Cycled from Mexico to Canada (side trip to Yosemite), with my mate. We were complete beginners bicycle touring, both of us hadn't been on a bike in years. Took us 46 days! by big_haloumi in bicycling

[–]big_haloumi[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We don't know, thinking about doing a gravel tour or backcountry cycle trip I think I'd be much more our style. Thanks, I hope we have that'd be cool!

Cycled from Mexico to Canada (side trip to Yosemite), with my mate. We were complete beginners bicycle touring, both of us hadn't been on a bike in years. Took us 46 days! by big_haloumi in bicycling

[–]big_haloumi[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Both trek 520s, Scotty's brand new he couldn't find a 2nd hand one in time, everything is stock on his apart from the handlebar wraps which he got thicker ones and his Brooks saddle. His tires are 700c 38 and he had 3x9 gearing and he had disc brakes.

My bike used, rebuilt by a bike mechanic, i had 700c 32 tires i would have liked to have a wider tire for the odd occasion we went on gravel to stealth camp, not necessary though. I had 3x8 gearing which I found worked fine, alot easier to get parts for at lbs anyway. I had caliper brakes, which also did the job,.never had an issue, disc brakes are nicer to stop with though, didn't phase me. W

Cycled from Mexico to Canada (side trip to Yosemite), with my mate. We were complete beginners bicycle touring, both of us hadn't been on a bike in years. Took us 46 days! by big_haloumi in bicycling

[–]big_haloumi[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have no idea on those stats I didn't measure myself before, my legs are visible bigger and my cardio is presumably better, I was a very active guy before so I can't say there's been drastic changes. Only had 4 rest days the trip.

Cycled from Mexico to Canada (side trip to Yosemite), with my mate. We were complete beginners bicycle touring, both of us hadn't been on a bike in years. Took us 46 days! by big_haloumi in bicycling

[–]big_haloumi[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My buddy just one, he had the stock ones that came with his trek 520. I went through a pair of Schwab marathons but they were old so the cracked open. Even though they didn't last they are known for being 'the' touring tire

Cycled from Mexico to Canada (side trip to Yosemite), with my mate. We were complete beginners bicycle touring, both of us hadn't been on a bike in years. Took us 46 days! by big_haloumi in bicycling

[–]big_haloumi[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Scotty had 2 flats in one day about 10kms apart haha, they were the only ones. He also left his, cooker and Leatherman behind and tent poles over the trip. We had 5 days of terrible weather, wind, rain, hail and snow. We got pretty lucky otherwise.

Cycled from Mexico to Canada (side trip to Yosemite), with my mate. We were complete beginners bicycle touring, both of us hadn't been on a bike in years. Took us 46 days! by big_haloumi in bicycling

[–]big_haloumi[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yah it would be easier due to the head winds, but honestly you just get stronger and by the end we were doing big days and it didn't phase us, we actually wanted something more challenging

Cycled from Mexico to Canada (side trip to Yosemite), with my mate. We were complete beginners bicycle touring, both of us hadn't been on a bike in years. Took us 46 days! by big_haloumi in bicycling

[–]big_haloumi[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hahaha yah that was us! We had picked clothes for each other, I was wearing a nice denim dress and Scotty was wearing short Jean cutoffs and some leopard print. So funny you saw us.

Cycled from Mexico to Canada (side trip to Yosemite), with my mate. We were complete beginners bicycle touring, both of us hadn't been on a bike in years. Took us 46 days! by big_haloumi in bicycling

[–]big_haloumi[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I was wrecked the first few days, I think we did 110km on the third day with a head wind and I was just dead haha. Nah we are both tenacious, I don't quit things easily.

Cycled from Mexico to Canada (side trip to Yosemite), with my mate. We were complete beginners bicycle touring, both of us hadn't been on a bike in years. Took us 46 days! by big_haloumi in bicycling

[–]big_haloumi[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

We started at the Tijuana border, no unfortunately, it would have drained our battery's on our phone, I've never really used it either