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05-01.-2006, 04:38 PM
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#1 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 2
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Minnesota to montana
I need someone expert opinion, on long distance cross-country trips. I am currently planing a trip from Western Minnesota, through North Dakota, into Montana. Visiting Montana's vast mountain ranges and numerious national parks. I've been planing this trip for a month now, mapping my route, and thinking of every possible problem I may encounter. I've never been on a long distant bike trip, but it is my current goal. I want to cover all my bases before I get anymore serious about this. My question is what would be the best bike for this trip Would it be a mountain bike, Ten-speed etc. What kind of equipment Would I need, and How Spendy would a average trip like this be?
Is there any advise anyone would like give me.  |
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06-01.-2006, 02:00 AM
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#2 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Maryland
Posts: 31
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Re: Minnesota to montana
Best advice, take some short (2-4 day) trips first to test out your bike, your gear and your body. You'll learn more doing that than reading touring books.
You can tour on ANY kind of bike. It comes down to personal preference. MtN bikes are preferred if using undeveloped roadways but that is not an issue in the States. Route is also personal preference. Strong experienced tourers tend to look for the least trafficked, most interesting roads to experience nature and rural culture. Neophytes tend to seek the most direct, least hilly routes and stay near conveniences for assistance and food. There's few rights or wrongs but lots of opinions. CaptN W. |
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06-01.-2006, 07:36 AM
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#3 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 6
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Re: Minnesota to montana
Hey,
What route are you planning to take? I actually might be living close to you because I live in the fargo/moorhead area. My advice is not to take a mountain bike if you're gonna be riding on paved highways/trails. I rode my mountain bike in Western Minnesota once and it wasn't very successful. Mainly for two reasons: Wide tires and aerodynamics. Thin tires on a road bike means less friction with the asphalt and hence more speed for your pedaling. Aerodynamics is more important than you think. If it is windy, which is almost guaranteed to happen on your trip throughout this part of the midwest, even if it is slightly breezy, this could reduce your speed dramatically. Riding in the drops on a road bike puts you in an excellent aerodynamic position. Good luck on your adventure. When are you planning to do it? I might be kinda interested in a trip like that but I wana save my energy for riding across the US in March. |
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07-01.-2006, 05:01 PM
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#4 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 2
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Re: Minnesota to montana
Quote:
Thanks alot for you advise Moneer, I plan on going this summer sometime, hopefully if all goes to plan. I got lots of Determination to make this trip. Im also going to take Captin willards advise and go on a three or four day trip, maybe to Itasca or something to test out my bike and myself. My Route is still undecided, I have one route drawn out on a map but Im not sure Im going to take it or not. I want to stear clear of any busy highways or interstate. I also need to know how fast I can go on a bike before I go, so I can figure out how long it'll take me to get there. Do you think it would be possiable to get a mountain bike and buy skinnier tires? Or would that take away the Stability of the bike on trails and off-road, because I plan I doing alot of that as soon as I get to Montana. I want to zip right through North dakota, Because the whole point of this trip is to see Montana and the Rockies not through a car window but in its integrity.So I might just get a ride from a friend or a relative to the Montana border and have them pick me up at Glacier National Peace Park. I have alot of realtives that live in the Forgo moorhead area you might know them.  |
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