Messages

1

Routes / Re: Louis and Clark Route - Hwy 12 Lolo Pass Section

« on: April 26, 2013, 06:27:47 pm »

A group of us rode from Lewiston to Lolo Pass in 2007 and took 12 the entire way because we did not want the climbing of the alternative road (for various reason).  The Adventure Cycling warnings for 12 from Lewiston to Kamiah are dead on (pardon the pun).  You have to be prepared for narrow roads, big trucks, and high speeds.  We were lucky because we rode it early on Sunday morning, so the traffic was less than normal.  Even then, we were forced on several occassions to bail out into ditches to avoid big trucks.

The rest of the ride to Lolo is really nice.  Unfortunately, for us when we rode it in early June, the entire day was rainy and cold (35 degrees).  We were soaked to the bone when we got to Lolo Pass.  We woke the next morning to 4" of snow on the ground.  Two days before in Lewiston, it was 95-100 degrees.  If you areriding in June, be prepared for major weather changes.

2

General Discussion / Re: Getting hungry too fast while riding

« on: March 29, 2013, 07:16:24 pm »

Bikefreak -

Based on my experience as a coach and an athlete, there are two things you might consider doing differently:

a) By stuffing yourself in the morning, you are taking in far more calories than your body can use in a period of time.  That throws your body into trying to store all those calories which can result in low blood sugar and feeling wiped out.  The other factor with eating so much is your body has to decide whether to use its blood supply and energy to digest or exercise.  It will pick digestion which leads to feeling sluggish.  I would try eating much less in any given meal and snack more frequently.

b) This leads to my second comment.  I think you are over-estimating how many calories you are expending.  You don't say what your heart rate is when riding, but I would guess (at 15 mph) you are expending much, much less than 650 kcal/hr.  For me, I believe my expenditure when touring is closer to 200 calories per hour (at 12-14 mph, fully loaded, my heart rate is around 110-120).  The combination of this and the over-consumption in "a" above leads to a significant imbalance.

As one post suggested, carbs are through your system quickly compared to protein and fat.  For our kind of exercise (continuous touring at a relatively calm heart rate), your mix of carb-protein-fat should be around 40-30-30 all the time. 

I would also suggest drinking more because, sometimes, dehydration takes on the form of feeling out of energy.  So, when feeling out of gas, reach for water and see what happens 15-20 minutes later.  It will also help with digestion. 

I come back from every tour gaining 10-15 lbs because I eat in anticipation of running out of gas.  It has never happened.  Perhaps I am unique, but when pressed, I have been able to ride 100 miles (6 hours) with 2 water bottles, 4 granola bars.  I was dehydrated at the end, but did not lack energy.

Hope this helps a little.  Good Luck figuring it out.

3

Routes / Re: Route suggestions from Newfoundland or Cape Breton area to Burlington, Vermont

« on: March 25, 2013, 06:00:46 pm »

Howdy -

Although I have ridden from Cape Breton to Burlington, I have driven it.  I have rode the St. Lawrence Seaway from Lake Ontario to the Gaspe' and back around through Campbellton.

I would not ride the St. lawrence Seaway from east to west because prevailing winds are west to east at a good clip.  You will be pounding along into a 15-25 mph headwind.

I like the roads through Maine and then New Hampshire and Vermont are quite nice..

So, I would vote for the Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont.  The riding through Nova Scotia and New Brunswick will be nice if you can avoid the main highways as well.

Good Luck.

4

General Discussion / Re: Please help... I want to do it but its really hard.

« on: March 23, 2013, 11:13:45 am »

Charlie -

All of the advice you have received is good.  My answer takes a slightly different direction.  You are biting off quite a bit with the ride you want to do - pretty long way, self-contained, some of the outdoor phobias.  There is alot to learn about the kind of ride you want to do.  In essence you are trying to run a marathon when you don't even know how to walk.

I suggest you step back a bit and ride on a supported trip for 1-2 weeks.  Cycle America does a job of helping you work up to the ride you want to do, but are not sure you can.  They haul your stuff, provide the meals, and help you with your bike if/when problems develop.  You learn to walk with a steady hand.  They do a tour each summer that starts in Lake Placid and ends in Boston.  There are other tours they do as well.  Cycle America is not the only company to do it - I just have experience with them.

Once you have done a supported ride, consider multiple week ride and them embark on a long ride like Adventure Cycling does where you continue to learn along the way.

If you do this, they are like vacations.  You are not insulting your parents.  Your are continuing your education in life.  And,by doing something each year, you will be amazed to look back 10 years from now to see what you accomplished. 

Hope this offers something you can get your arms around.

5

General Discussion / Re: Firearms

« on: March 14, 2013, 05:21:44 pm »

The best routing resource for you in Canada and Alaska is The Milepost.  It pretty well details every mile of the highways through western Canada.  Going south to north will mean you have significant northbound rv traffic in June.  Took us about 30 days to ride from Fairbanks to Vancouver.  You will encounter significant gnats, mosquitoes, etc. that make camping no fun.  Expect the camp sites to be oriented towards RVs, so not very comfortable ground.  Unless you are stealth camping, don't need to worry too much about bears.

Good Luck - it is a fabulous ride.

6

Routes / Re: Eastbound from Washington/Oregon

« on: March 03, 2013, 11:20:21 am »

I did L&C in 2007 (Early June) to Glacier and the NT in 2003.  Although the L&C is less climbing, the heat was incredible from Portland to Missoula.  We had 10 days of 100+ degrees.  After Portland, there are long stretches without services.  There are some steep climbs just west of Clarkston and Lewistown and then east as you go towards Lolo Pass (65 miles without any services).  You should be able to find hotels if you plan and research ahead.

L&C is scenic - in a different way that the NT.  I liked them both.

Good Luck

7

General Discussion / Re: Chamoix cream is it worth it?

« on: July 06, 2012, 03:18:20 pm »

Although I don't always use it, I always carry it for when I do need it.  There are just some days when the saddle - body connection are not working and the chamois cream is a god send.  It is great for men or women.  If you do decide to use it, don't skimp on it.  Rub it into the chamois and on all areas that contact the saddle.  As a very good friend told me, you want to feel like you pooped your pants.

If you have ever ridden long enough (or in the wrong position) and ended up with a raw spot, you know how long they take to heal.  Chamois cream can prevent that situation.

As an aside, I always carrier something like neosporin because it helps heal those raw spots that might develop from time to time.

Happy Trails....

Paul

8

General Discussion / Re: Near miss with truck on Trans-Am

« on: July 05, 2012, 03:37:18 pm »

I am glad to read the comments that don't summarily denounce the truck driver.  As a cyclist and a motor coach driver, I see both sides of the equation every time I am out riding or driving.  A good commercial driver is looking at least a 1/4 mile down the road for possible issues.  While it does seem to me that he going a little fast, I was appalled at the cyclist who was well into the traffic lane.  When I am driving and encounter cyclists doing this, I try to toot-toot, slow down, and give wide clearance to minimize the draft effect.  BUT, it is not always possible due to traffic conditions.

We cyclists are there for pleasure.  The drivers are there for a living.  Even though the rules state we have as much right as the vehicles do, a cyclist who flaunts that is asking for an accident.

On a road like that, the cyclists should be spread out, tucking the white line as much as possible, using a side mirror, and definitely not listening to music (as bad as texting while driving).  if the cyclists can't follow those rules, they should find another road to ride for everyone's safety.

This situation reminded me of a time in Idaho when we were riding on a high speed 2 lane road with minimal shoulder.  Thank God I had a side mirror because, when I scanned behind me, I saw a truck pulling a double wide trailer at 70 mph.  You better believe I was off my bike and down an embankment in a hurry to respect the truck driver's challenge.

Be a courteous cyclist for the sake of the rest of us.

Paul

9

General Discussion / Re: Numbness, Tingling and Loss of strength in hand

« on: June 12, 2012, 03:19:24 pm »

Alot of times, riders with numbness focus on their hands as the problem when it can be another source - such as the responder who suggested riding without locking your elbows.  For me, the numbness often comes from being too stretched out from shoulder to handlebars which results in compression of the nerves that cross the back of the shoulder on the way to the hands.

This is where bike geometry and getting a bike fit, as suggested in an earlier reply, is a good idea.

Good Luck

10

General Discussion / Re: Cash for cycling trips

« on: May 05, 2012, 09:41:26 am »

In addition to what DaveB suggestions (which I agree with), look for VISA or MasterCard that do not charge a currency exchange fee since you will be travelling in a country other than the one the card was issued in.  For the United States, Capital One does not charge a currency exchange fee when I travel in Canada.

These fees can sometimes amount to 3-4% and can add up.

Good Luck - sounds like a nice trip.

11

Routes / Re: Route Advise Needed: Across Wyoming

« on: May 04, 2012, 04:03:19 am »

Good Morning -

I rode the section of Rt 16 from Gillette to Buffalo in 2003 and can tell you, at least then, that there is nothing in the way of servces (no stores, gas stations, only one bar).  It is just about 100 miles.  Bring plenty of water.  I enjoyed the ride - just come prepared with plenty of water and for it to be hot (I rode through in early July).

You are allowed to ride on the interstate from Gillette to Buffalo.  There are no truck stops or other kinds of services though and, of course, it is noisy.  The shoulder is very wide so you are not getting buzzed by traffic.

Good Luck.

12

Routes / Re: ACA roads to avoid in the Adirondacks?

« on: April 24, 2012, 06:03:01 pm »

hirundo -

I have not ridden that route, but did drive part of it a couple of years ago.  The way you want to go will be less traffic, way less shoulders on the road, and way less services.  If you prefer enclosed facilities, it might not be a great direction.

Also, I would find a way to confirm you can cross the lake at Edinburg on Highway 98.  For some reason, I did not think this was doable 2 years ago.  You would hate to get there and find out you could not cross.

Good Luck.

13

General Discussion / Re: Rain pants? Yay or Nay

« on: March 17, 2012, 05:57:29 pm »

The biggest reason I bring rain gear is to keep my riding clothes from getting filthy from the road spray mixed with dust and dirt. 

14

Routes / Re: Route from Badlands National Park, SD to Michigan

« on: December 05, 2011, 07:19:42 pm »

Hi -

The route that is outlined on the link is the route that Cycle America uses for their cross country ride.  I staffed for Cycle America a few summers back and both rode and routed that section.  It is a pretty good route - much of the route is set up to avoid major traffic.  It is a little tough to do on some roads.  Unfortunately, there are either wide shoulders or not a huge amount of traffic.

The trafiic is highest as you get closer to the eastern side of Wisconsin.  The traffic after the ferry across lake Michigan is pretty heavy as well.  The scenery across South Dakota is flat with strong cross winds.  Minnesota and Wisconsin are quite nice - lots of bugs though.  The section from Northfield (MN) to Red Wing (MN) is a fun section because there a 20 mile section of paved railroad bed - most of it shaded and no more than 3% grade.  The ride along the Mississippi River after Red Wing is some of the prettiest you will find.

Good Luck and enjoy.

paul

15

Routes / Re: Sherburne Pass. VT

« on: September 24, 2011, 06:13:01 pm »

Hi JayH -

Drove Rte 4 from Rutland to New Hampshire and back yesterday and today.  The road is in good condition although there are sections where there is no shoulder for  couple of 1/2 mile sections.  Traffic is not racing and people are gawking alot at the remnants of the high water.  Going east, the climb is reasonable the entire way with the last mile steeper.  The road going westbound has two pretty steep climbs with a section of flat to recover.  If it were me, I would rather ride eastbound from Rutland.

The amount of road construction and repair is extensive and the work that has been completed is impressive.  Amongst everything else, the most impressive example of water hydraulics is the remains of a bridge along side the river after it was completely swept from its footings.

One of my favorite restaurants from college days, The Outback Saloon, in Bridgewater appears to have survived.

Good Luck

Paul