Messages

361

General Discussion / Lots of hurting bikers out there

« on: August 08, 2006, 09:14:50 am »

That's great guys. As a lifelong upright rider who has no problem doing long 90+ days on my MTB tourer, I think it is unfortunate that most bike shops don't carry 'bents and then you need even the right salesperson to mention that option to riders these days. It is hard for the average cyclist to try one out if their LBS doesn't carry them and not everybody is as online savvy as those who read these and other bike forums.  I know many folks who think upright bikes are uncomfortable and when I tell them about 'bents, it's like a day of discovery.  

My favorite bike shop that I go to always had a Rans 'bent on the ceiling and he was a guy who sold many bikes, road and mtb, sold everything from Rocky Mountain, to Trek, to Seven.  He is even in a pretty small shop in a small part of the woods too, not in the "big city", so to speak.

Jay

362

General Discussion / Touring w/Non-Cycling Spouse

« on: June 23, 2006, 06:22:19 am »

Well, if your husband can plan in advance, various stuff in the CA/OR area that he does like to visit, he can certainly drive out there, do the sightseeing or whatever and then meet you at camp. If you plan well, you can even figure out how long it take to get to the spot and meet him there.  Its definitely doable with some legwork.

There are many bicycle tours where they have different itineraries for cyclists and non-cyclists or for different level of cyclists so it is common for them to have different trips on the same day, but each night meeting up for dinner and after dinner events.

Jay

363

General Discussion / Motel bike touring

« on: June 21, 2006, 08:55:26 am »

You kind of want to have heavier things low. A lower center of gravity will help the bike's handling.

You might want to make a practice run, if not with real gear, perhaps using deadweight just so you can get the feel of touring with a loaded bike. Don't think you'll notice too much difference, 15lbs isn't that much, you'll notice it more at slow speeds than normal speeds though so get the hang of it in a empty parking lot.

Jay

364

General Discussion / Atlantic coast, nothern area

« on: July 03, 2006, 06:10:33 am »

Although fred is right in say that the atlantic coastal is a coastal route, you might also want to be aware that august-september is a big month for hurricanes (such as Hurricane Floyd in '96 (?) and Hurrican Ivan in 2004.  So, they also tend to sometimes hug the coast too. Just be aware of it and take the usual precautions, nothing to stop a trip or anything but just be aware of it.

Jay

365

General Discussion / bike & gear safety (and other) questions...

« on: June 23, 2006, 11:04:58 am »

I've only ever taken a simple combination lock with me during tours, and even then only using it on occasion in larger cities I go touring in. If I'm alone, I'll typically find a place where I can get food "to go" and eat by my bike. I like to enjoy the scenery and be in the outdoors anyway.  For easily removable stuff, (light, computer, GPS) you can always take them with you...

Jay

366

General Discussion / Is there anything such as cycling sunglasses?

« on: May 15, 2006, 09:42:53 am »

Any of the usual AV A/B blocking sports sunglasses would work fine. They make lens that are more shatter resistant than others (road debris) and if you use a mirror for your eyeglass, that might be another thing to look at but  most of the name-brand wrap sunglasses are fine these days, whatever style you like...  I would though stick with a lighter tint than most of the really dark ones, cause then you can still use the lens in evenings and under cloud cover. I have a lens with only like 85% transmission that I use for commuting and touring.

Jay

367

General Discussion / Hygiene on tour

« on: May 11, 2006, 01:10:04 pm »

I'm wondering about the advisability of using unscented. Maybe if I find the right scent, the ladies will overlook my sagging belly and wrinkled skin and find me adorable: wad-a-u think?

Do you think that they make enough scented wetnaps in the world to cover the stench of a long distance summer tour?  :-)

But then, perhaps you might run into a lady who likes such stench...Can't win!

Jay

368

General Discussion / Hygiene on tour

« on: May 08, 2006, 01:27:31 pm »

In addition to the campgrounds with perhaps hot water (in season), there is the option to do quick jumps in public lakes/beaches. In addition to the aforementioned baby wipes, you can tend to hit up the local Chinese restaurants for wetwipes, usually with pictures of cute pandas on them. :-)

Jay

369

General Discussion / Be careful out there

« on: April 26, 2006, 12:22:18 pm »

Glad you came out somewhat OK if a little jaded.  On my bike commute, I always will slow down at intersections since I'm never in any real hurry to get to work (enjoying the ride, etc. etc.). But a couple times I've been surprised more from drivers on the road passing me and then doing the right hook which is why I instinctively check my mirror for passing cagers as I approach intersections.  Can't avoid all of them though unfortunately.

Hoping for a quick recovery,
Jay

370

General Discussion / Right bike for mtn biking and one TransAm trip?

« on: April 13, 2006, 01:52:02 pm »

I would buy a mountain bike and not a hybrid for many reasons. Use skinny tires on the road and whatever your favorite tire for the off-road parts.

I use a mountain bike ('95 Marin team) hardtail to bike commuter, and also long distance (road) touring and find it works for me (plus, I'm to cheap to buy a real touring bike).  

However, I find the longer wheelbase MTBs to be better because they will be more stable on the road versus the short wheelbase ones that are more for "east coast singletrack" so-to-speak.   Best thing would be able to try them out loaded and see what works best but that is usually not an option. I use Old Man Mountain racks front and rear on my Marin. I use a QR rack for the front which has an old Marzocchi Bomber Z1 fork on it and the back, I use a OMM red rocks which mounts to my V-brake arches on the seatstays.  

Jay

371

General Discussion / first tour 2006

« on: April 13, 2006, 01:52:49 pm »

Well, good luck to you, hope you have a great ride!

Jay

372

General Discussion / MSR Velo Tent

« on: April 26, 2006, 12:19:49 pm »

It is reviewed in Mar 2006's ACA magazine which I am reading now. It does appear to be very heavy.

ACA magazine also says that the tent space itself is fairly small for 2 persons. I've never seen one in person yet though.

I think what would be lighter is simply a single walled tarp tent, like a Henry Shires and then a simply tarp to cover the bike if you thought that was necessary.

Jay

373

General Discussion / Cross country bike advice

« on: October 19, 2005, 08:54:50 am »

You might also post ads in the ACA magazine, they do have a section for partners wanted.  

Or you might try a local college campus.. Somebody during the summer might not want to work and perhaps take a slight adventure following you around or so... Never know....

Jay

374

General Discussion / What kind of back pack is it?

« on: October 19, 2005, 08:52:40 am »

With enough bungee cords, you can carry almost anything

Might just be a custom job, as long as you keep the center of gravity closer to your body and up, it'll work.  If you ask any adventure racer, which it looks like that picture could be of one, he/she might be more experienced in carrying a bike.

Like Randy says, most people that I see carrying weird and heavy, sometimes very heavy loads use packframes. If you do any hiking in NE's white mtns, the AMC volunteers who pack things in and out of the huts use packframes to bring stuff down and back. I've seen them hiking on the trails before with this huge honking loads..

Jay

375

General Discussion / MTB vs Touring

« on: October 19, 2005, 08:49:35 am »

If you are comfy on the MTB, that is the key. I tour on a '95 marin Team hardtail with front and rear racks with no other modifications other than skiinny tires.  I also commute to work with it.  What is beneficial for MTB touring is that you already have low gears (most likely anyway), you have wide clearence for any tires, and since it's made to ride off-road, can handle the abuse of urban and rural environments and dirt trails.  

I say go for it and it's certainly a lot cheaper than buying another bike specifically for touring.

Jay