I finished my first tour yesterday: Munich to Würzburg. 320km, 1500m total ascent, 4 days. My total bag weight was 19kg (which includes 3 liters of water). It was an amazing experience. I had a bunch of different health issues in the weeks leading up to the trip, so I didn’t get in much training time. I had some worries getting into it, but it all turned out well.
I invested in a Vaude Karokorum pack, and it was a great decision. It’s like a back of holding; near infinite space! :), I love these bags!
I had my backpack double pannier bag mounted on the front, which I usually use for commuting. I primarily used this for miscellaneous stuff and dirty laundry. I also had a small cooler bag mounted up front where I stored my water bladder and snacks.
Some takeaways:
– Most cyclists I passed were pretty friendly and said hi. I passed cyclists that were also obviously doing tours, and there was always this look of recognition, with waves and smiles. That felt really nice.
– The weight was not as bad as I thought it would be. I just started slower, and once I was moving, the extra weight wasn’t too noticable (except on hills, of course).
– On a similar note, I overpacked. I could have eliminated about 25% of the weight easily.
– When stopped on the side of the road, most cyclists would slow down to see if I needed help. Some would ask outride. I did the same for anyone that looked like they might have trouble. It gave me a real sense of community.
– I’m so glad I went with bibs. I was really self conscious at first wearing just a bib and a shirt. But it felt like a second skin. The bib was nice and snug, and I had no chaffing at all. I usually get a lot of skin irritation on my butt with my chamois shorts. And now I realize it’s because they are not snug.
– I need to learn to eat better. While I had good breakfasts and dinners, during the day, all I ate were protein bars and fruit. I think I should have had something more substantial mid-day.
– The whole experience has changed how I view cycling. I got into cycling 10 years ago, but just started taking it seriously in the last 5. Being so connected to my bike was just wonderful.
zerokey on
Day 1, Munich -> Augsburg: Started off frustrating, because Munich city center was mostly blocked by police. I had no idea what was going on, and thought it was a protest. I found out later, however…). It took -2- hours to get out of the city. Once I got rolling out in the countryside, it was really pleasant. There were several relatively easy hills. The views were pretty. But it was very hot and humid. The sun was hammering me. I chugged water and electrolytes. I took a long break under a tree ( the only shade I could find for a few kilometers!). Then I hot some small towns with long, steep inclines. For one, I had to get off and push. The last 10km were even hotter and just boring (it followed a major highway, and there was very little that was interesting. I eventually pulled into my hotel after having left about 8 hours earlier (80km total, after having gotten lost a few times). I showered up and walked around the old town, got some dinner and debated whether I could continue the next day.
Day 2, Augsberg -> Nördlingen: I grabbed some breakfast and felt surprisingly strong. I headed out, feeling really good. The weather was cooler (but still humid). I was riding along a wooded path next to the Lech river, just having a great time. I hit a small incline, shifted badly and had the worst chainsuck I’ve every experienced. The chain was twisted at what looked like a really bad angle. I couldn’t get it to budge at all. I unpacked my bike, flipped it upside down and realized that the only thing I could do was brute force it. I thought for sure I was going to pop a link (chain repair is something I really suck at), but it survived. I repacked and moved on, but had to be very careful shifting (I had a few more close calls). The rest of the day was pretty uneventful. There were some bad hills, but I handled them pretty well. I got into town and walked the city walls, then passed out at the hotel. I was exhausted, but good exhausted, and was looking forward to the next day.
Day 3, Nördlingen -> Rothenburg ob der Tauber: I barely slept. The room was really hot. I was pretty worried. The day started out overcast, and much cooler than the day before. The first ½ of the day was pretty easy consaidering how little sleep I had. Rolling hills, apple orchards, sunflowers, cabbage fields; lots of beautiful sights. I had lunch under a plum tree. The map showed that I was going to come to a valley, where I would have a nice, steep downhill to coat on. What I didn’t realize was that it was on a fast and very busy road. Up until this point, I was spoiled with all of the farm paths and cycleways. I was really nervous about taking the highway, so I routed around, and ended up going way uphill on a loose gravel path. But I finally reconnected to a different cycleway, and was able to avoid the highway. The sun came out at one point and was pounding me again. It was sapping all of my energy, and I was getting dizzy and developing a bad headache. At 10km to go, I found some shade and almost collapsed. I didn’t know how I could make it the rest of the way. Also, there were a few VERY big hills to get over still. I poured a bunch of water over my head, drank the rest with some electrolytes and cooled down. I left and struggled up the last 2 hills, but I made it. I checked in to the hotel, walked around for a couple of hours, then went back and took a nice hot bath with epsom salts.
Day 4, Rothenburg -> Würzberg: I had originally intended on going to Nürnburg. But I woke up feeling very tired and sore. Nürnburg city center was about 84km. And the mapped showed an incredibly steep hill was the only way out. I looked for someplace a little closer and a little easier, which still had an easy train connection home: Würzburg, which was just 66km. I biked all over town (which is full of steep cobblestone streets). Then left town, and immediately hit a steep downhill road with fast moving cars, and S-curves. I wan’t ready, but I couldn’t go back. I hit 50kph, which is pretty terrifying when you’re tired. I made it to the bottom and onto a cycleway. The cycleway was gorgeous. But the hills were unexpected. Long, steep inclines, at least 8. All in the first 20km. I wasn’t prepared, but I got through them. Then it was 20km of a steady uphill that ranged from 1-3%. It was grueling. And it was hot again. Once more, I found a tree to rest under and cool down. Then there was a terrible detour, and I had to backtrack 3km uphil. Things finally leveled off as I started approaching a recreation area, and I was feeling more energetic. Then, I suddenly hear a loud sound next to me. It was a road cyclist, and he ran me off the path. I shouted at him, he flipped me off and kept going. There were several other cyclists ahead, and he was cutting everyone off, and just being generally dangerous. I was so angry, and it really drained me. I stopped by a river (Mainz) and tried to regroup. The rest of the trip was all easy cycleway, along the river and vineyards. I got to thew hotel and promptly fell asleep.
The next day, I caught the train home. I had packed EVERYTHING into my rear bags to make dealing with the train easier. So the hardest part of the day was loading my extremely back-heavy bike onto the train.
I have no regrets. This is the best vacation I’ve ever had. I had 4 days, all to myself to just be in my head and enjoy the sights. I got in touch with my body in ways I never had before. I learned different ways of riding, how to optimize my uphill without killing myself. I learned that it didn’t have to be a race, and it was OK to go slow. Not bad for a 120kg, 52 year old cancer survivor who discovered the joys of cycling and exercise late in life. Now I’m already planning a trip to Venice next year!
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I finished my first tour yesterday: Munich to Würzburg. 320km, 1500m total ascent, 4 days. My total bag weight was 19kg (which includes 3 liters of water). It was an amazing experience. I had a bunch of different health issues in the weeks leading up to the trip, so I didn’t get in much training time. I had some worries getting into it, but it all turned out well.
I invested in a Vaude Karokorum pack, and it was a great decision. It’s like a back of holding; near infinite space! :), I love these bags!
I had my backpack double pannier bag mounted on the front, which I usually use for commuting. I primarily used this for miscellaneous stuff and dirty laundry. I also had a small cooler bag mounted up front where I stored my water bladder and snacks.
Some takeaways:
– Most cyclists I passed were pretty friendly and said hi. I passed cyclists that were also obviously doing tours, and there was always this look of recognition, with waves and smiles. That felt really nice.
– The weight was not as bad as I thought it would be. I just started slower, and once I was moving, the extra weight wasn’t too noticable (except on hills, of course).
– On a similar note, I overpacked. I could have eliminated about 25% of the weight easily.
– When stopped on the side of the road, most cyclists would slow down to see if I needed help. Some would ask outride. I did the same for anyone that looked like they might have trouble. It gave me a real sense of community.
– I’m so glad I went with bibs. I was really self conscious at first wearing just a bib and a shirt. But it felt like a second skin. The bib was nice and snug, and I had no chaffing at all. I usually get a lot of skin irritation on my butt with my chamois shorts. And now I realize it’s because they are not snug.
– I need to learn to eat better. While I had good breakfasts and dinners, during the day, all I ate were protein bars and fruit. I think I should have had something more substantial mid-day.
– The whole experience has changed how I view cycling. I got into cycling 10 years ago, but just started taking it seriously in the last 5. Being so connected to my bike was just wonderful.
Day 1, Munich -> Augsburg: Started off frustrating, because Munich city center was mostly blocked by police. I had no idea what was going on, and thought it was a protest. I found out later, however…). It took -2- hours to get out of the city. Once I got rolling out in the countryside, it was really pleasant. There were several relatively easy hills. The views were pretty. But it was very hot and humid. The sun was hammering me. I chugged water and electrolytes. I took a long break under a tree ( the only shade I could find for a few kilometers!). Then I hot some small towns with long, steep inclines. For one, I had to get off and push. The last 10km were even hotter and just boring (it followed a major highway, and there was very little that was interesting. I eventually pulled into my hotel after having left about 8 hours earlier (80km total, after having gotten lost a few times). I showered up and walked around the old town, got some dinner and debated whether I could continue the next day.
Day 2, Augsberg -> Nördlingen: I grabbed some breakfast and felt surprisingly strong. I headed out, feeling really good. The weather was cooler (but still humid). I was riding along a wooded path next to the Lech river, just having a great time. I hit a small incline, shifted badly and had the worst chainsuck I’ve every experienced. The chain was twisted at what looked like a really bad angle. I couldn’t get it to budge at all. I unpacked my bike, flipped it upside down and realized that the only thing I could do was brute force it. I thought for sure I was going to pop a link (chain repair is something I really suck at), but it survived. I repacked and moved on, but had to be very careful shifting (I had a few more close calls). The rest of the day was pretty uneventful. There were some bad hills, but I handled them pretty well. I got into town and walked the city walls, then passed out at the hotel. I was exhausted, but good exhausted, and was looking forward to the next day.
Day 3, Nördlingen -> Rothenburg ob der Tauber: I barely slept. The room was really hot. I was pretty worried. The day started out overcast, and much cooler than the day before. The first ½ of the day was pretty easy consaidering how little sleep I had. Rolling hills, apple orchards, sunflowers, cabbage fields; lots of beautiful sights. I had lunch under a plum tree. The map showed that I was going to come to a valley, where I would have a nice, steep downhill to coat on. What I didn’t realize was that it was on a fast and very busy road. Up until this point, I was spoiled with all of the farm paths and cycleways. I was really nervous about taking the highway, so I routed around, and ended up going way uphill on a loose gravel path. But I finally reconnected to a different cycleway, and was able to avoid the highway. The sun came out at one point and was pounding me again. It was sapping all of my energy, and I was getting dizzy and developing a bad headache. At 10km to go, I found some shade and almost collapsed. I didn’t know how I could make it the rest of the way. Also, there were a few VERY big hills to get over still. I poured a bunch of water over my head, drank the rest with some electrolytes and cooled down. I left and struggled up the last 2 hills, but I made it. I checked in to the hotel, walked around for a couple of hours, then went back and took a nice hot bath with epsom salts.
Day 4, Rothenburg -> Würzberg: I had originally intended on going to Nürnburg. But I woke up feeling very tired and sore. Nürnburg city center was about 84km. And the mapped showed an incredibly steep hill was the only way out. I looked for someplace a little closer and a little easier, which still had an easy train connection home: Würzburg, which was just 66km. I biked all over town (which is full of steep cobblestone streets). Then left town, and immediately hit a steep downhill road with fast moving cars, and S-curves. I wan’t ready, but I couldn’t go back. I hit 50kph, which is pretty terrifying when you’re tired. I made it to the bottom and onto a cycleway. The cycleway was gorgeous. But the hills were unexpected. Long, steep inclines, at least 8. All in the first 20km. I wasn’t prepared, but I got through them. Then it was 20km of a steady uphill that ranged from 1-3%. It was grueling. And it was hot again. Once more, I found a tree to rest under and cool down. Then there was a terrible detour, and I had to backtrack 3km uphil. Things finally leveled off as I started approaching a recreation area, and I was feeling more energetic. Then, I suddenly hear a loud sound next to me. It was a road cyclist, and he ran me off the path. I shouted at him, he flipped me off and kept going. There were several other cyclists ahead, and he was cutting everyone off, and just being generally dangerous. I was so angry, and it really drained me. I stopped by a river (Mainz) and tried to regroup. The rest of the trip was all easy cycleway, along the river and vineyards. I got to thew hotel and promptly fell asleep.
The next day, I caught the train home. I had packed EVERYTHING into my rear bags to make dealing with the train easier. So the hardest part of the day was loading my extremely back-heavy bike onto the train.
I have no regrets. This is the best vacation I’ve ever had. I had 4 days, all to myself to just be in my head and enjoy the sights. I got in touch with my body in ways I never had before. I learned different ways of riding, how to optimize my uphill without killing myself. I learned that it didn’t have to be a race, and it was OK to go slow. Not bad for a 120kg, 52 year old cancer survivor who discovered the joys of cycling and exercise late in life. Now I’m already planning a trip to Venice next year!