tour 2005

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Michael Reyes

byfred

I'm planning my firsts bicycle tour next year from Toronto to Vancouver or Toronto to the Atlantic Coasts. My question is, should I buy a road bike or can I use my haro mountain bike strictly? I've seen one travelogue where a guy rode his mountain bike from Alaska to Argentina so I'm guessing its more than possible to do the trip with a M.B.
M.R.

Hi Mike: I think that you can tour with just about any old bike.........However, the difference between "any old bike" and a "properly fitted touring bike" is like having to use the washroom on a bus, as opposed to using the washroom in your own home.
My wife and I did a tour of Atlantic Canada, this past summer, and there was a fellow up on the Cabot Trail with a one-speed bicycle, with wooden rims. He was in his 60's, I think, and his wife was driving a "sag wagon" for him. I never saw him climbing any of the really big hills.
There are lots of good touring bikes available but I would suggest you check out a "custom builder", just to see what they have. <www.marinoni.com> in Montreal and <[url]www.truenorthcycles.com> in Kitchener are a good couple to start with. Also, plan to attend the "Bicycle Show" at the Toronto CNE Grounds, first week in March, 2005.
I am assuming you are located near Toronto........I am from the London, Ontario area. My wife and I have toured, both the routes you have mentioned more than once, and I would be willing to give you any advice that I can...........byfred

Michael Reyes

Hi Mike: I think that you can tour with just about any old bike.........However, the difference between "any old bike" and a "properly fitted touring bike" is like having to use the washroom on a bus, as opposed to using the washroom in your own home.
My wife and I did a tour of Atlantic Canada, this past summer, and there was a fellow up on the Cabot Trail with a one-speed bicycle, with wooden rims. He was in his 60's, I think, and his wife was driving a "sag wagon" for him. I never saw him climbing any of the really big hills.
There are lots of good touring bikes available but I would suggest you check out a "custom builder", just to see what they have. <www.marinoni.com> in Montreal and <[url]www.truenorthcycles.com> in Kitchener are a good couple to start with. Also, plan to attend the "Bicycle Show" at the Toronto CNE Grounds, first week in March, 2005.
I am assuming you are located near Toronto........I am from the London, Ontario area. My wife and I have toured, both the routes you have mentioned more than once, and I would be willing to give you any advice that I can...........byfred
Thanks for the advice and info. I plan on checking out bicycle specialties here in Scarborough (they sell and make marinoni and mariposa bicycles) when I have the time during the week. I work in the afternoons and trying to find as much time as I can to train for the possible trip. Right now I'm justs doing 15-20 minutes on the stationary bike everyday with sit-ups, push-ups 6 days a week, weights and running (10 k's, once a week). I find it really hard to find time for a good workout because I work as a data entry clerk and production is a good part of my job. Can't get to work too tired. A lot of my plans for the trip depends now if my contract is renewed as well. Right now I'm still trying to find at leasts one more rider around my age, 35-40. Also, someone is giving me their 1997 road bike. Its suppose to be in good working condition though I'm sure I'll have to do some work on it. Hopefully I can pick it up within the next few weeks. Should be a little fun on weekends anyway, may even be able to ride with a cycling club here in Scarborough who prefer roadbike riders to mountain bike riders for their 2-3 hour weekend runs.
Michael