Newbie

[schaezeltine]

  Hello all, was just looking for more info on any long distance rides over 100 miles in my area (New England). I would also greatly apreaciate any other info regarding help with cross country rides as well as finding other people who would enjoy suffering with me through some of these rides, im new to the sport but have had a hard time with finding people to learn from, and be pushed by. Any help will be greatly apreaciated, Thanks all

[Rep]

I check this site out daily and always learn something new.  I also go here:  http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/

You may want to check your states, Dept. of Transportation.  I know many states have some sort of bicycle information and is often found at the DOT sites.

[DaveB]

Look up the bike clubs in your area.  Most have local rides and know about all of the organized rides in the area.  Any LBS should be able to tell you how to get in touch with them.  

Also, the LAB (League of American Bicyclists) publishes a comprehensive directory of state agencies, local clubs and organized rides nation (and even world) wide. Check them out at:
 www.bikeleague.org

This message was edited by DaveB on 1-4-09 @ 10:21 AM

[schaezeltine]

also I was wondering what the general specifications were for a tourng bike, does it have to be steal, my current bike has a carbon rear stay and fork. Is there any cheaper alternatives than buying new?

[whittierider]

also I was wondering what the general specifications were for a tourng bike.  Does it have to be steel?  My current bike has carbon stays and fork.  Are there any cheaper alternatives than buying new? [slightly edited]

See the recent discussion about carbon at http://www.adventurecycling.org/forums/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=6&Topic=2750

The touring bike needs to be stable under load, have heel clearance for panniers, and the means to attach racks, the means to attach fenders if there could be rain when and where you ride (although Rivendell has found ways to put fenders on bikes that weren't made for them), and you may want clearance for tires wider than what a lot of road bikes will accommodate.  If you use a trailer instead of panniers, then the racks and heel clearance issues are gone, but the consensus here seems to be that a trailer is usually overkill.

If you're going only lightly loaded and can get away with a huge seat bag (they come with up to nearly a cubic foot!) or a seat-post-clamping rack (which is not as heavy-duty) and a rack pack or smaller panniers that don't get in the way of your heels, you could probably use a standard road bike.  I got a Jandd Mountaineering Mountain Wedge III seat bag with 450 cubic inches of space last summer to use as my only baggage on a short credit-card tour, and was pleased with how well behaved it was.  It's shown below.  The biggest seat bags have almost four times that much room.  My bike has four 32-ounce Zefal Magnum water bottles on it, two on the frame and two more behind the seat, for a whole gallon of water/drink.