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

[bozmandb9]

Def

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

Definitely go for it, I did over 300 miles with my son (12 year old) on our holiday, and we hadn't done over 15 before, plus it wasn't a cycling holiday, just a bit of a ride each morning or evening. Sounds like a fantastic plan, and great opportunity.

Travel as light as you can, whilst making sure you have the essentials. I agree you should ditch the trailers. Your only regret would be not doing it!

 

[Pat "5mph"]

You both will be fine, go for it (without trailer!), enjoy, report back on here with lots of pictures!

 

[Gravity Aided]

No trailers. Enjoy yourself. (I got all sidetracked about Ste. Pierre and Miquelon or I would have replied sooner.)

 

[PaulSB]

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:

No one seems to have answered your question on what to take with you. Your opening post mentioned lodging so I presume you are not camping? If you are camping my advice is limited as I always use B&B. Just re-read your OP and see you love camping - anyway hope this helps!!

First rule is the more space you have the more unnecessary stuff you carry! Second rule is prepare everything you think you need, then when you see how much it is aim to cut it by 50%. Third rule is the trip is a cycling trip, you don't need to dress for dinner.

My last 10 day, 800 mile trip through France, staying in B&B, I took:

2 x cycle shirts
2 x cycle shorts
2 x cycle socks
1 x base layer
1 x cycle shoes with SPD cleats - means you can walk in them!!
3 x T shirt
1 x boxer shorts
1 x trousers with zip off legs
1 x lightweight fleece
1 x travel towel
1 x lightweight shower proof jacket
2 x cycle gloves
1 x cycle cap
2 x inner tubes
2 x CO2 cartridges
1 x pump
1 x Garmin
1 x puncture repair kit
1 x multi tool
1 x chain
2 x spare cables
Small selection of zip ties
Selection of Allen bolts, washers and nuts to fit bike
2 x foil survival blanket
1 x high pitch whistle always round neck on a cord
1 x lock with combination
Plasters
Pain killers
Mosquito repellent
Sun block
Maps
3 x bungee straps
Baby wipes clean the bike and you
Travel knife, fork, spoon

Tips:
Wash kit every night. If it's not dry by morning strap to top of pannier during day.

Vacuum travel storage bags keep everything clean and dry and compress clothing by about 75%

http://www.dunelm.com/product/2-piece-travel-vacuum-storage-bags-1000005118?searchTerm=storage+bags

Keep a moist face cloth in a plastic bag on top of your panniers. Great to quickly wipe your face and hands.

Plan your next day route each night. Jot key points in a small notebook and keep it in your shirt pocket. To check your route consult your notes rather than hauling the map out every time.

Fully service bikes before leaving

To be quite frank, for the trip you describe, even if you're camping two bikes loaded as per the picture looks like a lot of excess baggage to me. I suppose it depends on how rural the area is and if you camp just how self/ sufficient you need/want/have to be.

All my gear would fit in one of those rear panniers.

 

[PaulSB]

This is my bike loaded. Note laundry on top of panniers!!! I would also be carrying enough food and water for one meal in case I got stuck. I did sleep in a hedge one night wrapped in a survival blanket!! Long story.

 

[oldwheels]

Use a trailer. I use a single wheeler but two would be ok. I would not contemplate a camping trip without. For one thing it makes packing so much easier. Just do not carry too much as this is a temptation with a trailer

 

[arnaud555]

Hi!

My wife and I ended up going on this adventure for 10 days around the Gaspésie peninsula in Quebec.
Thanks to all who voted and believed we could do it! It was a life changing experience!

Here's a video I created with my footage:


Cheers,
Arnaud

 

[Racing roadkill]

Hi!

My wife and I ended up going on this adventure for 10 days around the Gaspésie peninsula in Quebec.
Thanks to all who voted and believed we could do it! It was a life changing experience!

Here's a video I created with my footage:


Cheers,
Arnaud

That's the way to do it, well done.

 

[ColinJ]

Well, that looked a lot of fun!

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Canadian cycle routes look remarkably similar to the Scottish ones: expect variable terrain, dismount over rickety bridges, this way over the steep hill!

 

[slowmotion]

What a wonderful trip that must have been. Great stuff.

 

[earlestownflya]

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

it appears to me that the distances are too short to warrant doing it on a bike..i think it would be much more enjoyable doing it on foot and a lot less hassle without the bikes to look after,secure and maintain

 

[MichaelW2]

Your distance and time should make for easy riding with plenty of time for photographs and doing stuff along the way.
You can upgrade your mechanical skills pretty easily. You should be able to change an inner tube, repair and inner tube, replace any cable. At a more advanced level, fix a broken chain and replace a spoke. Neither of these should be needed on an 11 day tour but it is useful knowledge.
Your fitness and bike experience are greater than a good many cycle tourists starting out.
Try a local weekend shakedown tour to test your luggage, packing list, loaded bike handling and navigation.

 

[clid61]

s

You shouldnt need more than this , kit for 2600 miles , Flanders to Istanbul !

 

[raleighnut]

s

You shouldnt need more than this , kit for 2600 miles , Flanders to Istanbul !

I'd want a lock...................................................and a tent.