausible commute? I know I can bike 30 miles quickly, but 60 miles every day... hmm...

BigBlueToe

Check into a Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight 2 tent. It's really light, waterproof, and I got mine used on Ebay for about $60. I see them there all the time. Your bike looks fine, but I'd always recommend having the wheels trued and tensioned - at least the rear - before a tour.

I know a lot of people have given strong opinions about your 100-mile-per-day ideas. I've given mine. I met a young guy in Glacier who had started in Buffalo, New York. He had been on the road for a couple of months, and said he had done lots of 100-mile days, including back-to-back. He was carrying a lighter load than I, but still had quite a bit of stuff. It can be done. If you can do it, good for you. However, I still recommend having a fall-back plan, in case you find it's not such a great idea.

philso

cycling alone has plenty of merits, like setting your own pace, schedule, and making sudden changes to plans.

mec gear is tops. you won`t go wrong with any of their in-house gear.

milage. only you know yourself.

my first day touring (16 & hauling a trailer, march in new england), i managed 45 miles the first day and woke up aching the next morning. managed about 65 the next day. after that tour, i dropped the trailer have since had no problems averaging 100 per day. but you can never tell. some days are all uphill in the rain against the wind and other days can be all downhill with the wind at your back. it`s not impossible to get snow at that time of year around there.

i`d recommend getting all your planned gear together first, doing at least 3 days for a shakedown tour, and then getting rid of about 1/3 of your gear.

i`m sure you`ll be fine after that. have a great ride.

Big Lew

The response from "nun" is accurate and addresses your situation wonderfully. I have done a great deal of 500-2000 mile self-contained touring, carrying 40-50 extra lbs. I have enjoyed cycling long distances (1500 miles) with a COMPATIBLE friend, but I personally have done better when riding by myself. The odds of finding someone that has the same mentality toward pushing for 100 miles a day as you, are slim. My first 1500 mile ride was on an old 18-speed mountian bike that had up-graded high speed gearing. I travelled over a vast variety of terrian, including very rough asphalt and steep mountians and was able to average 85 miles per day while carrying 50 lbs. Some days were only 45-60 because of wind, and I usually rode from 7 am until late afternoon, stopping every 1 1/2 hours for a short break. Many riders lament about riding up and over steep hills and high mountians, but for every steep grade there is a great coast down the other side. High head winds on the other hand, can be psycholgically heartbreaking, as they are like riding uphill all day long. As "nun" implies, the second half of each day is the challenge. This is when your butt gets really sore, your stamina drains, your knees and achillies tendons rebel, and you'll find it mentally challenging to keep pushing on. Trying for 100/day average is quite doable, especially for only five days, providing weather, traffic, and your butt, knees and achillies tendons co-operate, good luck.

Cyclist0094

I did a very similar tour from Montreal through Quebec City and back to Albany in 2006. Let me point a few things about your itinerary first. Unless something has changed recently there is no direct way to get your bicycle to Quebec via Amtrak . Amtrak's "Adirondack" train to Montreal has no baggage car. Your best bet is to take a bus(Greyhound,Yes they take a boxed bicycle) . It is also several hours quicker

Instead of riding to Quebec and hassling with packing the bike for the return trip, take the bus to Quebec and ride back. Have someone drive you to Albany so you can get a direct bus to Montreal . From Montreal you can get a direct bus to QC. Alternately you can add two days of riding and follow the "Route Verde" to QC.

If you plan on camping keep in mind that most campgrounds in NY, VT and NH don't open until May 15. I'm not sure when they open in Quebec.

100 miles days on a tour are more about being comfortable on your bike than being a strong rider. I rode 4 back to back 100+ mile days on my Quebec tour the longest being 118 miles between Lennoxville Quebec and St Albans VT. I rode between 8-10 hours a day
I would suggest instead of dedicating to solely 100 mile days that you adjust your itinerary to give you options of stopping between 75 and 100 miles.

This can be a fairly flat tour, you can ride a good portion of the route on rail trails and MUP's between QC and Lennoxville. There is a really nice rail trail between Richford Vt and St Albans VT .If you come down along Lake Champlain on the VT side and then cross over at Ticonderoga to follow NY RT 22 you will miss most of the bad roads.

Do the trip solo. You will have more fun.