Planning a Tour

[ScottyB]

I am thinking of taking on a work-related cycling challenge in 2013 - it would be about 550-600 miles in total. I am wondering how people have gone about organising something like this? Training aside, do you take a team with you, how do you carry stuff and where is the best place to begin route planning?

Thanks!

 

[Flying Dodo]

Lots of ways of doing this. I'd first decide if it's something you're happy to do alone, or if you want at least one other person along for company, which would certainly make the journey easier.

Think about what route you want to do, which would then let you split it up into daily sections. For the easier sections, you can manage a higher daily mileage, but a good compromise would be to assume an average of up to 100 miles per day. Use a plotting web site such as bikehike or ridewithgps to work out an optimal route which means you can avoid excessive steep ascents or major A roads, and where your night stops will be. Also make use of Google StreetView for checking out road conditions, width of road etc.

Then decide if you'll use hotels, B&Bs or campsites for the overnight stops, which in turn decides what sort of kit you're going to carry. You should be able to get away with 3 changes of kit in total, washing overnight and then dried on the bike the next day. If you're not camping, then you should be able to get everything into 1 pannier including some non bike clothes. If you're really clever and want to carry minimal items just in a rucksack, you could post kit to the places you're staying, and simply post used kit home each day!

 

[Tight Git]

I did a 450 mile 5 day tour around the north of England this year. We had 10 riders and 2 support vehicles (transit vans which held all of the spares) and about 4 people doing the arranging, mine was the route planning.

Things to consider - if your company is large enough to have H&S then they will need to get involved for risk assesments etc. All of the bikes were inspected prior to each day and the riders had to wear a helmet. Because the ride had a lead and tail vehicle we notified the police of our route, although they weren't that bothered in the main. We didn't keep the vehicles with us when going through towns/cities (Liverpool being the largest as we crossed the Mersey using the ferry).

For the actual route planning I used ridewithgps.com and had the routes loaded into a garmin 800. The 800 was an absolute godsend especially when on unfamiliar roads and made things much easier.

As regards riders - unless you know all of the riders levels, then try and get together for a pre-ride assesment - one of our group, who claimed to be a regular rider, was goosed within 15 miles of the start!

A lot of work needs to be put in, but it is worth it! We raised nearly £5000 in total.

Good luck and please ask anything else and I will try and help.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

Self supported totally...take a tent and panniers and a road map and have a laugh

 

[rich p]

When I tour I usually have the missus following in a Skoda with a spare bike and wheels on the roof-rack and a neutral service motorbike behind.

 

[vernon]

I am thinking of taking on a work-related cycling challenge in 2013 - it would be about 550-600 miles in total. I am wondering how people have gone about organising something like this? Training aside, do you take a team with you, how do you carry stuff and where is the best place to begin route planning?

Thanks!

You have to decide for yourself some of the key details.

If you are going solo then you need to carry stuff on your bike using panniers, a large saddle bag and/or bar bag you will need to investigate if your bike has rack fixing points and if your seat has saddle bag loops.

How much you need to carry depends on whether you are staying in B&B or in a tent.

Taking a team adds to the basic expense of the trip especially if the aim is to fund raise would your support crew be willing to fund themselves?

The best place to start route planning is the departure point. After that using online tools like those that have been mentioned already.

I aim for sixty miles per day fully loaded with camping gear, clothing and food supplies riding solo.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

When I tour I usually have the missus following in a Skoda with a spare bike and wheels on the roof-rack and a neutral service motorbike behind.

you forgot the film crew you usually take mate.

 

[ComedyPilot]

you forgot the film crew you usually take mate.

Shhhhhh......., or Rich will bring up the little subject of your groupies.......

 

[snorri]

This would be more fun and carefree if done on your own unless you are confident of the fitness and compatibility of prospective team members, and roadworthiness of their bikes.
There really is little planning required for a 600 mile cycle tour, unless you feel the need to complete within a tight timescale. Probably a good idea to have a short tour beforehand with an overnight stop just to make sure you are comfortable on the laden bike and are carrying the right amount of luggage, not too much but enough to be comfortable.
No two people will give the same advice regarding what is essential kit to be carried on a tour, you really have to make your own decisions.
The most difficult part is getting to the other end of your local street, it's a dawdle after that