Just starting out bike touring and looking for advice.

coyotecure

coyotecure

New member
(hii i don't use forums much, so please forgive me if it isn't done right. admins feel free to delete) So a friend just gifted me a Miyata 610. I'm helping another friend get down to NOLA from Portland at the end of next month and I want to ride my bike back home I think.

Currently I don't know what i'm doing AT ALL. ive been homeless before, slept in bushes and stuff but I've always floated around inside a city. and when i got out of the city, it was because i had a car. this is a big and daunting journey but i feel like i need it.

i'm having a friend help me with getting the bike fixed up and working well, but they don't know anything about saddle bags and stuff. there's a lot of information about everything out there!

anyway, if anyone has any advice for a first timer, or some encouraging words, that'd be lovely. i havent told any of my friends or my partner about this plan yet.
 
Start out with small overnight trips if you can, you'll figure it out..tons of advice on U-Tube......
One important thing is your back wheel and drive train. Get it respoked with the strongest spokes they have if you can afford it. It will cost around $100 bucks but it's cheaper than blowing spokes on the road and having a bike shop fix it. I got for $200 a back wheel custom built with 36 spokes instead of 32 a double walled rim and super strong spokes.......
 
Gypsybones said:
Yeah, don’t start a bike tour in the Deep South, in August.
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I'd be staying longer, we're expecting to get there at the beginning of September and i'll help my friend settle in for a while. a realistic leave time for me would be closer to november
 
@coyotecure please don't bypass the thread title limit with spam. if you have two brain cells you can come up with two more words to describe your thread. it literally helps you get more people to click on and participate in your conversation, which only helps you, so not doing so is just shooting yourself in the foot. I've corrected your title for you.
 
Matt Derrick said:
@coyotecure please don't bypass the thread title limit with spam. if you have two brain cells you can come up with two more words to describe your thread. it literally helps you get more people to click on and participate in your conversation, which only helps you, so not doing so is just shooting yourself in the foot. I've corrected your title for you.
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sorry, i didn't remember that rule when i was writing the post
 
I started out zip tying a four gallon milk crate to a rear frame. Worked really well. You gotta figure two gallons water and food/ sleeping stuff. Keep a good hardware store nearby. Get familiar with fixing it. Hand pump and tire patching knowledge is a must.
 
The Miyata 610 bike you have is perfectly acceptable for paved road touring. Run what you brung. First item to get is a rear cargo rack that you can hang panniers from. Put your sleeping bag in on side pannier and clothes/food in the other. Tent can be strapped to the rack itself. This is the minimum you will need. These items can easily be found on Craigslist for cheap. If you want you can also add front rack and bags and/or a handlebar bag for more capacity. Google image search "Miyata 610 Touring" for ideas. I've been bike commuting and touring off and on for 20 years. Let me know if you have follow up questions.
 
Timothy Englert said:
Start out with small overnight trips if you can, you'll figure it out..tons of advice on U-Tube......
One important thing is your back wheel and drive train. Get it respoked with the strongest spokes they have if you can afford it. It will cost around $100 bucks but it's cheaper than blowing spokes on the road and having a bike shop fix it. I got for $200 a back wheel custom built with 36 spokes instead of 32 a double walled rim and super strong spokes.......
Click to expand...
I might have blown a spoke once. And it's literally as easy as buying a new one and putting it in. You probably should know how but it's not a big deal. You'd have to really put your bike through some sh* to blow a spoke. Keep your spoke nipples greased. Might want to replace your sealed hubs(when they go) with cones to make later repairs easier. You can build your own wheels for pretty cheap but you better be good at truing. Look up wheel lacing on yt.
 
I apologize if im late to the party-

If you do any night biking, be sure to invest in some really bright lights for the front and rear end of your bike. Hitting the road in the early morning or late evening hours without them has landed me in more ditches and holes i didnt see more than i'd like to admit. Keeping a few extra batteries might be wise since its better to be safe than sorry

Best of luck and safe travels!
 
If you can afford it, get good have laced rims, if you can’t, you should be fine. Just have a mechanic do some trueing and everything should be kosher.

Don’t and I mean don’t use bungee cords with hooks! They can come unhooked and cause some damage to your drivetrain, I’ve hadit happen more than a few times and I would suggest getting the slip though ends or something that closes.
 
I’ve toured on a road bike that could only fit 700x28 max and I did 2500 miles. The more MTB style bikes are gaining popularity and in also looking into getting one, but your ride is great (I’ve never owned a triple butted frame) just ride the shit outta it.

you should be doing at minimum, 100miles a week to train. Ride everywhere and up everything. cause once you get loaded and on the road, those first three days are going to kick your ass! Keep going, it’ll get easier.
 
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