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For the purposes of a story or perhaps real life, I am wondering how far a rider can push a bike in a day? For my purposes, my bike has been quite nice with the gear ratios being to my liking but perhaps a bit low. My tires are 700 x 32 (what does that even mean?) with a maximum inflation of 75 psi, which I routinely run at 80 psi. It's got a Shimano sprocket set. The frame is one of those crosses between a high bar and a drop frame. I'm very tender, so there will be no high bar frame.
Due to a past broken C-6, I ride upright. 9-11 MPH is fine for me.
I can ride 10 miles without difficulty, and I think that perhaps after a time of riding that could go to as high as 30-40 miles per day. I am no racer and have nothing to prove. At my age the shame of not riding far is not an issue.
Rather than carrying the weight of camping gear on the bike, I was considering a small trailer. I don't have all that ridiculously expensive riding kit. Though I have learned to put things on my bottom that do not have seams and does have a bit of padding if possible. Of course, on a trip of weeks or months, one would need to do laundry. Perhaps a drying line on the trailer?
I'd thought that there should be two spare tires, and two tubes, with a patching kit. Though it has been many years since I had a flat.
Aside from that, a gallon or two of water a day, and a filter to make more? I've had experience with camping but not on a bike.
Gwen
Comments
Bikes
Okay, first I'm going to give you the measurements in inches, the wheels are 28" diameter and 1.25 inches across.
If one were to ride for one hour, rest thirty minutes to an hour, then ride again, one could cover about ninety to one hundred miles over a fifteen or sixteen hour day. It might be a bit less than that thanks to needing to take rest stops for washrooms or food every now and then.
That doesn't mean I'm recommending that you try to go that far over a day's time, I'm just giving you some rough numbers. A person who is in a fairly high state of physical fitness might push that to double or triple that distance, it would depend on what speed they could maintain.
A trailer could slow you down a bit, the most obvious reason for that being the weight being hauled in the trailer. If you aren't intending to carry a lot of clothing, you could instead opt for a pair of large saddlebags that fit over the rear wheel. Those would allow you to carry a fair amount of personal items, as well as all the necessities for bike riding like spare tires, tubes, bicycle pump, patch kits, first aid kit, etc.
The downside to using saddle bags is that you might not be able to take much beyond the bare necessities, depending on their size.
If you're intending to take a trip by bicycle that could last a whole summer or longer, then you would be needing a trailer and the hitch system. The trailer would give you the ability to carry a fair bit more, such as several changes of clothes, plenty of snack food items that are good for providing energy, drinks, blankets or sleeping bags, ground covers, folded tent. As I said earlier, the trailer would slow you down a fair bit.
not sure
Why riding for 2/3rds of the day to do 100 miles is pertinent?
When touring less is more, I would suggest that 8/9 hours including stops is more than enough for anyone. Of course if you don't want to see or do anything go ahead and plough the long furrow. Cycling isn't all about covering the biggest distance at the greatest speed, its about discovery, adventure and enjoyment.
Sometimes situations can push you beyond your comfort zone in terms of distance / elevation - i've had days like that through bad planning on my part and outside issues too but make those days the exception rather than rule.
Anyhow, i'm tired now after 100km and 1700m of ascent in up to 29c temperatures across 4.5hrs. And i'm fairly fit and ride regularly.
Madeline Anafrid Bell
Re: not sure
"I can ride 10 miles without difficulty, and I think that perhaps after a time of riding that could go to as high as 30-40 miles per day"
I was going by what Gwen wrote here. Doing about ten miles at a time, with longer breaks to rest, she could go that far. At no time did I say that she HAD to go that far, just that I was giving her baseline amounts for a single day's travel at her speed using a bicycle.
In my comment, I specifically stated that I was only giving her info, not that she had to use it or do anything I had said. The quote is here: "That doesn't mean I'm recommending that you try to go that far over a day's time, I'm just giving you some rough numbers."
Remember, too, that Gwen is in her seventies and we don't know her exact physical condition or her abilities, so her perhaps only riding thirty to forty miles during a day, maybe fifty, may be as much as she can handle without frequent significant rest periods.
How long is a mile
Lots will depend on fitness and comfort, but above all how many miles you are used to - it gets further the more you do, and maintaining a modest pace raises the distance a lot.
If considering a trailer for touring, make sure you are familiar with the extra load before setting off! I use a trailer for cargo loads, and the extra drag even with light loads is noticeable. I notice using a lower range of gears all the time. Front and rear panniers plus a rack or bar bag can hold a lot, enough as long as you rationalise the kit and go for lightweight items instead of the cast iron and kitchen spares.
I'm going to stick my neck out a bit and suggest that for a rider with no major health problems, that 30 or 40 miles for even not very fit or experienced should be achievable, barring mountains.
I recommend short trips to shake down everything, weekends maybe, before a mighty quest! It can take some trials to find out what works for you. Get to know the bike in detail, how to adjust everything, replace a cable and fix a chain away from home unless you have support available. Or even if you do have.
It's good, this tour stuff, I also started at a later age ;)
Teri Ann
"Reach for the sun."
touring
If you are comfortable doing 10-20 miles why push it further?
I could give you all sorts of advice on kit and do this or that - I shall be doing something like 50/60 quite hilly miles over @ 4 hours today albeit not carrying luggage. My 'tour' last week covered 270km over 2 days, the week before was 380km over 4 days, I wouldn't expect you to do that or encourage it!
I'll stick to some basics for you - pm me if you want more specific info.
Make sure the bike is serviced before the ride starts, fresh tyres/tubes are a good thing and will save issues down the line.
Spares - 2 tubes, repair kit, multi tool, tyre boot, lube, chain link. No need to take spare tyres unless you are riding hundreds and hundreds of miles. If you decide on a trailer you'll need a tube for that too.
It's easier to carry weight on the bike than drag it behind, cost of racks and bags is comparable to a decent quality trailer.
Practice changing tubes, find out how to fix a chain. Youi don't need a lot of tools but check you have stuff to fit all the AK's on the bike.
Cheap tents tend to be heavy so consider that - I always use a 2p tent so I have some living space inside and can get all the gear in. Most of your gear will be the same as for backpacking.
Clothing - three sets for riding, one for off bike with off bike shoes to rest your feet. Obviously you can take more but avoid denim/cotton as they are heavy and don't dry quickly. Wash stuff in the evening and towel dry - they'll usually be dry enough to wear in the morning.
Water is heavy, its better to carry less and refill as you go - a couple of 750ml bottles should suffice unless you are in the dessert! Food likewise, have enough dried food (noodles for example) for a couple of meals but otherwise aim to pick up supplies as you go.
Take a first aid kit and sewing kit.
However you decide to carry the gear you'll find yourself using lower gears, don't try to push anything that's not comfortable. As Podracer says, have a few short shakedown trips to get used to how the bike rides loaded - make sure you can put up the tent (I've had great fun watching people trying to put up tents). Getting pitched in a timely manner is very useful - especially if it's wet - I can be pitched and inside the tent in under ten minutes.
Like I say - don't be afraid to ask more specific questions - I can warble on the subject for hours and days just ask Pod!
Mads
Madeline Anafrid Bell
I'll second everthing Maddy has said
But there is one thing that is important although you might not realise it until you are out on a loaded bike.
This is balance. Having very unequal weighted panniers/bags is a real NO-NO IMHO. Without you realising it, you will be expending energy keeping unbalaced bike upright.
It is even an issue on a 1215cc Motorcycle.
And don't overload the panniers.
Samantha
In addition to the items suggested,
I'd advise adding some sort of personal protection. If you have a "carry permit" take that. If not, Wal-mart sells a flashlight/billy club combo for about 20 dollars.
It's weighted and, besides being a powerful flashlight it also can flash like a strobe light and is weighted for personal defense. It's about 16 inches long and has a strap that can attach to one's wrist.
Many bikers, both bicycle and motor around here carry one of these.
Catherine Linda Michel
As a T-woman, I do have a Y chromosome... it's just in cursive, pink script.
A reasonable daily travelling distance by bicycle.
I used to ride with the Ottawa Cycling Club. On Sunday mornings you could go on one of several different tours. If I remember correctly, tour length could vary between about 60 km and 200 km. However, by the time summer arrives, there were no tours shorter than 120 km. This is because no one wanted to go on a tour shorter than that.
I know that for me personally, once I'd been on a few tours for the year and been cycling to work frequently for a month or so, I could easily do the 120 to 150 km and go on to do other things in the afternoon without feeling like I had pushed myself.
It all depends on how much
It all depends on how much you want, or feel the need, to haul along. At some point a light "touring trailer" becomes a better option than a heavily loaded bike. That's certainly true in flat terrain, but it ain't fun to balance a loaded bike uphill in low gear, either.
Better to take a lap around the block with all your gear to see for yourself what you're comfortable with, than to go on your trip and find out the hard way you made the wrong choice.
Gradually Ease into A Trip
I would recommend slowly easing into a long trip. I would suggest you camp with your equipment several times even in your backyard. I agree that a lightweight tow is good, but they are expensive. (You can look for used or borrow one.) If you don't belong to a club, join one. Members share equipment. You are not going to want to wear the same sweaty clothing two days in a row. You are going to need three pairs of shorts. One to wear, one to wash at night and dry for twenty-four hours, one to wear the next day.
I would definitely not go on a trip by myself. In the states, it's much safer to be riding the roads as a group carrying reflectors, lights, and flags. Backroads in the backcountry attract backward people. Camping out is fun but check your clothing for bugs and snakes who like the warmth you provide.
Carry your food in a sealed container. Critters like snacks too.
Camping in your backyard
Is a good idea if you have a backyard. I don't think Gwen has anything more than a tiny balcony. There is a park nearby but the Polis might take umbridge to someone camping overnight in the riverside park.
Samantha