Starting touring....

[DeepBurn]

Touring seems a lot of fun and I can see myself getting into it in a big way eventually.

I know touring is all about getting from A to B and enjoying the bit in between at your own pace but does it take some getting used to having your bike laden down with a lot of kit? Especially if you end up doing a day with a few climbs for example?

Just wondering what people's initial experiences were when they loaded their bike up for the first time...

 

[bluemint]

Its a bit of culture shock when you first set off. Riding out of the saddle up a hill can throw up all kinds of surprises. As long as you're patient and have got the gears and the legs you can get up anything, and you're awesome going downhill.

You soon get used to the load and you just get more capable as the journey goes on. Those days when you just go for
a ride without the gear are heaven.

 

[HovR]

Riding out of the saddle up a hill can throw up all kinds of surprises. As long as you're patient and have got the gears and the legs you can get up anything, and you're awesome going downhill.

Whilst I am yet to start touring (but I want to!), I do have a fair bit of experience in cycling on a fully loaded bike.

I agree with the first bit completely. I find when climbing I am putting quite a lot of concentration in to keeping the bike as steady and upright as possible, rather than allowing the usual swaying. I find the extra weight on the bike accentuates any swaying you do, which is rather unpleasant.

However I find the opposite to you regarding descending. I suppose it is very much dependent on your bikes geometry, however yesterday when cycling my heavily loaded Dawes down hill, I found that when going over about 28mph my bike started shaking, which whilst controllable, isn't the nicest of sensations ever. In comparison, on the same bike but unloaded, I can comfortably hit 45+mph.

 

[bluemint]

I find the opposite to you regarding descending. I suppose it is very much dependent on your bikes geometry, however yesterday when cycling my heavily loaded Dawes down hill, I found that when going over about 28mph my bike started shaking, which whilst controllable, isn't the nicest of sensations ever. In comparison, on the same bike but unloaded, I can comfortably hit 45+mph.

I've not found that myself, I can get to about 40mph+ on a good stretch of road with no bother. It could be any number of factors I think from difference in load to indeed geometry. Wind and aerodynamics can make a difference too I guess. I had a tricky time at speed the other day while fully loaded and almost getting blown off the bike.

 

[DeepBurn]

Thanks, I guess it's like anything isn't it, you eventually get used to it but the weight issue seems hard to ignore, especially as so much of what I have read about things to consider when purchasing a bike, weight is usually pretty high on everyones lists.

Also, whats the best way to go about planning your route?
Do you simply say right "we've got X days, let's go from Y to Z and see where the wind blows us inbetween"

Or is it better to have a more rigid structure to stick to?

 

[bluemint]

Thanks, I guess it's like anything isn't it, you eventually get used to it but the weight issue seems hard to ignore, especially as so much of what I have read about things to consider when purchasing a bike, weight is usually pretty high on everyones lists.

Also, whats the best way to go about planning your route?
Do you simply say right "we've got X days, let's go from Y to Z and see where the wind blows us inbetween"

Or is it better to have a more rigid structure to stick to?

yes you do get used to it, at first it's a bit of a chore but once I get into the pace and rhythm it's no big deal. the hills are tougher but that just makes the downhills sweeter. I have upgraded some of my kit for minimum weight, practicality and for their ease of packing but it's easy to take too much needless items.

it depends on the type of journey you want to do but planning ahead works for me as . I've not done much more than a week as my longest trip and that took me in loop around the lakes. I kept the mileage conservative so at to have time for rest stops, lunch etc and concentrated on scenic quiet roads wherever possible. At some point I'd like to do Scotland and for that I'd be looking at wild camping so my final destinations can be more free and easy.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

On my 16th birthday I loaded up my racer with sleep bag and panniers and rode to paris.

 

[HovR]

Thanks, I guess it's like anything isn't it, you eventually get used to it but the weight issue seems hard to ignore, especially as so much of what I have read about things to consider when purchasing a bike, weight is usually pretty high on everyones lists.

For a road or commuting bike, and even to a slightly lesser extent mountain bikes, yes low weight is an important consideration.

For touring, whilst it is important to consider weight (i.e. you don't want a bike weighing 18kg unloaded!), comfort, flexibility and lower gearing are more important considerations. With the lower gearing compared to your normal road bike you will be able to cope with the added weight of all your kit. You get used to it, and learn not to hurry yourself and feel pressured to go fast, as you'll only tire yourself out!

Although saying that, there are some tourers who will tour with a fraction of the weight compared to a fully loaded tourer. If you're staying in B&B's, purchasing food at your destinations and mid-ride, and will have clothes washing facilities you are able to get by with a fraction of the gear, often only needing a wallet/debit card, things you will need mid ride, and a change of clothes or two. If you're doing this type of touring, you will get away with even having no racks!

 

[Ian Cooper]

When I first toured in the 1980s (expedition touring), I don't recall the weight being much of an issue at first (then again I was very strong and fit back then), and (in my experience) panniers with a properly balanced load tend to make the bike feel very stable - I remember it steered like a tank, which I liked - felt very solid.

In 2011, I did a fully loaded tour with my daughter on a Trail-a-Bike, and that, along with the panniers, did tend to throw the bike off-balance more, but within a day's riding I was used to it and it was no longer an issue.

 

[mcshroom]

I switch into 'touring mode' when I put the panniers on where every hill is just a case of gearing down ans spinning away. You quickly get used to the weight (to the extent that the day I took the panniers off and went for a tour of Inverness my tourer felt skittish) and I find my bike handles fine with 4 panniers (2 rear only can leave the front a bit light) though I know not to expect road-bike style speedy direction changes.

My approach to planning is to have an idea where I want to get to each day, then take it from there. For example I'm going to be touring from Wick to Mallaig at the end of June, and I know I want to get to Thurso, Durness, Rhicarn etc along the route, but don't really have anywhere booked so I'm not chasing a route to the B&B at the end of the day.

On my first few tours I decided to use Sustrans routes like Hadrians cycleway and Lochs and Glens South. These routes have the advantages of having maps of the whole route and also B&Bs/hotels/camp sites/etc. along the route that are geared up for cyclists.

If you do camp, make sure you know how to pitch and strike your tent and stuff. You can lose hours faffing around in the morning if your not careful (DAHIKT )

Of course, if you don't want to carry loads of stuff, then a B&B tour is a good option, especially in the winter. In that case it's probably better to book in advance at the places you want to stop. I've done a couple tours that way and they can be very enjoyable.

 

[Bodhbh]

Personally I don't find it takes much getting used to. Half an hour and you are starting to get a feel for how it handles. After a couple of days you're completely at home with it...then you come back and try to commute on the same bike without any luggage and it feels unnatural, twitchy and was better with the luggage on.

Like others have said, as long as your gears go low enough it doesn't matter much.

 

[Ian Cooper]

...then you come back and try to commute on the same bike without any luggage and it feels unnatural, twitchy and was better with the luggage on.

That's right! Weird though, isn't it? I always feel more uncomfortable going back to riding with the gear off the bike than I did getting used to riding with a full load.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Personally I don't find it takes much getting used to. Half an hour and you are starting to get a feel for how it handles. After a couple of days you're completely at home with it...then you come back and try to commute on the same bike without any luggage and it feels unnatural, twitchy and was better with the luggage on.

Like others have said, as long as your gears go low enough it doesn't matter much.

I find my tourer pretty barge like, loaded or unloaded. But then I like barges!

 

[rvw]

Touring down France on a tandem my revered captain, Mr SRW, swore that he could tell if the panniers weren't pretty evenly balanced - we eventually got used to working out what should go where each morning. And then rebalancing everything again when we bought lunch. And again after we ate it. And whenever we put on/took off layers... We'd definitely second the point about the bike feeling weird unladen - much "twitchier" and less stable!

 

[steveindenmark]

Just to correct your initial assumption.

Touring is not about riding from A to B.

Touring is about starting from A and riding in the direction of B. You must then search for as many people and events to stop you getting to B.

If it is about getting from A to B, get a bus.

Touring rides will be remembered for the people you meet and the things you see. B is only remembered for being the end of a good trip-

Steve