January is long and I miss my bikes

[Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!]

January is 576 days long. I miss biking season, so I have determined to use this time to plan for more biking during bike season. A year ago, this was not a thought. I had no idea what I was missing; I was either a lone wolf riding around doing Leah Things or I was a club rider riding around with different groups in the club. And on those club rides people would say to me, “Got any bike trips planned?” and I never did. What’s that Hobbit line? “We [Petersons] are very respectable and never have any adventures at all.” 

Mostly their bike trips were fully supported rides with some theme or specific purpose, and I wasn’t all that interested. No one was talking touring or bike camping, and anyway, Leah Peterson doesn’t camp. I was pretty (self) limited, just riding around doing the same things most weeks.

Ok, well, summer of ‘25 my college boy wanted to try bike camping, and inept as we were, we got the gear, planned some routes, rode them, camped and toured and LOVED it. See here: https://groups.google.com/g/rbw-owners-bunch/c/lT31xPiKVKk/m/ENio65vuAQAJ

And now I’m hooked. I miss everything about bike touring; even the hard things, like rainstorms and hills and exhaustion. Must I really wait until spring? Like, April???

I had two amazing trips summer of ‘25. We saw gorgeous Lake Michigan shoreline. Niagara Falls. Fell asleep to waves lapping the shore of our campsites. My boy is a dream; he’s good for stimulating conversation or companionable silence. Sometimes we each had an audiobook going and we rode along with our books in our ears,, pedaling in rhythmic silence. The perfect bike touring companion, I had him, but he’s going to get a job and leave me. So now I’m in limbo; I want him as my bike partner but he is unsure where he will be this summer. I want to plan trips but I don’t want to do them alone. You would think the bike club might render me a pal. But their bikes do not haul like ours. I have one friend who did the GAP with me, but she could only carry her clothes; she had no capacity to carry a tent or panniers on her carbon bike, so we stayed at Warm Showers. And even if you find a pal, you need what I call RIDING CHEMISTRY. You cannot just go with any rando; you must be in similar shape, want to see the same sights, have similar disposable incomes, value gourmet coffee…

I’ve thought of setting off alone. But I wonder if that’s safe or will even be fun. Part of doing these trips is having someone to enjoy them and relive them with. Plus, how scared would I be alone in my tent at night when the animals come out? What if something happens like a mechanical or a crash? 

Ideally, one would do this with a spouse, but mine is not a cyclist. Where do you meet people you might like to travel with? I’m sure there are plenty on this forum who can at least empathize. And with the next winter storm barreling towards us, what else have we got to do?

Leah

SW Michigan

[Piaw Na]

Leah,

I actually wrote a whole book about bicycle touring, including companion selection which I agree is the most important factor that can make or break a trip: https://amzn.to/3Zq2vzI (kindle version: https://amzn.to/4bFG6G0). Since it's winter you'll have plenty of time to read. :-)  I myself am blessed with a plethora of friends who were brave enough (foolhardy enough?) to come on my trips over the years. Some even bought the entire package (cycling, sailing, backpacking), so to speak, coming on multiple trips of different types over the years. Back in the old days I would also respond to "call for companions" requests on the Adventure Cycling newsletter/magazine. One thing I always do (and mention in the book as well) is to do a "qualifier" trip with whoever wants to come with you. That's an overnight trip to a close location that simulates an actual trip. It lets you decide whether or not that person is compatible. Every time I've done a trip with a new companion without a qualifier I've learned to regret it. Sometimes I do the qualifier anyway just to shake down new equipment and make sure it works.

By the way, it's a myth that regular road/racing bikes cannot carry loads. My wife's Ritchey Road Logic saw 700+ miles in the alps last summer. Modern bikepacking bags are more than sufficient for credit card touring and even some light camping, and in many cases even eliminate the need to mount fenders on the bike as the long tail of the waterproof saddlebag doubles as a fender. It would be an ill-fitting bike that cannot use a modern bikepacking style saddlebag to carry a load.

[Leah Peterson]

Piaw, but how do you mount racks to a carbon frame? My friend said that is frowned upon and I believe it. This was as much stuff as she could carry without racks. You can see the seat post bag - there would be no room for a tent.

On Jan 21, 2026, at 4:49 PM, Piaw Na <pi...@gmail.com> wrote:

Leah,

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[Jim M.]

Tailfin has a system for attaching to axle and seatpost, so no need for eyelets. Very pricey, but I believe others have developed similar systems.

https://www.tailfin.cc/cargopack/?v=0b3b97fa6688#features

jim m

walnut creek

[matt miller]

Tailfin is quite nice. I bought one of the Kickstarter offerings NOS. The pannier's screw, which attached the mount to the internal frame, was stripped. I sent them an email and a short video. They sent me a replacement. Great customer service. It's a versatile system, but it's not intended for "French fit," but will work. I use it on my Black Mountain Cycles bike, then I also use the bags for commuting on my old Trek with Nitto racks.

They do pop up used every so often.

Matt in STL

[Piaw Na(藍俊彪)]

You do not need to mount a rack to carry a tent. For instance, on top of that saddlebag you could tie a tent. (it'll have to be an ultralight tent, but those exist). Alternatively, you could get fork bags, which can mount onto carbon forks as well as steel forks: https://amzn.to/4jR3rXt. Or you could do credit card touring, which is feasible in many places. My wife's Ritchey Road Logic, which is steel, does not have rack mounts either. Neither does her Ritchey Montebello, but that bike does have fork mount points which easily mount a fork bag, which we used on a recent bike camping trip: https://www.amazon.com/photos/shared/tx58S65UQJmAMrWRagdo9A.oivpknolZZ4ONBfbktLb8C

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[ANDREW LETTON]

It is mid summer here in the Southern Hemisphere… lots of lovely riding around here… just sayin’… 😁

cheers,

Andrew in Sydney 

(Painstakingly pecked out on my iPhone; please pardon my brevity and tpyos.)

On 21 Jan 2026, at 1:24 pm, Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! <jonasa...@gmail.com> wrote:

January is 576 days long. I miss biking season, so I have determined to use this time to plan for more biking during bike season. A year ago, this was not a thought. I had no idea what I was missing; I was either a lone wolf riding around doing Leah Things or I was a club rider riding around with different groups in the club. And on those club rides people would say to me, “Got any bike trips planned?” and I never did. What’s that Hobbit line? “We [Petersons] are very respectable and never have any adventures at all.” 

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[Piaw Na(藍俊彪)]

On Wed, Jan 21, 2026 at 3:58 PM ANDREW LETTON <let...@flash.net> wrote:

It is mid summer here in the Southern Hemisphere… lots of lovely riding around here… just sayin’… 😁

cheers,

Andrew in Sydney 

Leah doesn't even have to go that far. We've had 3 weeks of sunny weather here in the Bay Area, with no sign of rain on the horizon. Plus, if Leah visits the Bay Area she gets to visit her favorite bike shop in Walnut Creek and might even get to try a new bike. :-)

 

[Ted Durant]

On Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 8:24:53 PM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:

I’ve thought of setting off alone. But I wonder if that’s safe or will even be fun. Part of doing these trips is having someone to enjoy them and relive them with. Plus, how scared would I be alone in my tent at night when the animals come out? What if something happens like a mechanical or a crash? 

That's a big question, for sure. I've just spent 6 days in LA thinking about how much I enjoy biking and sailing, and how that means I'm stuck for fun for a few months. A natural winter activity is to start planning the fun that I'll have when the weather allows. Whether you'll enjoy a bike camping trip solo is a great question to ask. As Paul Fournel says in _Need For The Bike_, "Hell is the rhythm of others." And, yet, few people really enjoy being alone for extended periods. I am an introvert, sometimes cripplingly so, and yet the couple of times I have done solo bike trips I have cut them short. I was a lot younger, then, though, and I've been thinking about planning something. As I think about it, I think that the best approach will be to try some solo S24O's, and see whether I enjoy those. But, as I'm not as young as I used to be, I'm not sure I want to actually do a camping trip. We'll see!

Great winter topic, Leah! (apologies to those in warm climates and/or on the other side of the Equator).

Ted Durant

Milwaukee WI USA

[Jay]

Leah, January is about to get even longer up here in the northern hemisphere!  I'm trying to keep positive but...come on, 'feels like' -32C on Saturday morning, sheesh!

You seem like a real people person.  Not sure you would like touring alone, even though you would likely bump into many people and make new friends.  You have to convert that hubby of yours into a diehard cyclist.

[Piaw Na(藍俊彪)]

On Wed, Jan 21, 2026 at 4:50 PM Ted Durant <tedd...@gmail.com> wrote:

As I think about it, I think that the best approach will be to try some solo S24O's, and see whether I enjoy those. But, as I'm not as young as I used to be, I'm not sure I want to actually do a camping trip. We'll see!

If you don't like camping,  or just don't like carrying a ton of stuff to go on tour, you may wish to consider a youth hostel. Here in the Bay Area, my favorite one is Pigeon Point Lighthouse: https://www.hiusa.org/find-hostels/california/pescadero-210-pigeonpoint-road. They're $40/night if you're going solo, which is very reasonable, but you should budget for more since you will want to pay the $8 to sit in the hot tub overlooking the Pacific Ocean and watch the sunset from there. (Pro tip: check sunset times and arrive early at the hostel so you can grab the sunset hot tub spot before anyone else)

And yes, I use Pigeon Point as my qualifier trip. Here's the 2025 edition trip report - https://blog.piaw.net/2025/05/pigeon-point-overnight-2025.html

[Gabe]

Hey all! 

Here's my REI bike set up for a one night excursion (not a multi-day adventure like you guys did!). It's obviously not a carbon racing bike but I fit what I needed (tent, 90s thermarest, sleeping bag, tyvek tarp) without using the rear rack. Naturally it depends on how compact (or bulky) the gear is, but lots of bikes work great for camping! 

As for racks on C bikes, I suppose you'd need the right fork/ rack combo. 

Party on! 

Gabe 

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[Kim H.]

Go now when you are young and able !  The road and pathways are calling you, turned on edges waiting for you. 

Unfortunately, I have not experienced bicycle camping nor have I been gone on a multiple day overnight bicycle camping adventure over hundreds of miles. I have done single day adventures ranging in mileage between 25 to 100 miles multiple times a weeks at a time for many years, when I was a younger man.

I have grown older, my body has slowly changed over the decades, losing its strength and the desire to be fast. My mind has become wiser and has learned to be more cautious. Those long distance rides have become shorter. My riding pace has become slower, in watching the world around looking and always listening for wildlife to add more colorful memories. 

I am grateful for all those thousands of miles I rode on my beloved road bike when I was a younger man. The memories are numerous and remain strong now as a seasoned senior cyclist. 

I will continue to ride solo to find the peace and calm within myself from this crazy and silly world until I unable to do so on my Clem. 

Ride as often as you can.

Kim Hetzel. 

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[alan lavine]

Well said, Kim. I'll drink to that !

Alan

NYC where 20 degrees ain't fun

[Kim H.]

@Alan,

Thank you. 

I will pull up a chair. I will have a toast with you. 

Kim Hetzel 

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[Leah Peterson]

I do think you’re right about this, Ted. I AM a people person and I think it might get pretty lonely out there alone. I would be the type to cut my trip short. I love looking back at my photos and video from the trips with my son; they were so special because HE was there. I need to find some new bike camping pals STAT. My buddy up in GR has a whole pile of these type of friends. Last summer he texted me from the road; he was riding around most of Lake Michigan and they were slogging it out doing 100+ mile days in 90 degree heat. I thought it was so cool he had several guys to do it with, also, please do not invite me to that. I do not want that kind of punishing itinerary; I want to see gorgeous things and stop for food and drink. 

I did just plan a 3 day route in the upper peninsula that would take me from Sault St. Marie to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. It’s got one 80 mile day in it and the area is pretty remote. I think I need a partner for that one. I find the planning also to be overwhelming. It’s hard to know what places are truly like just from the internet. My inaugural ride to Niagara Falls ended up on 55 mph roads with little to no shoulder and we swore never again. It was on the “Great Lakes Seaway Trail” and it was a misnomer, let me tell you…

On Jan 21, 2026, at 7:50 PM, Ted Durant <tedd...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[George Schick]

Kim - how did you steal that out of my brain!?  That's my exact same lifetime cycling experience up to the present time, almost verbatim.

George

[Sally Bidleman]

There are also some great bike touring companies with trips of different lengths and in different places!

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[Will Boericke]

Outsider perspective: winter is an excuse to own other bikes!  Find a bike that gets you outside in the cold.  For me, that's a mountain bike.  Totally fine to ride 2+ hours on trails at 8mph at 30F.  This winter in the northeast has been surprisingly fruitful for the fat bike as well; it normally just hangs in my basement for most of the year.

Will, commuting at whatever temperature nature throws at us (6F on Wednesday)

On Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 9:28:18 AM UTC-5 krhe...@gmail.com wrote:

@George,

Well.. I suggest you pull up a chair to this open table where Alan and I are sitting. Let's share a drink and toast to how far we have come and exchange our cycling stories of yesterday. 

Subsequently, I am glad to hear that I am not the only one. How ironic that your lifetime cycling experience up to the present time is almost verbatim as mine.

Kim Hetzel staying inside with mid 20 degree weather outside.

On Thu, Jan 22, 2026 at 5:54 AM George Schick <bhi...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Kim H.]

@George,

Well.. I suggest you pull up a chair to this open table where Alan and I are sitting. Let's share a drink and toast to how far we have come and exchange our cycling stories of yesterday. 

Subsequently, I am glad to hear that I am not the only one. How ironic that your lifetime cycling experience up to the present time is almost verbatim as mine.

Kim Hetzel staying inside with mid 20 degree weather outside here in Washington state.

On Thu, Jan 22, 2026 at 5:54 AM George Schick <bhi...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Piaw Na(藍俊彪)]

On Thu, Jan 22, 2026 at 4:47 AM Leah Peterson <jonasa...@gmail.com> wrote:

I do think you’re right about this, Ted. I AM a people person and I think it might get pretty lonely out there alone. I would be the type to cut my trip short. I love looking back at my photos and video from the trips with my son; they were so special because HE was there. I need to find some new bike camping pals STAT.

I didn't mention that one reason to stay at youth hostels instead of camping is that you meet a lot of people. I met one of my touring partners that way. 

[Piaw Na]

I mentioned my camping trip on New Year's Eve.  Here's the trip writeup: https://blog.piaw.net/2026/01/point-reyes-coast-campground.html

[Eric White]

Always nice to see a steel Safari loaded up for adventure!  

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[Roberta]

Sally,

Do you have any recommendations for companies in the Mid-Atlantic region that you especially liked?  I’ve never done any bike touring, but I did see tours of three or five days on Assateague Island. I’m also not a strong rider so can’t do multiple 40 mile day rides, although I’m hoping to change that this summer with some training 

Piaw,

That’s an interesting a cost-effective suggestion to stay at hostels. I tried camping this summer and it wasn’t too bad but I can’t imagine I would love bike riding all day and staying in a tent all night.

Roberta
Philadelphia

[Piaw Na(藍俊彪)]

On Thu, Jan 22, 2026 at 9:32 AM Roberta <rcha...@gmail.com> wrote:

Sally,

Do you have any recommendations for companies in the Mid-Atlantic region that you especially liked?  I’ve never done any bike touring, but I did see tours of three or five days on Assateague Island. I’m also not a strong rider so can’t do multiple 40 mile day rides, although I’m hoping to change that this summer with some training 

The most cost effective bike touring "companies" are actually the bike tours run by bicycle clubs. Those don't usually take a huge amount of profit (as opposed to backroads). One example is the Supertour (2025 flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bA65T6gABDLdzEaSjNmZGLKo1By-Ox0x/view) which prices in at around $150/person/day (unfortunately, it's camping based).

Surprisingly enough, when I organize my own trip I come in at around that price but get to stay in hotels.  If you're on the East Coast with easy access to Europe, one great option is biketours.com, which gets you tours run by European companies which charge around 1/5th the price of American companies like Trek Tours or Backroads or Santana Tours (those can run up to $800/night/person). One great option for those new to touring is the "bike and boat tours": https://www.biketours.com/bike-boat/. What you do is to get onto the riverboat boat and unpack. In the morning each day, the boat drops you off, and you bike downriver to where the boat meets you. On days you don't feel like riding you stay on the boat. You never have to pack/unpack each day, and usually breakfast and dinner is taken care of. American companies will charge $4000 for a week, but the locals run it for 1000 euros for a week: https://www.biketours.com/austria/danube-passau-budapest-passau/ (I have never taken one of these tours --- I just get a lot of brochures from backroads and various other touring companies --- I show them to my wife so she understands how much money we save by doing everything ourselves :-)

[meti...@gmail.com]

When I first began bike touring, Leah, before we had any idea what we were doing, we signed up with several bicycle touring companies and went on guided trips with groups…one trip through Vermont and another through Wisconsin…and they were so much fun! 

Benefits of riding with touring companies (in small groups of about 10 people): 

* someone with riding experience in each locale plans the routes honed over many seasons so that we had quiet rides on back roads (I recall your trip last summer along the shoulders of busy roads, which seemed harrowing); 

* no need to carry camping equipment because lodging and meals were prearranged; 

* the rides were “supported” with leaders who could also do most basic bike repairs and change tires (as I recall, you don’t like to change your own tires)

* there’s a van that can give you a lift if necessary…if your bike breaks down, if it rains cats and dogs, etc. The van can also carry your luggage so you wouldn’t need to carry it on your bike

* the leaders of the group don’t bring their partners or spouses along on the trips, so you know you’ve got a free friend 

* it’s almost certain you wouldn’t be the only partnerless rider…and you’ll make fast friends

* on each of our bike trips, we rode with the most wonderful people, some of whom we still keep in touch with…and if you get bored with anyone, just hang back or ride ahead

* people ride at their own paces, so you automatically ride with people who ride like you

Downsides (for me): 

* I don’t like to be told when to get up and meet at breakfast to review the day’s rides/iteneraries

* sometimes I just want to ride down unplanned roads or stop for a day if I like the town 

* after several supported trips in the US, we got the hang of trip planning and bike camping, and we got VERY quick at changing tires, so we decided we could handle all the minor repairs with just two or three of us. 

Once we got the hang of all of that, we took off for Europe with no plans whatsoever and rode wherever the winds blew us, and that became so thrilling that we never took another tour—-we just followed our noses…but I have to say that the tours got us to places I might never have gone and there’s a huge benefit to having an experienced tour leader who has tested out the routes to avoid heavy traffic and to include beautify local scenery, coffee shops, quirky places, etc. 

It’s a good way to ride with people but also have freedom to separate yourself when you need space…you’ll feel confident that you won’t run into trouble, and you don’t have to plan the trip yourself so it’s a pretty carefree comittment. And, as you said, if you don’t like it, you can just go on home. 

Liz