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[Ski1990]

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[gabrielle260]

Hi Kurt, sounds really interesting!
I have had a goal of riding across Australia with that sort of daily distance for ages. I've ridden across America a couple of times so understand the difficulties.
There are plenty of people on the forum who can advise on the route so I will leave that to them. I can advise on the training required and the logistics and am happy to help!
Andrew

[Ski1990]

Hello Andrew,
I appreciate the response. Riding across America would be fantastic! What obstacles were most notable and did you sustain any injury during your journey? How long did it take and what things do you consider were most important in the planning/ preparation for those rides?
Kurt

[durianrider]

Gday Kurt, I did Byron Bay to Adelaide in 14 days then Adelaide to Perth in 15 days. First leg was on my S-Works Epic 26er with mud tyres and the second leg was on my Cannondale roadie. NO support and 100% self sufficient along the way. With support 300-350k a day is realistic. Start riding at 5am and finish at 7pm. Have 1hr for eating then 9hrs for sleeping.

My tip for you would to do more touring so you get to understand the mindset involved. I rode 6190km this Jan on Strava. More than anyone on earth that month. I found it easy cos I know how to eat enough carbs, stay hydrated and use a power meter to pace myself properly against. I also know how to sleep. I didnt use a SINGLE mg of caffeine that month either. Stimulants lead to burn out.

Do a few 400km in a day. Do a few weekends where you ride 350km in one direction, camp out and then ride back home. This sort of stuff makes you into a harder person AND means you will enjoy the trip a lot more with the reality you will want to ride again after lol!

I know a couple of big hitting riders that did crazy stuff on a bike but burnt themselves out using stimulants and now are grossly overweight and out of shape with chronic health issues.

I rode Molendinar to Cairns on literally 70$ in 10 days back in December 2005. Camping out in a gore tex bivvy bag. Had less than a kg of permanent luggage. Just thongs, bivvy bag, long sleeved shirt, lycra, running shorts and wallet. I used a carradice Slim seat post bag. You can get them on wiggle now for about 100$. I paid 200$ locally.

I havent drunk coffee since 1999. Ive never used caffeine on any of my local or international bike tours.

Here are some bike touring tips Ive learned over the last 210 000km with zero caffeine.


*Drink a litre of water before breakfast each morning.

*Drink enough water during the day so our urine is clear and at least 10times a day. If its yellow or straw, we need to drink more.

*Eat unlimited amounts of your fav carb sources. Be it rice, potatoe, corn, millet,pasta etc. Snack every hour or 2 on something high carb, low fat like butter/marg free jam sandwichs, dried fruit, fresh fruit. Carb up to keep up. Many people undereat carbs and get heaps of fatty stuff and then wonder why motivation drops. Its all about keeping daily glycogen stocks high. Real high! I find that fruit is the ultimate fuel before, during and after exercise so thats my staple everyday of the year.

*Eat 10g of carbs per kg of bodyweight as a daily minimum. Even on recovery days. When exercising for over 1hr, eat 1g of carbs per kg of bodyweight per hour.

*Keep fatty greasy food away and keep high carb meals in bucket sized bowls to stay.
High carb,low fat vegan/fruit based raw vegan diets best serve athletic function.

*Set up camp before sundown so you can make sure your not camping on an ants nest and get a wake in fright response at 2am. I like to sleep in really natural settings away from drunks. Ive talked with Heinz Stucke in Belgium 2003 and in 23 years of cycle touring he has never had one issue camping out. He says 'I camp where nobody goes..'.

*Mark your seat post and handle bars to make sure they dont slip over time and give you knee/back issues. Use a white out pen.

*Get fitted up before you go by a good bike fitter. Use the white out pen again. Mark your cleats too if your using clip less pedals.

*If your riding a mountain bike, get some 'ergon grips'.

* Slap a mirror your bike. I use my uber light race bike with a bob trailer or carradice 'slim' depending on the trip. Mirrors are handy when you are wearing ear phones and listening to tony robbins over and over. It aint aero but its safe.

*Get out the saddle every few minutes for a few seconds to let blood flow be proper. I learnt this riding from Adelaide to Perth. Its 2800km and virtually flat for 2100km of it.

Your gonna have moments when you want to scream. 99% of the time this is cos we are undercarbed/dehydrated/underslept. So when we want to freak out, just carb/drink and rest up for an hour. Cry if you have too, but dont let it get in the way of eating more carbs, drinking more water or having a nap.

*Remember that they call head winds head winds cos its just in your head how you decide to feel about them. I see a stiff head wind as a fitness builder vs a day wrecker . Its just a choice in the moment.

*Remember that the journey is the gift, not the destination.

*Remember that happieness is ONLY experienced in the present moment. Not when you get some food, not when the rain stops, not when stop for the day..happieness is just a choice in the moment and only experienced NOW!

*Get heaps of rest. Eat lots of carbs before your hungry, drink water before your thirsty. Take lots of photos. Talk to lots of people. Make days to remember the rest of your life. Be in the moment. Be nowhere on the road to nowhere.