How far do you cycle each day on tour?
- Thread starter Ben M
- Start date
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hang on just had a brainwave, is it end to end?
Over The Hill
Guru
- Location
- Ridden off into the sunset
I think terrain is more the key than miles. 100 miles flat is easy but 50 on hills could be a problem.
Michelin maps seem to put the little arrows > or >> or even >>> on hills (arrow points up hill) which we found a great help when planning routs, but this does not tell you how long the hill is just if it is over a % of steepness as some point in it.
Michelin maps seem to put the little arrows > or >> or even >>> on hills (arrow points up hill) which we found a great help when planning routs, but this does not tell you how long the hill is just if it is over a % of steepness as some point in it.
Dayvo
just passin' through
- Location
- 59° 50′ 5.55″ N, 10° 47′ 41.89″ E
The one big tour I´ve done (Southern Sweden to Gibraltar - 4,000+ km) took six weeks of cycling with six rest days. We normally rode between 80-120 km a day, depending on terrain, weather, form, targets, etc.
Remember though, it´s the journey that counts, not just arriving at the finish as quickly as possible.
Have fun!
Remember though, it´s the journey that counts, not just arriving at the finish as quickly as possible.
Have fun!
Three of us will be doing Paris to Venice in September. If we can trust the maps, that's around 1450km (about 900m) in 14 days, so 100km or so, around 70 miles a day, but with no rest days. We'll be carrying lightweight tents but no cooking gear.
I think we might be craving a rest day and a comfy bed at some point but we have been training - sort of!
70m a day, loaded, is quite a challenge, but doable. Seeing what the rest of you have done or are planning at least tells me that :-)
~Roy
I think we might be craving a rest day and a comfy bed at some point but we have been training - sort of!
70m a day, loaded, is quite a challenge, but doable. Seeing what the rest of you have done or are planning at least tells me that :-)
~Roy
Dave Davenport
Guru
- Location
- Hampshire
RoyE said:
If you're camping you may as well take a lightweight stove and pan, will hardly be anymore weight and even if you just use it for hot drinks it would be worth it IMO.
OP
OP
Ben M
Senior Member
- Location
- Chester/Oxford
doog
....
- Location
- The beautiful south
Hi Ben
Im just looking at your photos of that tour and it looks epic. I noticed you all carried your stuff on rear panniers /rack only. I did similar on a 3 day tour of Somerset / Dorset and a previous trip to Wilts but now feel I could do with sharing the load with the front.
Really couldnt get used to the handling with all the weight on the back
I also suffered a broken rear spoke which wrecked the rear wheel (Cyclocross wheel so not weak!!)
Do you feel the same or were you all happy with that load on the back!
Im just looking at your photos of that tour and it looks epic. I noticed you all carried your stuff on rear panniers /rack only. I did similar on a 3 day tour of Somerset / Dorset and a previous trip to Wilts but now feel I could do with sharing the load with the front.
Really couldnt get used to the handling with all the weight on the back
I also suffered a broken rear spoke which wrecked the rear wheel (Cyclocross wheel so not weak!!)
Do you feel the same or were you all happy with that load on the back!
OP
OP
Ben M
Senior Member
- Location
- Chester/Oxford
I found having the load on the back of bike completely fine. When I was back and unladen I found that to be weird and twitchy! 
As for using front panniers instead... I think that they are likely to have a larger negative impact on handling than having lots of weight over the rear, but I can't say I have tried it.
As for using front panniers instead... I think that they are likely to have a larger negative impact on handling than having lots of weight over the rear, but I can't say I have tried it.
hubbike
Senior Member
- Location
- Edinburgh, Scotland
get up when you want. cycle till it gets dark. or longer if you have lights.
100km or so.
100km or so.
Arch
Married to Night Train
- Location
- Salford, UK
Ben M said:I found having the load on the back of bike completely fine. When I was back and unladen I found that to be weird and twitchy!
As for using front panniers instead... I think that they are likely to have a larger negative impact on handling than having lots of weight over the rear, but I can't say I have tried it.
I've not used them myself, but I've heard reports that if a bike is designed for them (IE a proper tourer), then it handles better with the weight spread out - Helen found this on her Galaxy before she went to Canada.
With regard to distance, I suppose it's all personal. I'm just back from 2 weeks of averaging 50 miles a day, in a group of 8 recumbents. Our average speed was only 8-10 mph, so add in morning and afternoon cafe stops, and lunch and that 50 took all day. And there were still times I'd like to have had more time to look around a place - but then I am into seeing the sights, as much as cycling. The idea of 60-70 miles everyday seems more like hard work than a holiday...
Tim Bennet.
Entirely Average Member
- Location
- S of Kendal
Adding front panniers dramatically improves touring bike handling. The worst places for weight are on top of the rear rack and in handlebar bag. As long as you have the willpower to restrict what you take (or only buy moderate sized panniers), distributing the weight out fore and aft and then restricting what's on top of the rack and in the bar bag, will give the most stable ride.
Ticktockmy
Guru
- Location
- Crawley, West Sussex
You cannot help but sight seeBen M said:
, and a few UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU and RRRRRRRRRR, will slow you down for sure. and a Pic here and a pic there, will do likewise, so best to plan for it. Guess best to plan for 50-60 miles a day, then anymore is a bonus.
