Messages

1

Routes / Re: Route through or around Los Angeles.

« on: April 28, 2013, 09:49:18 pm »

Mike, I agree with Marti.  I've done Long Beach to the border....Mostly mellow roads and bike paths along the shore if you plan it well.  Sketchy drivers passing Newport Beach but a good shoulder as I remember.  Otherwise a nice ride.

Marine Base Camp Pendleton doesn't allow civilian car traffic but will allow a civilian biker with ID. No ID is a no go and no alternate route as far as I know.

Once in San Diego plenty of bike paths to make it to the border.  Tijuana?  Not recommended.

 Enjoy.

2

Routes / Re: Advice for a ride beginning in NYC

« on: April 28, 2013, 10:02:31 am »

OK, great.  Thx TokyoNose!

Here's my plan...  I am riding the ACA route in a counter-clockwise direction

Day 1/May 18- Saratoga Springs-Ticonderaga (.Super 8 Motel)

Day 2- Ticonderoga- Saranac Lake (Saranac Lake Inn)...might add the ACA alternate route to "Whiteface Mtn".

Day 3- Saranac Lake- Speculator (Lake Pleasant Lodge but still not decided)

Day 4- Speculator - Saratoga Springs

Some longish days with climbing I see but I travel very light and enjoy the climbing.  I am using this ride as a training exercise for a 6 day Salt Lake City-Scottsbluff, NE ride in July.   Would appreciate any feedback.  Have a great ride.

-Ben

3

Routes / Re: Advice for a ride beginning in NYC

« on: April 26, 2013, 08:53:44 am »

Thanks for the input!

Just purchased the ACA Adirondack Loop map (PDF) and it looks like a wonderful 4 day ride with lots of overnight options and alternate routes to cut the corners if I get behind on the timing.

Looks like a beautiful area for riding too.

Thanks again .....good idea.

4

Routes / Advice for a ride beginning in NYC

« on: April 25, 2013, 05:34:17 am »

Hello,

I am a West Coast rider and not familiar with the best routes in the NE.  Looking for your input.

I am planning. 4 day ride in mid-May to begin in the NYC area (Teterboro, NJ actually).  I will be traveling Credit Card style using motels/hotels and will plan to cover 80-120 miles per day.

Ideally I would like to ride one way and return by train but Amtrak seems to have bike restrictions on most trains in the NE with the exception of the "Empire Service" from Chicago which stops in Syracuse and Rome, NY so those would be good destinations.  My original plan was to head to Vermont but this idea was scuttled when I discovered the bike restrictions....same thing with Boston.

I suppose I could make a 350 mile loop out of it but would prefer to "go somewhere".  I have the option to rent a car and retun to NYC that way but this would be a last resort.

As you can see my plan is wide open so wondering If there's a general direction anyone can recommend?  Hudson Valley, Erie Canal, Finger Lakes, Pennsylvania? I'm solo and very flexible so any input of where to go, or where NOT to go, is appreciated....just looking for a good route or general direction to begin my planning.

Thanks.   -Ben

5

Gear Talk / Re: Ironman and Europe Tour on one bike??

« on: April 18, 2013, 07:01:11 am »

I ride the same Trek Madone 4.5 for both triathlon (Long Course/Half Ironman Distance = 56 miles on the bike) and for touring.  I have covered the Western Express route at 100+ mile per day with it and it's certainly durable enough.  You should know that I tour Credit Card style so my cargo weight is minimal..13 pounds without the water.

I was concerned about the reliability and ruggedness of a lightweight carbon frame for touring but my off-the-shelf Trek has been great...even the saddle. I'm on year 2 with the bike now and at the 10,000 mile mark.  The stock Bontreager wheels the bike came with started to break down at 8000 miles so I replaced them with better quality Mavic but otherwise no regrets with the bike.

I did hear some groans when I asked the same sort of question about long-distance touring with a road bike but those remarks have turned out to be unfounded in my experience.  There seem to be many traditional touring folks out there who like the heavy, but strong, bike to carry the equally heavy loads.  Rugged but SLOOOOW.

My theory is:  If your load is light then what's the difference between riding 100 miles a day while touring or while at home?  The bike knows no difference.

6

Routes / California Gold Country. Turlock-Oakhurst?

« on: April 17, 2013, 07:05:29 am »

Hi there.

I have a random route question:

Riding SF Bay area to Bass Lake, CA. I have ridden most of this route before except one stretch.....Turlock to Oakhurst, CA

There are several options.  The obvious is Turlock Rd-Hornitos Rd-Old Toll Rd-Hiway 49.
Judging the route from Google Street View it looks adequate but is obviously the shortest route so likely has the most vehicle traffic.

Anyone out there with a better/more bike friendly idea?  I don't mind of it adds a few extra miles.

Thanks!

7

Routes / Re: Cycling from SFO airport - Western express

« on: April 03, 2013, 04:15:30 pm »

I have ridden for many years between SF Bay and Sacramento and have ridden the Western Express too so am pretty familiar.

As others have said BART is the easiest way to get out of the airport.  There have been some recent changes to bike restrictions on BART during rush hour...more bike friendly now...but it's in Beta mode so check for updates.  Get yourself across the Bay to Emeryville (Near Oakland) and then catch the Amtrak Capitol Corridor commuter train...very bike friendly.  In about 1.5 hours you will be in Sacramento at literally the start of the W.E. route.

Or, there are many good riding routes from SFO to Sacramento via the Golden Gate but will add about 150 miles to your ride.  A great ride of you have the time though.  A Google map search of the area with the "bicycling" tab clicked will reveal many good options.

If riding the Western Express credit card style suggest booking motels in Woodfords, CA, Austin, NV and Baker, NV well ahead of time as there are limited options in these towns and they do fill up.

8

Routes / Re: Any Wyoming riders out there?

« on: March 17, 2013, 05:58:38 pm »

Thanks for the input John.

I'm accustomed to riding 100+ miles a day with enough water.  Not a problem.  Downside is I am "credit card" camping so no option to stop for the night until I reach my motel.  I have booked all overnights including in Farson and Alcova at the only option in each town.

Anyway, good to know a bit more about the route.  It doesn't seem very popular however.

9

Routes / Any Wyoming riders out there?

« on: March 17, 2013, 03:47:30 pm »

I asked a vague question about my route a few months ago and got no response so hoping if I supply more info it might get me a few tips?

Following the Pony Express route Credit Card style in July from SLC-Scottsbluff, NE and looking for help.  It's a roundabout route to stay true to the PE but road riding options are sometimes limited. 

So you know I completed the Sacramento-SLC portion of this ride last year so not worried about extreme July heat at 7000' but I suppose anything is possible when it comes to weather

Route runs:

SLC-Evanston: Emigrant Canyon Rd-Chalk Creek Rd-Yellow Creek Road.  6 miles dirt.

Evanston-Farson:  4 miles on US 80 (yikes), 189 to Kemmerer, then 372 to Lower Farson Cutoff Rd.

Farson-Lander:  Hiway 28.

Lander-Alcova: 287 to 220

Alcova-Douglas: 220 to Douglas then Old Glenbrook Hiway to join Tank Farm Rd.

Douglas-Scottsbluff, NE:  Not sure about a route yet.

Any and all advice is welcome.  Thanks.

-Ben

10

Routes / Re: Great Parks

« on: March 11, 2013, 04:23:31 pm »

@ Cowboy Bill.

Maybe an inappropriate question but curious....why label people "wusses" if they don't feel the need to carry a gun everywhere they go?

11

Routes / Re: Great Parks

« on: March 10, 2013, 08:02:34 pm »

I choose not to live in fear.

12

Routes / Re: Route from Minneapolis Internaitonal Airport

« on: January 22, 2013, 09:10:38 pm »

There are bike paths and a rail-to-trails route nearly the whole way..once you navigate your way out of MSP.  See Google Maps Bike tab for more info.  I love riding this part of the country in summer.

13

Routes / Re: I quit a ST trip in2010. I was slow and ran out of time. Going ultralight. Tips?

« on: January 22, 2013, 08:50:41 am »

Don't over-think it.  Some good replies on this thread....here's my input.

Despite some discouraging comments, I set out last summer on a solo/unsupported cross-country ride on my off-the-shelf carbon frame Trek Madone road bike, 13 lbs of gear (including Ipad) and a credit card.  Mind you this ride is happening one week at a time due to family/job obligations but covered Sacramento-Salt Lake City last June.  100+ miles some days crossing Nevada and Utah on the "Loneliest Road".  July, 2013 I continue another week...SLC-Nebraska.

You don't need a heavy duty bike if traveling light on paved roads.  Plenty of restaurants and stores to fuel up and if you don't mind the occasional long day in the saddle and washing your clothes each night in the bathroom sink you too can travel very light.  Bike shops are not as common however...in the West at least.  I could easily have continued for a month with the gear I had.

Downside?  This plan requires a fairly rigid schedule and pre-booking of motels in some remote places.  If there is delay due to weather your plan will be upset.

Upside?  You can comfortably cover a lot of miles in a day and climbing will be a snap.  Also, I enjoyed riding solo and the flexibility it offers.

14

Routes / Re: TransAm to Western Express, VA to Califorinia

« on: October 22, 2012, 10:13:01 am »

I completed the Western Express from Sacramento to Baker, NV then on to SLC all on an off-the-shelf 2011 Trek Madone 4.5....carbon frame of course.  100 miles per day and a perfectly suitable road touring bike right out of the box if traveling with a light load.

The ride was CC style so no panniers...just a Camelback and small under-saddle bag. Total cargo weight 13 pounds with an additional 15 pounds of water at the start of each day.  Didn't want for anything and the bike reformed very well.

Did use heavier-duty Continental touring tires and flatted 3 times in 800+ miles.  No mechanical issues. 

I went with my normal bike shoes with clips.  Much more efficient riding for me.  Many bike shoes have a rubber sole and are easy to walk in.  Heavier but more versatile.

Traffic is traffic. Most of the time not a problem but occasionally can be a challenge.  You can minimize your risk and maximize your comfort level though.   Be aware ALL the time, don't wear earbuds, do wear bright clothes, use as much lighting as you can and stay faaaar to the right.  Even if you're not a mirror guy, as I wasn't,  you will be glad to have it on occasion.  I use the mirror that attaches to the end of the drop down handle bars.  Not good for detail but you can see if traffic is approaching when you can't hear it coming otherwise...a big hazard when you are startled.   

15

Routes / SLC-Casper, WY-Nebraska route advice

« on: September 10, 2012, 01:34:04 pm »

Hello riders.

I am struggling with a good route and hoping someone can help me.  I have searched this and other sites and come up with bits and pieces but would really like it if you guys can point me in the right direction.  My route doesn't appear to be very popular.

Planning a solo ride, credit card style, eastbound from Salt Lake City to Central Nebraska by way of Casper, WY to continue my Pony Express Route bike ride. I completed the Sacramento-SLC leg in June and this next segment would be June, 2013.

Anyway, there are no ACA routes anywhere near and there is no clear good route I can see.  Would prefer to stay clear of major highways of course.

I have 7 days to cover 800 miles from SLC to Central Nebraska.  The destination isn't crucial as the ultimate goal is to eventually get to St. Joseph, MO (the Pony Express Start/Finish) but this last bit will have to wait another year as I am making this journey in 1 week segments due to...wait for it...family and job.

Would like to end up at day 7 where there is commercial air service such as North Platte, NE. 

In summary: A good credit card route from SLC-North Platte, NE by way of Casper, WY at 80-120 miles per day is requested.

Any advice is welcome.  Thanks. 

-Ben