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- Oct 28, 2015
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I just got off my bike. I was busy congratulating myself because I had just finished 54 miles in four days- a best for me for after my surgery.
Then I realized something. I had always been told that a Frontiersman could average 20 miles a day on foot. 4 X 20 = 80 miles. I was 16 short of that mark and I was on clear, paved surfaces with relatively flat terrain on a bike with gears. I had easy access to water. The most I did in one day this week was 25 miles.
Mountains, swamps, brush, rivers, lack of roads, packing supplies, and the need to hunt to feed yourself.... Then there is the occasional hostile force to be reckoned with... I have no doubt that 20 miles a day- and sometimes more- can be done. But, 20 miles a day average??
Rare Painting of Daniel Boone's jogging routine... Or, Artist's Rendering of Daniel Boone's Escape :lol::lol::lol:
Now, I do hike up to 10 miles a day when hunting or camping energetically. But, I am packed very light. I may have a tent or a gun, but rarely both at the same time. I am not hauling hides to sell, forging a trail, or preparing to homestead. I often have some sort of trail.
So, it got me wondering what the real average distance per day might have been back in the day. So, I figured I would post this as Buck-bait. (He has travelled over land and river in the old ways. He will be able to give us first hand knowledge.) But, I would say that 20 miles a day average in new territory, without a map, on foot? For your average Frontiersman? I think this is likely a high estimate. What do you think?
Then I realized something. I had always been told that a Frontiersman could average 20 miles a day on foot. 4 X 20 = 80 miles. I was 16 short of that mark and I was on clear, paved surfaces with relatively flat terrain on a bike with gears. I had easy access to water. The most I did in one day this week was 25 miles.
Mountains, swamps, brush, rivers, lack of roads, packing supplies, and the need to hunt to feed yourself.... Then there is the occasional hostile force to be reckoned with... I have no doubt that 20 miles a day- and sometimes more- can be done. But, 20 miles a day average??
Rare Painting of Daniel Boone's jogging routine... Or, Artist's Rendering of Daniel Boone's Escape :lol::lol::lol:
Now, I do hike up to 10 miles a day when hunting or camping energetically. But, I am packed very light. I may have a tent or a gun, but rarely both at the same time. I am not hauling hides to sell, forging a trail, or preparing to homestead. I often have some sort of trail.
So, it got me wondering what the real average distance per day might have been back in the day. So, I figured I would post this as Buck-bait. (He has travelled over land and river in the old ways. He will be able to give us first hand knowledge.) But, I would say that 20 miles a day average in new territory, without a map, on foot? For your average Frontiersman? I think this is likely a high estimate. What do you think?
