Touring Tips by Romeo Delima

Director's Cut

As an AMTA master tourer, with 14 tours in our record, I think it is alright to give some Insane Tour tips to those who wants to join to our upcoming Insanity tour. Some methods, if not all, may have been applied by most of the bikers who are frequently doing endurance rides. Or they may have their own versions of those.

1. Don't wear underwear. You may double your lycra.

2. Don't change saddle a day before the tour. Old good saddle is like old good shoe.

3. If possible, attach bar ends. Your hands will search something different angle for positional grip.

4. Do not carry bag in your body for ease in movement. Better burden your bike with your essential cargo.

5. If possible, adapt a tour mode position in your bike geometry against the aggressive position. You are touring not always attacking.

6. The butt and hands will numb, and so is your genitalia. During pee time you will have a hard time finding it. "Hinay mosirit apan kun ibalik na, moagas noon." Don't worry it is normal. The numbness will intermittently come back but later it will be gone.

7. Be careful with energy drinks, too much of those too soon will upset your system.

8. Eat and drink before you feel hungry and thirsty. Don't wait.

9. Pace at your team's convenient normal fast speed.

10. Apply the art of drafting whenever possible.

11. Talk, tell tales, and listen to stories and jokes.

12. Music, your music, can help you a lot.

13. Don't rest too long.

14. Fatigue, boredom, and sleep are your greatest enemies.

15. Countdown kilometers, it will surely shorten the finish line mentally.

16. Do not stay away from your team. The momentum is strong when in pack.

17. Avoid too many out-of-the-saddle pedaling. It costs too much energy.

18. Even if you are strong, conserve strength. This is not a 5-hour ride. Avoid flashy biking to impress people.

19. Honestly tell your condition to teammates. They may feel the same too, and slow the page.

20. Always (if ever you feel quitting) procrastinate your intention, even prolonging your agony. You may recover during the next stop.

21. We join not only to start but to finish.

22. Better switch to hard nose.

23. Better switch to thinner tires than you usually use.

24.Think of happy thoughts. And soar.

More tips coming.....