first Time Touring

[Sunrise]

Hello everyone, I am going on my first cycle tour in about three weeks and would wlecome any advice you may have.
We are doing approx 55m per day for 6 days from Salisbury to Chester. I havent had the best preparation due to the weather and my only real world cycling has been about 8-12 miles a few times this winter. I have lost 2.5 stone ( im now a much more svelte13 stone)though in preparation and been working hard at the gym and on my rollers in the garage doing at least one hour every other day for the last month or so. Im not sure how difficult the ride is going to be or even if i will finish ?

We are staying in b+Bs so hoping to pack reasonably light but would welcome any advice on packing etc especially clothing as the weather looks like being much colder than i anticipated.

Also I have double sided pedals and have thought about only taking one pair of normal shoes insted of cycling shoes and extras for off bike time. \would this be a sensible weight saving measure.?

I have a nice Dawes galaxy which i picked up from a friend in lovely nick, would a suspension seat post be a sensible investement given my lack of saddle time ?

Tyre slime/goo etc, is it worth it ? surely there is a considerable weight penalty ?

Any other advice would be much appreciated as there are probably dozens of questions i should be asking but dont know enough to ask.

Many thanks

[Gearoidmuar]

Bring the saddle you're using on the rollers. Do one or two long EASY spins before you go. Best to harden the botty, toughen the wrists etc.

I bring three spare tubes, a spare tyre on a long tour, puncture repair kit, SUNCREAM, VASELINE for the prevention of pimples on the old tot, some tools, at least one water bottle, some emergency grub, good warm gloves, a rain top, overshoes or warm shoes of some type, etc etc.
On a long tour there are 72 items I consider bringing. Bring a small camera.
TAKE IT EASY. Twirl in low gears, use the gears, don't race up hills and there'll be no problem.
Stop and see stuff. That's the real pleasure.

[bogmyrtle]

Hi Sunrise,
With the current state of the weather you might need to be prepared for anything. Make sure your panniers will carry all of the wet weather clothing for the days you don't need it. You also want a bit of space for food and odds and ends picked up en route. I've never used slime. I would recommend that you are confident about mending punctures (practice removing and replacing wheels if you haven't done this before) also carry a spare inner tube so if you get a puncture you can replace the tube and then mend the puncture at your leisure when you get to the B & B.
The Galaxy is designed for touring. Changing the seatpost probably won't make a huge difference.
I would always carry a spare pair of lightweight shoes for off the bike as soggy shoes are no fun and they don't half pong.
I'm sure you will make it. Don't forget you have all day so pace yourself. Don't doubt yourself (day 2 is often the worst) and enjoy!

[eileithyia]

Don't worry about packing you'll be wearing it...
shoes, what will you do if cycling shoes are wet, i usually carry a light pair of easily carried sandals/slippers, ok no good for the walk to the pub but gives you chance to get wet shoes off and stuffed with some newspaper to absorb wet before you head out... or you might be brave enough for sandals.
at least one pair of spare shorts packed, wash each night the ones you were wearing while you take your shower.. roll up in towel (after you've usedit) to absorb excess water and they will be well on the way to being dry overnight....
for a few days like that i would look at the takeaways/holiday range of toiletries for small sized items that can carry easily...

don't worry about the distance just focus on the stop points ie cycling to lunch, to 3's then to b and b... split the day up...
am sure you will be fine on what you have been doing..

make sure you have amultitool, inner tubes, p repair kit, levers, bike lights... you never know if might need them even on a dull day they can be useful, front light doubles as a torch if you need one in the middle of the night in the b and b

waterproofs of course..

[meic]

Does somebody in the group have basic bike repair skills and the necessary equipment?
Punctures in particular.

[Sunrise]

Thanks very much to you all, i am staggered by the enthusiastic and helpfull replies and look forward to any other advice.

ps i think i have the puncture situation and the basic maintenance covered although far from being an expert.

[BobTheCyclist]

When/if it starts to rain, make sure all phones, ipods etc are in waterproof bags. Thats your first priority - a water damged phone wont dry out! Poundland sell waterproof transparent phone bags, they are ideal.

Carry lots of bin bags too to wrap everything else in (clothes, books etc), its an old army trick and never lets you down. Wrap them up with maskin tape for extra re-assurance.

Also, carry a compass!Perfect if you want to know you are going in the right general direction.

Keeps sweets in your short pockets in case of an energy crash, and emergency mars bars in your pannier.

[Ray]

As above, it's vital to have the equipment and know-how to fix punctures. Best thing, of course, is to avoid them. I always fit new tyres (and usually new tubes too) before a tour, and have rarely punctured while away. The more miles your tyres have done, the more likely you are to puncture. Best to fit them a few days before leaving to make sure all is well - although unlikely, it's not unknown for new inner tubes to leak.

Have fun

Ray

[gordy]

Some random advice:

Being wet isn't a problem
Being wet and cold is a massive problem.
Aim to stay warm.
Don't wear cotton T shirts.
Do start early in the day. I prefer 7 or 8 am, but not many B&Bs serve breakfast so early.
55 miles is easy and relativity quick. (5 hours at snail's pace touring speed?)
A companion who wants to stop to visit museums and have long lunches is a burden - the days become long and tedious with late, exhausting finishes.
Get the day's ride done, then have a look round at your destination.
Don't get hungry.
Drink lots of water.
Wet cycling shoes are horrible in the evenings. Take a pair of pumps as well. Old fashioned PE pumps are the thing... (Shimano sandals are even better)
After the evening shower, apply Savlon to your backside. Use Vaseline in the morning. Prevention is better than cure.
Padded shorts aren't necessary, (I never use them as they they are difficult to repeatedly wash and dry) but as you haven't much saddle time, they're probably a good idea.

Talk to people - say good morning to passengers waiting at bus stops and chat to strangers in cafes. Chill out in traffic ansd gawp at the staggeringly beautiful English countryside. Don't fret about being lost.

I know that you'll ignore this last bit of advice, but if you want a completely relaxing time and a fabulous, convivial few days with good friends - LEAVE THE MOBILE PHONE AND LAPTOP AT HOME.

Enjoy.

[Barrenfluffit]

I don't think goo is a good idea. It only stops some punctures and gums up the valve. As long as the tyres are pumped to the pressures on the tyres it shouldn't be a problem.

If your navigating by map try to have it out or as near out as much as possible. Make a point of checking it.

Start slowly in the morning. Touring is mostly about applying time rather than speed. Walk if you like; its about getting there.

[Big T]

Have to disagree with Gordy on some points.

We are rarely on the road before 9.30am and will usually be at our destination by 5pm. We let any rush hour traffic disipate before setting off.
We don't rush (ave 10 mph) and stop as and when we feel like it along the way. It's not a race to get to your destination.
I've never found Savlon or Vaseline to be necessary, but then I do wear padded lycra shorts!
Shower as soon as you have finished riding for the day and don't wear dirty shorts.
Lycra shorts can be easily washed in the sink/shower and wrapped in a towel and rung out, hang them up to dry and they'll be dry by morning.

Each to their own!

[Tigger]

Hello everyone, I am going on my first cycle tour in about three weeks and would wlecome any advice you may have.
We are doing approx 55m per day for 6 days from Salisbury to Chester. I havent had the best preparation due to the weather and my only real world cycling has been about 8-12 miles a few times this winter. I have lost 2.5 stone ( im now a much more svelte13 stone)though in preparation and been working hard at the gym and on my rollers in the garage doing at least one hour every other day for the last month or so. Im not sure how difficult the ride is going to be or even if i will finish ?

Hi Sunrise, welcome to the forum and congratulations on your weight loss - brilliant stuff!

I went on my first tour last September - on my own - and it was the most fantastic Big Adventure I'm sure you will manage the mileage - try to get some big mileages in before you head off, and consecutive days is important. Then just take your time, and enjoy the ride, as the others have said.

You have been given great advice already. In fact I learnt everything I know about cycle touring from this forum plus "Cycling in the Hebrides" by Richard Barrett but I guess the latter won't be too much help So my recommendation is to make use of the search function and you will learn muchos! I often use Google to search the forum so that I can look for phrases eg, put in the search box:
site:forum.ctc.org.uk "suspension seat post"

Oh, and it is often advised to go on a 'shakedown' tour or micro-tour where you can iron out the problems in your luggage/ gadgets/ mapping etc. But you probably don't have time for that now...?

PS my signature should probably read, "all the gear and a bit of an idea"

[DaveP]

The way the weather is looking warmth will be a very important consideration. A good preferably waterproof pair of gloves such as Sealskinz would be worthwhile, as would their waterproof socks - I always used to wonder about these, but now that I've tried 'em... Merino wool base layers are warm and don't get pongy as fast as synthetics great if the budget allows.
You need enough stuff to wear one day, a change for the next, and then its down to what you can wear again, what you can reasonably hope to rinse and dry overnight and replacements for the rest. Some places are more helpful than others. One option often recommended but never personally tried is to post parcels of clothing ahead, by arrangement, and then post the used stuff home.
The weather hasn't been helpful but you do need to actually get out on your bike and put in a days riding. It really is the only way to be sure that your kit is going to do what you need it to do, and that includes your bike. Try not to make any changes to that from now on - it might not be perfect, but it hasn't been bothering you so far, has it Suspension posts have their points, but it can take a while to decide if its a change for the better for you personally, so stick with the familiar. For most people 55 miles is actually a comfortable days ride with time to enjoy the view - don't be put off by the number. In preparation, bum on saddle hours are more important than ground covered, another reason to force yourself outside for a day

[Sunrise]

Thanks so much for all your help,

There seems to be some great advice which i will i will take on board. Whilst not wanting to appear conceited i might post an update after my trip as to how it all went in case anyone is interested.

If you have more advice please post as there is bound to be something i havent considered.

[Tigger]

Whilst not wanting to appear conceited i might post an update after my trip as to how it all went in case anyone is interested.

Not conceited at all Sunrise!!! We love updates, and we are definitely interested - but you must give us the good, bad and ugly