One gear, 100 miles a day, across the continent

Cycle-touring, Expeditions, Adventures, Major cycle routes NOT LeJoG (see other special board)
m-gineering
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Joined: 23 May 2015, 12:01pm

Re: One gear, 100 miles a day, across the continent

Post by m-gineering »

FixedWheel wrote:Am I crazy? I plan to cycle on a fixed wheel, with minimal luggage (no racks, no panniers), doing more than 100 miles a day, from Manchester to Istanbul. Gearing is 42x15.


Gearing sounds way high to me as it is, and for every 10 pounds of extra weight you want an extra teeth on the cog to compensate. And maybe an ever bigger cog on the flip side, for those bad days you are bound to have ;)

No reason not to do it though, plenty of people toured on penny's or fixed and hard tyres before all that modern stuff was invented ;)

(btw a nice read is Cycling in the alps, 1900, Freeston, free on google books)
Marten

Touring advice for NL: www.m-gineering.nl/touringg.htm
thirdcrank
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Re: One gear, 100 miles a day, across the continent

Post by thirdcrank »

While unsuccessfully seraching for EdinburghFixed's account of his ride, I've found this from flashman who rode an End-to-End on fixed with the type of minimal kit you are considering. Unfortunately, it looks as though he hasn't been on here for several years so there's no obvious way to pick his brains.

viewtopic.php?f=22&t=25223&hilit=fixed
tatanab
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Re: One gear, 100 miles a day, across the continent

Post by tatanab »

m-gineering wrote:
FixedWheel wrote:Am I crazy? I plan to cycle on a fixed wheel, with minimal luggage (no racks, no panniers), doing more than 100 miles a day, from Manchester to Istanbul. Gearing is 42x15.


Gearing sounds way high to me as it is,
40 years ago I toured extensively on fixed in UK and France. Gear of choice was 48x20, about 65" gear. Touring central Wales I put on a 22 on the other side of my double fixed hub, just in case, but only used it on a day of gale force head winds.

Of note - the modern generation of "fixie" riders seem to like gears much higher. They seem happy commuting on 81" which was my timetrial gear.
KTHSullivan
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Location: Wind Swept Lincolnshire

Re: One gear, 100 miles a day, across the continent

Post by KTHSullivan »

I agree anybody going into the hills with a fixed greater than about 50" is "Upminster". :wink:
Just remember, when you’re over the hill, you begin to pick up speed. :lol:
thirdcrank
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Re: One gear, 100 miles a day, across the continent

Post by thirdcrank »

FixedWheel wrote:Am I crazy? I plan to cycle on a fixed wheel, with minimal luggage (no racks, no panniers), doing more than 100 miles a day, from Manchester to Istanbul. Gearing is 42x15. Following EuroVelo routes as much as I can. The Balkans seem to be hilly which looks like the biggest challenge after the Peak District. No hotel. Sleeping bag on the side of the road, field, or wherever. Starting end of May. Should be back to work by the end of June. Aiming to spend some time in Istanbul if I can get there in the first place. Tell me what you think.


After re-reading this, I'm not clear of your plans. Are you intending to ride from Manchester to Istanbul in a max of 28 days, hoping to get there a bit sooner (aiming to spend some time in Istanbul) or doing it both ways in that time (Should be back at work ...) ?

I only ask because it gives some idea of a schedule. I've no idea what the EuroVelo route distance is, but I see the most direct main road route is a little over 2,000 miles (I think.) I think it's worth bearing in mind that the more days you take, the more your minimalist approach may begin to fray. You won't be riding all the time you are not sleeping, but the more you try to do so, the more unwashed you risk becoming and anything beyond sitting on your bike / bivvying may become a problem in that nobody in somewhere like a bar will want to be too close.

I'm trying to avoid giving advice, more urging you to think it through in detail.
whoof
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Joined: 29 Apr 2014, 2:13pm

Re: One gear, 100 miles a day, across the continent

Post by whoof »

You may have done all of the following and be very comfortable with it but if not I would try the this.
Leave work early on a Friday evening and ride 50 miles and ''camp' next to a hedge, Saturday ride 120 miles camp next to a hedge, Sunday ride 120 miles home. I would pick a rolling or lumpy route take all the gear you would on your Istanbul route and use the same gearing. See how you feel as this will give you a good idea of how you will get along. But there are additional factors such in the longer term, your body may get used to this or suffer from long term fatigue.

Personally I couldn't sleep whilst camping without a good mat under me but some people can sleep on a clothes line. Others can only say what they think it might be like for them.
brumster
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Re: One gear, 100 miles a day, across the continent

Post by brumster »

Just go for it and let us all know how you get on. I'd agree with the general consensus that you should run a lower gear.
thirdcrank
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Re: One gear, 100 miles a day, across the continent

Post by thirdcrank »

If you don't already know, there is a forum which specialises in fixed-wheel and single speed. I've rarely looked at it so I don't know if there's a touring sub-forum there.

https://www.lfgss.com/
pj76
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Re: One gear, 100 miles a day, across the continent

Post by pj76 »

I ride fixed a lot, usually most winters, and it includes hills.

I also wrote a book once about a certain breed of people who ride fast uphill on fixed.

For longer tours it's doable, but it's certainly going to be less enjoyable, especially with this kind of mileage. It's really nice to be able freewheel downhill. Especially on longer rides. You feel like you're resting, pacing yourself for the accumulated effort over time that touring entails. It leads to less wear and tear on the body.

It does seem like one of those ideas that came out of a desire to do something a bit different, without thinking why it is that people don't do this type of different thing, i.e because it's a really rubbish idea.
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horizon
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Re: One gear, 100 miles a day, across the continent

Post by horizon »

pj76 wrote: because it's a really rubbish idea.


But what's the idea?

UK to Istanbul - brilliant (I hitchiked it when I was 18, far better to do it on a bike). 100 miles a day - great. Roadside camping - been there, done that. Lightweight? Of course. Fixed - er, yes. maybe. But hang on, what's the idea here?
When the pestilence strikes from the East, go far and breathe the cold air deeply. Ignore the sage, stay not indoors. Ho Ri Zon 12th Century Chinese philosopher
pj76
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Re: One gear, 100 miles a day, across the continent

Post by pj76 »

I don't understand your question. I think you're being obtuse in an internet kind of way.
Cyril Haearn
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Re: One gear, 100 miles a day, across the continent

Post by Cyril Haearn »

KTHSullivan wrote:I agree anybody going into the hills with a fixed greater than about 50" is "Upminster". :wink:

Upminster, isn't that the end of the tube line beyond Mornington Crescent? :wink:
I love riding fixed, the simpler bike rolls well so one can maybe use a slightly higher gear
Or even walk occasionally but along the rivers that is not so likely, it is a good conversation starter too
I think FW is a model and inspiration for us, like deliquium (43 028 miles, no punctures!), Radek (winter camping) and others
Positive thread alert!
Last edited by Cyril Haearn on 22 Feb 2018, 2:36pm, edited 1 time in total.
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horizon
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Re: One gear, 100 miles a day, across the continent

Post by horizon »

pj76 wrote:I don't understand your question. I think you're being obtuse in an internet kind of way.


Well what is it he is really trying to achieve? Obviously the OP wants a challenge but what is the real nugget? If you take out the high fixed gear, does it still work? Or is it the minimalist sleeping arrangements? Or the high daily mileage? Or just the combination? Does he want to make it difficult or does he feel best on fixed - in which case he should ride a triple :mrgreen: .
When the pestilence strikes from the East, go far and breathe the cold air deeply. Ignore the sage, stay not indoors. Ho Ri Zon 12th Century Chinese philosopher
KTHSullivan
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Re: One gear, 100 miles a day, across the continent

Post by KTHSullivan »

Upminster, isn't that the end of the tube line beyond Mornington Crescent?


Not quite, but it is about 6 stops further on than Barking :wink:
Just remember, when you’re over the hill, you begin to pick up speed. :lol:
Cyril Haearn
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Re: One gear, 100 miles a day, across the continent

Post by Cyril Haearn »

KTHSullivan wrote:
Upminster, isn't that the end of the tube line beyond Mornington Crescent?


Not quite, but it is about 6 stops further on than Barking :wink:

BarkinG
Golders GreeN
North RuisliP
PaddingtoN
Nine ElmS
SouthporT
TottenhaM
Mornington Crescent!
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