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Long Distance Ride Essentials
Thinking of getting a bag packed up and heading out to the hills to spend a day or two in the saddle away from civilisation? Here are some tips to make sure you make the most of your wilderness adventure from the stuff we learnt riding the 'Old Ghost Road' in New Zealand.
![The Old Ghost Road with Peak Leaders]()
Sometimes it can be hard to know where to start!
1. Bag
First up, getting hold of a bag which is comfortable to wear for long days in the saddle is crucial. Ideally it should be large enough to fit all the kit you want to take, without too much stuff hanging off the outside or being too loose. If you are are heading out for a few days, a hiking rucksack will probably be best and try to get it set up so it doesn't wobble about on your back too much when hitting rough stuff on the downhills. With packing, also try and keep the heavy stuff centrally and avoid making it too top heavy!
![The Old Ghost Road with Peak Leaders]()
Three days worth of gear to give you an idea!
2. Bike
Give it the once over to make sure its running as smooth as possible! Worst thing is to find you've got a slow puncture when you roll it out the car or the gears a slipping mid-climb. Also make sure you carry enough spares (chain links, tubes, zip ties etc) and the correct tool (torx/allen keys) to deal with any mechanical mishaps you find yourself with. If weather looks wet, getting mud guards can help delay the soaking feeling!
3. Clothes
Check the weather forecast as a guideline for what to wear, but don't rely on it being 100% accurate and always take decent wet weather gear to bail you out. Getting soaked is the worst thing to happen when you are staying out with nowhere to warm up quickly. Take new short liners, socks and jerseys for each day if you won't have a chance to wash them, you'll appreciate the feeling of fresh gear not having access to showers so they are worth the extra bulk.
![With Mot Lodge and Peak Leaders]()
Enjoy the night sky..
![With Mot Lodge and Peak Leaders]()
And the morning sunrise.
4. Food and water
It's important to get the balance right with planning your food, making sure you get enough carbohydrates and protein to replenish the effort from spinning the legs all day. Heading to an outdoors shop and buying freeze dried meals can help with saving weight from using tins, also offering the right balance of nutrients and enough calories (whilst also being much more tasty).
Snacking throughout the day and having a decent lunch (peanut butter sandwiches a personal favourite) is key to keeping your muscles topped up with fuel. Having variety also nice to keep things interesting. Rice pudding is a great addition for dessert in the evening too!
![With Mot Lodge and Peak Leaders]()
![With Mot Lodge and Peak Leaders]()
5. Fitness
Being able to put in hours on the bike before you start off on a 2 or 3 day epic will make a big difference, but if you haven't managed to prepare don't attempt riding hard in the week beforehand trying to make up for fitness. Thinking a little about your pedalling technique can also help, try maintaining a high cadence whenever possible can help keep your legs moving and avoid fatigue!
![With Mot Lodge and Peak Leaders]()
6. Know your route
Having a look ahead on GPS or on a map so you can know roughly what to expect from each day in the saddle can help mentally and also with pacing on the climbs. It can also help plan your physical effort to avoid peaking too early and bonking (and enjoying the challenge rather than suffering through it!). Dividing the route up into thirds is also nice
![With Mot Lodge and Peak Leaders]()
Get out there and enjoy it!
John Inman
Ski, Snowboard & Mountain Bike Instructor Courses & Camps
www.peakleaders.com | Tel: +44 (0) 1337 860 079
Join us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter @PeakLeaders | Add us on Instagram @PeakLeadersDirt
1. Bag
First up, getting hold of a bag which is comfortable to wear for long days in the saddle is crucial. Ideally it should be large enough to fit all the kit you want to take, without too much stuff hanging off the outside or being too loose. If you are are heading out for a few days, a hiking rucksack will probably be best and try to get it set up so it doesn't wobble about on your back too much when hitting rough stuff on the downhills. With packing, also try and keep the heavy stuff centrally and avoid making it too top heavy!
2. Bike
Give it the once over to make sure its running as smooth as possible! Worst thing is to find you've got a slow puncture when you roll it out the car or the gears a slipping mid-climb. Also make sure you carry enough spares (chain links, tubes, zip ties etc) and the correct tool (torx/allen keys) to deal with any mechanical mishaps you find yourself with. If weather looks wet, getting mud guards can help delay the soaking feeling!
3. Clothes
Check the weather forecast as a guideline for what to wear, but don't rely on it being 100% accurate and always take decent wet weather gear to bail you out. Getting soaked is the worst thing to happen when you are staying out with nowhere to warm up quickly. Take new short liners, socks and jerseys for each day if you won't have a chance to wash them, you'll appreciate the feeling of fresh gear not having access to showers so they are worth the extra bulk.
4. Food and water
It's important to get the balance right with planning your food, making sure you get enough carbohydrates and protein to replenish the effort from spinning the legs all day. Heading to an outdoors shop and buying freeze dried meals can help with saving weight from using tins, also offering the right balance of nutrients and enough calories (whilst also being much more tasty).
Snacking throughout the day and having a decent lunch (peanut butter sandwiches a personal favourite) is key to keeping your muscles topped up with fuel. Having variety also nice to keep things interesting. Rice pudding is a great addition for dessert in the evening too!
5. Fitness
Being able to put in hours on the bike before you start off on a 2 or 3 day epic will make a big difference, but if you haven't managed to prepare don't attempt riding hard in the week beforehand trying to make up for fitness. Thinking a little about your pedalling technique can also help, try maintaining a high cadence whenever possible can help keep your legs moving and avoid fatigue!
6. Know your route
Having a look ahead on GPS or on a map so you can know roughly what to expect from each day in the saddle can help mentally and also with pacing on the climbs. It can also help plan your physical effort to avoid peaking too early and bonking (and enjoying the challenge rather than suffering through it!). Dividing the route up into thirds is also nice
John Inman
Ski, Snowboard & Mountain Bike Instructor Courses & Camps
www.peakleaders.com | Tel: +44 (0) 1337 860 079
Join us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter @PeakLeaders | Add us on Instagram @PeakLeadersDirt
Author Info:
Member since Feb 3, 2009
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