Denise Goldberg

[DeniseGoldberg]

...what is your average speed, on flat ground, on a long ride, with pretty clam winds, towing your trailer? ...is that the trailer the Friday goes in when you fly, like converted? ...an opinion on Bob Trailers?

Well, I'm not a fast rider. My average speed riding unencumbered is about 14 miles per hour. Adding a load to the bike, either on the bike in panniers or behind the bike, generally drops another couple of miles off of my speed. So when I'm touring, my average miles per hour on a flat ride is probably 12mph. And it can be a lot slower if my route for the day includes a lot of uphills.

Yes, the trailer I use with my Bike Friday is the case that the bike travels in. It converts to a trailer by the addition of a frame and wheels, then back to the bike case at the end of my ride. I've never used a BoB, but I'd say they are definitely worth considering. Keep in mind that if you're carrying a lot of weight (as in, you're camping and have tent, sleeping bag, stove, fuel, food - in addition to your clothes...) that putting the weight on the bike will change the handling of your bike. I remember on my very first loaded tour - I took a rest day in Missoula, MT, and I was riding around without my panniers. The bike handling was so different that I thought there was something wrong with my bike! (And of course there wasn't - it was only carrying me and not all of my gear!)

I wrote an article about deciding between panniers and a trailer that you might find interesting. You can find it at http://PanniersOrTrailer.crazyguyonabike.com.

Are you planning a tour soon? Or are you dreaming of something in the future? Either way, have fun dreaming, and let me know if you have more questions.

--- Denise