Re: [RBW] Wife asked me to go on a 2 week bike tour, help!!

2016-06-27 Thread Dave Brandt
I have never done an organized tour through a company but as noted, I think 
that is a fantastic idea. It should help both of you with any unforeseen drama 
that might occur, whether fatigue, mechanical issues or reservations at 
campsites. 

As for the tandem, I met a great couple touring on a tandem down the Pacific 
Coast. Thirty years ago the gentleman offered her a nice wedding ring or a 
tandem bike and she chose the tandem bike.  They rode down the Pacific Coast on 
that bike that year. They then explained their children had since grown up and 
now they were doing the ride for the 2nd time, 30 years after the original ride.

As for routes, I use Crazyguyonabike.com and search other riders past journals 
through the areas of interest.


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Re: [RBW] Wife asked me to go on a 2 week bike tour, help!!

2016-06-27 Thread René Sterental
Ha ha ha ha!!!

On Monday, June 27, 2016, Ken Yokanovich 
wrote:

> I went on a tour with my wife once... I carried most everything leaving
> only a lightly packed set of rear panniers for her.  I carefully scouted
> maps and planned out a nice route for a week.
>
> The tour concluded somewhere along the planned route on day 4 when she
> threw her bike in a ditch and refused to go any further.
>
> She did pay me the highest of compliments at one point on the tour though
> when she looked me straight in the eye and said "You are one sick f.." She
> is not the type to use expletives, but the way she said it, so matter of
> fact...I was honored.  We're going on 20 years of marriage and one of the
> secrets must be to never bring up going on a bike tour together again :D
>
> I wish you luck!
>
> On Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at 2:21:20 PM UTC-5, Mark Reimer wrote:
>>
>> A few years back I built up a new bike for my wife as a surprise. It was
>> a Surly Cross Check with Jack brown 33.3 tires, Nitto Albatross bars, a
>> small wald basket, ladies Brook's B17, etc. Very classy build. Black frame,
>> all silver parts. I was hoping a nice, well fitting comfortable bike would
>> promote more riding together, which it has to a degree. We've done a few
>> longer rides together and last summer did our first overnighter, which she
>> loved. She's always said that long distance touring probably isn't her
>> thing, but after we've completed a couple motorcycle tours and backcountry
>> hiking trips together it seems she's developed the urge to transition to
>> bicycles... maybe all my cycling adventures have inspired some
>> self-propelled wanderlust too, who knows.
>>
>> Point is, we're sitting on the couch earlier in the week and she says "I
>> want to take two weeks off next summer and go on a cycling tour with you".
>>
>> I felt like I was electrocuted! That's basically my dream.
>>
>> So here's my questions. I'm well aware of the fact that what I like to do
>> on a tour isn't what a lot of other people would like to do. I look for
>> single track and dirt roads, don't mind rough terrain and not showering for
>> a week. I like doing 100-200km in a day. I love the idea of spending five
>> hours climbing a mountain and then screaming down the other side as fast as
>> I can possibly go.
>>
>> If we did that, I don't think she'd ever tour with me again...
>>
>> For those of you who've toured with your spouse, or with friends who
>> aren't as nutty as you in general, what worked? What advice do you have for
>> daily distance, elevation, road surface, etc? I know this will be highly
>> individual and vary widely based on personal preferences, age, appetite for
>> adventure, budgets, etc. For reference, my wife Cindy has done some 100km
>> rides and enjoyed them, but I think that would be a bit much for day after
>> day mileage. She likes gravel roads, but not trails. Enjoys hiking up
>> mountains, but is nervous to attempt cycling up one. She's always been hard
>> on the brakes all the way down any hill, but she's since acquired her
>> motorcycle license, so all that 100km/h time in the saddle is sure to help
>> alleviate the fear of speed.
>>
>>
>> Thus far the best idea we've come up with together is going to
>> Newfoundland and touring the western edge. It's a 450km one-way ride that
>> crosses Gros Morne National Park, where we would stop to hike for a day or
>> two. 450km isn't enough distance for 2 weeks in my opinion. I'd like
>> something closer to 750. That way we can have some 100km days, some 30km
>> days, a few rest days, etc. So maybe doing this 450km route plus something
>> extra. Camping mostly, with a hostel/B&B every 4-5 days to stay fresh,
>> mentally and physically. I think it'd have a nice mix of rolling coastal
>> roads with light traffic, no high-mountain passes but still some climbing,
>> and some good spots to stop for a day.
>>
>> Any advice is welcomed!
>>
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[RBW] Wife asked me to go on a 2 week bike tour, help!!

2016-06-22 Thread Ted Shwartz
My first tour with my wife was down the Saint Lawrence River. Down wind, French 
food, excellent Quebec cycling culture, excellent Quebec park and camping 
system, and the very civilized Route Verte system.

At the end we rolled onto a train for an upwind voyage back to our starting 
point. Knowing we could bail at any point and take the train home wad a big 
psychological crutch.

A splendid time was had by all

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Re: [RBW] Wife asked me to go on a 2 week bike tour, help!!

2016-06-22 Thread Tim Butterfield
Not sure if this would work, but just to throw out another idea...  Could
you take your bikes on a train or bus journey?  If that is possible, you
might take several smaller 1-3 day mini-tours starting from different spots
along the routes.  Compared with a single longer tour, this might let you
adjust upcoming mini-tours based on how you're feeling.  Not up to another
mountainous mini-tour?  Then, switch that for a flatter one.

Tim

On Wed, Jun 22, 2016 at 12:21 PM, Mark Reimer  wrote:

> A few years back I built up a new bike for my wife as a surprise. It was a
> Surly Cross Check with Jack brown 33.3 tires, Nitto Albatross bars, a small
> wald basket, ladies Brook's B17, etc. Very classy build. Black frame, all
> silver parts. I was hoping a nice, well fitting comfortable bike would
> promote more riding together, which it has to a degree. We've done a few
> longer rides together and last summer did our first overnighter, which she
> loved. She's always said that long distance touring probably isn't her
> thing, but after we've completed a couple motorcycle tours and backcountry
> hiking trips together it seems she's developed the urge to transition to
> bicycles... maybe all my cycling adventures have inspired some
> self-propelled wanderlust too, who knows.
>
> Point is, we're sitting on the couch earlier in the week and she says "I
> want to take two weeks off next summer and go on a cycling tour with you".
>
> I felt like I was electrocuted! That's basically my dream.
>
> So here's my questions. I'm well aware of the fact that what I like to do
> on a tour isn't what a lot of other people would like to do. I look for
> single track and dirt roads, don't mind rough terrain and not showering for
> a week. I like doing 100-200km in a day. I love the idea of spending five
> hours climbing a mountain and then screaming down the other side as fast as
> I can possibly go.
>
> If we did that, I don't think she'd ever tour with me again...
>
> For those of you who've toured with your spouse, or with friends who
> aren't as nutty as you in general, what worked? What advice do you have for
> daily distance, elevation, road surface, etc? I know this will be highly
> individual and vary widely based on personal preferences, age, appetite for
> adventure, budgets, etc. For reference, my wife Cindy has done some 100km
> rides and enjoyed them, but I think that would be a bit much for day after
> day mileage. She likes gravel roads, but not trails. Enjoys hiking up
> mountains, but is nervous to attempt cycling up one. She's always been hard
> on the brakes all the way down any hill, but she's since acquired her
> motorcycle license, so all that 100km/h time in the saddle is sure to help
> alleviate the fear of speed.
>
>
> Thus far the best idea we've come up with together is going to
> Newfoundland and touring the western edge. It's a 450km one-way ride that
> crosses Gros Morne National Park, where we would stop to hike for a day or
> two. 450km isn't enough distance for 2 weeks in my opinion. I'd like
> something closer to 750. That way we can have some 100km days, some 30km
> days, a few rest days, etc. So maybe doing this 450km route plus something
> extra. Camping mostly, with a hostel/B&B every 4-5 days to stay fresh,
> mentally and physically. I think it'd have a nice mix of rolling coastal
> roads with light traffic, no high-mountain passes but still some climbing,
> and some good spots to stop for a day.
>
> Any advice is welcomed!
>
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Re: [RBW] Wife asked me to go on a 2 week bike tour, help!!

2016-06-22 Thread Reed Kennedy
You've already gotten some great advice here! But here's one more tip that
has served me well in similar circumstances:

Try to find a commercial bike tour operator in the area you're interested
in and see if you can learn about how they do it.

These folks have generally spent years honing their routes, making sure
they go to beautiful and interesting places, and making sure the routes are
accessible. That's how they stay in business!

You might call and say that you're doing a self-supported tour just you and
your wife, but you'd be happy to send them money for a nice dinner or
somesuch if they'd be willing to give you some route advice. Most are run
by bicycle people, and tend to be nice folks.

Here are a few Google told me about:
http://www.atlanticcanadacycling.com/bicycle-tours/newfoundland-bicycle-tour
http://www.freewheeling.ca/adventures/NewfoundlandVikingTrail.html
http://www.pedalandseaadventures.com/newfoundland-viking-trail-bicycle-tour

And most of all, congrats and have a great time!


Best,
Reed


On Wed, Jun 22, 2016 at 12:21 PM, Mark Reimer  wrote:

> A few years back I built up a new bike for my wife as a surprise. It was a
> Surly Cross Check with Jack brown 33.3 tires, Nitto Albatross bars, a small
> wald basket, ladies Brook's B17, etc. Very classy build. Black frame, all
> silver parts. I was hoping a nice, well fitting comfortable bike would
> promote more riding together, which it has to a degree. We've done a few
> longer rides together and last summer did our first overnighter, which she
> loved. She's always said that long distance touring probably isn't her
> thing, but after we've completed a couple motorcycle tours and backcountry
> hiking trips together it seems she's developed the urge to transition to
> bicycles... maybe all my cycling adventures have inspired some
> self-propelled wanderlust too, who knows.
>
> Point is, we're sitting on the couch earlier in the week and she says "I
> want to take two weeks off next summer and go on a cycling tour with you".
>
> I felt like I was electrocuted! That's basically my dream.
>
> So here's my questions. I'm well aware of the fact that what I like to do
> on a tour isn't what a lot of other people would like to do. I look for
> single track and dirt roads, don't mind rough terrain and not showering for
> a week. I like doing 100-200km in a day. I love the idea of spending five
> hours climbing a mountain and then screaming down the other side as fast as
> I can possibly go.
>
> If we did that, I don't think she'd ever tour with me again...
>
> For those of you who've toured with your spouse, or with friends who
> aren't as nutty as you in general, what worked? What advice do you have for
> daily distance, elevation, road surface, etc? I know this will be highly
> individual and vary widely based on personal preferences, age, appetite for
> adventure, budgets, etc. For reference, my wife Cindy has done some 100km
> rides and enjoyed them, but I think that would be a bit much for day after
> day mileage. She likes gravel roads, but not trails. Enjoys hiking up
> mountains, but is nervous to attempt cycling up one. She's always been hard
> on the brakes all the way down any hill, but she's since acquired her
> motorcycle license, so all that 100km/h time in the saddle is sure to help
> alleviate the fear of speed.
>
>
> Thus far the best idea we've come up with together is going to
> Newfoundland and touring the western edge. It's a 450km one-way ride that
> crosses Gros Morne National Park, where we would stop to hike for a day or
> two. 450km isn't enough distance for 2 weeks in my opinion. I'd like
> something closer to 750. That way we can have some 100km days, some 30km
> days, a few rest days, etc. So maybe doing this 450km route plus something
> extra. Camping mostly, with a hostel/B&B every 4-5 days to stay fresh,
> mentally and physically. I think it'd have a nice mix of rolling coastal
> roads with light traffic, no high-mountain passes but still some climbing,
> and some good spots to stop for a day.
>
> Any advice is welcomed!
>
> --
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[RBW] Wife asked me to go on a 2 week bike tour, help!!

2016-06-22 Thread Joe Bernard
It looks to me like the answers are already in your question. I don't have 
experience with any of this - don't tour, not married (anymore) - but I would 
think the trick is to plan the pace and scenery for the rider who does less 
daily mileage. Which it appears you've already done!

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[RBW] Wife asked me to go on a 2 week bike tour, help!!

2016-06-22 Thread Mark Reimer
A few years back I built up a new bike for my wife as a surprise. It was a 
Surly Cross Check with Jack brown 33.3 tires, Nitto Albatross bars, a small 
wald basket, ladies Brook's B17, etc. Very classy build. Black frame, all 
silver parts. I was hoping a nice, well fitting comfortable bike would 
promote more riding together, which it has to a degree. We've done a few 
longer rides together and last summer did our first overnighter, which she 
loved. She's always said that long distance touring probably isn't her 
thing, but after we've completed a couple motorcycle tours and backcountry 
hiking trips together it seems she's developed the urge to transition to 
bicycles... maybe all my cycling adventures have inspired some 
self-propelled wanderlust too, who knows. 

Point is, we're sitting on the couch earlier in the week and she says "I 
want to take two weeks off next summer and go on a cycling tour with you".

I felt like I was electrocuted! That's basically my dream. 

So here's my questions. I'm well aware of the fact that what I like to do 
on a tour isn't what a lot of other people would like to do. I look for 
single track and dirt roads, don't mind rough terrain and not showering for 
a week. I like doing 100-200km in a day. I love the idea of spending five 
hours climbing a mountain and then screaming down the other side as fast as 
I can possibly go. 

If we did that, I don't think she'd ever tour with me again... 

For those of you who've toured with your spouse, or with friends who aren't 
as nutty as you in general, what worked? What advice do you have for daily 
distance, elevation, road surface, etc? I know this will be highly 
individual and vary widely based on personal preferences, age, appetite for 
adventure, budgets, etc. For reference, my wife Cindy has done some 100km 
rides and enjoyed them, but I think that would be a bit much for day after 
day mileage. She likes gravel roads, but not trails. Enjoys hiking up 
mountains, but is nervous to attempt cycling up one. She's always been hard 
on the brakes all the way down any hill, but she's since acquired her 
motorcycle license, so all that 100km/h time in the saddle is sure to help 
alleviate the fear of speed. 


Thus far the best idea we've come up with together is going to Newfoundland 
and touring the western edge. It's a 450km one-way ride that crosses Gros 
Morne National Park, where we would stop to hike for a day or two. 450km 
isn't enough distance for 2 weeks in my opinion. I'd like something closer 
to 750. That way we can have some 100km days, some 30km days, a few rest 
days, etc. So maybe doing this 450km route plus something extra. Camping 
mostly, with a hostel/B&B every 4-5 days to stay fresh, mentally and 
physically. I think it'd have a nice mix of rolling coastal roads with 
light traffic, no high-mountain passes but still some climbing, and some 
good spots to stop for a day.

Any advice is welcomed!

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