Bicycle Touring and Bikepacking

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For all the pedal pushers out there that love long distance cycling. There are no gear requirements and no 'minimum distances' here.

Have you ridden for a cheeky overnighter or a 3 year global trek? Doesn't matter, you're welcome here.

Have you got panniers, bikepacking bags or just a backpack with the essentials? Doesn't matter, you're welcome here.

Have you got the latest in carbon engineering or your dads old 10 speed from the 70's? Doesn't matter, you're welcome here.

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On Friday it was about 31°C and high humidity, so I opted to shorten my route. (sopuli.xyz)

submitted 5 months ago by [email protected] to c/bicycle_touring

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This "sauna" weather isn't the best for bikepacking, I had to take breaks pretty often. There is cherry season so you always find "reason" to stop for some "snack".

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 5 months ago

It was not bike touring or packing (just riding for fitness and recreation), but Saturday I was out for a ride and had to cut it short a few miles.

I was about 53 miles (85 km) into a 70 mile (112 km) ride when I realize my heart rate was MUCH higher than the level of effort I felt I was putting out. I'm not sure what that means, but it couldn't be a good sign - at the very least, it meant I was burning way more energy than I should be to finish the ride. This was supposed to be a zone 2 or 3 cruise, not a zone 4 or 5 hammerfest.

By that point it was around 90 F (32 C). I had finished a full bottle of water, plus another bottle that was a mix of gatorade and water. Earlier, I had stopped and got enough cold water to refill one water bottle completely, and the other about 2/3rds. That should have been enough, and if not there was another gas station I could have stopped at to get more. So I felt pretty good about my hydration situation throughout the ride. I was never thirsty.

Given the situation and the heat, I decided to cut the ride short. I started riding in the lower gears for cruising and climbing, and trying to build a little momentum with higher gears when descending. I finished with 63.5 miles (~102 km) total, so not bad. I was eventually able to get my heart rate back down into zone 3 range.

I think I just overdid it - pushed too hard early on. I really didn't think I was, but it was hot and humid, so I probably didn't take that into account well enough. Also, while I've ridden quite a few metric centuries this year (long story), the longest ride I've done lately was just under 50 miles (80 km), and that had a long break at mile 16 (25 km), so surely that was a factor as well - maybe I just tried to jump too far.

Also, I'd hoped to get on the road by 6 a.m. but ended up leaving around 6:45 a.m. - an earlier departure would have meant I was that much farther along when the heat really rolled in. Hopefully this crazy heat breaks - I'd like to do 100 miles on July 4 if I can.