eddief
07-02-2010, 10:43 AM
Just completed 11 day, 550 miles Loop tour offered by Bicycle Adventure Club. Credit card tour with explicit cue sheets, luggage transport, hotels?, and a few group meals included. I should also mention, there were two ride leaders who put the trip together, both of whom rode the entire route along with 22 participants.
This was by far my longest, most challenging ride ever. From 25 to 70 miles per day with the average being around 50.
First few days were rainy, but then smooth, sometimes headwinded, but mostly not...for the next 9 days. Growing to appreciate the Showers Pass Elite 2.0 jacket is a prime travel partner.
While not exclusive for oldies, the youngest person on the ride was 55 and the oldest was 68. Some old farts can really ride. I thought the Loop would be crowded with cars and motorcycles, but with the exception, in some cases of not being able to avoid a couple of big highways for some miles, the route was mostly on uncrowded, finely paved roads.
BC was gorgeous. Nothing in particular to do, but lots to see. New Denver, Kaslo, Metaline Falls. This route began and ended in Spokane. Wanted to drink with Dave Thompson, but I was riding so fast yesterday down the Centennial Trail from Coer d'Alene I could not stop myself as I am sure I wizzed past where he lives on my way to pack for flying home.
Interesting enough equipment is super impt. on an 11 day ride with limited sag. I have a fine Bike Friday. But all of my training in the last 6 months has been on a big wheel bike. I started to get antsy about doing this tour on a 20 inch wheeled, twitchy steering BF.
Two weeks before the trip, I ran into a 58 coupled Riv Rambouillet with case. I quickly put the parts together to build it up, rode it about 5 miles in the hood, then stuck it in the travel case the day before the trip. Really the perfect bike for this ride. No mech issues, just a couple of flat tires in 600 miles.
I am super fickle about bikes, but now have a heavy leaning towards this coupled 700C approach. It made it there in the case and did not get mangled. Have not yet looked today to see how it did on the return trip.
While we were in hotels for each night and all had a TV, I watched a total of about 20 minutes in 11 days...and no computer either. Coming home and turning on the flat screen was a giant let down compared to the reality of what is out in a world of incredible beauty
A great trip to a great part of the west.
This was by far my longest, most challenging ride ever. From 25 to 70 miles per day with the average being around 50.
First few days were rainy, but then smooth, sometimes headwinded, but mostly not...for the next 9 days. Growing to appreciate the Showers Pass Elite 2.0 jacket is a prime travel partner.
While not exclusive for oldies, the youngest person on the ride was 55 and the oldest was 68. Some old farts can really ride. I thought the Loop would be crowded with cars and motorcycles, but with the exception, in some cases of not being able to avoid a couple of big highways for some miles, the route was mostly on uncrowded, finely paved roads.
BC was gorgeous. Nothing in particular to do, but lots to see. New Denver, Kaslo, Metaline Falls. This route began and ended in Spokane. Wanted to drink with Dave Thompson, but I was riding so fast yesterday down the Centennial Trail from Coer d'Alene I could not stop myself as I am sure I wizzed past where he lives on my way to pack for flying home.
Interesting enough equipment is super impt. on an 11 day ride with limited sag. I have a fine Bike Friday. But all of my training in the last 6 months has been on a big wheel bike. I started to get antsy about doing this tour on a 20 inch wheeled, twitchy steering BF.
Two weeks before the trip, I ran into a 58 coupled Riv Rambouillet with case. I quickly put the parts together to build it up, rode it about 5 miles in the hood, then stuck it in the travel case the day before the trip. Really the perfect bike for this ride. No mech issues, just a couple of flat tires in 600 miles.
I am super fickle about bikes, but now have a heavy leaning towards this coupled 700C approach. It made it there in the case and did not get mangled. Have not yet looked today to see how it did on the return trip.
While we were in hotels for each night and all had a TV, I watched a total of about 20 minutes in 11 days...and no computer either. Coming home and turning on the flat screen was a giant let down compared to the reality of what is out in a world of incredible beauty
A great trip to a great part of the west.