Advice/suggestions for first small tour.
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Columbia, SC
Posts: 110
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Advice/suggestions for first small tour.
My friends and I are planning on taking a little tour this summer and I would like to get some advice from some of you. We are in Columbia, SC and are either going to be riding from here to Asheville, NC or Myrtle Beach, SC. We are leaning towards going to Myrtle Beach since this is our first long ride and these roads are way less challenging in terms of hills. We plan to camp along the way and try not to spend that much money. I would just like to hear from some of you what you think we should make sure to pack, be prepared for etc. I do not have gear yet so was also wondering what gear I should look at? I do already have a nice backpacking tent and sleeping bag. Also, if any of you may have ridden to these places a route suggestion would be awesome. Thanks in advance.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Victoria, Canada
Posts: 1,541
Bikes: Cannondale t1, Koga-Miyata World Traveller
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Look up this page. Read the journals and articles. It will answer all your questions, and then some.
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/?o=RrzKj
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/?o=RrzKj
#3
Senior Member
Depending on your age I would suggest Myrtle Beach. If you are young enough to fit in, Myrtle Beach will be a blast (especially with braggin' rights of a bike tour behind you). I lived in Greenville for years and the route to Ashville can be challenging on an empty crotch rocket. You should definitely have some experience with loaded touring before tackling it. My advice is to start with a couple overnight trips of 30 miles or so.
https://simplecycle-marc.blogspot.com...s-natural.html
https://simplecycle-marc.blogspot.com...cking-101.html
As you will see,I am doing the same this spring. Do a few weekend trips and extend them a little each time. You'll be surprised ast how quickly your legs develop.
Marc
https://simplecycle-marc.blogspot.com...s-natural.html
https://simplecycle-marc.blogspot.com...cking-101.html
As you will see,I am doing the same this spring. Do a few weekend trips and extend them a little each time. You'll be surprised ast how quickly your legs develop.
Marc
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: NE Tx
Posts: 2,766
Bikes: Tour Easy, Linear USS, Lightening Thunderbolt, custom DF, Raleigh hybrid, Felt time trial
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Once you do some research at the above link, and get your gear together, consider doing an overnighter or two to sort out what you don't need, or want to change. Most first time tourers overpack. Also, most prefer to balance the load, often 40% up front, 60% on rear. Makes for a more stable ride.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Posts: 2,206
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Here are a few of my thoughts:
1. Try to keep your distances down to 50 or 60 miles a day. That puts either location at around three days from where you live. Not bad for a short tour. Not bad at all. You may be able to do a lot more distance, but if you keep it modest, you'll have more energy all the way along your tour.
2. Try a couple of overnight tours first, just to get used to carrying the gear on the bike. Riding a loaded bike is not the same as riding an empty bike. The handling will change and the weight load will make the bike feel a bit sluggish. Get used to it now.
3. When you're doing the overnight treks, take a notebook and write down everything so you know what went right and what went wrong. That way, you can make the corrections before your bigger trip. Sometimes the little things will make a big difference. The little things might be how you've balanced the load or whether you have the tools or camping gear you needed or whether you brought too many or too few clothes.
4. Plan your route so you're off the primary highways. Back roads are more fun and less stressful. (When you're doing the bigger tour, it's also a good idea to know where you can find country stores along the way.)
5. Since you want to do your trek with your friends, it would be wise to determine who's carrying the gear you'll share. Otherwise, it's possible you'll be stuck with a flat tire because everyone thought someone else had the pump or the tire patches.
Good luck. Keep us posted.
1. Try to keep your distances down to 50 or 60 miles a day. That puts either location at around three days from where you live. Not bad for a short tour. Not bad at all. You may be able to do a lot more distance, but if you keep it modest, you'll have more energy all the way along your tour.
2. Try a couple of overnight tours first, just to get used to carrying the gear on the bike. Riding a loaded bike is not the same as riding an empty bike. The handling will change and the weight load will make the bike feel a bit sluggish. Get used to it now.
3. When you're doing the overnight treks, take a notebook and write down everything so you know what went right and what went wrong. That way, you can make the corrections before your bigger trip. Sometimes the little things will make a big difference. The little things might be how you've balanced the load or whether you have the tools or camping gear you needed or whether you brought too many or too few clothes.
4. Plan your route so you're off the primary highways. Back roads are more fun and less stressful. (When you're doing the bigger tour, it's also a good idea to know where you can find country stores along the way.)
5. Since you want to do your trek with your friends, it would be wise to determine who's carrying the gear you'll share. Otherwise, it's possible you'll be stuck with a flat tire because everyone thought someone else had the pump or the tire patches.
Good luck. Keep us posted.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Maumee, Ohio (near Toledo)
Posts: 122
Bikes: Rans Stratus XP, Trek 740 hybrid
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Another site to visit
Here's another good site to visit - great for newby tourists (touring section, of course**: https://www.biketoledo.net
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Columbia, SC
Posts: 110
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Depending on your age I would suggest Myrtle Beach. If you are young enough to fit in, Myrtle Beach will be a blast (especially with braggin' rights of a bike tour behind you). I lived in Greenville for years and the route to Ashville can be challenging on an empty crotch rocket. You should definitely have some experience with loaded touring before tackling it. My advice is to start with a couple overnight trips of 30 miles or so.
https://simplecycle-marc.blogspot.com...s-natural.html
https://simplecycle-marc.blogspot.com...cking-101.html
As you will see,I am doing the same this spring. Do a few weekend trips and extend them a little each time. You'll be surprised ast how quickly your legs develop.
Marc
https://simplecycle-marc.blogspot.com...s-natural.html
https://simplecycle-marc.blogspot.com...cking-101.html
As you will see,I am doing the same this spring. Do a few weekend trips and extend them a little each time. You'll be surprised ast how quickly your legs develop.
Marc
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Central Coast, CA
Posts: 3,392
Bikes: Surly LHT, Specialized Rockhopper, Nashbar Touring (old), Specialized Stumpjumper (older), Nishiki Tourer (model unknown)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
My personal feeling is that 50-60 miles a day is a lot. I usually average 50-55 miles a day over a long tour, but for the first few days while I'm getting accustomed to the grind, 25-35 is enough. I've been touring for years. I've done plenty of 60 mile days, and quite a few 80-milers, but I'm always really beat after those days. Others like more ambitious averages. If you've never done much touring you might not know what type of tourer you are.
Bike touring is similar to backpacking in that saving weight is crucial, but you still need enough comfort to enjoy the trip. It's a delicate balance. Try and take a minimal load. For instance, I'd rather wear the same bike jersey a few times between washings than bring more jerseys so that I always have a clean one. On a three day tour you don't have to bring much. You'll probably even have a reliable weather report so you'll know whether you need to bring raingear or not.
I suggest taking notes while you're on tour. Write down your thoughts on what you brought and what you wish you'd brought. Your thoughts are usually clearer and easier to come up with while you're on the road than if you wait until you get home.
Bike touring is similar to backpacking in that saving weight is crucial, but you still need enough comfort to enjoy the trip. It's a delicate balance. Try and take a minimal load. For instance, I'd rather wear the same bike jersey a few times between washings than bring more jerseys so that I always have a clean one. On a three day tour you don't have to bring much. You'll probably even have a reliable weather report so you'll know whether you need to bring raingear or not.
I suggest taking notes while you're on tour. Write down your thoughts on what you brought and what you wish you'd brought. Your thoughts are usually clearer and easier to come up with while you're on the road than if you wait until you get home.
#9
Retro-Grouch
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Dartmouth, MA
Posts: 170
Bikes: 83 Fuji Touring IV, 90 Univega Alpina Pro MTB, REI road bike, others in pieces
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It is amazing what you can get away withOUT. For instance, on a long tour, I lost a watch - never need one for the reamining month, no cook kit, no cup, no electrical/duct tape or knife, which is often listed as essential (not that there is anything wrong with carrying those -in fact the tape and knive are good ideas). Hell, I lost a tent fly in Kansas and did not need it all he way to California. OK, the last one required luck!
Still, a recent cold ride has reminded me that on my upcoming tour at the end of this month, I really need more cool weather gear than what I had planned on. So make mental notes even on those day rides!
#10
Slow Rider
If you ride in the low country of SC during summer, be prepared for hot, humid nights. Sleeping bag probably won't be needed, or if used will be a sweat box.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Posts: 2,206
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
My personal feeling is that 50-60 miles a day is a lot. I usually average 50-55 miles a day over a long tour, but for the first few days while I'm getting accustomed to the grind, 25-35 is enough. I've been touring for years. I've done plenty of 60 mile days, and quite a few 80-milers, but I'm always really beat after those days. Others like more ambitious averages. If you've never done much touring you might not know what type of tourer you are.
#12
Banned
Out your door , ride at a comfortable pace till about 16~17:00,
look for a place to camp. or lodging in a B&B , Motel , etc,
Having stopped somewhere along the way for something to eat in camp.
Get up and do it again the next day, return home, or go further ..
look for a place to camp. or lodging in a B&B , Motel , etc,
Having stopped somewhere along the way for something to eat in camp.
Get up and do it again the next day, return home, or go further ..
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Columbia, SC
Posts: 110
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts