robbiep
Über Member
- Location
- Bournemouth
BTW, let me know how the 100/100 goes, will you have any room in your panniers for anything except food??
willem said:Of course it is doable at your age and after some serious training. I think there are a couple of tricks, however. The first is to give yourself one day of rest (and possibly more) on the way. You say you really have 14 days, so use some of those four extra days, not to ride less a day, but to have one or more resting days - or as a day to fix a technical problem. And that brings me to my second suggestion. For four people to ride such a distance, chances are one bike at least will have a technical issue. So make sure your bikes are really in top condition. For your comfort and to save your bikes from destruction, fit the widest possible tyres your frames will take. Take at least two spare tubes each, and at least one spare tyre for the group. And a set of spare brake pads each. A fiberfix emergency spoke for the group is the very least you can take.
And yes, practice the camping part of the story, and try to shed some more weight from your gear. Every kilo gained is a kilo gained.
Enjoy. Look at Paris Brest Paris for inspiration. That is usually done by old guys in their fifties!
Willem
Dave Davenport said:Re. the loosening spokes; If there's a decent wheel builder near you it might be worth getting them trued and tensioned up by a professional before you go, shouldn't cost much.
Uncle Phil said:I'll second that: I've had a couple of tours spoiled by dodgy wheels.
Once one spoke has broken, others tend to go in quick succession, even if the broken one is replaced. And then you never know when the next spoke is going to break, and it spoils your day.
Someone will be along in a minute to recommend a shop with a good wheelbuilder in your area.
MacLean said:When you talk of broken spokes, are you meaning totally snapped spokes? Or do you mean loosened? Because like you say the bike will be fine, ill go for a ride it seems to take somewhere between 75-150 miles but then the wheel will start rubbing the brakes. Give the spokes a feel and 1 will be completely loose and another 2 or 3 will be a bit loose. I tighten them up with my key best I can, which so far brings the wheel back true... However another 100 or so miles it will happen again...
But yeh gonna get a pro to look it over before we start the full thing, for now I'll keep re-tightening the loose ones.