supported tour- must-haves?

[tulip]

Becky, I've done many supported tours, and this year will by my 4th Bike Virginia. I'm no camper though, I stay in the motels. Bike Virginia is an extremely well-organized event, and alot of people do the camping every year.

Are you taking advantage of the tent service or will you be bringing and setting up your own tent? If you do the tent service, you won't have to bring a tent, obviously. They may also provide towels, but I'm not sure. If you bring your own tent, you can decide where to put it. The tent service people seem to set up the tents awfully close together!

In past Bike Virginias, the camping has been at a school and so the campers can use the indoor plumbing, including showers. That seems better than a shower truck to me. I'm not sure about this year; you might want to call and check.

There will be serious climbing this year. I'll be riding my bike with the triple crankset. The compact double just will not do in the Shenandoah over five days. I've ridden Skyline Drive for two days in a row with the compact double, but I really could have used a triple.

Everyone has really good suggestions. I second the earplugs and flip-flops. Oh, and don't forget the sunscreen and bug spray!

[Becky]

I like the idea of a full-size towel and full-size pillow...a little pampering at the end of a long day. *adds to the list*

We're bringing our own tent. I need to figure out the towel thing. We have some smaller camp towels, but I think I'm going to want something just a little bigger.

The campsites are at a middle school and a university, so access to real plumbing shouldn't be an issue, I hope!

I've gotten conflicting opinions on gearing for this year. Some have said that a compact double will be fine, others have said go triple. We did the Civil War Century last year with the compacts and did fine, except for one long hill where I walked a little. On the other hand, I'd hate to kill myself with the compact, and not enjoy the week.

[Tuckervill]

For full size towels that don't take up a lot of space, and dry quickly, I like these. Turkish pestamels, from the baths. A friend brought me some from Turkey and I love them. Plus, they are bigger than the average bath towel and thus cover my ample body much better in all directions.

Karen

[Psycler]

Camera and extra batteries and cards. You would hate to see the perfect shot, then miss it because of low batteries.

[indysteel]

I like the idea of a full-size towel and full-size pillow...a little pampering at the end of a long day. *adds to the list*

We're bringing our own tent. I need to figure out the towel thing. We have some smaller camp towels, but I think I'm going to want something just a little bigger.

The campsites are at a middle school and a university, so access to real plumbing shouldn't be an issue, I hope!

I've gotten conflicting opinions on gearing for this year. Some have said that a compact double will be fine, others have said go triple. We did the Civil War Century last year with the compacts and did fine, except for one long hill where I walked a little. On the other hand, I'd hate to kill myself with the compact, and not enjoy the week.

What are the specifics on both your compact and your triple? I have both, set-ups too, but my triple has only one gear that's smaller than what my compact offers. So, it really doesn't end up making all that big of a difference. Do you have two different bikes or would you just swamp out your compact for the triple? If it's the former, bring the bike that's more comfortable (if one is).

[Becky]

What are the specifics on both your compact and your triple? I have both, set-ups too, but my triple has only one gear that's smaller than what my compact offers. So, it really doesn't end up making all that big of a difference. Do you have two different bikes or would you just swamp out your compact for the triple? If it's the former, bring the bike that's more comfortable (if one is).

Very good point. I need to go play with a gear calculator. My current set up is a 34-50 and 12-25 in the back. The triple would likely be a 30-39-52. How are your bikes set up?

ETA: It would be a difference of a low gear of 31.7 gear inches (triple) vs. 35.9 gear inches (compact). Not sure that it's worth the $200. I can stop eating crap and work on hill climbing for the next month instead

I have 2 bikes, but intend to use the steel one for this trip. When I rebuilt it a couple years ago, I intentionally spec'ed it with triple shifters, a triple FD, and a compact crankset that uses an external BB. The compact is fine for my local terrain, but I wanted the option to go triple just by swapping the crankset and adjusting the FD.

[indysteel]

Very good point. I need to go play with a gear calculator. My current set up is a 34-50 and 12-25 in the back. The triple would likely be a 30-39-52. How are your bikes set up?

ETA: It would be a difference of a low gear of 31.7 gear inches (triple) vs. 35.9 gear inches (compact). Not sure that it's worth the $200. I can stop eating crap and work on hill climbing for the next month instead

I have 2 bikes, but intend to use the steel one for this trip. When I rebuilt it a couple years ago, I intentionally spec'ed it with triple shifters, a triple FD, and a compact crankset that uses an external BB. The compact is fine for my local terrain, but I wanted the option to go triple just by swapping the crankset and adjusting the FD.

I have a 34-50, with a 13-26 (I think; it might be a 13-29 but I can't remember). It's a Campy build. With Shimano, I likely would have gone with a 12-27. You might consider just swapping out your 12-25 cassette for something with a wider spread. My triple's small chainring is also a 30, with a 12-25 in the rear.

[tulip]

For me it's psychological. It's important for me to know that I have more gears, even if I don't use them. I rarely use the granny gear, but it's just nice to know it's there. I was fine, physically, on Skyline Drive over two days with my compact, but I spent alot of my energy on worrying that I would need another gear or two. Therefore, I will be taking my triple bike to this event. Everyone is different in terms of fitness and psychology, so go with what works for you.

[Becky]

For me it's psychological. It's important for me to know that I have more gears, even if I don't use them. I rarely use the granny gear, but it's just nice to know it's there. I was fine, physically, on Skyline Drive over two days with my compact, but I spent alot of my energy on worrying that I would need another gear or two. Therefore, I will be taking my triple bike to this event. Everyone is different in terms of fitness and psychology, so go with what works for you.

You're absolutely right, and I'm continuing to weigh the psychological element of all this. The scientist in me often defaults to the empirical data (gear inches) and ignores the feelings (what will make me happy?), sometimes to a fault.

Thanks again for all of your help- I really do appreciate it.