Riding a Tour

[mtbdarby]

I'm looking for some advise on a 7 day tour I'm going to try shortly.

What to pack: I have a list from the tour but I don't have rain gear. Any inexpensive options here? Do you also bring shoe covers (I hate riding in wet shoes).

I most likely will have to ride with my 4yo in the trailer for a portion of it. Any tips to make that part of the trip more enjoyable for both of us and any additional items I need to bring besides his clothes and a car seat (I'm anticipating some quality time in the sag vehicle as I've been sidelined for a couple of weeks since my crash).

Average meal cost is $4-5 for breakfast and $6-7 for supper. How much money do you bring for the week and is it all cash? Do you carry it all on you all the time?

Here's the packing list:
helmet, underwear, toiletries and soap, handlebar/seat bag, shirts, towel and wash cloth, frame mounted tire pump, shorts, tent and ground cloth, bike lock, lightweight jacket, sleeping pad/thermarest is best, 2 large water bottles, 1 pair of pants, flashlight with fresh batteries, rain gear, spare tube, tire tools, patch kit, cycling shoes, cycling gloves, off bike shoes, ID and insurance card, insect spray, mediacation, foam earplugs, money and more money!

Anything else you could suggest I bring? We are allowed 2 duffel bags for luggage.

TIA for your help!

[Nanci]

www.denisegoldberg.com

Look at Denise's website- she has lots of lists, suggentions, etc.

Toe covers keep out some rain, but not for hours and hours or if it's heavy. I am hoping to try sandals in rain this summer- I think that is a perfect warm weather solution.

I'd bring whatever you bring to keep your kid busy in the car.

Two pairs of bike shorts so you can wash one and have it drying as you ride the next day.

I'd take more than one spare tube.

Tons of sunscreen for you and kid.

Wet wipes.

[DeniseGoldberg]

Dar -
I hate wet feet too, but in my experience shoe covers only work in light rain. (Then again, I just looked up what I thought I bought as a rain cover from PI, and they don't seem to exist anymore.) Once the rain gets really heavy, well I always seem to end up with water sloshing between my toes!

On the rain jacket front - can't give you any recommendations for inexpensive jackets. But I would recommend that whatever you get has pit zips.

Nanci already pointed to to my site - my packing list journal can be accessed directly at http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/journal/DenisePacks. If you have any questions about my lists, ask away! Oh, and even though I made this list for my solo tours (no support), the gear is pretty much the same. It's up to you how many of each item you take - you many not be limited to my own self-imposed limit of 2 sets of bike clothes (I was them out every night).

What kind of tour is it? I assume it's some kind of organized ride since you're limited to 2 duffel bags.

--- Denise

[Grog]

For raincoat, you might want to get a cheapie rain jacket like this
http://www.all3sports.com/product_info.php?pName=louis-garneau-clear-imper-rain-jacket&jsenabled=1&osCsid=19ff7ea570929bdcd8200b54867ec360
if you can't invest in a better one. It will keep you dry for some time (but eventually will make you wet from the inside!!).

I agree with Denise about the shoe cover, although there exist some very good ones (expensive though) that can be used for riding in the winter. Bring a few plastic bags, they might come handy! (By the way, stashing newspaper in your shoes makes them dry faster.)

I'd take three pairs of shorts, just in case it rains one day and the first pair doesn't have the time to dry while your second pair is getting drenched...

(I live in the Pacific NorthWest, maybe I'm obsessed with rain?)

On a different topic...

Will your 4 yo kid stay with you in the tent for the whole trip? Have you travelled together like that before?

I'd suggest contacting the tour organizers about this and asking them to put you in contact with other people who have done the same with their child. I was talking with Grand Tour veterans last year (the Grand Tour is a week-long bike tour, very well organized, in Quebec, organized every year and attended by about 2000 cyclists - http://www.velo.qc.ca/voyages/travel.lasso?page=evenement&surtitre=grandtour for info) about this very topic after seeing a couple with a kid in tow. I was told that, as far as they knew, many had started the Grand Tour with kids below 12 yo in the past but none had ever finished. Indeed that couple didn't finish either.

I don't mean to discourage you at all and I know you are an experienced cyclist, so you probably have this sort of experience travelling with your kids. If not, do try to talk with others who might have tricks on how to make this work. I have no better suggestion, sorry...... (And, as an aside, I must note that as a kid I would have loved to do that with my parents!!!)

[mtbdarby]

GROG, my ex is being a jerk all of a sudden - he was going to take him from Wednesday on. So the worse case scenario would be that I travel with my son for 3 days/2 nights. I don't think that's too bad. I plan on setting the tent up tonight and maybe we'll "camp" out in the living room to start with since we haven't camped together yet. I'm hoping he'll look back at this and remember a good bonding trip with Mom! It also helps that we come through my home town on Monday (starts Sunday and my folks will have him for the weekend and meet us in Merrill on Monday), so he won't be a part of all the pre-tour craziness. I'll spend Monday night in my own bed and we'll set out as a team Tuesday morning. I'm actually hoping his dad will meet us at the stop on Wednesday night. That would only be two days of biking together and one night camping together - my legs should be dieing by then! Then SJCzar will have to push me up any hills the next day:D Of course, there may need to be a marguerita or two to help my recovery;)

I'm actually looking forward to this time with my little guy. I really wanted to do something for myself this year and I was trying to figure out what we could do together for a mini-vacation and this may just fit both of those goals. It always works out in the end, doesn't it?

Thanks for the tips. I haven't seen any reflector vests or anything mentioned. Has anyone used those or do you just wing it there?

[DeniseGoldberg]

I haven't seen any reflector vests or anything mentioned. Has anyone used those or do you just wing it there?

I don't wear one - and since I usually wear a camelbak when I tour it would be covered anyway.

Do you wear a reflective vest normally? If you do, then by all means wear it on your tour. If not - well, I'm not sure what would make a tour any different than your normal rides.

[Grog]

I'm actually looking forward to this time with my little guy. I really wanted to do something for myself this year and I was trying to figure out what we could do together for a mini-vacation and this may just fit both of those goals. It always works out in the end, doesn't it?

Then I'm sure you'll be all right. The same group organizes another ride for families that's also 2 nights and 3 days and TONS, I say TONS of people do it with their kids of all ages.

If that gives you an additional excuse to get a nice cocktail... well that's even better!! :D

[Triskeliongirl]

I am more used to unsupported touring, so I carry LOTs of tubes, a patch kit, tire boot, AND a spare tire and spokes. I also like to have a total of 3 pairs bikes shorts, bras and shirts. I wash out every nite, but depending where you are they are not always dry by morning. If they aren't dry, I attach a mesh bag to the back of rear rack to dry the laundry as I ride. I got great rain gear from bike nashbar, goretex jacket with pit zips. Not cheap, but have used it so much it has more than paid for itself over the years. I don't bother with rain pants. I would be sure to let your tour company know about your child, as I am sure you know your speed may be slower than the rest of the group when you are pulling the trailer. Have a great time!

[DebW]

I'm looking for some advise on a 7 day tour I'm going to try shortly.

What to pack: I have a list from the tour but I don't have rain gear. Any inexpensive options here?

Check out the Frogg-toggs raingear. $40-60 for jacket and pants in a waterproof/breathable fabric similar to Tyvek. Not real durable and the fit is probably sloppy, but a good value for short-term use. Lots of hikers like them.

http://www.froggtoggs.com/proaction.htm
http://www.backcountry-equipment.com/clothing/frogg-toggs/pro-action.html

[ridebikeme]

I would agree that a jacket with pit zips is the best alternative... there is a line of rain wear called O2. The fit about a size smaller than normal, and run in the $30-$35 range... unfortunately they do not have pit zips. Have a grea trip!

[SJCzar]

I'm really liking that "Marguerita Recovery Plan". How convenient that the towns that we camp in have free shuttle service to their downtown areas. I'm sure there has to be a few good places for margueritas between Eagle River and Prairie du Chien.

[Barb]

I am going on my first 6 day in a couple of weeks. I got an REI rain jacket with zip pits. It is also HI-VIS. No pants, no shoe covers,no helmet cover. Crossing my fingers and keeping a sense of humor instead! I do have a cover for my precious brooks saddle though :cool:

[li10up]

I have a Marmot Precip jacket that has pit zips. It breathes well and keeps me dry (hiking). It has a longer back to keep your backside dry. Not cheap but not as expensive as some jackets. About $80 at campmor.com.

Sounds like fun! Enjoy.

[cindysue]

I'd suggest getting a camp towel (under $20 at REI). My experience has been that regular household towels don't dry quickly enough.

[Triskeliongirl]

I second the vote for a camp towel, as it also takes up less weight, and also I bring a silk sleeping sack to make sleeping in any motel bed anywhere feel a bit more luxorious. Even for self-supported touring, its worth its compact weight. In mexico we often stayed in lovely cabanas in national parks, which while equipped with beds, the linen was often not in good shape, or scratchy, so the sleep sack really came in handy.

[li10up]

I see you are taking a tent. I've found that a travel pillow is a necessity! You'll sleep so much better. I've tried the stuffing the clothes in a t-shirt or stuff sack...but trust me... a small pillow will do wonders for a good nights sleep.

[mtbdarby]

What about cash? How much vs credit card? I am assuming you'd always keep it on you. Since this is supported, I'm not worried about the weight of items per se, but I like the camp towel drying faster idea.

[Barb]

I am going with $20.00 per day budget. I only have to buy lunch and snacks (and the post ride cocktail). I will carry a credit card for just incase though.