FlashBazbo

I've been a cyclist for decades. I ride 7,500+ miles per year. I have ridden the Dirty Kanza 200 and I occasionally road race, time trial, and do relay triathlons. But I have never done a multi-day tour . . . not even just an overnight. It occurs to me that I don't even know what I don't know about touring.


I'm going to ask my experienced touring friends for lots of advice and guidance on the subject, but I would also like to do some independent homework. Do you know of any resources . . . books, guides, websites, videos . . . that would help a newbie get up to speed on multi-day touring? To some extent, I'm trying to figure out whether this is something I really want to do. (I'm in great shape for the cycling part, but I haven't slept outside in decades.) Is there such thing as "Multi-Day Bicycle Touring for Dummies?"

boomhauer

If there is I should have probably read it before I started.

I think if you are smart enough to fix a bike then you are smart enough to figure out how to read a map and camp.

The only real mistake beginners make is taking too much stuff.

Take a credit card. You can get out of most situations with a credit card.

tyrion

Search youtube for "bicycle touring" - there are thousands of videos, equiptment reviews, "what I take" lists, as well as travelogues.

This guy has put out a pretty comprehensive set of videos:

https://www.youtube.com/user/bicycletouringpro/videos

raybo

You might start here: https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/foru...read_id=484142 (mistakes beginning bike tourists make) at crazyguyonabike.com

I'd also suggest my website: biketouringtips.com

boomhauer

THAT ...was an entertaining read! Thanks!

fietsbob

Already an experienced leave no trace, no open fires , Camper? (I grew up in the Boy Scouts in the late 50's)

You are just riding your bike from one campsite to another and enjoying seeing the countryside in between..

djb

I suggest taking a peek at this Canadian couples website. They rode around the world about 10 years ago and set up this website, Traveling Two

Start Here: Our Top Bike Touring Resources | TravellingTwo: Bicycle Touring Around The World

this page is with their publications, one free one, "bike touring basics", and a reasonably priced larger one, "bike touring survival guide". Both have good tips and overview of what sort of stuff to expect, equipment wise etc, and they have links to other inspiring publications that will at the least, might ignite the adventure seeking person in you.

as already noted, you can easily do credit card trips to see if yoiu like it, you only need a couple of panniers with basic clothes and spare tubes, pump etc etc and staying in cheap motels is easy, no tent to set up, personal shower, etc and you can see if you actually enjoy traveling by bike.

as you ride a ton of miles per year, the physical aspect will be a no brainer. Just be aware that even with two panniers, and maybe a handlebar bag, you wont go as fast as unloaded, and lower gearing will be appreciated, and daily distances will be less--try it, you will see if you like it.

jefnvk

All of this. I read a lot before my first credit card trip. I read a lot before my first camping trip. Outside the utter basics, it was mostly all a waste, common sense and a couple 1-2 day shakedown trips taught me far more.

Reading only teaches you someone elses trip. That may or may not work for you, don't get too hung up in how others experience life.

52telecaster

my 2 cents would be to make sure you have a mattress you can deal with and a warm enough sleeping bag. the rest you'll figure out as you go.

jonc123

If you haven't slept outside in decades, I would start there. Do you know anyone that goes camping? Bum some equipment, load up the car and go camping. Don't go buy a bunch of stuff for the bike (or a touring bike) and find out sleeping outside is not for you.

I was backpacking thousands of miles before I bought a bike after almost a couple decades of no riding. I had the camping part figured out.

"I'm going to ask my experienced touring friends for lots of advice and guidance on the subject"....Good start and that's free. No need to buy a book unless you have $$ to burn.

djb

very good point. Heck, you could even borrow some camping stuff and see how you like it.

or not, and just do motel to motel trips biking, if you really think you like the idea of exploring an area and traveling by bike.

reppans

I vote this as well. You probably have tons of experience with all the riding aspects (mapping, traffic, weather, exploration, sightseeing, etc). I think REI rents backpacking gear, perhaps applying some of that cost toward purchases. In addition to campground car camping, I would highly advise some secluded solo backpacking/wild camping which is the real test... and for me one of the beauties of cycle camping. You can access campsites that can't be reached by motor vehicle, yet also cover ground that is too far to walk. (Heck, get into folding-bike/ultra-compact/multi-modal touring and then you'll really be able to hop around).

3speed

You're being Way too serious/thinking Way too hard about this. You're an experienced cyclist. You're an adult. Grab a backpack(you might need to find a cheap overnight sleeping bag this time of year to fit in a backpack). Grab your bike. Put a tent and some food in the backpack and ride to a nearby state park. Preferably find a friend who'd be up for camping for a night/weekend. Do that a few times. You'll quickly start to figure out what you need to tour. I swear I'm not over simplifying this. An experienced cyclist spending just a few nights in the woods will Quickly figure things out.

indyfabz

https://www.adventurecycling.org

alan s 

Do some short weekend trips. One or two nights. You’ll learn a lot by doing. But don’t decide right away if camping is for you or not. Over the years I’ve gotten more and more comfortable in a tent, so much so that I now actually sleep better than in a bed. On my last trip, I slept so late that I was the only one left in the campsite when I woke up at 10. There had been a dozen or so tents that night.

Flat ground, decent 2 person tent, ear plugs, nice air pad, inflatable pillow, pee bottle and appropriate sleeping bag is all I need for a good night’s sleep. Also, a lock on the bike so I don’t have to worry about it. Nice weather helps, too.

pdlamb

https://www.adventurecycling.org/res...to-department/