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#139879 - 07/16/08 10:11 PM If you're going on a long walkabout - Bicycle?
TeacherRO Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 03/11/05
Posts: 2574
Lets say you're going on a several month trip to see several places/ people around the country. While you might plan to hike it, there are several reasons a bike might be a better choice:

-More capacity for gear

- Looks more "normal."

- much greater mileage. ( perhaps 4-5 time the distance covered.)

Any thoughts on this?

Teacher

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#139882 - 07/16/08 10:32 PM Re: If you're going on a long walkabout - Bicycle? [Re: TeacherRO]
dweste Offline
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 02/16/08
Posts: 2463
Loc: Central California
Route planning challenges. Re-supply challenges. Where-to-stay-the-night challenges. Hygiene challenges.

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#139885 - 07/16/08 10:44 PM Re: If you're going on a long walkabout - Bicycle? [Re: dweste]
nursemike Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 11/09/06
Posts: 870
Loc: wellington, fl
a friend did t a bikeamerica tour, washington state to boston. a little regimented, but solves all the support issues. Favorite segment: a weekend bout of gastro-enteritis, followed by a 100-mile-Monday in SD, uphill, with headwind and rain.
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#139894 - 07/16/08 11:23 PM Re: If you're going on a long walkabout - Bicycle? [Re: TeacherRO]
Russ Offline
Geezer

Registered: 06/02/06
Posts: 5357
Loc: SOCAL
The major advantage is speed and calories saved per mile by using a bicycle. Unless you're in a race, you can take your time and just hunker down during bad wx to save energy. Headwind? Stop, have a cup of tea and rest while you wait for the wind to shift -- no rush.
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Better is the Enemy of Good Enough.
Okay, what’s your point??

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#139896 - 07/16/08 11:45 PM Re: If you're going on a long walkabout - Bicycle? [Re: Russ]
unimogbert Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 08/10/06
Posts: 882
Loc: Colorado
Motorcycle- see more country. Suffer less. Carry stuff.
Still good adventure.

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#139897 - 07/16/08 11:52 PM Re: If you're going on a long walkabout - Bicycle? [Re: unimogbert]
Russ Offline
Geezer

Registered: 06/02/06
Posts: 5357
Loc: SOCAL
Yeah or you could take a van so there would always be a roof over your head, but since the OP question was about riding a bike versus walking, the advantages of a motorcycle (and a van) are irrelevant.
_________________________
Better is the Enemy of Good Enough.
Okay, what’s your point??

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#139910 - 07/17/08 01:05 AM Re: If you're going on a long walkabout - Bicycle? [Re: Russ]
Nishnabotna Offline
Icon of Sin
Addict

Registered: 12/31/07
Posts: 512
Loc: Nebraska
Originally Posted By: Russ
Headwind? Stop, have a cup of tea and rest while you wait for the wind to shift -- no rush.

You do that on the Great Plains and you'll be waiting till Fall.

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#139931 - 07/17/08 02:51 AM Re: If you're going on a long walkabout - Bicycle? [Re: Nishnabotna]
OldBaldGuy Offline
Geezer

Registered: 09/30/01
Posts: 5695
Loc: Former AFB in CA, recouping fr...
"...do that on the Great Plains and you'll be waiting till Fall..."

Or lots of other places. I have never been to the Great Plains (yet), but I have been in plenty of places where the wind never stops...
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OBG

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#139936 - 07/17/08 03:07 AM Re: If you're going on a long walkabout - Bicycle? [Re: OldBaldGuy]
Hacksaw
Unregistered


I've been thinking about doing this myself. I usually ride short distances in the city but I've been giving real thought to doing some multi day touring.

One thing I've been told by several enthusiasts so far is to learn how to fix your bike. Bad things happen and they usually happen at bad times. If you can't change a chain, roughly straighten a wheel, or fix a flat on the road you'll eventually be in for a miserable trip. Bikes need surprisingly few tools (though you'll likely need a few specialty ones) and tubes, folding tires, and chains weigh very little.

I got around the problem a bit by simplifying my bike. No gears. Single speed. I won't win any races but I've removed almost all of the mechanical parts aside from the brakes, the axles and the cranks. I can get the rear wheel off for repairs way easier and I get more exercise because I actually have to work to get up hills.

When I'm touring I'm out there to be out there...if it takes me longer that's a GOOD thing smile

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#139962 - 07/17/08 11:56 AM Re: If you're going on a long walkabout - Bicycle? [Re: TeacherRO]
Frank2135 Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 04/26/07
Posts: 266
Loc: Ohio, USA
A couple of pros: safety - you can get out of a bad place more quickly on a bike than on foot, and you are closer in terms of travel time to the next place where food and water can be found; and so on.

Cons: security - need to lock up the bike when its not with you. Travel limitations - unless you're an experienced mountain biker with the right bike, there are some inviting trails you're gonna have to pass up.
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