Long distance advice?!

Oh and for tyres. I'm currently using Continental Sport Contact 1.5. They have a soft enough compound to give good grip, they are virtually slick so they roll very quickly. They also have enough volume to provide a reasonable amount of cushioning on a fully loaded tourer and they do last for a few thousand miles.
I tried Schwalbe Marathons and found them to be very heavy and sluggish not to mention frightening in the wet.
The Halo Twin Rails mentioned in the OP are good tyres though. I used them on my commuter for years, and the same set still see regular action. For such big tyres are relatively light, have puncture protection and they roll well when pumped up hard. Plus if you drop the pressures they aren't bad off-road too.


Oh and have I mentioned Sudocreme?
 
If you really have an aversion to road bikes you could split the difference and use a cyclocross bike with road tires.
 
Decent clothes important too, nothing worse then being cold/wet when you've got a lot of miles to get through!
 
RAFbikes":3i3lxhbh said:
Thanks for the help bud, never fitted a pannier before, are there any cool ones out there? Or do I have to fit one of those naff looking frame jobs that fit tightly over the back wheel?

Staf.
Click to expand...

Staf, they look like that because they're the best way to carry luggage. You can get ano ones if you look on Ebay. But that's probably less cool.

As for luggage, if you think you'll be doing this a lot Carradice is what I'd buy. No guarantees to be waterproof, but still made by a woman in Lancashire instead of a machine in Taipei, and they have a repair service. AFAIK no-one else does this. Failing that, Lidl are currently selling reasonable quality copies of the Ortleibs for £15/pair.
 
Staf, they look like that because they're the best way to carry luggage. You can get ano ones if you look on Ebay. But that's probably less cool.
Click to expand...

:LOL: I can't help it I'm a bit of a tart when it comes to building my bikes everything's got to be just right, I built my mate a hack on an old marin eldridge before christmas which ended up with xtr, xlite, raceface etc.

Anyway back on topic, thanks again to everyone for all the advice, to those of you who said 50 miles a day, every day for 2 weeks isn't far I'd like to paint a picture, I've been building bikes for 17 years, but for the last 6 I've hardly been on one and me and the 3 lads I'm doing this with are all 30 somethings with beer guts who spend the weekends out drinking.

We were all keen MTBers until we settled into our careers so we're hoping that with a bit of training we can get our fitness levels back up and get back into it properly. And as with anything in life you need a goal to aim for so this is this years.

I'm going to try out various combinations of wheels and tyres over the coming months so thanks for all the suggestions, I've got quite a few options laying around in my office I've got some conti. slicks some michelin wildgripper sprints, and some Halo twin rails.

I think frame wise I'm going to use a large Cannondale Killer V, No sure whether to have a suspension fork or not, I don't normally as I prefer to keep the weight down.

Brakes I think I'll steerer clear of the hydrolic jobs I'd normally go for and stick to a simple V brake.

Now as for pedals, a few of you have mentioned clips, I always use flat pedals like Azonic accelerators or DMR V8's what's the benefit of clips?

Staf.
 
RAFbikes":sz2cngaq said:
Why are 170mm cranks a good idea mate?

Staf.
Click to expand...

5mm doesn't sound much but it does make a difference. Your knees (which should be doing around 80rpm) don't have to bend/extend so much. Less leverage but smoother action. Just about all road cranks are 170 or 172.5mm. I was planning an end to end and did a practice run of 200 miles in three days. I will see if I can dig out a picture. I used my old MTB as it has a shortish top tube and just felt 'right.'
A trial run is a good idea as if you don't have a support vehicle you need to know what to take and as importantly what not to take.
Biodegradable washing stuff, a large flannel and a collapsible bowl are my recommendations, in case you can't find a shower.

The Sudocrem dude is right. Gritty Kitty is not nice!
 
Here's my tried and tested touring kit check list.

drystonepaul":25znjl23 said:
Touring Kit

Luggage:
Ortlieb Back Roller Plus panniers (40 litres pair)
Ortlieb Compact 5 bar bag (5 litres)
Ortlieb dry bag (13 litres)
Ortlieb dry bag (5 litres for quick access food. Doubles up as water carrier/washing bowl if needed)
Custom made bungee straps

Tent:
Terra Nova Laser (1kg)

Sleeping:
Khyham 800 sleeping bag (synthetic)
Therm-a-rest Lite3 short
Outwell Inflatable pillow

Cooking:
MSR Windpro stove with small gas bottle
1 litre stainless steel pot
0.6 litre Triangia kettle
Coffee percolator
Light my Fire plastic bowl kit with plastic spork
Titanium Spork
Matches/Lighter

0.8 litre water bottle and
Camelbak (3 litre bladder strapped to pannier or worn. Can also be used as a shower)

Clothes – base layers (Warm conditions):
2 short sleeve jerseys (one merino – one synthetic)
2 pairs lycra shorts
1 pair ¾ lycra bib knickers

Clothes – mid layers (Cold conditions):
1 Long sleeve jersey (merino)
2 pair ¾ baggy shorts (Endura - for riding and/evenings)
Lycra thermal arm warmers
Lycra thermal leg warmers

Clothes – outer layers (Cold/Wet conditions):
Gilet
Lightweight pertex shower/windproof
Waterproof jacket
Waterproof trousers
Fleece (evening use)

Clothes – other:
Full finger gloves
Gel mitts
SPD riding shoes
2 pairs socks
2 pairs underpants (evening use)
Cotton T-shirt (evening use)
Sandals/Flip-flops

Bike maintenance essentials:
2 presta inner tubes
Blackburn Mammoth Mountain Pump
3 Tyre levers
Puncture repair kit
Chain lube

Tools and spares:
Park ASW-9 Folding Multi-tool
• 4mm, 5mm, and 6mm hex wrenches plus a Phillips and standard screwdriver

Topeak Alien 2 Folding Multi-tool
• 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 8mm Allen wrenches
• 8, 9 & 10mm hex bolt wrenches (each 2pcs)
• Mini pedal wrench
• Phillips and flat screw drivers
• Universal chain tool
• Spoke wrenches for 14g & 15g
• 2 tyre levers
• Stainless knife
• Bottle opener
• T25 Torx wrench for disc brakes
• 10mm Allen socket

Folding Pliers
• 2” Knife
• Metal file
• Philips and slot head screwdrivers

Spare bike parts
• Brake pads
• M5 and M6 bolts and washers
• Chain links
• Rear brake cable
• Rear gear cable
• 2 spokes
• 2 chain-ring bolts
• Zip-ties

First Aid:
Ortlieb first aid kit
• 10 x Plasters
• 2 x Large self-adhesive dressings
• 1 x 10cm x 10cm dressing
• 2 x medium gauze bandages
• 1 x large gauze bandage
• Roll of medical tape
• 2 x Tampons (for use as field dressings)
• 1 x Condom (used to protect large abrasion wounds)
• Elastoplast Second Skin liquid dressing (Surgical glue)
Nail Scissors
Sam Splint
Foil survival blanket

Wash Kit: (all items travel size)
Deodorant
Shampoo
Conditioner
Original Source Mint shower gel
Anti bacterial shower gel/fabric cleaner
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Travel towel
Wet wipes
Tissues

Medicines, Vitamins & Supplements
Ventolin inhaler (with spare gas)
Ibuprofen gel and tablets
Multibionta
Cod Liver Oil and Glucosamine Sulphate
Iron
Echinacea
Rehydration Sachets
Vaseline
Sudocreme
Anusol (because you never know)
Tea-Tree Oil
Factor 30 sun block

Personal items & Other Stuff:
Passport
Maps
Compass
Digital Camera
Cash & credit cards
MP3 Player
Spare batteries
Mobile phone
Energy Gels (emergency use)
Front Cateye LED light
Rear Cateye LED light
Petzl Tikka Plus headtorch
Backupz red LED light
Zip-lock plastic bags
Click to expand...

All this talk of touring makes me want to get out on the road again soon...
 
drystonepaul":1at03tll said:
Here's my tried and tested touring kit check list.

drystonepaul":1at03tll said:
Touring Kit

Luggage:
Ortlieb Back Roller Plus panniers (40 litres pair)
Ortlieb Compact 5 bar bag (5 litres)
Ortlieb dry bag (13 litres)
Ortlieb dry bag (5 litres for quick access food. Doubles up as water carrier/washing bowl if needed)
Custom made bungee straps

Tent:
Terra Nova Laser (1kg)

Sleeping:
Khyham 800 sleeping bag (synthetic)
Therm-a-rest Lite3 short
Outwell Inflatable pillow

Cooking:
MSR Windpro stove with small gas bottle
1 litre stainless steel pot
0.6 litre Triangia kettle
Coffee percolator
Light my Fire plastic bowl kit with plastic spork
Titanium Spork
Matches/Lighter

0.8 litre water bottle and
Camelbak (3 litre bladder strapped to pannier or worn. Can also be used as a shower)

Clothes – base layers (Warm conditions):
2 short sleeve jerseys (one merino – one synthetic)
2 pairs lycra shorts
1 pair ¾ lycra bib knickers

Clothes – mid layers (Cold conditions):
1 Long sleeve jersey (merino)
2 pair ¾ baggy shorts (Endura - for riding and/evenings)
Lycra thermal arm warmers
Lycra thermal leg warmers

Clothes – outer layers (Cold/Wet conditions):
Gilet
Lightweight pertex shower/windproof
Waterproof jacket
Waterproof trousers
Fleece (evening use)

Clothes – other:
Full finger gloves
Gel mitts
SPD riding shoes
2 pairs socks
2 pairs underpants (evening use)
Cotton T-shirt (evening use)
Sandals/Flip-flops

Bike maintenance essentials:
2 presta inner tubes
Blackburn Mammoth Mountain Pump
3 Tyre levers
Puncture repair kit
Chain lube

Tools and spares:
Park ASW-9 Folding Multi-tool
• 4mm, 5mm, and 6mm hex wrenches plus a Phillips and standard screwdriver

Topeak Alien 2 Folding Multi-tool
• 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 8mm Allen wrenches
• 8, 9 & 10mm hex bolt wrenches (each 2pcs)
• Mini pedal wrench
• Phillips and flat screw drivers
• Universal chain tool
• Spoke wrenches for 14g & 15g
• 2 tyre levers
• Stainless knife
• Bottle opener
• T25 Torx wrench for disc brakes
• 10mm Allen socket

Folding Pliers
• 2” Knife
• Metal file
• Philips and slot head screwdrivers

Spare bike parts
• Brake pads
• M5 and M6 bolts and washers
• Chain links
• Rear brake cable
• Rear gear cable
• 2 spokes
• 2 chain-ring bolts
• Zip-ties

First Aid:
Ortlieb first aid kit
• 10 x Plasters
• 2 x Large self-adhesive dressings
• 1 x 10cm x 10cm dressing
• 2 x medium gauze bandages
• 1 x large gauze bandage
• Roll of medical tape
• 2 x Tampons (for use as field dressings)
• 1 x Condom (used to protect large abrasion wounds)
• Elastoplast Second Skin liquid dressing (Surgical glue)
Nail Scissors
Sam Splint
Foil survival blanket

Wash Kit: (all items travel size)
Deodorant
Shampoo
Conditioner
Original Source Mint shower gel
Anti bacterial shower gel/fabric cleaner
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Travel towel
Wet wipes
Tissues

Medicines, Vitamins & Supplements
Ventolin inhaler (with spare gas)
Ibuprofen gel and tablets
Multibionta
Cod Liver Oil and Glucosamine Sulphate
Iron
Echinacea
Rehydration Sachets
Vaseline
Sudocreme
Anusol (because you never know)
Tea-Tree Oil
Factor 30 sun block

Personal items & Other Stuff:
Passport
Maps
Compass
Digital Camera
Cash & credit cards
MP3 Player
Spare batteries
Mobile phone
Energy Gels (emergency use)
Front Cateye LED light
Rear Cateye LED light
Petzl Tikka Plus headtorch
Backupz red LED light
Zip-lock plastic bags
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
This post needs to be stickied.






drystonepaul's post, that is, not mine...
 
The "Touring Kit" list posted by drystonepaul is excellent. There`s a couple of things on there I wish I`d taken on my last trip.

One thing I would add to the list is a spare folding tyre, does`nt have to be anything special, just to get you out of the sticky should you get a ripped side wall !!!!
 
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