Calling All Cyclists!

Well I guess the first question is how well can you bike now? How many days do you have to do this trip?

Hey there
Forgive my naivity (im in Australia) but is the trail ride on a dirt trail (ie mountainbiking) or road cycling? Probably similar exercises to train for both but I'd love to know!
Obviously get on the bike as often as you can and do all of the commonly-thought of lunges, squats and leg exercises, but I would be doing a lot of back strengthening exercises as you will be on the bike for a long time, and endurance exercises, on a bike or not, will probably be helpful (reasonable lengths of jogging, eliptical etc. Stairs might be good for your butt too (it's going to get sore !
Feel free to add me if you want some help with inspiration - I ride too but my husband is a much more serious moutainbiker, he is currently training for 2 events back to back on weekends, 75km and 100km!

Well, make sure you are prepared for what can go wrong with your bicycle. I'd even suggest taking extra spokes and the most basic tools to true a wheel and remove a freewheel even.

You really, really ought to go to bikeforums.net and check out the touring sub-forum. There are a lot of very experienced cyclists over there that can help you. They can probably even suggest the best routes to take. It is worth checking out.

A few things about your bicycle. I would suggest that you run smooth tread tires for less rolling resistance. You should also ride your bike with everything you plan on taking along for the trip. Your bicycle will handle differently carrying all of the extra weight. I assume you have a rear rack and maybe some pannier bags? Some old mountain bikes have bosses on the fork for low rider racks to carry luggage low up front.

Also, make sure you have fenders and a rain slicker!

A few things about your bicycle. I would suggest that you run smooth tread tires for less rolling resistance. You should also ride your bike with everything you plan on taking along for the trip. Your bicycle will handle differently carrying all of the extra weight. I assume you have a rear rack and maybe some pannier bags? Some old mountain bikes have bosses on the fork for low rider racks to carry luggage low up front.

Also, make sure you have fenders and a rain slicker!

Sound advice this! :drinker:

Yowzers!! I've done 88 miles in one day, that's intense. I have yet to do 500 miles in one week. Maybe this summer...

The best tools I can think of would be cash, and research of reciprocity laws. Maybe try a bike forum to locate riders near the route who could help you out with parts and repairs. I don't know about the other riders here, but I eat like crazy on long rides like that.

Good luck.

#1 Make sure you have the proper equipment (Panniers, at least a pair for the rear with a rack, on the front is also helpful. Whatever gear you need for camping. Have a plan for food, campsites, etc. There is a podcast called the Travelling Two which is helpful, and they also have a website. Don't plan on a using a carbon bike for touring if that's what you have, you'd want aluminum, steel, etc. A couple times a month do a 40-50 mile ride with your bike loaded out, because a loaded out bike handles different then empty.

A lot of this depends on how many miles you will log each day; if your only doing 10-20 miles a day you don't need to train at all. If your planning on doing 50 miles a day moderate training will do. Anything beyond 50 miles a day is excessive for a beginner at touring.

Make sure you plan out your trip well, you don't want to end up riding into Big Sur, from Salinas and continue riding to Julia Pheiffer Campground to found out that your staying at Pheiffer Big Sur Campground- I ended up cycling 87 miles, 8500' of elevation gain, and burning 4,000 kcal that day... All will an overpacked bike because it was a short trip (60 lbs). Another thing, they say if you pack over 20lbs of gear on your bike your overpacking.

Another thing is a campstove is helpful, and nice- backpacking food tastes good, and is good for you, but takes up a fair amount of space in pannier. Cous Cous is an excellent touring food.

Sorry if that is jumbled, and hope it helps.

I have been riding bikes for over 20 years and can tell you that you do need to train.

First of all, riding a mountain bike (thick tires) on the rode is a lot of work. I would recommend getting some slick tires (thinner tires). Next work out....squats and lunges are good for strengthening the legs. If you can go to a spin class. That will help until you can get outside to ride.

I do a 450 mile ride every year in IOWA and I train a lot. I try to ride about 800 miles prior to the ride. Right now I spin 3 days a week. I live in the NW suburbs of Chicago. Once the weather gets nicer than I will ride 3 days a week outside 30-40 miles.

Start slow..maybe 15 miles then gradually build up to 20-30 mile rides. Join a bike club. This will help you meet people who can help you train. Remember to drink plenty of water.

When I started training for my IM I was already very fit in general, but not CYCLING FIT, and it took me a good while to work up to 60 mile rides, and recover quickly enough to be able to do that again next day. And I was riding a slick, fast road bike, not an MTB which is much heavier and provides much more resistance.

Oh man, that makes me think of my first 60 mile ride. I made it.... but I thought I was going to die!!! I limped back in the house and laid motionless, feeling terrible for what felt like 4 hours. I was proud of it, but it was an eye opener. My diet was really terrible at the time too so I am sure that played a part. At the time I bought myself one of those really long rope licorice ropes to celebrate my long ride.