this post was submitted on 24 Jun 2024
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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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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] 9 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Nice, I also like to take trains sometimes over either boring parts of the trip (I prefer single tracks and forest roads) or just have a 1way day ride and train back. It's chill just sitting in train for a bit and enjoy a small break

[–] [email protected] 5 points 4 days ago (1 children)

After I saw my friend, who rode there on road bike about 100km, I knew it was good call to scratch the route.

I stopped at the pub for some radler and ice cream and when I stepped outside ice cream melted and I had warm radler. So yeah it was due to weather.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 4 days ago (1 children)

<3 stopping for a beer after a good ride gotta be one of my favorite genders

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

And I thought that linking map of brewerys in my country to my last post was unnecessary. If you will tour Czech Republic you will know where to go.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 days 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.

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

I mean, sure, cycling to work can be nice, but this post seems like... cherry picking. 😎

[–] NewNewAccount 5 points 4 days ago (2 children)
[–] [email protected] 5 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Thanks. It is "work in progress" as almost all touring/universal bikes are.

Basically it is semi custom built - I got omnium cxc v3 frameset and completed it with Shimano parts. Now after about 5500km I have a whole list of things to upgrade.

[–] NewNewAccount 3 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Other than conversion to hydraulic brakes I’d keep that baby as-is!

Steel is real.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 days ago

I mean like bigger cassette, larger tires, changes in cockpit, suspension stem and seat post...

Mainly to make it more comfortable on longer rides and remedy some bad choices when I built it.

And yes hy/rd breaks are on the list.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

Not sure why they had problems doing the ride with an anti-gravity bike!?!

[–] NessD 3 points 3 days ago (1 children)

How do you get the bike up there and how is it locked in place?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

With my muscles and it isn't locked, you put front wheel on hook and rear wheel in the rack. It is secure only when you have the sweet spot of tire size- MTB doesn't fit and road bike moves too much. But I never had issues with this system.

[–] NessD 2 points 3 days ago

Ah, I see the green hooks now. Thx!

[–] AchtungDrempels 3 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Woah, the whole bike section just for you!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago

I took the photo few stops before end station, there was another bike and lot more people but for 10 minutes I had the section for myself.

Also I planed for less busy time.

[–] Potatos_are_not_friends 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Bro I love seeing bikes on trains/busses.

I'm glad that train has a dedicated spot for your bike! I'm seeing more of it existing!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 days ago

It is standard on these regional trains here. When the weather is nice loads of people use it.

Busses don't like bikes here, but it usually isn't problem because we have dense rail network and you can ride about 5km to nearest station.