Touring by bicycle is the best ways to encounter the surrounding’s of the environment you wish to challenge. The most often asked question by the beginner is what kind of bike to ride , what to carry and how.The what ever it is, is yours alone to choose , but be prepared!
This article is for the road tourist and by no means manifesto of touring. Ive done roughly 10 tours with my wife on tandem through out the North East. Main,Vermont,New Hampshire,New York State, a venture through the Rockies in Colorado, and in the beginning our Honey Moon trip from the southern tip of Main to Montreal and back. just a few hours in the saddle. so i do hope a few of these tips can help!
First the bicycle to ride.
A touring bicycle is just that, made for long distance , stability and comfort for those long hours in the saddle. Strong breaks for loaded descents , braze on’s for racks and fenders ( if you go this rout ) Typical touring bicycles have a bit of a longer wheel base,and a less aggressive geometry than a “racing” bicycle making them more stable for heavy loads. The quality of your bicycle is entirely based on your budget! if you buy on the cheap. It is what you get! , all tough mechanicals do happen regardless of cost, the goal is to minimize them ABAP with quality materials and workmanship.This will also apply to the gear you bring with you also, more on that latter.
To go on the cheap #1 your mountain bike
Get rid of the springy suspension and get a rigid fork , DON’T EVEN THINK of a rear suspension bicycle. Slick tires for less rolling resistance with some type of armored/Kevlar reinforced tread area to minimize punctures.Bar ends will help give you alternate hand positions to break up the monotony of a straight bar and ease back/hand fatigue.
To go on the cheap #2 your road bike
Do not try to convert your old Schwinn Varsity, your 15 pound carbon fiber frame, dads old bike from college or that big box store POS!!
Converting an old bike can be daunting at times in either of these cases. Do you have braze ons for the rear rack, room for fenders? If by chance you have braze on’s and the hole in the middle of the fork you probably have an old touringish bike. And when i say old i mean 10 or more years old.
Both of these conversions are not for long distance/heavy touring due to there possible age and true functions. in either case allot of work is needed. A virtual over haul . New tires , cables , grease and who knows what else will rear it’s ugly head in this process! use your better judgment. if it looks like crap, it probably is.
STUFF!
Your house. a good tent with foot print/custom sized ground tarp is key! I’ve know a few to just carry a tarp and sleep under a bridge! screw that!! after a long day in the rain of long miles a nice DRY warm tent . light weight,free standing,watter proof ,possibly a little of room for some gear in the tent with you in case of rain. ( no food!!! put that on a line and hang it high above in a tree. ) my favorite maker ( i have 3. a 2 man, 3 man and the family 8) Eureka. THEY ROCK. another possibility is a bivy. the one man . small , light but no storage
BED. a good light weight but season appropriate sleeping bag. keep in mind, you. do you tend to sleep warm? do you get cold feet…….
the sleeping pad is a hard one.comfort is key but hey this an’t the Hilton! compare air mattresses, not be confused what you put your friends and family on when they visit. They tend to be about and inch thick when inflated and compress fairly small. Foam is what iv’e used for wears but it tends to be more bulky. honestly i don’t know the weight savings, I’d chance to guess there the same….you decide.
KITCHEN
” Eat Papa EAT “ if you choose to take this assignment…uh. your going to chow like you’ve never seen before!
Stove. light weight and small. one that packs into a mess kit . my favorite is the Whisper Lite. it burns white fuel , gas and diesel. And a fuel tank for the stove
MESS KIT
Pot and a cover that will cover said pot and double as a frying pan
Utensils. grabber for pot, fork & spoon ( not spork! ) small sharp knife with sheath . the camp store sells a variety of hard to break , hard to melt plasticish utensils. NOTE this is very minimalist , you can always stop and grab a plastic butter knife from some take out joint….I have carried a spatula/strainer gizmo too for the pasta or potatoes. you’ll see all this fancy crap when your shopping. a small cheap o dollar store bowl. been using the same ones for 14 years.
lighter.
a couple fat slow burning candles with a home made cardboard tinfoil reflector/wind protector (5×10 fold in half….simple , small and very helpful )
basic spices. garlic,salt,pepper,olive oil ( tight container up rite ) what ever you need but not to make vindo doo…salt and pepper is easy to come by at many places in the packets along with a few absconded jams for the start up bread & jam breakfast. don’t steel the shakers, thats just not nice! and anywhoo most cases out in the country at the Country Buffet Anns Breakfast joint there so impressed at your endevor that even if you asked them for a little olive oil bet they’d just give it to you! ( tip well! ) it’s not a bad idea to carry 2 perperson instant dehydrated camping meals. when your stuck you’ll eat anything ( good read, Moby Dick…) always energy bars on hand ,,,good trick if there hard. put one up under your spandex’d leg shorts.that’s handy!
small scrubby sponge and some Doc Brauners soap ( envio good! ) read the uses. craZy
CAMP
A very light weight tarp WITH grommets.
small roll of strong twine
this is for when it’s raining. sucks to eat in the rain. and as a back up for over your tent OR if you want to go ghetto/roughing it style’
ALSO coverage around or over your gear when riding
WHAT NOT TO BRING
a big lock.
bring a small kids cable lock. cause your not! i said NOT! going to leave your bike out of your sight. restaurant. sit in the window. lock it to a pole or tree. talk to tha folk around you, be nice they’ll look out a bit for you …BE NICE, BE GENUINE.
lock when your sleeping. cause your passed out!
your cell phone , unless you need to call mommy every day!
I pod,,,,shove it
lap top…..your doing this to get away from all that.
WHAT OF THE ” EXTRA” TO BRING
small bright bike light. AA batteries. good if you do get stuck in the dark riding but don’t! plan your time
rear light (?) never had…..your choice. defiantly reflectors , i like reflector tape. less plastic less weight ( HHMMM,,,,this endeavor does not call for a weight weenie but it does all add up , ya wouldn’t bring a canvas tent right? right??
WHAT TO BRING
cash
plastic
id card
insurance card
emergency contact #’S / or anybody else’s #
addresses for cards
CLOTHING
helmet….duh. is what they said after the crash
light rain gear. top & bottoms
padded gloves
2 pairs of padded spandex shorts that you’ve ridden in and like ALLOT
a hat
tights
socks, wool! nice thin soft merino wool. dries quick, stays warm and cool. wicks and doesn’t tend to stink!
figure what else is crucial for your comfort
FIRST AID
chamos’ cream/butt butter/salve’ …..you’ll see/feel
Neosporin. a few gause,large band aids . an ace bandage, could also be used to hold a bandage of cosidderable size.
water purifying tablets
small container of bug repelent
TOOLS
pump
tire levers
2 tubes , at all times!
patch kit
tire boots
fiber fix a spoke
possibly a few spokes.tape them to the frame with electrical tape
the tape also might come in handy in some other application,add a little more too.
multi tool . allen tools,chain tool etc. basicly what goes with your bike
more to come.