Newbie to Touring doing the DALMAC help?

[DarkEros07]

Hello,

My name is Kristen. I am new around here. I have been riding a bike since I was 4 without the training wheels and I haven't ever stoped. I've used every kind of bike you can think of and love them all except the recumbant because I for the life of me cant keep it up instead of me on the ground moaning in pain! lol.

I am 5'4 and have a hard time finding a mens frame touring bike that will fit me. I can ride most any bike but would like one that fits as I will be riding in the DALMAC here in Michigan aug 30th-sept 2nd or something like that. If anyone wants to check it out the website it www.dalmac.org to see what I am talking about. My husband and I want to start training asap. This will be the first ever tour I have done on a bike. I have rode miles on end yes but never a 4 day tour and camping. I am wondering if anyone can give me any pointers as to what to expect? What I should have and what isn't nessecary(sp) I have rode mostly trails on my mnt bike but I have also used my bike as transportation. So far I have only the slightest idea as to what I will need.

Things to Get

Bike (yea i dont have one yet neither does hubby so darned exspensive looking for used)

Hydration Pack from CamelBak womens fit called "Magic" (have to have cant use waterbottles i go threw a ton of water 1 bottle would last me MAYBE 30 mins not goona carry 6 bottles with me)

Reg ankle socks

Shoes...I am thinking of wearing some elastic tied ones. like from sketchers i have a hard time finding shoes that fit i have wide feet and toe problems any suggestions? i dont want to spend more then 50 bucks a pair hubby needs some good ones too!

Tops- Looking for some that are tanks but sporty kinds that are built like a sports bra but longer..almost like a swimsuit tankini top but for bikeing

Shorts and Pant? what kind is best?

Frame Pump?

Rack for the back?

Helmet is a big problem. I have almost a child sized head. lol. scary i know but any suggestiosn of what a good helmet would be but not more then 30 bucks?

Riding gloves- open fingers and closed fingers

as far as training goes should i spring for a indoor stationary bike? or what? i think i have one at my dads old place. cant get it for a few but atleast i think its still there. less someone stole it. heh. anwyays. thanks ladies!

-Kristen-

[RoadRaven]

Eros/Kristen - you said in another thread that you do enduro riding and carry a 2 litre camel back...

So what bike to you have/ride on?

You must've been on some kind've bike whilst doing these distances... I don't see why you would need a different bike for a tour if you have been 100mile rides already... and I can't conceive of anyone regularly borrowing a bike for the training required to regularly ride these distances...

You also talk of your experience riding in heat and in snow... so what were you riding if you and hubby don't bikes? And what helmet have you used? And clothes? And shoes/gloves etc?

[Kano]

Hello,

I am 5'4 and have a hard time finding a mens frame touring bike that will fit me. I can ride most any bike but would like one that fits

-

They make "women's" bikes that look like men's frames -- rather than the step through kind we sort of traditionally think of as ladies bikes. A bike shop can help you with this!

as I will be riding in the DALMAC

-

Sounds neat! I haven't done anything like this either, but have been trying to talk my DH into something of this sort too. We would have new bikes to buy and lots of training to do too -- our leaning toward mountain hybrids wouldn't be comfy for a big ride!

Things to Get

Reg ankle socks

Shoes...I am thinking of wearing some elastic tied ones. like from sketchers i have a hard time finding shoes that fit i have wide feet and toe problems any suggestions? i dont want to spend more then 50 bucks a pair hubby needs some good ones too!

-

I'm not sure what you mean by reg ankle socks -- here's what I've found, and yes, both DH and I have wide feet. I have found that the thin, kinda spendy seeming socks like those we find here on the team estrogen web site are really helpful. My feet don't get all sweaty, and there's more room in the shoes.

Shoes -- I have some Specialized Taho shoes that I've found work well for me. They were around $70, which is a bit above your price range, but here's the thing: I have wide feet. That makes it hard to find shoes to begin with, as you know. These lace up, so they're nice and adjustable. I did have to buy some longer laces than what came in them. I also took off the velcro strap, cuz I didn't like it. The soles of regular shoes didn't give my feet enough support on pedals, and my feet hurt until they went numb while riding, then they hurt after riding from being uncomfortable. My riding performance and comfort greatly improved when I got the bike shoes even before I got pedals and those little metal cleats in the shoes.

Tops- Looking for some that are tanks but sporty kinds that are built like a sports bra but longer..almost like a swimsuit tankini top but for bikeing

-

Remember that sun is an issue even on cool cloudy days. I like a bit of a sleeve -- especially if you're wearing that camelback! Something I found with bras: if I wear the compression sports bra, things are smashed together and get heat rash. I am much more comfortable in a bra that separates the girls!

Shorts and Pant? what kind is best?

-

From what I read here, opinions vary a lot with one exception: find a bike short with the padding that you love! We'll all surely agree that an unhappy bottom makes a miserable rider! One of the things I've discovered -- I've got a couple of pair of shorts that I found at REI for about $20/pair, and they were okay for me when we were riding ten miles and maybe okay for 20 miles, but above that and they just weren't enough. I've got some in the $60 range that feel much better when I put in a longer day on my bike!

To add to this, you could go through a few seats this summer finding one that feels comfy. This is an important process -- again, when your butt hurts, there's no way to enjoy riding for any kind of distance!



I'm still fairly new to riding, having just one season under my belt. I'm itching for the weather to warm up (just can't coax myself to ride in my parka) The stuff I've written here are things I've learned so far from trial and error and these wonderful ladies!

Karen in Boise

[Barb]

Don't forget the Chamois Buttr!!! And most importantly don't let anyone tell you that MI does not have hills LOLOL! I have not done Dalmac...too many miles for me, but I did ride the PALM last year.

[Cha Cha]

Only thing I'll add here is buy the best shorts you can possibly afford and buy two - one to wash and one to wear. But, if that's too much, buy one pair and wash them daily - better to do that than suffer with cheap shorts. Turn them inside out in the store and look at how the chamois is constructed, and especially note where the seams are. When you try them on, walk around, crouch down into a riding position, and really move in them. (Don't worry, the people in the bike shop will not notice or care - in fact, they should encourage you to do so.) My favorites are the PI 3-d's, and at $120 a pair they are not cheap. But - no pun intended! - except for the first two days riding, I have had absolutely zero soreness.

I recently bought the top of the line Specialized, and don't like them too much as the chamois feels too wide. But everybody is built differently, so try on a bunch and get what works for you. Moral of the story is don't skimp on the shorts - if your bottom gets sore, you're not going to want to ride, so start off right.

Okay, end of sermon!

Oh - I actually wear thin runner's socks with a quarter top, they come in 2-pair packs and they end up a little less than $5 / pair.

Good luck and enjoy!!!

[emily_in_nc]

Hi Kristen,

Re. helmets: There have been some gals here with tiny heads who have managed to find a small size that fits them. In fact, I have a women's specific model, supposedly one size fits all, but it's pretty small -- it is slightly too small for me (I wear a S/M in most "unisex" helmets). It is a pink Specialized and has a visor. I was planning on listing it on ebay but if you like pink, PM me and we can work out a deal -- I'll sell it to you for cheap! I can send photos first, if you like. I've only worn it a handful of times.

If you don't like pink or prefer to try before you buy, you will probably be able to find a good fit by trying all different makes and models at a local bike shop. If you have to buy a child's helmet, so be it. It's the most important piece of gear you'll buy! (Good cycling shorts are second most important.)

Emily

[DarkEros07]

Eros/Kristen - you said in another thread that you do enduro riding and carry a 2 litre camel back...

So what bike to you have/ride on?

You must've been on some kind've bike whilst doing these distances... I don't see why you would need a different bike for a tour if you have been 100mile rides already... and I can't conceive of anyone regularly borrowing a bike for the training required to regularly ride these distances...

You also talk of your experience riding in heat and in snow... so what were you riding if you and hubby don't bikes? And what helmet have you used? And clothes? And shoes/gloves etc?

RoadRaven,

Look you think you know everything and you don't. You want some sort of reaction out of me. Fine.

Lets see here if you really want to know. in 2005 exactly 2 months before my 19th birthday and the same day that my husband turned 20 my father died from lung cancer. After exactly 1 month to the day of finding out he had cancer. He died at home with me and my husband by his side alongwith a few other family members. After he died I was left with his exspenses. I couldn't pay them and my ignorant brothers wouldnt help me. I had to leave everything I owned behind and take only what I needed back to my mothers house in Northern Michigan. I left it all. My bikes, my tools everything. I had no choice. Everything was stolen. I have nothing left. All my stuff is gone.

Are you happy now? Is that what you wanted to hear? My father died and my family left me alone to deal with it all and when I couldn't even pay the electric bill I had to leave. Now I have nothing. Its all gone. I couldn't even get back down there to get what was left. So why don't you go mess with someone else besides me. You don't know my story and you don't know where I come from. I lost my father. I watched him die and now I have nothing left. I hope your happy for making me think of all of this again. I try to move on then there are people like you who have to bring things such as this back up and hurt me all over again.


Thank you everyone else who has posted. You have given me some great advice about this. Thank you!

I haven't ever really had real riding clothes or shoes or a helmet. I never saw a need for them neither did my father. We rode our normal clothes and that seemed to work just fine but now I think its time to get something that would work better! lol. When I was in FL my father brought down my bike for me to use. I loved every second of it. The heat never bothered me but then again I had just been on a military base for 5 1/2 months doing PT outside at 5:30 in the morning and the heat was already up to 80 on a 1 mile run. Not fun. After all that was done I now live in Sports bras. So Now all I can ever think about wearing is one of those while riding or doing any other sports. I've never had a problem with heat rash. A lot of the other girls at the accadamy did but not me. I was a lucky one! My sun alergys tho those are a problem. So I have to wear spf 50 on my arms and ears. i look funny in the summer cuz i have bumps everywhere on my arms and ears.

I just recently found out about the womens frame bike. I didn't know that! thats so awsome!

As far as helmets I never used one really. Unless I was on the BMX track. Trail riding I would wear one sometimes depending on what part of the trail I was on. Which was so cool cuz It was just down the road from my house.

My socks are just the very thin ankle socks you buy at walmart. they are the micro kind. Shoes I jsut wear my reg tennishoes or sandels. But I want to invest in some good shoes for bikeing. just not too much money. The biggest problem i have is that my pinky toe over laps the toe next to it on both feet. and all of my toes except my big toe and the one next to it on both feet are curved. I'm flat footed and have wide feet. lol. So i end up having to wear a shoe that is too big to accomendate my toes and width of my foot.

Anyways. Thanks everyone. I am off to look at other things and try to find a local bike shop in the area that isnt too far away! lol. anyways bye!

-Kristen-

[Kano]

RoadRaven,

Look you think you know everything and you don't. You want some sort of reaction out of me. Fine.

Lets see here if you really want to know. in 2005 . . .

-Kristen-

Kristen, I really don't think Raven meant to upset you. I think she wanted clarification -- you've been riding your whole life and, she says that elswhere you've posted about riding long distance, but here you've posted that you don't have a bike, which you've got to admit sounds strange -- like she says, how does one do this without having a bike? If you were in her place and didn't know the situation, wouldn't you be confused too?

Karen in Boise

[DarkEros07]

I would like to apologize. I must say tho that someone shouldn't jump to conclusions about anything. Just because I don't have a bike now doesn't mean that I haven't ever had one or that I haven't ever done the distance. I have and at the present moment I don't have a bike. I didn't say that I have rode those distances recently. It has been about 2 years. Just after my dad died. This is the first time in my life that I haven't had a bike or 5 of them even. It's not my fault and I don't pretend. I am not here to make enemies of anyone but I don't like to be basicly called a liar.

-Kristen-

[Bluetree]

Kristen,

You will come to find that TE has some of the most supportive women in the cycling world. We have however, have come across new posters who are deceptive and disingenuous of their motives (trolls, spammers, adolescent boys, etc.) So when we come across posts that are unclear or raise a "red flag" we question them, as RR questioned you. She did not call you a liar. It's nothing personal. That is why we ask all new Forumites to post in the "Getting to Know You" thread:
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...=2001&page=110

TE welcomes all new members, and we love to hear about peoples' backgrounds, too. It helps establish better communication and relationships. Nobody had any idea of the pain you are obviously going through. I am very, very sorry for your loss. But it is unfair to lash out at people who mean no harm. Raven is a longtime supporter and valued member of TE. So to answer the question (rhetorical as it be)... no, I'm sure that's not what she or anyone "wanted to hear."
We are a supportive community, but you have to meet us halfway. Do so, and we will try to help you as much as possible.

For now, I send you my deepest condolences and wishes for better times to come.

[DarkEros07]

hmm..well. I am sorry. The way RR worded it was like calling me a liar or atleast saying that I don't have any clue what I am doing or talking about. Which when it comes to the best bike or clothes I have no clue. This is the first place I have found to find people to help me find out exactly what I need to ride. I never bought riding clothes or shoes or a helmet even. I never had use for them when I was younger. So I came here looking to find out what I should get. I never had to worry about what bike to ride for what because my dad would just make me a new bike if I asked him to. No, I wasn't a spoiled child or anything like that. I didn't get new bikes I got ones that he made outta old bikes. My last new bike was 5th grade and it was a BMX bike. I have been having a horrible time of this since he isnt around to help me and its riping out my heart when someone questions why I say this and then I say that. I haven't said that I have been riding the 100miles or anythign like that lately. I know I have a short temper and I really didn't mean to come off as rude I just don't like it when I feel like someone is jumping on me because of not having a bike, or bikeing clothes. I mean not everyone who rides a bike goes out and buys bikeing clothes and shoes and gloves and all that stuff. I know I sure never did. Which is why I am here to learn. Anyways RR I do apologize for being a jerk. I was not meaning to come off like this.

-Kristen-

[IFjane]

Kristen - I have been following this thread since the beginning & feel so bad for you. You have every reason to be sensitive and defensive, but I hope now you understand that none of us here mean you any harm. We are here to help and support you and that is what we will do.

Keep in mind that all of our communication to you (as is yours to us) is through print and sometimes it is easy to misinterpret the meaning in what is written. Try to take each post for what it says and avoid "reading" additional meaning into it. We want only the best for you & will be here cheering you on toward getting another bike and all the other things you need to become the rider you were a few years ago.

Take care. -jane