Messages

1126

General Discussion / A bicycle built for seeing America

« on: December 30, 2005, 05:47:50 pm »

A misleading title for a well-written article about riding across, available until January 29, 2006:

http://www.cnn.com/2005/TRAVEL/DESTINATIONS/12/30/biking.america.ap/

Fred

1127

General Discussion / hill climbs on the trans-am

« on: December 09, 2005, 08:25:10 am »

You probably have the profiles that ACA prints on the maps, but others reading can see a sample at http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/mapdetail.cfm. I think that some of the mapping programs for a PC will produce a profile of any route that you mark out. Perhaps someone who owns one of these will chime in.

Fred

1128

General Discussion / I got halfway there when...

« on: September 03, 2005, 05:10:55 pm »

Don't forget a good rear view mirror. Second to the helmet, it is the best safety feature you can buy. I prefer the kind that mounts on the temple of my sunglasses, but some folks prefer the handlebar mount.

Do browse the Adventure Cycling web site. They have a wealth of trustworthy information there.

Fred

1129

General Discussion / Tire Liners for Puncture Protection

« on: August 08, 2005, 04:53:20 am »

My commuting experience, 16 years in downtown Boston, was much the same as amino's--one flat every month or two. I used the same tires and tubes on a 5,800 cross-country tour and had four flats total. Three of those came when riding through cities. Based on that, I would not bother with liners.

Fred

1130

General Discussion / What pump for loaded touring

« on: June 27, 2005, 07:58:11 am »

The Topeak road model with gauge is very effective. People who are not big strong brutes can get 100 psi easily, if not very quickly, using it like a mini floor pump and putting your weight into it. We replaced a Zefal frame-fit pump, which did require some arm strength.

Pumping every day is a bit surprising. Touring size tubes typically drop from 100 to 95 psi over three or four days, in my experience. Perhaps you have thin, light tubes.

Fred

1131

General Discussion / Calgary to Florida or bust!

« on: May 20, 2005, 08:10:49 am »

Good for you! The best one-sentence advice I can imagine is, "Comb the Adventure Cycling web site."

Have a ball.

Fred

1132

General Discussion / smaller ring for touring?

« on: May 11, 2005, 08:21:05 am »

Chainrings run $15 - $25 at http://thethirdhand.com/, somewhat more at your local bike shop. Cranksets run about ten times that.

Fred Hiltz

1133

General Discussion / What to expect

« on: February 20, 2007, 06:49:07 am »

Hi Quinton. The best place to start is the How To Department at http://www.adventurecycling.org/. Then write to the appropriate forum here with any specific questions about gear, routes, training, etc. You will find lots of people who have "paved the way."

Fred

1134

General Discussion / Green Mountain Tour

« on: April 25, 2005, 08:47:19 am »

Hi srtraveler. I live near Burlington and have cycled all  the roads on the Green Mountains Loop, most of them many times. Mosquitoes are present but rarely a problem during the day in July and August, but you will want netting on the tent.

Accommodations (both with and without walls) are plentiful and range widely in price. I would start with the Cyclists Yellow Pages Online at Adventure Cycling. Follow the link for the Vermont state agencies to the public campgrounds for rates. The popular ones fill up, so plan on reservations. Prices for private campgrounds and motels are easy to find on the web, of course.

I'd like to suggest that you pamper yourselves with one night at a good country inn, especially if you have never had that experience. It will cost perhaps 1.5 times the motel price, but it's hard to beat relaxing by the fireplace with a glass of sherry in hand before dinner. Awaking in the canopied four-poster and going down to a huge breakfast isn't bad either! Plan a late start to the riding that day.

Fred

1135

General Discussion / Adirondack Cycling

« on: March 10, 2005, 09:13:20 am »

How did you the camping? I know in new paltz it was a bit crowded.
All three areas abound in campgrounds, both private and state park. The popular ADK ones do fill up quickly in season, so call ahead to ask about a site.

Your mention of the 'gunks brought a few memories. I practiced there in the 60s when our aid was--gasp!--pitons.

Fred

1136

General Discussion / Adirondack Cycling

« on: March 09, 2005, 09:30:19 am »

Hi Brad. All three, for many years. Thumbnail descriptions:

Finger Lakes are lovely in summer, easy when riding parallel to the lakes, hard when crossing the grain. If you like wine, allow an extra hour or two each day to visit a winery. Most of them are high on the hillsides, rewarding your climb with a nice view while you sip and talk.

Adirondacks are, perhaps surprisingly, easier cycling than Finger Lakes. Their scenery is more grand, although nothing like the Rockies. Busy with tourists in season, better for cyclists after Labor Day if you can manage it. Even in summer, though, most of the roads have excellent shoulders, many marked as bike lanes. After riding the Northern Tier route there in the summer, I scored northern NY tops for the best cycling roads (Michigan was worst).

The Champlain Valley is the easiest riding of the three. Open to views of the lake, the Adirondacks, and the Green Mountains, especially on the Vermont side, it has the best non-stop scenery of the three. Plan on including a ferry or two in a loop ride. Fares from $2.50 to $5.00 depend on length; the premium trip gets you and your bike a one-hour cruise. Adventure Cycling's Green Mountains Loop map has routes on both sides with the customary useful information. Recommended.

Fred

1137

General Discussion / Bridge shuttles?

« on: February 22, 2005, 09:04:23 am »

Sorry, I haven't the foggiest idea!

Fred

1138

General Discussion / Bridge shuttles?

« on: February 21, 2005, 09:46:31 am »

Yes, the good kind found in most grains. Also a good source of minerals and--when fortified--vitamins. Enter oatmeal here http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/
for more than you ever wanted to know about oatmeal nutrients .

Fred

1139

General Discussion / Bridge shuttles?

« on: February 20, 2005, 11:03:40 am »

Hi Max,

The shuttles are run by whatever transportation authority operates the bridge. I like them; they are a good break from cycling and a chance to chat with some locals while riding across in a pickup truck.

Oatmeal is a breakfast cereal made by boiling milled oat flakes. Easy to carry, nutritious, and CHEAP. What do you call it in Oz?

Fred

1140

General Discussion / Please help me with my essay.

« on: February 03, 2005, 11:24:01 am »

Amazon can show you many books on bicycle commuting, where you can find statistics and useful advice. Check your library also. I can recommend The Complete Book of Bicycle Commuting by John Stewart Allen. He commutes in Boston! This book has all the numbers you could want.  Useful for parents as well as the children, it also tells how to ride safely in traffic. Why cyclists should not ride facing traffic, for example, or how to turn left in oncoming traffic.

My own testimonial: after reading John's book I commuted 13 miles each way into downtown Boston for 14 years without a scratch from traffic. (I did kill a cat, but that is another story.)

Fred