Burgundy Bike Tour Summary :)
Sho how far did I end up going?
I went a little over 660 miles in ~52 hours over 16 days (~1062km). So an average of 41 miles per day. I was lucky that most of this route was super flat. It was during the last few days I realized how much inclines can slow you down, especially with a rental bike :). Over the entire route, I only ascended about 9,150 feet… to put that into perspective in June when I was training in Colorado on flat roads I ascended 13,000 feet over 318 miles.
To map this I had to use Bing as Google maps is disappointing in that it restricts you to 10 waypoints.
How did packing go?
I wish I packed less stuff :). The only thing I forgot was some oil for the chain. It squeaks like a little mouse. This trip was more about sport first and then exploring some history, so here is how I would redo it to lighten the load:
Only 1 pair of cycling underwear, shorts, and shirt. It was easy to wash them nightly.
Only 1 pair of after cycling shorts.
Only 2 cotton shirts.
Only 3 pairs of socks.
Only 2 pairs of normal underwear, easy to wash those nightly in the sink too.
No micro-fiber towel, and maybe no bivy if I felt confident about hotels being available.It was probably a good idea to bring a 3/4th zip for warmth. I didn’t end up using it but it could also double as a spare shirt too. And, I was lucky that I didn’t have to sleep outside in the bivy.
There were a few other things I could have cut, but not the end of the world with them either. The spare battery probably wasn’t needed, and a few small things like that.
When you added food and spare water in my bags they were both pretty full and heavy. When I do a ride through Switzerland or something with a bit more incline I’d like to lose some of the weight. The bike was pretty damn heavy given it was a rental and had fenders, lights, and other silly stuff. Of course, if I am camping that means adding in a small tent, sleeping bag, and probably a stove.
Weather?
It was gorgeous every day! The only rainy day was day 1, and I was very glad to have my rain jacket.
Next trip?
I am looking at doing one of the eurovelo routes next, or maybe a homemade route where I follow the band of brothers through Europe or maybe Napoleon’s drive to Moscow or something like that. I think it would be fun to put together something like that and do more research prior to the ride. This time it was more about sport and a quiet ride through the woods. Although I did tie it into some of what happened with Ceaser’s first campaign in Gaul.
Other takeaways?
– It is a great feeling to deplete yourself physically and mentally at the same time. I feel like usually, one or the other happens. I did one day where I pushed and did a 73-mile ride and it was a really nice feeling to be so physically spent. Doing 15 days in a row was great and when you combine that with the utter quiet and isolation of the woods it is like a hard reset. I think it helps you get some new perspective, and take a hard look at where you are in life.
– It was a good feeling to know I could get back into something without Crohn’s disease preventing it. Hopefully, that keeps holding up as that can cause a bit of anxiety for me. I miss endurance sports…
– I’ve already read 30 books in July… I forgot how much reading I can do when traveling alone!
Quick Daily Breakdown
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Day 1 – 60km – 3 Hours
Day 2 – 59km – 2 Hours 47 Minutes
Day 3 – 56km – 2 Hours 35 Minutes
Day 4 – 72km – 3 Hours 34 Minutes
Day 5 – 65km – 3 Hours 3 Minutes
Day 6 – 117km – 5 Hours 28 Minutes
Day 7 – 60km – 2 Hours 54 Minutes
Day 8 – 75km – 3 Hours 29 Minutes
Day 9 – 64km – 3 Hours 14 Minutes
Day 10 – 89km – 4 Hours 22 Minutes
Day 11 – 60km – 2 Hours 53 Minutes
Day 12 – 85km – 4 Hours 13 Minutes
Day 13 – 47km – 2 Hours 7 Minutes
Day 14 – 58km – 2 Hours 43 Minutes
Day 15 – 49km – 2 Hours 36 Minutes
Day 16 – Break
Day 17 – Break
Day 18 – 45km – 2 Hours 47 Minutes
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