Mountain bike touring

[snowtulip]

Hi gals,
I am considering a long mountain bike tour (400 miles), but I don't know anyone who has done this...so I'm looking for some advice. I could use advice on anything you have to offer (what to take, how to help my body during the long haul, easy food, making sure the sensitive areas of the body are happy, etc). I am in the beginning planning stages so I don't know anything, except that it sounds like a fun challenge!
Enjoy!

[Barb]

The Michigander is a long rail/trail ride. Not specifically mountain bike but you don't want to bring your rode bike there! Here is the site. It has some what to bring how to train info to at least get you started. I'll be doing this for my first long tour next year.

http://www.railtrails.org/field/michigan/documents/events/04michigander/main.asp

[Irulan]

snow tulip, you dont' say whether you are self supporting or not. That can make a huge difference in how you prepare and what you bring along... what ride are you doing?

irulan

[snowtulip]

Thanks for the website! My husband and I are planning on doing the whole Colorado Trail in one shot (Denver to Durango), we will be self-supporting. I just bought a book on the Colorado Trail (more centered toward backpackers, but a start) and it looks great. We've done sections when we're on vacation, but neither of us has toured. Since we are self-supporting (we hope to coax some friends into meeting us at campgrounds (supplies and seeing friendly faces)) we have plenty of planning to do!
Enjoy!

[Surlygirl]

Check out adventure cycling's web site. www.adventurecycliing.org
They have tons of advice for touring and what to bring. Also if you go to the journal section there are plenty of people who have toured on mountain bikes. Another great site is Jim Damico's www.wanderingtheworld.com He rode across the US using a mountain bike and trailer in 2001 and he is currently doing the Lewis and Clark trail.