TIP. You need to keep watch out as to where your tires are going to ride. Hopefully you have some tough tires like the #Schwabe Marathon tires, which is what I had. I was very happy by their performance.
TIP. Use a handlebar with less drop as mine were normal racing 3T bars. You ride slower, you sit up a lot more and are not so concerned with aerodynamics, except when going downhill and then only sometimes. Beside my bigger belly gets in the way, and I am not so comfortable on the drops, then I used to be.
TIP. Carry a bit of electrician tape even if it is just a a foot or two, wrapped around the chainstay which holds your TIP 2 or 3 spare spokes.
TIP. Know when the local holidays are, as you may have a difficult time getting a camping site. TIP. Book ahead if in doubt.
TIP. Get the new brake/shift combo setup. I believe it will be easier on your right side neck that many people suffer from, during and after riding. I believe the constant shifting with the right hand, and the slight slope of the road, causes this neck pain. TIP. The new system also gives you another couple of hand positions.I ride the OLD style Campy Record brakes with no rubber hoodies as they have worn out many decades ago.
TIP. Its a good idea to carry a large lightweight tarp 15 by 15 feet minimum, with at least a couple of 50 foot pieces of rope which can be used for protection from the rain or the sun. Not all campgrounds have a covered picnic shelter as I found out. Tarp or no tarp, weight vs comfort, your call.
TIP be sure to do #sit-ups everyday as your hamstrings are working a lot. TIP. When cycling always think pedaling in circles not just pushing down. Do some stretching after each ride as the picnic table makes it easy to do. Pain in the back is not nice.
TIP. Check everything twice as you may take more then what you need. I had a #Leatherman and a #Swiss army knife and I certainly did not need both.
TIP. Bring the little bum foamy, 1 foot by 1 foot is all you really need, as it is good when it has rained and weighs next to nothing.
TIP. When you pull into a campground always ask if there is a secure spot for power plugs ins for the smart phone. :) smile.
TIP. Ask where are the bear lockers as well? You should also carry a small lock with you to lock up the food, stove, and the kitchen mess kit.
TIP Ask where are the showers and wood location?
TIP. Carry a few real caribiners for getting rope up a tree and securing food, and for tarp ropes.
TIP. Get a small bottle of suntan lotion and use it.
TIP. I am looking at getting a thin pair of neoprene socks to fit under my Croc sandals, or perhaps even fit into my cycling shoes.
TIP. Do I really need a pair of pants or just use my rain pants over my legs if needed?
TIP. A small thermos bottle is not really that heavy. Carry one for tea, coffee or whatever other drink you like.
TIP. A front handlebar is a pain when in town. Do you leave it on the bike or carry it? I left mine back at camp and used my Camelback style backpack for whatever I needed and 2 straps.
TIP. Full sunscreen long sleeved shirts are good for wind and a bit of rain. Make sure the front pockets of the shirt are usable and will hold cell phone and wallet which is normally in my handlebar bag.
TIP. Take a good pair of warm leather work or ski gloves that can be used for keeping the hands warm, grabbing a warm pot, or a wooden log, etc.
TIP. Bring a thin lycra #toque that will fit under your helmet or wear in bed when its below +8C.
TIP. Keep a small supply of various sizes of sandwich bags for wet weather or if you do not eat everything you cooked.
TIP. Get a roll of loonies for showers, laundry mats, lockers etc, rather then constantly trying to get change. Be aware that in some places the loonies need to made before 2012, as not all mechanisms have been updated to the latest coins.
TIP. About 70% to 80% of truckers will move over to the other lane if they are able to.
Be sure to shift to a bit higher gear if 2 or more trucks are passing you, as you will be pulled by their draft, and gain speed.
TIP. Buy a small mirror that mounts to the helmet not your glasses. It makes riding a lot more pleasurable, if you know what is coming up behind you. I had to pull over one time into the ditch, when a large oversized HOUSE passed me, it was sideways, dog tracking, and took up 2 lanes plus the shoulder.
TIP. Know if there is going to be drinkable water at your campsite. Be ready to boil the water if necessary. Its no fun when you have used the last of your water up a few km's back, and there is no water to drink, immediately. This happened to me at #Obed Park!
TIP. The paved shoulders are better going east then they are west, because the ones going east are newer and not so broken up. The wind normally blows from the NW but when temperatures are warm, the wind normally blows from the SW .
Its your call what kind of camera you want to use. However I can say that my old I-phone's shutter speed is way to slow for anything that is moving. It does an ok job for taking still pictures.
Get out there and do it. I had not prepared for this ride. I ride about 3 or 4 hours in a 2 week period, though I did race bikes for 20 years.
I always carry grapes in the handlebar bag and a banana or two.
There is not much choice for campgrounds along the route.
Of course the faster you are the more choice you have for places to stay and groceries, eating etc. I average about 15km/hr (I used to average 20km/hr) and by 5 hours of riding, I am just about done.
The gear I normally was in, on average, was a 46-23 or 42-23 at around 95 rpm with 170cm old TA cranks. I swallowed my pride and walked a 100 m or so in a climb as well. The break does you good and you do not go much faster then you would if you were in first gear.
I favour being on the road by around 730am, and off the bike by around 2pm, if the route allows me.This allows the option to ride into the evening to make it to a particular spot if need be. Maybe the wind is favourable and you can make good time?
No comments:
Post a Comment