The Cellar - View Single Post - Long-distance Bicycle Training

Cyclefrance · 02-11-2007, 06:23 PM

Hi Grant

Only just caught this thread - getting a bit late now as I have to be up in under 6 hours time, so will add more later, but for starters....

So long as you can cycle 30-40 miles in one session (i.e. no stops), over mixed terrain and can do this at least 3 times a week, then you should have no trouble touring with distances up to max 60 miles a day, I would say. Doing 60 miles a day can be difficult if you have to do a lot of map-reading - continually checking bearings and ensuring that you haven't taken a wrong turn can eat up time very quickly. As a guide, allowing for a stops for this and occasional refreshmeht then, unless you are super-fit (I am not) work on 10-12 miles per hour average. That way you can judge how far you will get with reasonable accuracy. For me its usually 3 hours in the morning and 2-3 in the afternoon (a good lunch is an essential component of my rides!).

Bike-wise, I have enjoyed touring for several years on an old Raleigh Record Sprint that I fitted with panniers at front and back (because it doesn't have strong enough hubs at the back to take all the load I carry) and a set of gears that included a very low ratio one for hill-climbing. I liked the drop bars for options of riding position, however this year I lnvested in a new Trek 7.1FX - not an over-expensive bike, and good for touring - with light aluminium frame, steel forks and a good range of gears. I added bar end grips to give me more choice, 28 x 700 Armadillo All-condition tyres, and a decent saddle (I favour an ergonomic one), but that's about all I've done to it by way of customisation. It performed well on last year's tour and I will be taking it out again this year - it features in my profile photo. I used my Sprint for a 100 mile charity run one day last September, and to be honest I find it difficult to choose between them from a comfort and enjoyment point of view.

You can catch some of my rides on the website that's shown in my profile if you want to although, being over this side of the pond, they may not have that much value.

Back later with more input if you still needs same

02-11-2007, 06:23 PM	#7
Cyclefrance Pump my ride! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Deep countryside of Surrey , England Posts: 1,890	Hi Grant Only just caught this thread - getting a bit late now as I have to be up in under 6 hours time, so will add more later, but for starters.... So long as you can cycle 30-40 miles in one session (i.e. no stops), over mixed terrain and can do this at least 3 times a week, then you should have no trouble touring with distances up to max 60 miles a day, I would say. Doing 60 miles a day can be difficult if you have to do a lot of map-reading - continually checking bearings and ensuring that you haven't taken a wrong turn can eat up time very quickly. As a guide, allowing for a stops for this and occasional refreshmeht then, unless you are super-fit (I am not) work on 10-12 miles per hour average. That way you can judge how far you will get with reasonable accuracy. For me its usually 3 hours in the morning and 2-3 in the afternoon (a good lunch is an essential component of my rides!). Bike-wise, I have enjoyed touring for several years on an old Raleigh Record Sprint that I fitted with panniers at front and back (because it doesn't have strong enough hubs at the back to take all the load I carry) and a set of gears that included a very low ratio one for hill-climbing. I liked the drop bars for options of riding position, however this year I lnvested in a new Trek 7.1FX - not an over-expensive bike, and good for touring - with light aluminium frame, steel forks and a good range of gears. I added bar end grips to give me more choice, 28 x 700 Armadillo All-condition tyres, and a decent saddle (I favour an ergonomic one), but that's about all I've done to it by way of customisation. It performed well on last year's tour and I will be taking it out again this year - it features in my profile photo. I used my Sprint for a 100 mile charity run one day last September, and to be honest I find it difficult to choose between them from a comfort and enjoyment point of view. You can catch some of my rides on the website that's shown in my profile if you want to although, being over this side of the pond, they may not have that much value. Back later with more input if you still needs same __________________ Always sufficient hills - never sufficient gears