Messages

1

Gear Talk / Re: Bicycle Speeds Question

« on: January 20, 2011, 10:54:50 pm »

Thank you everyone for your thoughts. I am young (22) and naive, most of you are probably much older than me and have experiences that i do not have yet so i appreciate your comments and i will definitely carefully read each suggestion. I am doing this tour because i love riding bicycles, i love to travel, i love to meet new people, i love seeing beautiful natural scenery, i love physically pushing myself, i love living out of a backpack and i love the thrill of exiting my comfort zone. I think that my touring experience will be a unique blend of all those qualities listed above and that there is no right or wrong. But im certainly open to suggestions on how my experience can be better! The performance aspect is certainly a quality that i enjoy but it is by no means the determining factor, nor do i want it to be.

2

Gear Talk / Re: Bicycle Speeds Question

« on: January 17, 2011, 06:14:25 pm »

Thanks for all the great info, i had a feeling that it was just my expectations and not really a serious equipment issue. Yes sorry 34 lbs with wheels, racks, etc. The speeds that i average are both what the computer says at the end of the day and i divide my distances (i map most of my routes on google earth) by my actual riding time (stopping my watch at intersections etc.) The computer on the touring bike said 15.1 avg which according to my watch and the known route distance was about the same. I am fairly new to touring and coming from a racing background its quite an adjustment to not be thinking about time! But you are correct litespeed, this is about pacing and enjoying the scenery and adventure (which is the entire reason i want to do the tour in the first place)! I guess i just want to get the most bang for my buck energy efficiency wise while on tour.

3

Gear Talk / Bicycle Speeds Question

« on: January 17, 2011, 03:15:34 pm »

I am planning an upcoming self supported (camping) east to west cross country tour this summer on the northern tier, ide like to average over 100 miles a day. I recently bought a 2010 Raleigh Sojourn (frame weight 34lbs) that i found a great deal on craigslist. My background is in triathlon (i train >15 hrs a week) so for training purposes i mostly ride my carbon fiber time trial bike. I just took the Sojourn on a weekend one night out and back tour (170 miles round trip). I only had rear panniers on the bike but i plan on getting a front rack and putting small front panniers as well.

One thing that really bothered me throughout the trip is how slow this bike feels.  I understand that its a very sturdy and solid bike and i may be extremely jaded from triathlon training however i cannot get over the speed. I ride for training purposes 21-23 mph steady state and i averaged about 15 mph on the tour (although i did have some 7-12mph headwinds for most of the trip). Without getting a completely new bike, does anyone have any tips for upping the speed. I currently have 35c vittorio randonuerr tires with a fair amount of tread on them, what about a 28c slick? Also in a fully loaded touring bike lets be honest, will a few pounds that i would save getting a lighter frame or using a different bike really make all that much of a difference? I do enjoy going fast and covering alot of ground. Advice from experienced touring cyclists wanted! Is it the bike or is it my expectations?