Bike Ride Question

[Cubsfan]

Probably a dumb question, but I was thinking about doing this:

http://www.tourdekota.com/

So, in an event like that, how dumb would I look with a mountain bike instead of a road bike? I don't care all that much about how fast I go or if I'm first or anything, just seems like a fun thing to do.

Oh, and just for reference I actually road across South Dakota on my mountain bike a few years ago, doing days of 58, 120, 70, 120, and 56 miles, so I don't mind going long distances on the mountain bike, I just don't want to look like a moron if I'm the only one doing it :)

[zippyjuan]

Is it that you don't have a road bike? A road bike will be more efficient and easier to pedal of course. If you have a mountain bike you might want to put on some narrower tires to cut down on your rolling resistance. Not familiar with that ride but the Ride Across Iowa is pretty informal and you will see a lot of different bikes there.

[Cubsfan]

Yeah, I don't really want to buy a road bike (plus I like the comfort of the mountain bike), and since I ride for exercise I don't mind if the same amount of effort doesn't make me go as fast :)

[VTGreg]

I wouldn't worry about riding a mountain bike in an event like this. The majority of people will have road bikes but you get all sorts at these big rides.

If you aren't worried about the additional effort required then you should be good to go.

[smeakim]

I have done the Ride Across Nebraska and there are people riding all kinds of bikes Touring, Hybrid, Mountain, Road, and etc. In my experience on the BRAN ride the people are great and no one really cares. I would second Zippys response at getting some narrower slicks to put on to reduce the rolling resistance but other than that enjoy it and just ride. The ride across Nebraska was a blast and the litte towns were great. Doing it again this year.

[smeakim]

if you have not already signed up, check out www.bran-inc.org. I know you wont feel out of place there.

[smeakim]

Where you from in case you are not looking at your other thread.

[Cubsfan]

Thanks for the advice. I signed up. We'll see if it kills me :D

[cheapie]

def without a doubt get some narrow slick tires for your mtn bike. there's isn't any reason why you wouldn't want to and they can be had very inexpensively. it's less a matter of "i don't care how fast i'm going" than "oh crap, i'm tired of riding my bike and i could have been done an hour ago using the same energy."

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_153986_-1___

$12/tire. please. i'm begging you. don't ride on knobby tires! if for no other reason that you'd have to go out and buy new mtn tires anyhow after putting on all those road miles anyhow.

[Cubsfan]

Actually I normally ride with 'road' tires all the time. Although it's a mountain bike, 99.9% of the miles come on the road. Most of the read I ride a mountain bike is for comfort.

Hope I'm still in good enough shape to ride this! :)