Took two days off over Easter to do a test ride with the panniers fully loaded. Decided to cycle up to Wantage in Oxfordshire....and up it was.....a 6 hour ride on the way there and a 4.40 ride on the way back!!! Amazing what a difference the terrain can make. Total distance - 210km.
All went very well apart from getting lost in the cities - they are a real pain to cycle through, especially the roundabouts. Got a serious case of ITB inflammation, but I am sure nothing that some ice, acupuncture and deep tissue won't be able to sort out.
It was the first time I had ridden with front panniers - certainly a slight difference in the handling; the secret is to keep the front ones as light as possible. I really didn't feel much weight on the back at all, and guess I was only slower by about 1km/hr...not that I am trying to break any records. I don't think weight will be a problem for me - it may be for the bike i.e. wear and tear but I am very light so should be able to take a little more on the bike. Space will be a problem though - I thought I would get everything in no problem, but this is certainly going to be a push - will just have to strap things to the panniers.
I will definitely be needing smaller gearing to get up and over the Andes and possibly the Rockies, but will sort this in Nashville when I take the bike for its final service before the trip.
I stayed in a lovely campsite at the Courthill Centre, just south of Wantage in Oxfordshire, where I had a great carbo loading dinner, with a lovely lady and a new friend, Jennie.
Some site seeing on the way back!
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