Messages

481

Gear Talk / Re: Brooks B17 - Standard or Aged?

« on: November 13, 2010, 08:49:09 pm »

As a B-17 (standard) user who's never tried the pre-aged variety, I don't see the need for the pre-aged.  I've never been uncomfortable on a new B-17, and all four have become even more comfortable within 500 miles.

That leaves the texture.  I prefer to be able to shift slightly on occasion, and don't want no steenkin saddle texture grabbing my shorts as I wiggle.

They'll age fast enough, you don't need to hurry a Brooks!

482

Gear Talk / Re: Touring Platforms

« on: November 11, 2010, 09:33:51 pm »

I tried a pair of Mallets for a while (while waiting on parts to rebuild a pair of Frogs), but not on tour.  I was using a pair of Keen sandals, which some have reported to be more difficult to clip in.

They were a bit difficult to clip in, IME.  I tended to skate around a bit trying to figure out where the bl#$@^*&# cleat was.  Uncleated sandals or shoes, which I also tried, were not much better than the Speedplay Frogs, which surprised me.  I expected the Mallet platform to be more comfortable and secure, but the Eggbeater center protruded enough that they were uncomfortable on the balls of my feet, and didn't really bite into the sole to provide security.

Couple of weeks isn't enough to give you any idea of durability or rebuild-ability, sorry.

483

Gear Talk / Re: Gear for traveling across the US? Need advice from those more experienced...

« on: November 11, 2010, 09:27:55 pm »

Get him a mirror and make him practice to get used to it.  It's the most important safety item in the kit.

Can't agree with this one at all.  A mirror may or may not be useful; I've never used one, and I have crossed the U.S. on a bike.  Mirror more important than a blinky butt for riding in fog, rain, dawn or dusk?  More important than visible clothing?  More important than sunglasses or sunscreen?  More important than good gloves?  More important than a tire pump, or tires that are not worn out?  More important than dependable, working brakes??  I don't think so!

484

Routes / Re: Different routes across Washington state

« on: November 11, 2010, 09:21:15 pm »

WA 20 is pretty direct, if you're starting and ending on the north side of the state.  OK, from Seattle you start with a jog to the north, then it's pretty much straight east to Newport.  Great connection through Idaho into Montana, where you'll want to see Glacier NP.

And the terrain is scenic, vegetation varied, gorgeous place to ride.  Except for the uphills, but there are downhills on the other side.

The best part is the lack of traffic.  Oh, you'll have a fair bit up to Rainy and Washington Passes, but it's almost lonely riding the rest of the way through Washington.

485

Gear Talk / Saddle covers

« on: November 08, 2010, 12:46:14 pm »

We both have Brooks saddles, so a saddle cover is needed.  I have the Brooks saddle cover but have been disappointed with how well it keeps water off.

I highly recommend the Aardvark saddle cover, found at <http://www.lickbike.com/productpage.aspx?PART_NUM_SUB='1005-00'> or <http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/components/saddles/aardvark-saddle-cover.html> (sorry if the urls wrap).  They lasted us all the way across the country, including drowning-in-sweat days in Kansas as well as downpours in Kentucky and Colorado, without a leak.  Riding on them does wear through eventually, as I had to replace one the fall after the big ride for commuting.

You can always use plastic bags for overnight; a good one doesn't leak a bit, but won't stand up to the abrasion of riding.  Information center bags (where you get maps for the new state) work well for me.

486

Gear Talk / Re: Gear for traveling across the US? Need advice from those more experienced...

« on: November 08, 2010, 12:31:00 pm »

What great questions!

I really enjoyed seeing family.  You and he will have to negotiate with the kids; he'll want/need to leave and ride, they'll want to see Daddy.  If he's going west on the TransAm, plan for a couple of days around southwest Virginia or eastern Kentucky, if at all possible.  He'll need to relax and recharge in the mid-Appalachians.

The Most Important Thing, after what you've listed, is the Adventure Cycling map series.  Second is Bag Balm, followed closely by Chamois Butter.  IMHO, of course.  I assume he'll have rain gear, sunscreen, sunglasses, cell phone, ATM card, etc.  For your piece of mind, if you're like my family, frequent (daily preferred) "all's well" messages via cell phone or email will likely be appreciated.  And be patient -- just because it's dark on the east coast doesn't mean there's not two more hours of daylight for him to ride out west.

The Garmin 705 looked/looks intriguing for its combination of yellow pages and location.  There's no other need for a GPS I can think of.  I'd suggest you try to be available for emergency motel look-ups, especially in the west.  When he needs a warm, dry place with a shower, and has 15-20 miles to go, google "motels town state."  Then call for room availability and price, make him a reservation, and text him back.  (He just lost cell coverage right after he called you!)

The Most Important Skill to develop is to figure out where to send packages.  If you can afford overnight or 2-day delivery, that may not be such a big deal.  Guessing how long it'll take a package to arrive, how far he can travel in that time, and meshing that with post office hours is an art form.  Also, try to mail packages the very next day.  It's easy to wait a day or two, but then your package will miss the cyclist.

I was glad I took a netbook and camera.  Crazyguyonabike journal sometimes met the "all's well" requirement, and I felt like I was sharing the trip with parents and siblings.  (My wife demanded frequent telephone calls.)

487

Routes / Re: Sierra Cascade

« on: November 08, 2010, 12:14:40 pm »

Hmm.  Between the lack of traffic and the wide shoulders, that looks eminently suitable for bicycles!

488

Gear Talk / Re: ToUrIng SHoEs

« on: November 07, 2010, 05:42:11 pm »

I started using yuppie sneakers (aka running shoes) with toe clips and platform pedals.  I couldn't really snug down the straps well, since I wanted to retain the ability to get the shoe out quickly at stop signs and red lights.  And it was difficult getting shoes with deep lugs all the way into or out of the pedals.  But if that's what you want to do, I'd look for shoes with soles as nearly flat as possible.

Since I got clipless pedals, and shoes with nice, stiff soles, I haven't looked back.

489

Gear Talk / Re: Front Rack

« on: November 07, 2010, 05:38:18 pm »

One of the country-type stores (now mail order IIRC) had a sign that was something like, "The experience of quality lingers long after the memory of the price."

That said, I've got a Tubus Tara front rack and it's great.  Grab some Ortlieb Sportspacker (plus) panniers to go on them, and you'll not regret the purchases.  Or find a $30 rack with $50 bags every 1-2 years.

490

General Discussion / Re: Surly Cross Check Touring Bike?

« on: November 05, 2010, 11:45:35 am »

26" wheels just sound "slower" to me, this might not be true. I am not looking to "race" or be "super fast" but want the wheel version that would help cutting time and work down as much as possible.

(Biting tongue...  biting tongue...  Oops, here it comes!)

If you want a tire that sounds faster, take an mp3 player with fast sounds!

Somewhat more seriously, and here I'm guessing you're going to be carrying a load which includes camping gear, you'll probably average 10-12 mph.  

Even more seriously, you should definitely get 700C wheels.  That way you won't blame me when you look down at your speedometer and decide the 26" wheels are slowing you down, and decide it's my fault.

491

General Discussion / Re: Surly Cross Check Touring Bike?

« on: November 05, 2010, 07:42:40 am »

Two strikes against the Cross Check in my book.  It has horizontal dropouts, and the complete bike comes with a double.

Horizontal dropouts make changing a tire a big deal if you're using big tires and fenders (do Canadians call them fenders or mudguards?).  In my experience, I want both while touring.  Big tires carry a big load with more comfort (lower pressure), and handle better on squirrely roads (lousy pavement or gravel roads).  Fenders keep you drier during a short shower, and keep the drivetrain cleaner.  And unless you ride across a desert, you're going to get rained on.

Do you have a fleet of bikes and don't want to buy more/different spare tires?  I'd think that might only be valid for the tubes.  If you go for larger tires (which you can do with either CC or LHT), you'll likely have to buy 32s or larger by mail, since so few LBSs carry them.  So why not go with 26" tires?

The double really only applies if you're going to buy the whole bike (which is going to be cheaper than building yourself).  If you do go for the frame build route, you can put any crank you want on the bike.  I've heard there are mountains riding across Canada; you're going to want a triple.

492

General Discussion / Re: East to West 80 days?

« on: November 04, 2010, 07:36:57 pm »

Pardon me if I'm a bit confused -- what is your question?

As for the 40 miles per day, I think that's quite reasonable as a goal.  With a few weeks to get in shape, I'd think you could average 40 miles per day in almost any terrain.  (Road biking only -- off-road could be more difficult!)

If you're asking how to get to the start of the TransAm, I'd suggest flying into Washington, DC.  A hundred miles or so on the Atlantic Coast route would get you close to Yorktown, and you'd be off.  Take your pick of TA, Western Express, or Lewis and Clark.  Any of those could be completed within 90 days, if you're young and/or in decent shape.

493

Routes / Re: TA and NT - How many tourists?

« on: November 03, 2010, 11:07:52 am »

I don't really know about the middle of the country, but we ran into a pretty good number of tourists from Glacier out to Anacortes.  The catch is that, with the exception of one couple, they were touring with companies in the northwest, and not going coast to coast.

TransAm, Kentucky to Colorado, on the other hand, we met other tourists (TA or TA+WE) at least every other day.  With a couple of exceptions, they were all going cross country.

Of course, that might be influenced by dates; we may have missed the NT traffic because we got there in late July and the peak was already beyond us.

One other observation is that the cross country tourists usually stopped to talk (unless screaming downhill, when a wave was normal), while the "locals" rarely did.

494

Gear Talk / Re: Crossover pannier/backpack?

« on: November 03, 2010, 09:28:55 am »

well carrying lunches, water, maps, and maybe a small tent and a small sleeping bag.

Up to "tent and sleeping bag" I was going to suggest a cheap book bag or messenger bag; not much padding, a few ounces, and stash it in a pannier.

When you toss in a tent and bag, that obviously won't be big enough, and you're looking at a real backpack.  I like the idea of strapping a backpack onto a rack, except the pack will weigh a pound (or three) instead of 1/4 to 1/2 a pound.  I'm afraid that throws you into the "figure out what YOU want to do and what compromises YOU are willing to make" category, as nobody else can do that for you.

495

Gear Talk / Re: Touring Tent Talk

« on: November 02, 2010, 07:13:19 pm »

Most of the time there is no need of an overhead shelter, but when there is a need it can really get serious.

Depends where you camp.  In the Appalachians, I've learned to make sure the rain fly is ready to go up quickly.  It's sort of like the "foot-down" sensor at traffic lights; somehow the weather seems to know where somebody's a good target for a soaking, and "not a cloud in the sky" evenings turn into pop-up thunderstorms in a few hours.