My 1st Tour - What's 1 tip you wish you'd been given before your 1st tour?
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,370
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18467 Post(s)
Liked 15,733 Times
in
7,395 Posts
Our daughter once got onset hypothermia (uncontrolled shivering) during what was supposed to be a benign ride back to base camp, in the middle of July somewhere in Western Europe -- heavy downpour when a cold front crossed our route. We always carry a reasonable rain shell in our handlebar bags, but forgot to check hers when leaving in the morning.
#27
Full Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Eastern Washington
Posts: 440
Bikes: 1978 Raleigh Competition-1974 Raleigh Folder-1983 Austro Daimler-198? Fuji Monterey-Surly LHT-Surly Karate Monkey-Surly Cross Check
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 43 Post(s)
Liked 97 Times
in
54 Posts
Don't trust anyone but yourself with the operating condition of your bike. Even though you are having your bike checked out by your LBS, they will not necessarily check every single bolt or mounting screw. I'm not suggesting that you have to go get a torque wrench and over torque every single fastener but get out your 4mm/5mm/6mm hex wrenches and your pedal wrench and just give everything a once over and make sure everything is snug and nothing is loose. If one of the screws that holds on your rack or bottle cage gets loose and falls off, you'll never find it. I certainly don't want to advocate for over packing because, like others have mentioned, you're probably going to make the same mistake we've all made and take too much. However, I always keep 2-3 of the little mounting screws and 4-5 zip ties of various sizes in my tool/repair kit. I can't even count how many times the zip ties have come in handy either for myself or for someone else I'm with or meet along the way.
One other thing, don't pass up an opportunity to fill your water bottle!
One other thing, don't pass up an opportunity to fill your water bottle!
Last edited by fettsvenska; 05-12-21 at 10:44 AM.
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,878
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 603 Post(s)
Liked 285 Times
in
196 Posts
I agree, a small ziplock baggie containing various size zip ties, gorilla tape, screws and nuts, and a few feet of strong para cord can solve a whole lot of problems.
Likes For robow:
#29
Junior Member
I have all of one tour under my belt. C&o canal last year. Will be doing it again starting next Monday. I also brought too much stuff. In my case tools and liquor. Crank puller ? Really ? Daughter coming this year so no liquor.
But #1 mistake was not making the bike comfortable. Especially the seat. My butt really hurt
This place is a great resource so your on the right track
good luck
But #1 mistake was not making the bike comfortable. Especially the seat. My butt really hurt
This place is a great resource so your on the right track
good luck
Likes For mark d:
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 209
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 86 Post(s)
Liked 51 Times
in
35 Posts
Wow, not many responders fully read the post. 2 nights, and they're leaving this weekend. SMH
Anyway, mine is: if you need it and don't have it, you didn't really need it. Don't overpack. Test pack everything before the night of - make a pile of the "not quite sure if I'll take this" and make sure you leave at least half of it behind
Anyway, mine is: if you need it and don't have it, you didn't really need it. Don't overpack. Test pack everything before the night of - make a pile of the "not quite sure if I'll take this" and make sure you leave at least half of it behind
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 4,083
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2333 Post(s)
Liked 2,097 Times
in
1,314 Posts
You made the comment. How can I define what you meant?
Someone green might not consider rain gear, which one might not use every day, as something safety-related. Having become hypothermic myself when I had to descend a long way from 7,300' in a very cold rain with a crappy shell because I got the weight weenie flu just before I left for the trip, I would consider good rain gear safety-related on a trip in similar environs and will take it even if I end up never using it.
Someone green might not consider rain gear, which one might not use every day, as something safety-related. Having become hypothermic myself when I had to descend a long way from 7,300' in a very cold rain with a crappy shell because I got the weight weenie flu just before I left for the trip, I would consider good rain gear safety-related on a trip in similar environs and will take it even if I end up never using it.
It is incumbent on the individual to decide. Environment of the tour, skill of the tourist, and other factors come into play. Each and every trip is unique.
By your response, it is clear to me that you were trolling me.
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
Posts: 990
Bikes: 2014 Cannondale Supersix EVO 3, 2015 Trek 520, 2017 Bike Friday Pocket Rocket, 2022 Moots Vamoots Disc RSL
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 286 Post(s)
Liked 269 Times
in
142 Posts
I've done two very short test tours. One was two days/one night and the other was three days/two nights. They both were in Florida's hot weather. I can't emphasize enough to properly hydrate during your ride AND THE REST OF THE DAY AFTER YOUR RIDE. I usually ride (in my local neighborhood) and then come into my air conditioned home. But out there, camping, there is no luxury of air conditioning the rest of the day. I'm good at hydrating during the ride, but I don't think about hydrating off the bike.
So don't forget to hydrate the rest of the day.
So don't forget to hydrate the rest of the day.
Likes For Bassmanbob:
#33
Junior Member
Learn to read a map really well, and get a map that shows elevation changes/grades.
On an early tour, I had a simple map and I did not read it well. The first 50 miles of the first day were flat and downwind and felt like 25. Why not do another 50 miles, I figured? I looked at the map and saw that Paso Robles was only about four inches away. Hell, why not? I had ridden five inches already, I was sure I could ride another four inches.
The next, uh, four inches = 50 miles of hard climbs, no wind of any kind, temps in the 90s, 90 minutes without a drink of water (ran dry, and no water sources).
At last, I found water and a place to crash and even a small store. That was the good part. The bad part was that I spent a clandestine night napping on the tile floor of a men's room, with two black plastic garbage bags as my blankets and my rack trunk as my pillow, interrupted by the occasional bewildered trucker or insomniac.
I now devour maps.
On an early tour, I had a simple map and I did not read it well. The first 50 miles of the first day were flat and downwind and felt like 25. Why not do another 50 miles, I figured? I looked at the map and saw that Paso Robles was only about four inches away. Hell, why not? I had ridden five inches already, I was sure I could ride another four inches.
The next, uh, four inches = 50 miles of hard climbs, no wind of any kind, temps in the 90s, 90 minutes without a drink of water (ran dry, and no water sources).
At last, I found water and a place to crash and even a small store. That was the good part. The bad part was that I spent a clandestine night napping on the tile floor of a men's room, with two black plastic garbage bags as my blankets and my rack trunk as my pillow, interrupted by the occasional bewildered trucker or insomniac.
I now devour maps.
Likes For RandomlyWest:
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,370
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18467 Post(s)
Liked 15,733 Times
in
7,395 Posts
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Minas Ithil
Posts: 9,173
Mentioned: 66 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2432 Post(s)
Liked 641 Times
in
398 Posts
A travel pack of baby wipes and a small cloth to dry your hands. Just to clean your face off when you're taking a break/go in a store or clean your hands if you work on the bike. Can also be used to wipe your butt.
Likes For Lazyass:
#36
Senior Member
Ride your bike fully loaded and find every expected kind of grade for trial rides. On my first tour... a seven day ride... I was on a familiar bike but with panniers and bar bag (Ortlieb like yours) pretty well packed. What I was not prepared for was the amount of flex when climbing a steeper grade (10-14%) and standing on the pedals. It's a wholly different feeling and needs a little time to adjust to.
I carried three spare tubes and one spare tire. Never used any. Zip ties can be your best friend and they don't weigh much. When a pannier rack screw disappeared midway through the ride it was a simple fix for three zip ties to temporarily secure the rack. I was warned so I had great rain gear (Showers Pass). Ended up wearing it six of our seven days.
Have fun.
I carried three spare tubes and one spare tire. Never used any. Zip ties can be your best friend and they don't weigh much. When a pannier rack screw disappeared midway through the ride it was a simple fix for three zip ties to temporarily secure the rack. I was warned so I had great rain gear (Showers Pass). Ended up wearing it six of our seven days.
Have fun.
#37
Senior Member
I recently acquired a 1988 Terry-style Miyata 615 light touring bike and (assuming all goes well with a safety check at my LBS today) plan to take it on my first ever bike tour this weekend!
It'll be a self-supported 2-night camping trip sharing gear with my partner, in a Pacific Northwest park that has a permanent fire ban so stove cooking only. I've done a couple of multi-day backpacking and canoe trips so have most of the gear. I'm currently planning to pack a pair of Ortlieb back-roller classics and strap a dry bag to my rear rack.
I'm curious - what's one tip that you wish you had been given before your own first tour?
Thanks in advance
It'll be a self-supported 2-night camping trip sharing gear with my partner, in a Pacific Northwest park that has a permanent fire ban so stove cooking only. I've done a couple of multi-day backpacking and canoe trips so have most of the gear. I'm currently planning to pack a pair of Ortlieb back-roller classics and strap a dry bag to my rear rack.
I'm curious - what's one tip that you wish you had been given before your own first tour?
Thanks in advance
Likes For djb:
#38
Newbie
What tip do you wish you had been given
What others have said, don't take too much stuff BUT have enough warm clothing to avoid hypothermia.
In a hypothermic emergency just pitch your tent and get into your sleeping bag asap
Mike
In a hypothermic emergency just pitch your tent and get into your sleeping bag asap
Mike
Likes For RohloffRoller:
#39
Overdoing projects
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Rotterdam, former republic of the Netherlands
Posts: 2,402
Bikes: Batavus Randonneur GL, Gazelle Orange Excellent, Gazelle Super Licht, Gazelle Grand Tourist, Gazelle Lausanne, Gazelle Tandem, Koga-Miyata SilverAce, Koga-Miyata WorldTraveller
Mentioned: 58 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 784 Post(s)
Liked 1,260 Times
in
689 Posts
The hypothermia story brought me back to this Radavist post about two guys who cycled up a mountain in winter but got hypothermia on the way down because they didn't pack any extra clothing. And that was only a short trip down.
Reminds me of trying to pitch a tent in very windy weather around freezing temperatures while hiking in summer in Norway. I was fairly well dressed but had to stop pitching the tent twice to warm up inside because I couldn't feel or move my hands anymore and started to shiver. Usually it takes me less than 5 minutes to pitch the tent but this time it took me well over 30 mins. But the upside of a tipi is that you can have it up and usable as a shelter with just 6 stakes and a pole on the inside. Still needed to go outside to set the extra lines to make sure it would survive the night. We woke up with one side covered in snow.
Moral of the story:
some thermal leggings and a small packable down jacket are essential for those unexpected cold nights.
Reminds me of trying to pitch a tent in very windy weather around freezing temperatures while hiking in summer in Norway. I was fairly well dressed but had to stop pitching the tent twice to warm up inside because I couldn't feel or move my hands anymore and started to shiver. Usually it takes me less than 5 minutes to pitch the tent but this time it took me well over 30 mins. But the upside of a tipi is that you can have it up and usable as a shelter with just 6 stakes and a pole on the inside. Still needed to go outside to set the extra lines to make sure it would survive the night. We woke up with one side covered in snow.
Moral of the story:
some thermal leggings and a small packable down jacket are essential for those unexpected cold nights.
Likes For JaccoW:
#40
Senior Member
For me: Don't try to look like a pro cyclist. Forget the lycra outfits and sponsored jerseys. Wear comfortable, baggy clothes and any comfortable shoes you want.
#41
Member
Do you carry CO2 or a pump? I carry both. CO2 is easy, quick and not strenuous. The pump is because you can never run out of air
Likes For MAK:
#42
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 209
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 86 Post(s)
Liked 51 Times
in
35 Posts
Huh, fitted cycling clothing is far more comfortable than baggy street clothes for long days in the saddle. Almost makes you wonder if, you know, it’s designed for that purpose
But whatever, if you want chafed thighs and sore butt, suit yourself
But whatever, if you want chafed thighs and sore butt, suit yourself
#43
Word.
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Rural New England
Posts: 232
Bikes: Surly Disc Trucker, Orbea Oiz XCountry Bike, Specialized Roubaix, Borealis Echo Fat Bike for Winter, many others out in the barn.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 64 Post(s)
Liked 99 Times
in
51 Posts
Being from New England and doing my fist tour out west, goat head thorns are the only thing that took me by surprise. (There is no vegetation in the northeast that can damage a bicycle)
However, much of the advice I took beforehand that was most valuable came from Darren Alff's videos at Bicycle Touring Pro. Notably, make the first day in the saddle about half the distance you think you'll cover on a normal day. My first days are always under 30 miles. Also, it's best to view everything you encounter as the reason you're out there. The human mind loves to problem solve, and touring can be seen as one sustained problem solving festival.
However, much of the advice I took beforehand that was most valuable came from Darren Alff's videos at Bicycle Touring Pro. Notably, make the first day in the saddle about half the distance you think you'll cover on a normal day. My first days are always under 30 miles. Also, it's best to view everything you encounter as the reason you're out there. The human mind loves to problem solve, and touring can be seen as one sustained problem solving festival.
Likes For Brett A:
#44
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: The banks of the River Charles
Posts: 2,029
Bikes: 2022 Salsa Beargrease, 2020 Seven Evergreen, 2019 Honey Allroads Ti, 2018 Seven Redsky XX, 2017 Trek Boon 7, 2014 Trek 520
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 696 Post(s)
Liked 910 Times
in
487 Posts
If you ride by a park and see a porta-potty stop and use it, even if you don’t need to! The next one may be another 6 hours away.
Likes For Ghazmh:
#45
buy my bikes
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,805
Bikes: my very own customized GUNNAR CrossHairs
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 520 Post(s)
Liked 433 Times
in
250 Posts
lighten up
don't take more than you'll use.
- except for a few tools you'll hope you don't need (chain tool, tube, tire levers, etc)
- except for a small first aid kit (Benedril, immodium AD -- really hopin' not to use those!)
- except for a few tools you'll hope you don't need (chain tool, tube, tire levers, etc)
- except for a small first aid kit (Benedril, immodium AD -- really hopin' not to use those!)
Likes For mrv:
#46
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,370
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18467 Post(s)
Liked 15,733 Times
in
7,395 Posts
If it could be wet/snowy and/or cold, I’m taking rain/cold weather gear even if I may not end up needing it.
Likes For indyfabz:
#47
Senior Member
Huh? Someone on the internet who disagrees with me? Whatever shall I do?
#48
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,370
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18467 Post(s)
Liked 15,733 Times
in
7,395 Posts
#49
Senior Member
Likes For saddlesores:
#50
Senior Member
I recently acquired a 1988 Terry-style Miyata 615 light touring bike and (assuming all goes well with a safety check at my LBS today) plan to take it on my first ever bike tour this weekend!
It'll be a self-supported 2-night camping trip sharing gear with my partner, in a Pacific Northwest park that has a permanent fire ban so stove cooking only. I've done a couple of multi-day backpacking and canoe trips so have most of the gear. I'm currently planning to pack a pair of Ortlieb back-roller classics and strap a dry bag to my rear rack.
I'm curious - what's one tip that you wish you had been given before your own first tour?
Thanks in advance
It'll be a self-supported 2-night camping trip sharing gear with my partner, in a Pacific Northwest park that has a permanent fire ban so stove cooking only. I've done a couple of multi-day backpacking and canoe trips so have most of the gear. I'm currently planning to pack a pair of Ortlieb back-roller classics and strap a dry bag to my rear rack.
I'm curious - what's one tip that you wish you had been given before your own first tour?
Thanks in advance
so, in the end, did you do the two day trip?
Enquiring minds want to know.
how did it go?
any of these interwebness blah blah blah any help?
Likes For djb: