First time tourer!
 

Hey all! Me & a good friend are planning on cycling from our homestead in Cincinnati to Athens, OH (178 miles, one way) to visit some friends (and imbibe free alcoholic tasties!) within the next few months. Of course, we are doing what is immediately necessary such as mapping out a route and looking at gear we will need along the way. I'm wondering if anyone with more experience could give some less-known advice for touring -- what are some things that a pair of newbies might encounter on a long ride like this one, but not think of prior?

Any and all advice is most certainly appreciated!
Adam

Looks like a three day trip one way.
Credit card motels or camping?

Well...if your first goal is imbibing, you might end up with a stomache-ache!

Awesome trip to take on. First question - are you in condition to take on a long ride or three? My first tour - 145 over 2 days - I overestimated my condition. By the end of the first day - 75 miles - I was toast. The second day was not fun (massive understatement). If I could do it again, I would break it up into 3 days, slow down and enjoy being out and about.

Take more pictures.

Find a way to have a cold beer at the end of the day.

Cheers and good luck!! I envy your ride!

You need a shake down ride.
Read this one.

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?...c_id=8334&v=1Y

Three/four day trip for two-should't be able to get in too much trouble. Might even still be friends when it's over:)

If credit card tour, not much advice to offer. Ride, eat, talk, sleep. If camping/cooking, do an overnighter to sort out what's really needed. Most take too much stuff.

+1 on the shake down ride!

my first trip included 7 miles of loose dirt road, and then 15 miles of extremely hilly roads, closed park where I was going to stay, twisted ankle, no cell phone service, and I over packed. It taught me that everything can go wrong 10 miles into the trip, but you just need to keep going.

one thing I have started doing is using the google maps satelite images and looking at the roads for shoulders, or when they end. Another good thing is to check topo maps so your not in for suprises on elevaton changes. Also call ahead and make reservations where you plan at staying at, camping or hotel.

the best piece of advice you can get is, have fun.