[Boot_Disk]

Hello Everyone,

I just bought a Specialized Road bike a few months ago, and I am planning a trip from Edmundston, N.B. (Canada), to Ottawa, Ontario. This will be my first long distance trip. It is approximately 450 miles. I expect to do it in a week. But I am wondering if any of the more experienced riders here would like to share any tips with me before I leave. I am taking-off on the 22nd of August.

Any tips will be appreciated. Also, what are some emergency things that I should always carry in my bag? Besides the basic extra tubes and stuff. A nice list would be awesome.

Thanks everyone,

Matt

 

[Pau11y]

I wonder if you can get AAA insurance for a bike? That'd be sweet for road side
But seriously, that sound like a really nice pedal. I had a physics prof that rode from Steamboat CO to Juneau AK in like 35 days on the AlCan. I'm hoping I can do that when I grad college
Are you doing it on the hi-way or the back roads? I'd say plot your course thru little towns on the back roads for less traffic and more scenery. But being on a hi-way might be good for hitchin' when you do get in trouble.

 

[ito]

First thing I would say is double check your route. Some sections of highway are illegal for bikes and riding through town or through detours can be time consuming and add mileage.

Things to carry:

Tubes(3 is good)
Patch kit
CO2 carts and a pump
4 spokes and nipples(long nipples mean shorter spokes can work for different wheels)
Tire boot
Extra tire(possibly, folding bead of course)
Hex bolt set
Chain break and chain pins
First aid kit
Cell phone(if you want)
Small thing of Chamois cream(just in case)
Emergency blanket
Emergency Rations
Pad of paper and pen
ID card
Sewing kit
Alcohol wipes(shower in a packet)...also good TP if you are getting sores
Water purifying tablets
Rain and cold weather gear
Sunscreen
Lip balm

Depending on if you are staying in hotels or hostels or camping you will obviously need different equipment. Are you self sufficient or will you be stopping at towns?

I would suggest having a bag of snacks, here is some of the stuff I carried on my trip(I would usually load up during the day along the road).
Loaf of bread
Cheese
Deli meat
Apples
Nature Valley bars
Goldfish
Balance bars
Container of peanut butter and another of jam
Some hard candy to suck on

And then of course meals and cooking gear if you are cooking. Clothing, tent, etc.

The Ito

 

[mack]

Maybe a gun? I dunno, i think it might be somthing safe to have.

 

[Boot_Disk]

Ito,

Thanks for the list of things I should bring. I am gonna add it to my preperation notebook.

I will be trying to camp out in my tent as much as possible, depending on the weather I may meet or the lack of camp grounds. So I am planning on being quite self-sufficient. I may drop the sewing kit though...cause I don't know how to, Haha.

Your snacks seem very good.

Thanks for the tips,

Matt

 

[Boot_Disk]

Maybe a gun? I dunno, i think it might be somthing safe to have.

Mack,

I am in Canada, people don't need guns here

 

[Boot_Disk]

I wonder if you can get AAA insurance for a bike? That'd be sweet for road side
But seriously, that sound like a really nice pedal. I had a physics prof that rode from Steamboat CO to Juneau AK in like 35 days on the AlCan. I'm hoping I can do that when I grad college
Are you doing it on the hi-way or the back roads? I'd say plot your course thru little towns on the back roads for less traffic and more scenery. But being on a hi-way might be good for hitchin' when you do get in trouble.

Pau11y,

I am trying to go through some sceanic highways along the Saint Lauwrence River...however, I am going through back-roads around Quebec City and Montreal. So I think I will get some decent sight seeing in.

Matt

 

[JRogers]

Mack,

I am in Canada, people don't need guns here

I think it's more like you're a normal human being riding a bike so you don't need a gun.

 

[Pau11y]

I don't know how hard you'll be going but I find that when I go at a good pace, salty things like pepperoni sticks, and lots of water work well for me. You need to put the salt back into your body you'll be loosing on a long hot ride. I did a 70 mile ride recently and I faded at about the 2/3 point. However, I was packing a little thing of beef sticks which was pretty salty. About 1/2 hour after I ate them, it was like a second wind kicked in. My butt was still getting tender at that point so I decided to stand on the remaining hills to get off the seat for a bit. I didn't feel too fatigued thru the rest of the ride. And when I looked at my arm and legs, there was a fine layer of salt on them from my evaporated sweat.