I've just popped my long distance fixed gear cherry having returned from an 8 day, 840 mile trip from Bristol to Berlin and thought I'd pitch in with my experience.
Basically I was glad of a any planning and training that I did, had a fab time and really felt "up for it" by the time I pedalled away from my front door.
Saying that, I'm sure this isn't always necessary as "the spirit of adventure" will get you a long way. One of the guys at my local bike shop returned from study in Copenhagen on a delivery bike with his spare frame and worldly posessions and still managed to make it all the way back to Bristol OK!
Terrain,distance and accomodation dictate what sort of weight and gearing will work for you.
I knew that a multi day tour across Southern England, Holland and North Germany staying in youth hostels is fine - essentially flat or undulating and on metalled roads, first rate cycle paths or (in East Germany) some farm access roads, forestry trails and the odd cobbled road.
However, I wouldn't plan a multi day alpine tour with camping gear on a fixed unless it was simply to prove that it was possible!
I new that travelling light with a suitable bike was essential.
My bike is a Cotic RoadRat - with guards, drop bars, front v-brake, touring wheels and tyres, dynamo hub and geometry suitable for roughish roads or paths.
I opted for a smallish saddlebag (Carradice Nelson long-flap) and bar bag to constrain the amount of kit that I carried. This proved really important as I would have begrudged any excess weight.
NOTE: One important thing I discovered is that any stop-start-stop riding can be hard on your ankles with a fixed. Getting that bit of extra weight moving from a standstill can ask alot of your ankles and I suffered on a 125 mile day through central London and out through Essex to the ferry port at Harwich. Getting into the habit of easing away from a standstill rather than powering hard away proved really helpful as the days (and miles) passed by. This is one thing I would consider if thinking about a much hillier route.
Essentials only
2 pairs of wool socks
1 pair waterproof socks
Waterproof
Spare bib shorts (alternating between a 3/4 length fleecy lined and a short normal pair)
One pair overshorts
One set of long johns
Merino l/s top
Wool mix s/sleeve top
Spare gloves
Basic Toiletries
Microfibre towel
Basic tools inc long allen key for the rear wheel
2 x tubes
Maps (UK maps simply printed off and discarded wehn finished)
I've just popped my long distance fixed gear cherry having returned from an 8 day, 840 mile trip from Bristol to Berlin and thought I'd pitch in with my experience.
Basically I was glad of a any planning and training that I did, had a fab time and really felt "up for it" by the time I pedalled away from my front door.
Saying that, I'm sure this isn't always necessary as "the spirit of adventure" will get you a long way. One of the guys at my local bike shop returned from study in Copenhagen on a delivery bike with his spare frame and worldly posessions and still managed to make it all the way back to Bristol OK!
Terrain,distance and accomodation dictate what sort of weight and gearing will work for you.
I knew that a multi day tour across Southern England, Holland and North Germany staying in youth hostels is fine - essentially flat or undulating and on metalled roads, first rate cycle paths or (in East Germany) some farm access roads, forestry trails and the odd cobbled road.
However, I wouldn't plan a multi day alpine tour with camping gear on a fixed unless it was simply to prove that it was possible!
I new that travelling light with a suitable bike was essential.
My bike is a Cotic RoadRat - with guards, drop bars, front v-brake, touring wheels and tyres, dynamo hub and geometry suitable for roughish roads or paths.
I opted for a smallish saddlebag (Carradice Nelson long-flap) and bar bag to constrain the amount of kit that I carried. This proved really important as I would have begrudged any excess weight.
NOTE: One important thing I discovered is that any stop-start-stop riding can be hard on your ankles with a fixed. Getting that bit of extra weight moving from a standstill can ask alot of your ankles and I suffered on a 125 mile day through central London and out through Essex to the ferry port at Harwich. Getting into the habit of easing away from a standstill rather than powering hard away proved really helpful as the days (and miles) passed by. This is one thing I would consider if thinking about a much hillier route.
Essentials only