mev

I've cycled both sides of the Columbia and wouldn't agree with that characterization. Where 97 crosses, I found things on both sides. After that on north side was small store in Roosevelt and then not too much in Plymouth. On the South side Umatilla is a small town with reasonable amount of places. Remember at least a small store on turn off at 730/12 to Walla Walla as well. There are some remote stretches but I wouldn't describe Dalles to Walla Walla as one of them...

juggleaddict

There's always exceptions O:-) I'm not carrying 100 oz of water up a pass if I know a town is shortly after and it's only 10 or 15 miles. Though I admit, looking at how much 100 oz weighs (about 6.5 lbs ish) and realizing I already WOULD take at least half that... it really isn't saving any weight.... you know what... I take back what I said... bring a lot of water.

andrewclaus

I'm the guy who, in that situation, would drink what I could and dump the rest for the climb. On my touring load, a liter bottle of water is the heaviest single thing on my bike and I notice it when it's gone. I guess I'm a risk-taker, and apparently the exception.

Burton

The schedule was probably more of an issue for you than the milage. Here in Canada there's still light from 4:30AM till 9:30PM. On tour I tend to take advantage of that and stretch the day: start early, stop often, carry very little food and don't bother with a sleeping bag. Set your own pace - one that you're comfortable with and you'll find that you can ride longer and fit more into a day (milage, activities, whatever) and feel it less.

digibud

Touring is easy if you start the day when you want and finish when you want . For me that about 60mi a day loaded. My loaded is a weeks worth of food because ill normally not see a grocery store in that time that has what I Ned or want. Everyone is different so it's hard to learn much from others...

lenA

I have never gone on an extended tour. My most recent adventure was just under 500 miles in 7 days self contained (65 pounds of bike and stuff) I joined up with an organized ride about half way though that sorta required me to ride every day. I had one nasty hair dryer in face headwind day...did 40, and one real nice cool tailwind day..came in at 97. I think the energy output was about equal for both.

I'm a geezer (67), and the toughest part for me was riding 7 consecutive days. I don't think I ever want to do that again.

Food is not a problem. I'm a low carber and I started off carrying 2 pounds of nuts which would cover me for 2 days if I could not find any other food. I don't cook. I carry 80 oz of water and refill at every opportunity.

I do take short naps periodically which really helps.

I've gained some experience with multi-day tours and my conclusion is that I would go on an extended camping tour, like a month, but only if I broke it up with hotel stays every 3-4 days and days of no riding as needed. Solo only.

Carbonfiberboy 

We like to go 40-60 miles, just taking it easy. We only carry snacks, including something intended for a dry breakfast. We stop at the last store if we're camping. We decide where we're going and go there. We look at a map or online and see what's between us and there and decide where to resupply. We only carry our bottles. We don't choose to ride in arid, deserted areas. We prefer reasonably populated rural countryside. We've sometimes had to ride quite a ways before finding a place for food and water, but it's never been a problem. 60 miles is only 4-5 hours if you're motivated, not carrying a whole lot of stuff you don't need, and it's not terribly hilly. Just make sure you keep the snacks supply up. We have done 80 miles and still finished early in the day, but that's a long ways. We're touring. We've long ago given up the mileage/ego thing. We allow time for low mileage days, bad weather, messing about, etc. Three days on, one off, is a good plan for us. We get a room when we feel like it and/or start to smell. We go on 10-day backpacks with no problem, but bike touring isn't the same IMO. YMMV.