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Equipment for Long Rides #1
The goal of these articles is to describe real riding experiences with various bicycle accessories, experiences that I have gleaned from other riders and my own long-distance riding over the past 19 years.
Faster, Lighter ... I Gotta Have It!
by Ken Bonner
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Ken Bonner fully loaded on Boston-Montreal-Boston 2006 |
- Vancouver, BC to Calgary, ALB, June, 1996 - 614 miles (39h 47m)
- Calgary, ALB to Vancouver, BC, July, 2000 - 614 miles (40 h 01m)
- Vancouver Island (S-N), June, 1995 - 312.1 miles (17h 01m)
- Vancouver Island (S-N-S), June, 1995 - 624.3 miles (38h 41m)
- Part 1: Faster, Lighter ... I Gotta Have It!
- Part 2: Getting There
- Part 3: Bits and Pieces
- Part 4: Prevention and Management
- Part 5: Lessons Learned
Background
It is dark ... we are dressed in warm-weather cycling gear under a sky covered with dark clouds. Red tail-lights twinkle and reflective materials flash eerily in the darkness as excited randonneurs embark on yet another challenging 1200k adventure in the mountains.
It is dark ... a cold, torrential rain, mixed with snow is driven into my face by a gale-force wind. The damp cold has penetrated to the very core of my being. It has been 24 hours since the start of this ride. No sleep, no dry clothes, no fenders, no frame pump! No other riders around. No sign of civilization ... other than the freight truck drivers who splash me with cold, muddy slop as they barrel through the unpaved construction zone.
I fantasize about a generator-powered cycling "heat-suit" that would keep my body and extremities toasty warm. I am carrying a rain-proof helmet cover with me to decrease the loss of heat through the top of my head and to keep the salty water from dripping into my eyes. I do not stop to put it on as I might not get going again.
Introduction
I hunger for the perfect ride! You know, a moderate temperature of 70 degrees F; a tailwind; and, sunshine. No flat tires and no mechanical problems. No tired or cramped muscles, no sleepiness and no upset stomach. Riding a bike as light as a feather, which responds instantly to the slightest pressure on the pedals. It flies up the hills, and cuts through errant headwinds like a hot knife through butter.
If you believe all the "hype" you too can find cycling nirvana. I'm still searching!
If one searches the websites of Ultra Marathon Cycling Association, Randonneurs USA and other ultra-marathon cycling organizations, you will find a bountiful amount of information about equipment for successful, timed long-distance cycling.
The goal of this and future articles is to describe real riding experiences with various bicycle accessories, experiences that I have gleaned from other riders, and my own long-distance riding over the past 19 years. I also wish to incorporate the positive and ugly stories of readers' experiences with bicycle accessories — purchased or home-made. Submissions can be made to my email address: kenbonner @ telus.net. Information shared with me will normally be summarized with other readers' submissions; however, in order to make direct quotes from time to time, please include your name and postal address when making a submission.
What is an accessory?
For purposes of these articles, the term "bicycle accessory" includes anything related to cycling long distances, including all the parts of the bike. It will not include foods, liquid diets or anything else that is ingested; nor will it include training for the ultra-marathon cyclist.
In the Beginning
In the beginning, one walked, or was transported by some kind of motor vehicle to one's destination. At some time in our childhood, one was introduced to a tricycle, or for the more adventurous, a small two-wheeled bike with important accessories such as training wheels, and maybe a bell. For some folks, another important accessory was the addition of blocks of wood fastened to the pedals so the small rider could reach the pedals.
Bigger and different kinds of bikes became attractive — banana seat bikes; hi-riser bikes; off-road bikes; downhill bikes — each with special mechanical and clothing accessories. For some of us, a growing awareness that a "road-bike" is necessary if one wants to go fast! Now, having trained and trained, the "roadie" racer with his/her stripped down, light as a feather, unobtainium racing bike is fast! However, there is a niggling feeling that there is something missing.
The horizon beckons, but the race is over. "Fast is short", preaches the racing coach. Short distances allow for quick recovery. Hammer, hammer! Time Trials, Criteriums, Track Races ... Hammer, hammer! Clarity about that "missing thing" gradually emerges. I want to go "long"; I want to go long and hard; and, I want to see what's over the horizon.
Hooked
First it was the fast imperial century ... no big deal for a road racer. But then came the double century. Whew, what a ride ... thousands of feet of climbing, hot and lots of other riders. Whoa! This other rider is saying the double century was a good "warm-up" for the 625 miler they will be riding over the next weekend? They must be exaggerating! Nope, this person is talking to some others who will also be riding this distance. Three double centuries in 48 hours, Wow!
I "wunderif"... I wonder if I could ride that distance. Those other riders don't look super-fit. I'm a racer, I can do it! H-m-m-m, what will I do when it gets cold at night? How will I find time to sleep? Do I need a special bike? I'll need extra food, clothing, tools ... what is essential and helpful? Where will I carry it? What happens if I break down ... emotionally, physically or mechanically? Asking these kinds of questions is a classic symptom that the rider is going to be hooked by timed, long distance cycling!
Accessories
Disclaimer: The comments about accessories are meant to be general guidance for the reader. Every rider is unique in how they experience long distance riding and with what accessories they find helpful and safe to use. Virtually every rider is an experiment of one and should do their own research with the help of the general comments which follow in this and other articles about bike accessories.
The Bike
The bicycle, as a total entity, is an accessory. If you do not have one, then you are relying on your own two feet to get you from point A to point B. More than one long distance rider has found themselves hoofing it when some aspect of their bicycle let them down.
What makes for a good long distance bike? Everyone has their own idea. You will hear about racing bikes; racing tricycles; fixed gear; single speed; tri-bikes; suspension bikes; touring frames; recumbents; rowing-bikes; kick-bikes; folding bikes and yes, even a treadmill bike! For randonneur brevets/randonnees almost any human-powered vehicle (HPV) is a legitimate mode of transportation. For ultra-races/records, there are specific classes of hpv machines on which you may compete. Generally, these are classic up-right bike; recumbent and other HPVs.
For you as a rider, the most important issues in bike/hpv selection are:
- It must fit you and feel comfortable over long distances
- The design and materials used must be strong and durable
When searching for a new long distance bike/HPV, it is not only important to talk with several makers/dealers about the strengths and weaknesses of the various models available, but it is also essential to talk with riders who have actually used these products. (This action should be taken with regard to the purchase of every accessory). The fact that a pro rider on the Tour, or a RAAM rider, uses a particular bike does not necessarily mean that you will be comfortable or efficient on the same bike.
Does it matter what material is used to make the bike frame and forks? The short answer is "No", unless you are being offered a bike from some new "untested in the field" wonder product. In the latter case, stay away from it unless you have agreed to be part of the experimental testing process.
Many folks proselytize about their favourite material, whether it is aluminium, steel, carbon fibre, or titanium. If it weighs in the 18 — 25 pound range (regular upright) the bike will work for you. For RAAM riders, lighter bikes may work well, as they have a following vehicle with at least one other bike available, should the first one fail. For the randonneur, the bike must be sturdy enough to handle very rough roads over long distances, while carrying everything the rider is going to need on the brevet/randonnée. A gossamer-light bike is not normally the way to go for randonneur cycling.
Generally speaking, an efficient and durable long distance bicycle will cost no less than $1,000. This will allow a budding randonneur cyclist to ride all the brevets with confidence that his/her machine will go the distance. More expensive bicycles will have lighter and/or stronger components (you get what you pay for), which will carry the rider through many years of long brevets. Ideally, your chosen bicycle will have braze-ons for attaching a rear rack, front and rear fenders and two bottle cages. It is also nice to have an extra braze-on to hold a water bottle cage on the underside of the down-tube (this can be used to carry batteries or an extra foldable tire).
A touring frame usually has more relaxed angles and a longer distance between the bottom bracket and the rear drop-outs. This provides more room for one's foot when/if the rider uses one or more rear panniers to carry supplies. Folks with a racing background often make disparaging remarks about touring frames. However, although touring frames may feel less responsive, they usually provide a comfortable ride and just as much power. I own an aluminium Klein road bike with a touring frame and a titanium LiteSpeed road racing bike.
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Both bikes have been fitted to me and I travel as fast on either bike, but with more immediate power transfer on the Klein. The bottom line is that if you think you can go fast on a particular bike, probably you will do so.
Upcoming Article
In this article I have set the stage for further commentary on accessories which are pitched at us to make us fast cyclists. In ultra-marathon/randonneur cycling it is not necessarily the fastest rider at the beginning of the ride who finishes fast. Finishing in a fast time is often not determined by a fast/light accessory, but by accessories which complement the rider's overall game plan. For management types, ultra-marathoning is more dependent upon well-thought out project management plans which include contingency plans for unexpected occurrences, such as the cold, snow-rain storm which caught the rider at the beginning of this article.
The next article will address specific bike components and accessories which can lead to successful rides and/or a DNF. The focus will be randonneur brevets/randonnees rather than ultra-cycling racing. I look forward to receiving your stories of useful accessories which make your randonneur cycling adventures enjoyable (well, mostly enjoyable!); and stories about accessories which have not lived up to your expectations.
Somewhere along the line I hope to be able to tell you more about a fuel-cell powered bike head-light which is currently being field-tested. Hopefully it will be a cheaper alternative to the rechargeable lithium-ion batteries paired with HID headlamps currently on the market.
Equipment for Long Rides