2019 - Your Touring Plans = Where Are You Going?
#26
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Nothing exotic on tap but at least five or six 7-10 day tours around the US. Good friends, good weather and good scenery are all I need.
Arkansas/Louisiana in early spring
Northern Wisconsin in early June
Ohio in late June (looking forward to this because Ohio has a lot of diverse topography / scenery which I haven't ridden, a real sleeper)
Michigan in July (Organized ride where they carry our gear, feed me twice a day and powder puff my behind when asked, ha)
Pittsburgh to DC in September
and one other that is still in the works if we can squeeze it in
Arkansas/Louisiana in early spring
Northern Wisconsin in early June
Ohio in late June (looking forward to this because Ohio has a lot of diverse topography / scenery which I haven't ridden, a real sleeper)
Michigan in July (Organized ride where they carry our gear, feed me twice a day and powder puff my behind when asked, ha)
Pittsburgh to DC in September
and one other that is still in the works if we can squeeze it in
#27
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Likely no where this year Wheels have been flattened by wife since I was gone summer of 2015 on tour across Canada, 6 weeks in 2016 walk across Spain on the Camino, and 6 weeks in 2018 cycle tour up the Dempster Highway to the Arctic Sea.. Maybe I can get her to go somewhere local....
#28
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I'm hoping to get two trips in this year...and while together they may not add up to much, I am quite excited.
This spring I'm hoping to have my bike ready, and the necessary gear in hand, to do my first self supported trip...just a quick overnight to a nearby state park.
Then I'm working on plans with some friends to spend a week on the C&O...and if a few things fall in to place I may be able to add the GAP to that trip!
Everyine begins somewhere...and I'm looking forward to finally doing something I've wanted to do since college!
This spring I'm hoping to have my bike ready, and the necessary gear in hand, to do my first self supported trip...just a quick overnight to a nearby state park.
Then I'm working on plans with some friends to spend a week on the C&O...and if a few things fall in to place I may be able to add the GAP to that trip!
Everyine begins somewhere...and I'm looking forward to finally doing something I've wanted to do since college!
#29
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At this state of my life I am more of a dreamer than a tourer. It's hard to make time for dedicated touring. I'll end up doing some kind of short credit card tour somewhere. Not sure yet. I am envious of those of you who can do some real touring.
#30
Senior Member
Not as exotic as people touring entire countries and such, but it's hard to believe some of my first posts here I was commenting that I don't care about the 25 mile, 50 mile, century milestones just riding my 12 miles a day for exercise. My buddy's wife plans my summers and in July we're heading to Buffalo for 11 days camping around Lake Ontario, if I can get a passport in time.
Other than that, it's just a "hey, why don't we take Friday off (my bud is a coworker) and go do Pine Creek for 3 days and such.
Other than that, it's just a "hey, why don't we take Friday off (my bud is a coworker) and go do Pine Creek for 3 days and such.
#31
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#33
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At least a shakedown in Iowa from Minneapolis in the early autumn. If the ice is mostly subsided by May a shakedown in east Wisconsin from Taylors Falls MN. I can only plan for a week at a time unfortunately.
#34
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I did a very nice solo circle tour in mid April 2016, from Mpls to Brule, WI, to Hayward, WI and then back west to home. Some very nice roads, including Hwy 23 in MN and Hwy 27 in WI. The Gandy Dancer Trail from Danbury to St Croix Falls was also nice. It would be a great route in the autumn as well.
__________________
Don't complain about the weather and cower in fear. It's all good weather. Just different.
Don't complain about the weather and cower in fear. It's all good weather. Just different.
#35
Senior Member
Oh yeah man. Been on Gandy Dancer in that part, started my 4-day from Taylors Falls to Superior, Duluth and back last year. Fell in love with cyclotouring.
I did a very nice solo circle tour in mid April 2016, from Mpls to Brule, WI, to Hayward, WI and then back west to home. Some very nice roads, including Hwy 23 in MN and Hwy 27 in WI. The Gandy Dancer Trail from Danbury to St Croix Falls was also nice. It would be a great route in the autumn as well.
#36
Full Member
Good spot to stop for food after you cross the bridge onto PEI
Giving serious thought to Canadian Maritimes. Fly to Halifax, loop through Cape Breton Island, then across Prince Edward Island, and check out Bay of Fundy before return to Halifax for flight home.
If anyone knows if the campgrounds are likely to be full any time between start of June through early July, I would like to hear about it before I experience it. I do not plan to make reservations for campgrounds unless absolutely necessary. I plan to start and end at the HI Hostel in Halifax.
If anyone knows if the campgrounds are likely to be full any time between start of June through early July, I would like to hear about it before I experience it. I do not plan to make reservations for campgrounds unless absolutely necessary. I plan to start and end at the HI Hostel in Halifax.
We went to PEI at the beginning of June. We were the first cyclists of the season to cross the bridge. It was cold (10°c) max and raining. The centennial trail sounds like a good idea but you don’t get to see anything from it so we gave up on it. We rode past the Anne of Green Gables house but weren’t able to see it due to rain and mist. Caught the ferry from Woodend to Pictou and the rode to Truro. NovelTea bookstore there even know how to make a decent coffee.
#37
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Scamander
We’re currently touring the east coast of Tasmania. We had hoped to be touring the west coast but the bushfires are still burning so it’s safe where we are.
Next tour will be Italy for 6weeks starting at the beginning of May. Flying in and out of Milan and we’ll be riding Tuscany and up to the Dolomites for a few passes. Also will try to watch a couple of stages of the Giro but we haven’t worked out a route yet.
#38
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...
Good spot to stop for food after you cross the bridge onto PEI
...
we did part of this a couple of years ago but didn’t make it up to Cape Breton as we ran out of time and didn’t think we were fit enough to fit the distance into our schedule. We’re aiming to do what you have planned in 2020. So looking forward to seeing some post from you on the tour!!
We went to PEI at the beginning of June. We were the first cyclists of the season to cross the bridge. It was cold (10°c) max and raining. The centennial trail sounds like a good idea but you don’t get to see anything from it so we gave up on it. We rode past the Anne of Green Gables house but weren’t able to see it due to rain and mist. Caught the ferry from Woodend to Pictou and the rode to Truro. NovelTea bookstore there even know how to make a decent coffee.
Good spot to stop for food after you cross the bridge onto PEI
...
we did part of this a couple of years ago but didn’t make it up to Cape Breton as we ran out of time and didn’t think we were fit enough to fit the distance into our schedule. We’re aiming to do what you have planned in 2020. So looking forward to seeing some post from you on the tour!!
We went to PEI at the beginning of June. We were the first cyclists of the season to cross the bridge. It was cold (10°c) max and raining. The centennial trail sounds like a good idea but you don’t get to see anything from it so we gave up on it. We rode past the Anne of Green Gables house but weren’t able to see it due to rain and mist. Caught the ferry from Woodend to Pictou and the rode to Truro. NovelTea bookstore there even know how to make a decent coffee.
Every photo of that tandem has a slightly different color. Yellow to orange to red. Are they all the same bike with just different camera settings?
I am planning on five weeks. I have mapped out a general route on my GPS with three bail out detours to shorten my route if my progress is less than planned.
Tentatively early June to early/mid-July. I usually like to start well before the tourist crowds and leave before the roads get really crowded. But my limited research tells me that the campgrounds should be open by then.
Looks like two, possibly three hills on Cabot Trail I will be walking the bike up the hills instead of pedaling. Otherwise, nothing looks too arduous.
A high of 10 degrees (C), I do not see that as a problem, but raining and 10 degrees does not sound very pleasant. It sounds a bit like some of the days I had in Iceland a few years ago.
Right now I would say that there is a 75 percent chance the trip will happen, but I keep running into logistical road blocks. My latest road block is that the hostel refuses to allow me to store my S&S backpack case while I am touring, even if I disassemble it to make it smaller. And am having problems scheduling airlines. I would say right now that there is a 25 percent chance that the trip will not happen.
#39
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Thanks. I will keep that restaurant in mind, but I would be leaving PEI on the bridge, taking the ferry to PEI.
Every photo of that tandem has a slightly different color. Yellow to orange to red. Are they all the same bike with just different camera settings?
I am planning on five weeks. I have mapped out a general route on my GPS with three bail out detours to shorten my route if my progress is less than planned.
Tentatively early June to early/mid-July. I usually like to start well before the tourist crowds and leave before the roads get really crowded. But my limited research tells me that the campgrounds should be open by then.
Looks like two, possibly three hills on Cabot Trail I will be walking the bike up the hills instead of pedaling. Otherwise, nothing looks too arduous.
A high of 10 degrees (C), I do not see that as a problem, but raining and 10 degrees does not sound very pleasant. It sounds a bit like some of the days I had in Iceland a few years ago.
Right now I would say that there is a 75 percent chance the trip will happen, but I keep running into logistical road blocks. My latest road block is that the hostel refuses to allow me to store my S&S backpack case while I am touring, even if I disassemble it to make it smaller. And am having problems scheduling airlines. I would say right now that there is a 25 percent chance that the trip will not happen.
Every photo of that tandem has a slightly different color. Yellow to orange to red. Are they all the same bike with just different camera settings?
I am planning on five weeks. I have mapped out a general route on my GPS with three bail out detours to shorten my route if my progress is less than planned.
Tentatively early June to early/mid-July. I usually like to start well before the tourist crowds and leave before the roads get really crowded. But my limited research tells me that the campgrounds should be open by then.
Looks like two, possibly three hills on Cabot Trail I will be walking the bike up the hills instead of pedaling. Otherwise, nothing looks too arduous.
A high of 10 degrees (C), I do not see that as a problem, but raining and 10 degrees does not sound very pleasant. It sounds a bit like some of the days I had in Iceland a few years ago.
Right now I would say that there is a 75 percent chance the trip will happen, but I keep running into logistical road blocks. My latest road block is that the hostel refuses to allow me to store my S&S backpack case while I am touring, even if I disassemble it to make it smaller. And am having problems scheduling airlines. I would say right now that there is a 25 percent chance that the trip will not happen.
5 weeks sounds about right. We are looking at a similar time period. It’s a long flight for us to get to Halifax. We always spend the first 2 nights in a hotel to recover from jet lag and have never had a problem leaving the bag. We also book in for a couple of nights at the end so we get a chance to look around and I have plenty of time to repackage the tandem. Our bags are currently in storage at the Airbnb place we stayed at and will be back there in a few more days.
We don’t walk up hills. We stop and admire the scenery let our heart rate recover a bit and keep riding. Going to change the current 50/34 front rings to 46/30 for our Italian trip in a few months and train like mad so I can manage the climbs.
Hope everything works out for you with the trip
#40
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The exotic world of the gravel roads around Hondo Texas which begins at my garage. I get to see cattle, rattlesnakes, feral pigs the occasional Fed Ex or UPS delivery truck and if lucky a drunk hillbilly yelling about the upcoming apocalypse. Then back to the garage to get a recovery
#42
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- RAGBRAI for the week, as usual.
- a 3 day ride with my oldest daughter on the KATY.
- a few 2-3 day local trips.
- a 3 day ride with my oldest daughter on the KATY.
- a few 2-3 day local trips.
#43
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Wow, you all have some incredible sounding plans! My goal for this year is pretty humble... I'm just returning to biking after 25 years. I'm pretty darn out of shape (but getting better). My goal: ride 35-40 miles from my house to brattleboro Vt and back. If that goes well early enough in the season, then I may get more ambitious. But I'm obsessed with the idea getting into touring.
#44
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Currently looking at supported/self-guided tandem tours in Central Europe.
We did a Danube cruise/tandem week several years ago and it nearly broke the bank! This will be about 1/4 to 1/3 the price and seems very doable.
We did a Danube cruise/tandem week several years ago and it nearly broke the bank! This will be about 1/4 to 1/3 the price and seems very doable.
#45
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Where is MA do you live? I was a four-year "Deerfield Boy." My 35th high school reunion was last year. Took the train to St. Albans, VT and rode to the reunion. Spent the night before the reunion at Fort Dummer State Park in Guilford, just south of Brattleboro. That would make a nice overnighter for you if you wouldn't mind the stupid steep climb to reach the park and then another steep grade between the park office and the camping area. You could pick up food for dinner at the Price Chopper on Canal St./U.S. 5. To get to school, I took VT/MA 142 to MA 10 then Turners Falls/W. Gill to Main Rd. into Turners Falls then Montague City Rd. to U.S. 5. Not a bad route on a Friday morning. Most of what traffic there was on 142 was heading towards Brattleboro. The town itself is choked with traffic during rush hour. Also, watch your stuff in town. There is a lot of drug abuse there. I needed to pick up some stuff at that big outdoor store in the center of town. No way was I was shopping there unless they let me bring my bike inside, which they did.
After the reunion I headed south to my home in Philadelphia.
After the reunion I headed south to my home in Philadelphia.
#46
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This will be our first bike tour. The hubby was skeptical about any kind of tour that would require him to get on the bike every day whether he felt like it or not because you have to get to the next place. So we agreed on a 2 -day trip with one overnight along the Loire a velo in France. At first we had looked at a package that included the bike rental, hotel, breakfast, maps/GPS and luggage transport. But the price seemed awfully high when we considered what a hotel in the town they were planning to put us actually costs. And if we can't carry enough gear for one overnight with us, then what are we even doing? So we booked our own hotel, and will just rent the bikes and panniers from the shop that was putting the tour together. The route seems to be pretty well established. The package didn't include any wine tastings, meals or admission to the chateaux. So what were we paying them for? The rest of the trip will be driving around in France, so we can leave most of our luggage locked in the car and just take what we need for the overnight with us on the bikes. We're not camping so don't need much gear. And the actual bike part seems pretty tame - 36 km the first day and 38 the second. Mostly flat terrain. As long as it doesn't pour rain, I think we'll be fine.
#47
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Hello Newbie Here,
I plan on cycling solo through Big Sur, CA later this spring/summer. I live fairly close to the area and have been through Big Sur MANY times by car and motorcycle. However, I plan on starting in Carmel, CA and ride to San Luis Obispo over 3 or 4 day. I then will catch Amtrak to Salinas, CA and ride from Salinas back to Monterey , CA (~15-20 miles). I will be camping along the way. This will be a good shakedown trip for me to test out my gear and hopefully learn something. If all goes well, I will plan another trip later in the summer.
I have been working on my bike setup and I think I am there.. I will be riding a Raleigh Sojourn and I have change many things on it for better climbing, a little lighter and more comfy. Gearing = Front 44/32/22 and Rear = 11/40
Thanks
I plan on cycling solo through Big Sur, CA later this spring/summer. I live fairly close to the area and have been through Big Sur MANY times by car and motorcycle. However, I plan on starting in Carmel, CA and ride to San Luis Obispo over 3 or 4 day. I then will catch Amtrak to Salinas, CA and ride from Salinas back to Monterey , CA (~15-20 miles). I will be camping along the way. This will be a good shakedown trip for me to test out my gear and hopefully learn something. If all goes well, I will plan another trip later in the summer.
I have been working on my bike setup and I think I am there.. I will be riding a Raleigh Sojourn and I have change many things on it for better climbing, a little lighter and more comfy. Gearing = Front 44/32/22 and Rear = 11/40
Thanks
#48
Senior Member
Where is MA do you live? I was a four-year "Deerfield Boy." My 35th high school reunion was last year. Took the train to St. Albans, VT and rode to the reunion. Spent the night before the reunion at Fort Dummer State Park in Guilford, just south of Brattleboro. That would make a nice overnighter for you if you wouldn't mind the stupid steep climb to reach the park and then another steep grade between the park office and the camping area. You could pick up food for dinner at the Price Chopper on Canal St./U.S. 5. To get to school, I took VT/MA 142 to MA 10 then Turners Falls/W. Gill to Main Rd. into Turners Falls then Montague City Rd. to U.S. 5. Not a bad route on a Friday morning. Most of what traffic there was on 142 was heading towards Brattleboro. The town itself is choked with traffic during rush hour. Also, watch your stuff in town. There is a lot of drug abuse there. I needed to pick up some stuff at that big outdoor store in the center of town. No way was I was shopping there unless they let me bring my bike inside, which they did.
After the reunion I headed south to my home in Philadelphia.
After the reunion I headed south to my home in Philadelphia.
#49
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Amtrak's Vermonter takes bicycles with a reservation. That's how I got up there. There is a stop in Greenfield.
#50
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Touring Catalonia in May, taking 2 bicycles as I'm taking part in a vintage event as well as touring. On the tour I'll be visiting a number of World Heritage Sites including, a Roman Aqueduct, Roman Ampitheatre and a Templar castle (best preserved in the Western World).
In addition Catalonia has a good range of old railway lines converted into trails.
Starting and finishing at a friend's house in San Sadurni D'Anoia, a few people joining me on the tour (just had a chap confirm from the USA).
John.
In addition Catalonia has a good range of old railway lines converted into trails.
Starting and finishing at a friend's house in San Sadurni D'Anoia, a few people joining me on the tour (just had a chap confirm from the USA).
John.