Intro to Touring?
11-30-23, 05:07 PM
#26
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djb and Tourist in MSN I am prepped for the cold, and have ridden my bike at temps as low as 20*F (rare where I live now). I have 2 pieces for my head which allow for normal helmet fitting - a thin yet warm/windproof balaclava, and a water- and wind-proof skull cap. Have some glasses/goggles that work well. Hands and the rest of my body have not been an issue, the only thing I'm still working on is my feet. Between the various wool socks and hiking boots, I just haven't found the perfect combo yet. And I do have rain gear as well, so that's covered.
I am not looking to tour in 20*F temps. Around here, our winter temps are usually in the 40's, low 50's; with overnights in the 30's. Great biking and sleeping weather!
djb not -20*F, just 20*F. That's kind of my limit since I've 1) aged and 2) been in the US South for almost 25 yrs.
indyfabz and Tourist in MSN I appreciate you both mentioning guided tours. I've looked into various trips with ACA, REI, others, and found the cost... costly? But it seems it may well be worthwhile to learn, observe what others are doing, etc. A cross-country trip ain't happening (major respect to you for doing that!), but perhaps a 5-7 day tour would be a good experience. I'll consult the CFO and see what she says.
Silly anecdote: We did an exercise on our main battle tanks where the high temperature got up to -10*F, but was usually around -20*F. You can't really get 50 tons of steel warm in that environment, so we let the engine run continuously and napped on the back deck!
I am not looking to tour in 20*F temps. Around here, our winter temps are usually in the 40's, low 50's; with overnights in the 30's. Great biking and sleeping weather!
djb not -20*F, just 20*F. That's kind of my limit since I've 1) aged and 2) been in the US South for almost 25 yrs.
indyfabz and Tourist in MSN I appreciate you both mentioning guided tours. I've looked into various trips with ACA, REI, others, and found the cost... costly? But it seems it may well be worthwhile to learn, observe what others are doing, etc. A cross-country trip ain't happening (major respect to you for doing that!), but perhaps a 5-7 day tour would be a good experience. I'll consult the CFO and see what she says.
Silly anecdote: We did an exercise on our main battle tanks where the high temperature got up to -10*F, but was usually around -20*F. You can't really get 50 tons of steel warm in that environment, so we let the engine run continuously and napped on the back deck!
40s and 50s (F) with nights in the 30s should not be too arduous given your military experience. The Whisperlight stove would work well in the 30s.
You probably already know this, but just in case you don't, phones with a cold Li Ion battery can run down the battery really fast. Leave your phone off unless the phone is warm. When I tour, if the weather is in the 30s or 40s, I warm up my phone inside my clothing for a while before I turn it on, that extends the battery life. I make my call or check the weather forecast or whatever, then shut if off.
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12-01-23, 01:47 PM
#28
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Seems the discussion about my initial trip thoughts derailed things. Really, I am just curious how others got started. Some have provided great stories/experiences, others lack reading comprehension. Hint, re-read the 1st post.
12-02-23, 11:17 AM
#29
Too much self doubt. Too much tippy toe. Too much story seeking from others. Over planning, over thinking.
I play a bit of music on the side so here's a music analogy: you hear a cool song, you want to play it just the way you heard it. You practice for ages and finally master it. Unfortunately you practiced for so long that you're now bored of the song before you even got a chance to perform it.
Music and touring are about spontaneous discovery, not about getting everything right and ensuring nothing goes wrong.
Last edited by Yan; 12-02-23 at 11:32 AM.
12-03-23, 06:03 AM
#30
aka Timi
Some of us were fortunate enough to be taught how to ride a bicycle, camp, and be independant when we were kids.
Times have changed. Not everyone grew up this way. We should be honoured if someone asks us old codgers about our experiences of bicycle touring and for any advice that will help them get out on the road.
There’s a magical wonderful world out there.
Times have changed. Not everyone grew up this way. We should be honoured if someone asks us old codgers about our experiences of bicycle touring and for any advice that will help them get out on the road.
There’s a magical wonderful world out there.
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12-03-23, 06:29 AM
#31
Senior Member
Some of us were fortunate enough to be taught how to ride a bicycle, camp, and be independant when we were kids.
Times have changed. Not everyone grew up this way. We should be honoured if someone asks us old codgers about our experiences of bicycle touring and for any advice that will help them get out on the road.
There’s a magical wonderful world out there.
Times have changed. Not everyone grew up this way. We should be honoured if someone asks us old codgers about our experiences of bicycle touring and for any advice that will help them get out on the road.
There’s a magical wonderful world out there.
12-03-23, 06:57 AM
#32
aka Timi
You have a point. I would question one thing though. Plenty of folks weren't taught that stuff in the past either. I am 72 and plenty of folks my age never were same with many from generations between mine and now. Also some kids are lucky enough to be taught that stuff now.
edit: This is a just a response to people saying "just strap your bag onto a bike and go". Yes, that can still be done of course, but I don't think it's as easy now as then for many reasons. If "overthinking it" is necessary for someone to get out there, then overthink it! Then strap your bags to your bike and go
Last edited by imi; 12-03-23 at 07:28 AM.
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12-03-23, 10:57 AM
#33
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You have a point. I would question one thing though. Plenty of folks weren't taught that stuff in the past either. I am 72 and plenty of folks my age never were same with many from generations between mine and now. Also some kids are lucky enough to be taught that stuff now.
It is a lot easier to start bike touring if you already have the camping knowledge and skills. It is possible if you don't have that background but then there is a greater chance of having a bad day and calling it quits forever.
12-03-23, 11:22 AM
#34
Senior Member
Yup. I learned a lot of that stuff in Boy Scouts. I do not have kids, but my nephew's son is also learning that stuff in Boy Scouts now. But I suspect that the majority of kids are not learning how to camp as pre-teenagers now.
It is a lot easier to start bike touring if you already have the camping knowledge and skills. It is possible if you don't have that background but then there is a greater chance of having a bad day and calling it quits forever.
It is a lot easier to start bike touring if you already have the camping knowledge and skills. It is possible if you don't have that background but then there is a greater chance of having a bad day and calling it quits forever.
Biking... Well I was born into a bicycling family. Everyone rode for utilitarian and recreational purposes. There wasn't any avoiding that.
I raised my own kid to know how to do outdoor stuff and have basic skills in other things that folks often don't these days. She started her kids the same way as toddlers hiking, biking and so on. Kids raised to love the outdoors are likely to raise their kids to do the same. The link can be broken though if it isn't passed on or the kid just doesn't take to it.
12-03-23, 11:58 AM
#35
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You clearly missed my point.
Too much self doubt. Too much tippy toe. Too much story seeking from others. Over planning, over thinking.
I play a bit of music on the side so here's a music analogy: you hear a cool song, you want to play it just the way you heard it. You practice for ages and finally master it. Unfortunately you practiced for so long that you're now bored of the song before you even got a chance to perform it.
Music and touring are about spontaneous discovery, not about getting everything right and ensuring nothing goes wrong.
Too much self doubt. Too much tippy toe. Too much story seeking from others. Over planning, over thinking.
I play a bit of music on the side so here's a music analogy: you hear a cool song, you want to play it just the way you heard it. You practice for ages and finally master it. Unfortunately you practiced for so long that you're now bored of the song before you even got a chance to perform it.
Music and touring are about spontaneous discovery, not about getting everything right and ensuring nothing goes wrong.
12-03-23, 12:41 PM
#36
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I grew up in Minneapolis in the middle of an urban area. There was a swimming beach nearby, learned to swim there but my mother was instrumental in that. I have to credit Boy Scouts for learning how to tie knots other than my shoe laces, build a fire, put up a tent, map and compass, etc. My family did some camping, but that was pretty minimal and included minimal instruction.
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12-03-23, 01:02 PM
#37
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Except Yan is correct to a certain degree that at some point you need to stop worrying and researching and just go do it. That’s ultimately the only way to learn how to tour. Do it and find out what works for you.
12-03-23, 01:52 PM
#38
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To throw a bomb ("you're overthinking things") into page 2 of what could grow into a helpful and entertaining thread is not just self-centered, it's exceedingly unfriendly and antisocial. It's done nothing but derail an otherwise good thread.
12-03-23, 02:39 PM
#39
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OP asks a simple question that's resulted in people sharing some cool stories about the start of their touring journey.
To throw a bomb ("you're overthinking things") into page 2 of what could grow into a helpful and entertaining thread is not just self-centered, it's exceedingly unfriendly and antisocial. It's done nothing but derail an otherwise good thread.
To throw a bomb ("you're overthinking things") into page 2 of what could grow into a helpful and entertaining thread is not just self-centered, it's exceedingly unfriendly and antisocial. It's done nothing but derail an otherwise good thread.
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12-03-23, 10:19 PM
#41
12-04-23, 01:02 AM
#42
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This video was quite literally the only thing that inspired me to start riding my bike more than around the block. I thought it looked neat, and it was in my backyard, so I went for it.
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12-13-23, 10:01 PM
#43
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Not sure it's a helpful guide, but my story:
I don't bike tour. It hasn't cracked the priorities with spouse, 3 kids, job, and limited vacation time. I live vicariously by dropping in on the forum.
I did one tour when I was 16, a three week 1000mile tour around Lake Michigan organized by a YMCA. It was guided but unsupported. We carried all our camping gear, stoves and fuel, and basically bought food once per day.
They sent out a 5-week training plan, going from 5-miles on alternate days to 25 miles every day, then welcome to the trip with loaded days of 45, 55, etc. Biggest scheduled day was 93ish miles.
I had camped, packed for backpacking, and camp cooked (&cleaned, the harder part) as a Boy Scout, so that aspect was smooth and fun. And the training was enough, there were harder days but I was never suffering.
Unfortunately, of the original 2 guides, five boys, and five girls, two of the girls hadn't trained enough (and perhaps had a very wrong idea what the trip entailed, language barrier?) and decide to quit and bus back to the YMCA site.
I dreamed of being a CIT or something on future trips, but the next summer I worked all summer. Then we moved, there was nothing (organized) that seemed similar.
And time got devoted to other interests.
Maybe when I retire!
I don't bike tour. It hasn't cracked the priorities with spouse, 3 kids, job, and limited vacation time. I live vicariously by dropping in on the forum.
I did one tour when I was 16, a three week 1000mile tour around Lake Michigan organized by a YMCA. It was guided but unsupported. We carried all our camping gear, stoves and fuel, and basically bought food once per day.
They sent out a 5-week training plan, going from 5-miles on alternate days to 25 miles every day, then welcome to the trip with loaded days of 45, 55, etc. Biggest scheduled day was 93ish miles.
I had camped, packed for backpacking, and camp cooked (&cleaned, the harder part) as a Boy Scout, so that aspect was smooth and fun. And the training was enough, there were harder days but I was never suffering.
Unfortunately, of the original 2 guides, five boys, and five girls, two of the girls hadn't trained enough (and perhaps had a very wrong idea what the trip entailed, language barrier?) and decide to quit and bus back to the YMCA site.
I dreamed of being a CIT or something on future trips, but the next summer I worked all summer. Then we moved, there was nothing (organized) that seemed similar.
And time got devoted to other interests.
Maybe when I retire!
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12-14-23, 03:50 AM
#45
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Second and all subsequent tours, done after I retired. So, keep dropping in on the forum so you are ready for retirement.
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12-17-23, 10:54 PM
#46
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If there was any recent threads on this, I am sorry I missed them.
I am curious how you got started touring. Not in terms of which bike, what equipment, etc. but rather:
My goal is to do some of the common routes in 2024 - GAP/C&O, maybe Ohio to Erie (I have family at both ends, huge help), etc. I'm still working for a paycheck, so time away is limited + my wife and I are planning a big vacation in 2024.
Let's hear your stories...
I am curious how you got started touring. Not in terms of which bike, what equipment, etc. but rather:
- Did you just decide to tour, pack up and leave one day?
- Fully supported first tour?
- Credit card tour?
- Ease into by doing short trips?
- Classes/experiences like ACA's Intro to Touring?
- Jumped right into bikepacking?
- Or a methodical approach of increasing fitness, accumulating gear, extensive planning?
- Other?
My goal is to do some of the common routes in 2024 - GAP/C&O, maybe Ohio to Erie (I have family at both ends, huge help), etc. I'm still working for a paycheck, so time away is limited + my wife and I are planning a big vacation in 2024.
Let's hear your stories...
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12-17-23, 11:06 PM
#47
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12-18-23, 01:20 PM
#48
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I finished a year of graduate work at Oregon State, and decided to ride my bike back home to New England. Threw away a massive amount of stuff, packed the rest in UPS and sent it home. Hopped on my bike June 1st and got to New England at foliage time early October, following the trans-Am trail with "Side trips" to Jasper Alberta, and North Carolina to pick up the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Was hooked, and did about 20 other tours, including a world tour, over the next few decades.
Was hooked, and did about 20 other tours, including a world tour, over the next few decades.
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