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Which feat is harder, thru hiking the AT or riding the Tour de France route?
Posted on 4/10/24 at 7:14 pm
Posted on 4/10/24 at 7:14 pm
Talking with my wife (no pics) and the discussion of mid life crises came up. We talked about how a lot of people we know took up a physical challenge instead of buying a Corvette or something. One guy we know is hiking the Appalachian Trail right now.
Now, a few years ago I found this company that takes you on the route of the Tour de France the day before the pros ride each stage. Their top package takes you on every single stage in the same time frame as the pros. I always told my wife that if I was going to have a big mid life crisis, that would be it.
So it prompted her to ask me the question of which one of those two, hiking the entire AT or riding every mile of the TdF, is more physically and mentally challenging. Both are around 2100 miles. The hike takes ~6 months on foot, the ride takes 3 weeks on a bike. I know the OT answer is "I did both last year" but which one is tougher?
Now, a few years ago I found this company that takes you on the route of the Tour de France the day before the pros ride each stage. Their top package takes you on every single stage in the same time frame as the pros. I always told my wife that if I was going to have a big mid life crisis, that would be it.
So it prompted her to ask me the question of which one of those two, hiking the entire AT or riding every mile of the TdF, is more physically and mentally challenging. Both are around 2100 miles. The hike takes ~6 months on foot, the ride takes 3 weeks on a bike. I know the OT answer is "I did both last year" but which one is tougher?
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Posted on 4/10/24 at 7:15 pm to Ingeniero
I'd have to say the trail.
Posted on 4/10/24 at 7:17 pm to Ingeniero
AT is much harder as its much longer and higher likelihood of something going wrong.
A strong cyclist could do the Tour route at a controlled pace without much problem.
A strong cyclist could do the Tour route at a controlled pace without much problem.
Posted on 4/10/24 at 7:18 pm to Ingeniero
I know a few guys who have done AT and they were soft AF. They did it really slow and took their time. I think that’s the difference. Sticking to the tour schedule would be rough, especially through the climbing stages. My vote is the tour route if it’s the actual tour schedule and not cover it as you please.
Posted on 4/10/24 at 7:24 pm to billjamin
quote:
My vote is the tour route if it’s the actual tour schedule and not cover it as you please.
The Tour you get 2 rest days plus the time trials would basically be rest days in this hypothetical.
The third week would be rough, but if you didn't push any of the climbs, very doable
Posted on 4/10/24 at 7:25 pm to Ingeniero
Mentally through hiking the AT.
Physically the TdF route especially if you are doing a stage a day, for all but the most fit amateur cyclists some of the mountain stages, and definitely the Queen stage would be damn near impossible. Just consider how hard it is for the World Tour sprinters to finish the big climbs.
Physically the TdF route especially if you are doing a stage a day, for all but the most fit amateur cyclists some of the mountain stages, and definitely the Queen stage would be damn near impossible. Just consider how hard it is for the World Tour sprinters to finish the big climbs.
Posted on 4/10/24 at 7:25 pm to LegendInMyMind
I don't know about that. When you're hiking, it's much easier to gain momentum back, even with a ruck, if you rest. The picture of the TdF stuck in my head is of a road with thousands of feet of elevation change in a small window, and it'd be hell to get the bike momentum going again if you stopped.
I think OP's answer will be dictated by the amount of time available, though. AP with cache sites and resupply sites for months, no thanks, even though I love the walk (only hiked at actual AT in TN and NC).
I think OP's answer will be dictated by the amount of time available, though. AP with cache sites and resupply sites for months, no thanks, even though I love the walk (only hiked at actual AT in TN and NC).
Posted on 4/10/24 at 7:26 pm to Ingeniero
quote:You want some very intriguing (probably pre you)?
Talking with my wife (no pics)
Posted on 4/10/24 at 7:34 pm to Ingeniero
The trail is more than conditioning. It's logistics and luck too. I imagine riding the tour route you hang around the hotel in inclement weather. On the trail you night be stuck waiting for the water to go down at a creek crossing which puts you off schedule for your next resupply, etc.
This post was edited on 4/10/24 at 7:39 pm
Posted on 4/10/24 at 7:36 pm to Ingeniero
AT cause more shite can go wrong/more opportunity for injury but you can hike into fitness. I think the tour would require a much higher baseline fitness to complete in the 3 week time frame and take years to get to that baseline assuming you are starting from nothing. Therefore, the tour would be harder.
This post was edited on 4/11/24 at 7:23 am
Posted on 4/10/24 at 7:44 pm to Ingeniero
TDF. Not even close. Riding a bike for 2500 miles, in 3 weeks, some of it going up mountains...it would be less grueling to walk from Miami to Seattle.
Hiking is just walking. Every few days people get off the trail for a day or two and go to a hotel. Refill food, do laundry. I love nature but let's be real - hiking like that is super easy. You go at your own pace and the scenery is the reward along the way.
Forget the AT though. It's trashy, lots of sketchy people out there, from what I've been told. If you're going to do a thru hike, do the CDT. Of the thru hikes in the US, the AT seems like the worst one by far.
Hiking is just walking. Every few days people get off the trail for a day or two and go to a hotel. Refill food, do laundry. I love nature but let's be real - hiking like that is super easy. You go at your own pace and the scenery is the reward along the way.
Forget the AT though. It's trashy, lots of sketchy people out there, from what I've been told. If you're going to do a thru hike, do the CDT. Of the thru hikes in the US, the AT seems like the worst one by far.
Posted on 4/10/24 at 7:47 pm to Ingeniero
Neither
Norseman, Norway triathlon. Start by swimming in almost freezing water, ride mostly uphill, then your run is also combined with 1400 meters of climbing.
Oh and by the way, there is no support so you are on your own till the finish line. Good luck!
First held in 2003, the Norseman was the very first ultra-ironman ever ran. To be awarded with one of the famous finisher t-shirts, you’ll have to jump off the deck of a boat at 5am in the cold Norwegian waters (10° C in 2015), cycle for 180 km with 3,800m of vertical gain, and run for 42km with a total 1,432m of climbing. The race is not supported, so athletes must carry everything with them in case of emergencies and extreme conditions. Finally, only the fastest 160 athletes among the 250 that start will be allowed to climb to the finish line. Brutal, but epic.
Norseman, Norway triathlon. Start by swimming in almost freezing water, ride mostly uphill, then your run is also combined with 1400 meters of climbing.
Oh and by the way, there is no support so you are on your own till the finish line. Good luck!
First held in 2003, the Norseman was the very first ultra-ironman ever ran. To be awarded with one of the famous finisher t-shirts, you’ll have to jump off the deck of a boat at 5am in the cold Norwegian waters (10° C in 2015), cycle for 180 km with 3,800m of vertical gain, and run for 42km with a total 1,432m of climbing. The race is not supported, so athletes must carry everything with them in case of emergencies and extreme conditions. Finally, only the fastest 160 athletes among the 250 that start will be allowed to climb to the finish line. Brutal, but epic.
Posted on 4/10/24 at 7:49 pm to POTUS2024
quote:
Forget the AT though. It's trashy, lots of sketchy people out there, from what I've been told.
I'd like to introduce you to trails around Austin, lol.
I think I saw fewer than five people in five days on the AT (albeit a long time ago,) near Clingman's dome in the Smokies. But there is magic in watching the sunrise on the west side of the AT, as the sun rises from the east. The screenshots are still in my head.
I say just pick whichever one you're more likely to actually execute. If the TdF route means waiting until someone retires in four years, saving $50k, figuring out who is going to watch the pets for a while, not likely. AT can be hiked a bit at a time, a week or so at a time, I think.
Posted on 4/10/24 at 7:49 pm to Ingeniero
Hiking the trail is easier. Watch the tour and you will see highly trained athletes dropping out the race for multiple reasons (sickness, wrecking, extreme fatigue, etc...). I've done a lot of hiking, and while you may run into problems hiking the AT, you definitely will have pain riding in the tour.
This post was edited on 4/10/24 at 7:51 pm
Posted on 4/10/24 at 7:50 pm to Ingeniero
Definitely the trail because of the mental aspects.
Have ridden many of the tour routes and they aren’t hard for a an experienced cyclist just riding with some time. Racing them against 150 dudes is another story.
Have ridden many of the tour routes and they aren’t hard for a an experienced cyclist just riding with some time. Racing them against 150 dudes is another story.
This post was edited on 4/10/24 at 7:51 pm
Posted on 4/10/24 at 7:54 pm to RealDawg
For the Tour is grueling to do it in 3 weeks. It would depend on the time frame required to complete it. The climbs would easily break someone.
Posted on 4/10/24 at 7:56 pm to Ingeniero
Trail. Biking is easy
Posted on 4/10/24 at 7:57 pm to Ingeniero
quote:
Which feat is harder, thru hiking the AT or riding the Tour de France route?
Would the Tour de France take you 6 months to ride? I mean motherfricker come on, how is this even a question?!?!?!
Posted on 4/10/24 at 7:59 pm to Ingeniero
I was just talking to my wife about this. We have done a lot of backpacking together and over the years done several of the classic TdF climbs (Tourmalet, Coloumbiere, Granon and Ventoux) and while she agreed the TdF route would be much harder physically she mentioned the test I used to talk about doing but never did would be a better one: The Barkley Marathon. That might be the ultimate mid-life crisis physical challenge. Laz may be the ultimate sadist. Just finishing a single loop is a bucket list item for many ultra runners.
Posted on 4/10/24 at 8:03 pm to Ingeniero
Look into the Transcontinental Race if you want to bike. Completely self-supported bike race throughout Europe.
More mentally challenging as you have to plan your own route and hit certain location checkpoints along the way. Usually lasts for about 2 weeks.
Last year’s checkpoints were:
Start) Geraardsbergen, Belgium
2) Passo dello Spluga, Italy
3) Zgornje Jezersko, Slovenia
4) Peshkopi, Albania
5) Meteora, Greece
Finish) Thessaloniki, Greece
More mentally challenging as you have to plan your own route and hit certain location checkpoints along the way. Usually lasts for about 2 weeks.
Last year’s checkpoints were:
Start) Geraardsbergen, Belgium
2) Passo dello Spluga, Italy
3) Zgornje Jezersko, Slovenia
4) Peshkopi, Albania
5) Meteora, Greece
Finish) Thessaloniki, Greece
This post was edited on 4/10/24 at 8:15 pm
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