As you could see in the video we still have some snow left around here. But I'm pretty confident that I'll be able to do the first overnighter of the season in a couple of days. So that will most likely be next weeks video. Cant't wait to get out on the roads!
My first long trip after almost 20 years leaving bicycle was about 20 km destination, i was so excited that in the begining i ride fast for a few kms then i realised that iam tired and have to do lots of km more, my whole excitment turned into a worry that how i would reach the destination, the point is that start slowly and after a while you will notice that u have attained a decent avg speed, when u attain that u can ride hours on that speed without being tired
Interestingly, I gained weight and beer belly size during last summers bike tour. Apparently, I burn fewer calories when I ride than I thought. Te camping tip is spot on. Or, at least, do an overnighter in your new camping gear before using it for a month on end. I did a few weeks ago. New bike, new tent, new mattress, new sleeping bag, and I brought a water filter instead of five kilograms of water. Lots of useful info gained: The bike has a speed wobble that could be challenging. Tent has useless, hairpin-like pegs (but I managed to out it up in the dark) that I need to replace, and has very little space. Sleeping bag is comfortable, but very tight. Water filter broke. All good to know, and one night isn't a disaster.
#4 - comfort is king. I admit that it took me awhile, but I learned my comfort is worth the weight. Saving grams is important, but not at the expense of a nice trip. I recommend giving equipment choices a good few trials before committing it to a tour. It’s not only important to know how to setup and use the gear, but it’s critical that the gear meets my expectations of comfort and performance.
On gear, check out your old gear too. I spent a couple of miserable nights camping when I found out that the down in my old sleeping bag had finally clumped. Temperatures were in the teens (F) at night and I was very cold. Also, thought of this the other day while riding past a cemetery. All water is not drinkable here in the US. Our cemetery water is straight out of an irrigation canal and is suitable only for watering the grass. Good video!
I am guilty of not listing to tip #3 on first bike excursion . I caved in to the braggarts and got sore legs at the end of the trip. Great advice Mike.
Excellent video! I had made those mistakes for sure, especially #3, which combined with the rolling hills you mention in point 5, led to an injury. Listen to your body is the best advice ever. Thanks!
I agree with every single points. Me too, I would rather climb a gradual hill for 7 hours (Canadian Rockies) than strong headwinds (Canadian prairies) or up and down (Northern Ontario, New Brunswick).
I hit a lot of rolling hills on my last tour and didn't realize the toll they'd take on my body. Rolling hills are beautiful when you ride a car, tackling them on a bike is a challenge.
Some really good info there. Especially as far as drinking goes, Im terrible for hydrating properly, i never drink regularly even though i know its real important. Got to agree with you about the wind it can be a nightmare, i find the best way to deal with it is to just go as fast as is comfortable, if its only 3mph then so be it. One thing i never do is to try to fight it, its nature, so respect it, youll never beat it. Great video as usual, thanks for sharing. Ride safe 👍
Throughout my research for information from the "experienced" i found you and your videos. Thank goodness! I like the way you do it (scandinavian way, i guess ;-)), i enjoy your style and of course the very useful informations! i'm on my way to get the things together for going on my first bike tour, camp stuff is already there, got a bike and panniers, but there is always something missing.... Today i was looking for some Merino Stuff and there is a very interesting company in Germany called "Kaipara", they are looking for the so called sustainability, very nice and the costs are very ok. I'm going to get some of these.... This years plan is to go the "Moselradweg" in Germany, where I'm from, by the way at the age of 55....Lot's of love, take care and stay safe! Greetings from Wuppertal/Germany! Stefan P.S. Sorry for my english....
Thank you Stefan! Loved reading yor comment. You don't have to apologize for your english. If I hadn't read that your surname was Nürnberger I never would have guessed that weren't a native english speaker.
I think having a water bladder on one's back makes drinking often easier and more convenient compared to stopping on the road, disrupting your nice flow of riding the bike to simply take a few sips of water.
Good video Mike, but one thing I'd suggest for A newbie. Its best if they make some mistakes as they go as they will learn and feel very accomplished afterwards. That's my personal experience
For electrolytes I use salt with half potassium and half sodium and also add magnesium. (Epsom salts) I add a pinch in the water bottles on Hellish hot days in America, or I bonk and get leg cramps.
I have learned from experience that I absolutely have to replenish my electrolytes. I get terrible headaches if I don't. I end up always adding an electrolyte mix to my water.
To make sure I'm drinking enough, I set up my Wahoo to beep on laps, and set my "laps" to be every 15 minutes rather than use distance. Then I get a reminder to take a sip without thinking about it.
Twice as many? 2.5 hours of proper cycling (i.e., pedalling more or less ceaselessly) burns, according to My Fenix 6X Pro Solar, ca. 1.700kcal. 8-10 (or thereabouts) hour ride, with 30kg luggage and all that will burn at least 5.000kcal. Cycling is easily among the best ways to get in shape. Provided you don’t overeat and refrain from late night meals or snacks.
Hi Mike...just to let you know..."Bonk/Bonking" has a alternative meaning in England..its rather rude..so when you say..."You are "Going to Bonk at the end of the day"...well..Congratulations!🤣👍
Haha! I can just imagine what that means. We're so fed with American phrases here in Sweden since most of the media we consume comes from the USA. So I'm totally blaming my "rude words" on American media ;-)
As you could see in the video we still have some snow left around here. But I'm pretty confident that I'll be able to do the first overnighter of the season in a couple of days. So that will most likely be next weeks video. Cant't wait to get out on the roads!
My first long trip after almost 20 years leaving bicycle was about 20 km destination, i was so excited that in the begining i ride fast for a few kms then i realised that iam tired and have to do lots of km more, my whole excitment turned into a worry that how i would reach the destination, the point is that start slowly and after a while you will notice that u have attained a decent avg speed, when u attain that u can ride hours on that speed without being tired
It's about the journy, not the destination. Great advice Mike! Thanks
Exactly!
Interestingly, I gained weight and beer belly size during last summers bike tour. Apparently, I burn fewer calories when I ride than I thought. Te camping tip is spot on. Or, at least, do an overnighter in your new camping gear before using it for a month on end. I did a few weeks ago. New bike, new tent, new mattress, new sleeping bag, and I brought a water filter instead of five kilograms of water. Lots of useful info gained: The bike has a speed wobble that could be challenging. Tent has useless, hairpin-like pegs (but I managed to out it up in the dark) that I need to replace, and has very little space. Sleeping bag is comfortable, but very tight. Water filter broke. All good to know, and one night isn't a disaster.
#4 - comfort is king. I admit that it took me awhile, but I learned my comfort is worth the weight. Saving grams is important, but not at the expense of a nice trip. I recommend giving equipment choices a good few trials before committing it to a tour. It’s not only important to know how to setup and use the gear, but it’s critical that the gear meets my expectations of comfort and performance.
On gear, check out your old gear too. I spent a couple of miserable nights camping when I found out that the down in my old sleeping bag had finally clumped. Temperatures were in the teens (F) at night and I was very cold. Also, thought of this the other day while riding past a cemetery. All water is not drinkable here in the US. Our cemetery water is straight out of an irrigation canal and is suitable only for watering the grass. Good video!
I always love your videos. So well shot, edited and so informative as ever.
Thanks for the kind words Steven!
Very good points. My third day is always the hardest no matter how I ride. Then I improve from there. Your videos are outstanding. Take care, Al
Thank you Al. Hopefully I'll be back with a new touring video next week. Hoping to do an overnighter tomorrow.
I am guilty of not listing to tip #3 on first bike excursion . I caved in to the braggarts and got sore legs at the end of the trip. Great advice Mike.
Excellent video! I had made those mistakes for sure, especially #3, which combined with the rolling hills you mention in point 5, led to an injury. Listen to your body is the best advice ever. Thanks!
Thank you Agnieszka!
I agree with every single points. Me too, I would rather climb a gradual hill for 7 hours (Canadian Rockies) than strong headwinds (Canadian prairies) or up and down (Northern Ontario, New Brunswick).
I hit a lot of rolling hills on my last tour and didn't realize the toll they'd take on my body. Rolling hills are beautiful when you ride a car, tackling them on a bike is a challenge.
Some really good info there. Especially as far as drinking goes, Im terrible for hydrating properly, i never drink regularly even though i know its real important. Got to agree with you about the wind it can be a nightmare, i find the best way to deal with it is to just go as fast as is comfortable, if its only 3mph then so be it. One thing i never do is to try to fight it, its nature, so respect it, youll never beat it. Great video as usual, thanks for sharing. Ride safe 👍
Great ideas Mile. Good to see ur trails are clearing of snow😎
Thanks Dan. Did my first overnighter of the season yesterday. Video from that trip coming up this Saturday!
Great tips for me. Headwinds are merciless.
This dude is underrated.
Thanks!
Excellent content, very clearly delivered. Thanks Mike, for another top class video.
Thank you Duncan! Glad you enjoyed it.
All excellent advice , concise and to the point.
Thank you Mike. That was brilliant. Safe cycling mate. All the best.
Glad you liked it! ATB Mike!
Hi Mike, great tips. I'm already looking to shorten day 2 of my first multi-day trip, to take into account the effect of fatigue on the 2nd day.
Great information, Mike! Thank you!
Great points, I always enjoy your chats.
Thank you!
Thanks Mike...excellent points. Appreciate your videos as always...hope you and family are all well.
Thanks Jerry. Hopefully I'll be back with a new touring video next week. Hoping to do an overnighter tomorrow.
Thanks a lot for your share, really appreciate for New cyclist like us 🙂 have fun !
Thanks for this video. 😎
Thanks Mike! Great videos
Throughout my research for information from the "experienced" i found you and your videos. Thank goodness! I like the way you do it (scandinavian way, i guess ;-)), i enjoy your style and of course the very useful informations! i'm on my way to get the things together for going on my first bike tour, camp stuff is already there, got a bike and panniers, but there is always something missing.... Today i was looking for some Merino Stuff and there is a very interesting company in Germany called "Kaipara", they are looking for the so called sustainability, very nice and the costs are very ok. I'm going to get some of these.... This years plan is to go the "Moselradweg" in Germany, where I'm from, by the way at the age of 55....Lot's of love, take care and stay safe! Greetings from Wuppertal/Germany! Stefan P.S. Sorry for my english....
Thank you Stefan! Loved reading yor comment. You don't have to apologize for your english. If I hadn't read that your surname was Nürnberger I never would have guessed that weren't a native english speaker.
@@BikeTouringMike Thank you so much, but i think you're joking.
I hope you get some good bike tour in this summer Mike. Thanks for the video.
Thank you Mike!
Good video!
Thank you Øyvind!
I think having a water bladder on one's back makes drinking often easier and more convenient compared to stopping on the road, disrupting your nice flow of riding the bike to simply take a few sips of water.
Good video Mike, but one thing I'd suggest for A newbie. Its best if they make some mistakes as they go as they will learn and feel very accomplished afterwards. That's my personal experience
For electrolytes I use salt with half potassium and half sodium and also add magnesium. (Epsom salts) I add a pinch in the water bottles on Hellish hot days in America, or I bonk and get leg cramps.
I have learned from experience that I absolutely have to replenish my electrolytes. I get terrible headaches if I don't. I end up always adding an electrolyte mix to my water.
To make sure I'm drinking enough, I set up my Wahoo to beep on laps, and set my "laps" to be every 15 minutes rather than use distance. Then I get a reminder to take a sip without thinking about it.
Twice as many? 2.5 hours of proper cycling (i.e., pedalling more or less ceaselessly) burns, according to My Fenix 6X Pro Solar, ca. 1.700kcal. 8-10 (or thereabouts) hour ride, with 30kg luggage and all that will burn at least 5.000kcal. Cycling is easily among the best ways to get in shape. Provided you don’t overeat and refrain from late night meals or snacks.
Hi Mike...just to let you know..."Bonk/Bonking" has a alternative meaning in England..its rather rude..so when you say..."You are "Going to Bonk at the end of the day"...well..Congratulations!🤣👍
Haha! I can just imagine what that means. We're so fed with American phrases here in Sweden since most of the media we consume comes from the USA. So I'm totally blaming my "rude words" on American media ;-)
Thanks a lot for your share, really appreciate for New cyclist like us 🙂 have fun !
Thanks Mike!