Are we doing a mistake? First long distance bike trip - 400 miles in 11 days.

[arnaud555]

Hi!

My wife and I are thinking of going on our first long distance bicycle road trip around the Gaspesie peninsula in Eastern Canada. 636km, 39 hours of riding in 11 days so an average of 57 km (35 miles) per day. See on Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/LHQaM + https://goo.gl/maps/0txJf

- Departure Monday September 7th, 2015 return on Friday September 18, 2015. So we have less than 4 weeks to prepare.
- We ride our bikes 30 minutes a day to get to work for the last 3 years and have no trouble riding 2 hours non-stop. We’ve never done more than 30km biking in one day.
- We each have classic hybrid bicycles worth about 500$ each, like this one: http://bit.ly/1Uzabqu .
- We need to buy equipment for our bicycles like 2 trailers and other accessories for long distance riding.
- I know how to change a tire but I wouldn’t say I’m a pro at bicycle maintenance.
- I’m starting to do research for this trip and I’m confident by the time I’m finished, we’ll have all necessary information; lodging, which roads are bike friendly, where to stop to rest, food, transport etc...
- I’m 34 and my wife 29, we are both in good physical condition. My wife runs half marathons.
- We’ve traveled for a year and a half around the world, spent 3 months backpacking in Asia. We love camping and are well equipped for it.
- We like adventure and are not afraid of a challenge!
- We love biking!


Should we try to do this trip?
Do you think we could manage and enjoy it or we’ll end up regretting it?
I just want to make sure we are not doing a big mistake!

Thank you for your opinion!
Arnaud

 

[Racing roadkill]

If you've got someone with you, you'll be fine, go for it, post lots of photos and the like on here

 

[Hill Wimp]

Can i ask why you are taking trailers ?

The route looks pretty hilly to me, could you not just do front and back panniers and camping gear on rear racks ?

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Hi and @arnaud555

Sounds like a good tour to me and 35 miles a day should be a fairly easy distance to step up to. I don't see any reason not to go for it.

There are plenty of helpful people on here if you need to ask advice and loads of useful info in previous posts that can be searched for.

We like write ups and photos if you felt inclined to share the story when you've finished.

 

[steveindenmark]

I agree about the trailers.

I cannot imagine what you would put in a trailer for an 11 day trip. Fridge, TV, lots of beer.

But go for it anyway.

 

[jay clock]

From what you say you'll cope fine. Agreed though that the trailer I would not go for

 

[arnaud555]

Thanks for all the responses!

About the trailer, I read that we'd have less flat tires with a trailer since the weight would be spread more evenly. Is it really much harder to go up a hill with a trailer vs having all the weight directly on the bike? I wish we could bring a cooler with beers but that's probably not a good idea.

I was thinking trailers like this:

 

[growingvegetables]

Go for it ------ without a trailer!

 

[Hill Wimp]

Ditch the trailer.

 

[growingvegetables]

..... I read that we'd have less flat tires with a trailer since the weight would be spread more evenly.

And you have two extra tyres to go soft and/or flat?

I used to take the kids out camping; 3 of them on their bikes (lightly laden), me on mine (grossly overloaded). I don't remember me having any more flat tyres than they did.

 

[arnaud555]

Riding a hybrid bicycle long distance should be ok? No need for a 2000$ speed bike?
Do you have some recommended articles I could read on how to prepare for a long distance bike tour? I'm especially interested in what to bring for 2 weeks.

A trailer is about 200-250$. For that kind of money, we should be able to buy all the bags and storage necessary? So our bikes should look something like this:

 

[stoatsngroats]

We're looking at a first long(ish) trip of 200 miles in 4 days, and we're both nearly 50... !

I would ditch the trailer idea too, but it's personal choice!

 

[jefmcg]

I agree, this seems very doable. Say do 2 hours in the morning at a very comfortable 15kph (slower uphill, faster down hill). Take a long lazy lunch, and rest completely. Then another 2 hours ride in the afternoon. 60 easy km/day.

You'll probably want to go a bit faster, so you have time in hand in case of mechanicals, or so you can stop for a whole day in some places.

Enjoy! Don't forget the sunscreen.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

I used to dread getting punctures when using wire-beaded tyres. Folding tyres make it little more than something to do while you're taking a brief rest from cycling.

At your ages and being regular - even if short-distance - riders I don't think you'll have any problem. Remember that you have all day to make up the miles. Younger legs recover quicker, if I remember correctly. Fitness builds more quickly too so don't worry if you start off slow or, conversely, feel the need to take a day's rest. And if the worst comes to the worst you can always bail out. Bear in mind that if one of you caught some kind of illness you'd have to find yourselves some kind of way out. Exhaustion, which I doubt will happen, is similar in that it's physically debilitating.

But go for it. Very doable, I'd say.

 

[raleighnut]

I've toured both with a trailer and just using panniers and the big difference is tent size and carrying chairs, its possible to carry them with a trailer but not really that easy without. Depends how much luxury you want at the campsite.
Here is my lightweight set up