lacdan2002
New Member
- Location
- tampa fl
how would one go about getting in to touring and how old is to old and what kinda of shape should a person be in in order to compet just wondering
touring
- Thread starter lacdan2002
- Start date
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I have met a number of octogenarians whilst touring in Europe - most of them had covered considerable distance, carrying not inconsiderable amounts of luggage by bicycle to get to where they were - none of them were doing the sort of daily mileage that I was - but considering the number of hip replacements between them that was hardly suprising.
Have bicycle will travel - it is as simple as that - the only thing is to work out your own method - there are no rules - things like accomodation, what sort of daily distance you are capable of - distance is some extent totally irrelavant - touring is dependent on how much time you have - 10days at 100miles is exactly the same distance as 40days at 25miles - and of course there is always the option to use trains to knock out some of the mileage between the interesting bits or to avoid the big hills.
Personally I am not that young or that good a cyclist but Ive done a few longish tours - just by doing it my way
Edit - Having just stalked your profile - you may actually be much too young to take up touring
Have bicycle will travel - it is as simple as that - the only thing is to work out your own method - there are no rules - things like accomodation, what sort of daily distance you are capable of - distance is some extent totally irrelavant - touring is dependent on how much time you have - 10days at 100miles is exactly the same distance as 40days at 25miles - and of course there is always the option to use trains to knock out some of the mileage between the interesting bits or to avoid the big hills.
Personally I am not that young or that good a cyclist but Ive done a few longish tours - just by doing it my way
Edit - Having just stalked your profile - you may actually be much too young to take up touring
'Compete?' It's a holiday - rambling on wheels. You can make it an endurance event if you want - competing against yourself if you like - but you don't have to.
How long is a piece of string? Touring as a minimum is rides on two consecutive days with a night away in the middle and can extend to riding for years on end round the world. You go as far in a day as your fitness or inclination takes you. As for age, I met a guy of 70+ cycling across Canada last year with his niece. It was his first tour!
For inspiration look at www.crazyguyonabike.com . Lots of people on there are doing once-in-a-lifetime long trips though. At least do a short tour first to try it out before attempting something like that!
aberal
Guru
- Location
- Midlothian
A good website here - travelling two - with loads of info/ideas/tips.
numbnuts
Squire
- Location
- Gone over the hill and far away
yeah do some over nighters first to see how you get on then go from there
srw
It's a bit more complicated than that...
http://www.guardian....tance-bike-blog
Just get on your bike and ride. It's as simple as that.
(Although - see sig - it can get considerably more complex)
Just get on your bike and ride. It's as simple as that.
(Although - see sig - it can get considerably more complex)
Beardie
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Disneyland's twin town
+1 to all of the above, unless you meant 'touring' as in 'Tour de France'. Just a thought, as a lot of road races have 'tour' in the title. For this you will need a bike of carbon fibre and titanium, access to world-class fitness facilities, the services of trainers and masseurs, a bland high-protein diet and a budget to pay for it which would make Bill Gates wince.
Nah, stuff that, just sling a few things on whatever bike you have and pedal off into the bright blue yonder. Much more fun.
Nah, stuff that, just sling a few things on whatever bike you have and pedal off into the bright blue yonder. Much more fun.
hubbike
Senior Member
- Location
- Edinburgh, Scotland
off topic....
Psmithy, see that 79 year old? has he turned his bike into some kind of armchair/coffee-table arrangement? I think I like it....you obviously get more canny when you get on a bit
Psmithy, see that 79 year old? has he turned his bike into some kind of armchair/coffee-table arrangement? I think I like it....you obviously get more canny when you get on a bit
It is a trailer - fancy one by koga to go with the bike in the background - just put the legs on it down and you have a seat and a little table - amazing guy though - two hip replacements - one 9months before the photo was taken - cycled 50miles that day
