BootsnAll Travel Community

just wondering if anyone out there has done any long distance touring on either a single speed or a fixed gear. i've done a couple of hundred miles before no problem, and have been riding only single speed bikes(fixed and free) for quite some time now. im looking to ride about 2,000 miles, from nyc to near taos new mexico. this will avoid the rockies, so huge mountains will not present a problem...

I have been cycling around Europe for a few years, on and off. I would recomend, if you are thinking of travelling every day, that you get a Touring Bike with at least 23 0r 27 gears. If you don't your body will soon start to complain. The best bike would be a light weight mountain bike with slick tyres and a rear rack. Front suspension is also usefull but don't get a full suspension bike as they are to heavy and make hill climbing near on impossible.If you are going to make a long trip try not to cycle too far each day. A good distance is about 50 miles per day. If you try to push further than this your knees will soon give up under the strain. Hope you enjoy your journey.Good makes of bike to buy, Trek, Klein, Cannondale, Marin Go for at least the middle of the range or dearer.
My web site is www.onabootstring.com

thanks for the reply. i actually know plenty about touring bikes, was just wondering if anyone else had been travelling with my intended means. i've done quite a bit of day to week touring on single speeds and fixed gears. i just returned from a two week northeast usa trip. on the road, i find that i average 80-150 miles per day, even with stopping for photos and exploring a little. im using a single speed mountain bike with a 32 x 16 gear ratio. i have to hoof it up some of the longer steeper hills, but i dont mind.

i'll be leaving in september to ride to the southwest and mexico where i plan to spend the fall winter and spring. using a combination of thrifty shopping, edible wild foods, free camping(read: in the woods), and found object souveniers, i find myself capable of living on as little as $2 a day. im pretty sure that if i avoid the tourist traps, i could live for even less in mexico...