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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (April 28, 1981)
page 2 summer in the city-daily nebraskan tuesday, april 28, 1981 Cross-country bicycling: just you and the road By Reid Warren The best part about it is the freedom. You can go where you want, and when you want to. You can go a long distance, you can go a short distance. You can take a busy highway, you can take a serene side street. You can do it in the Nebraska countryside, you can do it in the highlands of Ireland. You can travel in any style you want to, say bicycle tourists-the people who ride their bicycles across land in the same way most persons drive their cars. Pat Donahoe, who bicycle toured in Ireland for four weeks, had planned to sell his bike after finishing his tour but couldn't because he grew too attached to it. His bike became, he said, not only his transportation but also his companion and friend. Terry Rush toured the English countryside for a week. UI had no idea where I was going or why," he said. "It was just me and the bike on the road." Greg Dunear said, "It's a real nice feeling to know you pedaled your way somewhere on your own power." As it turns out "somewhere' for Dunear includes a cross country tour from Los Angeles to Boston that took 60 days. Proper preparation a must But before you jump on your two-wheeler and pedal off to places unknown, be forewarned that without the proper preparation a bicycle tour can turn out to be, according to Dunear, "your own little created hell.' Proper equipment is a must, but both Dunear and Donahoe say that a prospective tourer doesn't have to buy the most expensive bicycle and accessories in order to get involved in touring. A "reasonably good bike" is what Dunear recommend ed, which for touring bicycles are bikes made specifically for touring which have lower and longer frames for added comfort and easier long distance riding would start at around $250 to $300. DeDrovn vans make the move easier, A When it's time to move, call DeBrown. We rent several sizes of vans so that moving is less of a hassle. Call today for more information. Your move will be easier. A member of Chrysler Leasing Dl brown LEASING, INC. r 17th and N Streets 4777253 Chrysler Leasing oi: T- T I 5 mis i uesaay Only! APRIL 28 511 p.m. BUY ANY SIZE PIZ2A (with this coupon) and get a pitcher of E. ...... ..-.-----.. JL There are a number of touring accessories that can be added to a bicycle to make it into a traveling home on wheels, the main accessory being a bicycle rack, which supports all the equipment piled on a bicycle. There are separate racks for the front and rear wheels. The best racks, and also the most expensive, are made of alumnium alloy, which is lightweight yet strong and dur able. For long touring, Dunear said, it is important to have both front and rear racks to achieve an even weight distri bution. Bicycle touring bags, or panniers, hold most of the gear a bicycle tourer carries with him, and attach on to the bike rack in a matter of seconds. Sizes vary with need The size of the pannier should depend on the type of riding a bicyclist plans to do. There are small panniers that fit on handlebars or on bicycle seats for hour-long rides, medium-sized panniers for overnight trips and large panniers for extended tours. Some of the essentials that belong in a pannier during a bicycle tour, according to Dunear, are a good repair kit, extra bike equipment such as spokes, tubes, brake and gear cables, assorted tools, nuts and bolts and a first aid kit. This is along with clothing, maps, toiletries, food, utensils and optional gear such as cameras, radios, books and a portable cooking stove. The amount of gear taken also depends on the style of depends on the extent of touring planned. Donahoe said a good plan was to lay out all the equipment a person plans on taking and then leave half of it behind without sacrific ing any essentials. Think light," Donahoe said. "When you're climbing those mountains you think of what you could have left behind." The amount of hear taken also depends on the style of riding, Dunear said. When touring alone it is important to cut down on excess weight as much as possible, he said. With two or more people on a tour it is easier to spread the weight around, he added. Travel light Dunear recommended an average of 30 to 35 pounds of gear on a bike for touring, with a maximum of 40 pounds. He added that a good weight distribution would be 40 percent of the weight on the front tire and 60 per cent of the weight on the back tire. Other essentials for touring are toe clips, which fit on the pedal and wrap around the shoe to create a more efficient pedaling motion, water bottles, which fit into a holder attaching to the frame, a portable air pump, which also attaches on the frame, hand protection, which can be either padded bicycling gloves or handlebar padding, and a touring seat which is built for comfort over long rides. For added personal comfort Dunear recommended wearing bicycling shoes and cycling or running shorts. Continued on Page 6 Suite 9 Lounge-Restaurant-Package Liquor OPEN 9:00 1:00 477-6410 85 BEERS - 325 WINES And your favorite liquors and liqueurs ALL WARM BEER IS COST PLUS 10 Our lounpe features daily luncheon specials, Lincoln's largest selection of BEER (55t-$2) and -the BEER DRINKERS WALL OF FAME! Pool tables pinball videogames "jrr 14-oz. PRIME RIB DINNER J L
