Messages

391

General Discussion / State DOT links for bike routes

« on: September 27, 2004, 12:20:12 pm »

Saw Brad's post about routes through NC, do you all realize that many states have DOT that publish free bike-suitability maps for cyclists?  NH, RI, CT, ME, MA (not free),  all have maps that I have... I checked ACA's yellow pages and although I'm sure one could find them via the links there, I didn't see a direct link to the websites where one can request them be sent via snail mail or that can be downloaded. RI and NH have PDF maps that you can download or you can request the snail mail maps. NH, in particular have great printed bike maps of each region and Maine has a nice dual sided map of the whole state.  

Would ACA be interested in say adding these to each state?  Or perhaps the users here can create a informal directory with a "sticky" on this forum, probably in the "routes" section of this board..

I can list most of the links in the NE which is where I typically roam.

Jay

392

General Discussion / Trinp Length

« on: September 27, 2004, 09:13:20 am »

This year I took a 2 week vacation (3 weekends though) to bike to Maine from NJ. However, it wasn't like a complete biking vacation as my friend has a cabin up in "the County" by the border with New Brunswick so we spend 8 biking days to get there and then spend about 4 days relaxing and canoeing/kayaking on the lake there.  I can't really take those super long vacations due to work right now though so now cross country plans in the works yet.  Although if I wanted to do it in sections, I've already gone from NJ to the Atlantic Ocean and also Maine/Canada.

Jay

393

General Discussion / camp grounds

« on: September 07, 2004, 10:30:30 am »

Oh yeah, forgot about Woodhalls and AAA. Campmor should have the Woodhall books.  AAA does campgrounds in regions , I have the one for the NE.  Of course, I've gotten some "bike discounts" from private campground owners. Most of them are very nice and if they see you on a bike and know that you are going far, they may just give you the discount whether you're a AAA member or not...

Jay

394

General Discussion / camp grounds

« on: September 05, 2004, 05:08:18 pm »

www.reserveamerica.com  does a lot of *state* run campsites in the NY area, not sure if they list private campgrounds but they seem to be nationwide.

Of course, if you're using ACA maps, the flip side has a small portion of campsites in each particular zone.

Jay

395

General Discussion / Door-Zone Bike Lanes

« on: August 23, 2004, 04:20:59 pm »

I just read that article.

Where I live, I don't have that problem. We have no bike lanes near me that are next to parallel parking.  In either case, bike lane or not, I would bike where I feel it is safe, the problem is with cyclists who think they have to bike in the bike lane and drivers who think that they have to, also.  

Personally, the times I have ridden in some urban environments, I feel safer just cycling with the flow of traffic. I don't feel the need for bike lanes, unless we're talking about the shoulder width.  Ever see the bike lanes in belgium?

Jay

396

General Discussion / Bicycle Security

« on: August 16, 2004, 02:38:34 pm »

Train?  

I guess that should be CAN. as in Canada.

Jay

397

General Discussion / Bicycle Security

« on: August 15, 2004, 01:02:25 pm »

Just finishing a 850 mile trip from NJ to New Brunswick, CA and although I did bring a cable lock, I never used it. I don't feel unsafe in anywhere but the major cities and as mentioned before, who wants to lug away a 70lb touring bike?  Just leave it in the big ring and any average joe is going to ignore it.  

Jay

398

General Discussion / knee pain

« on: July 26, 2004, 10:27:18 am »

Perhaps have it looked at by a sports physician. They could take an x-ray or MRI kind of tool and see if you either have a torn meniscus or perhaps torn/bruised tendons in there.  Try the suggestions here but if adjust the bike doesn't help, you might want to consider getting professional help here.

Jay

399

General Discussion / HELP! Being Harrased by Police!

« on: July 13, 2004, 03:20:13 pm »

I would actually ask the local cops if you plan on camping in a park or side of the road.. Ask them where you can perhaps set up a tent, out of way, they can certainly point you in the right direction and most of them aren't unfriendly if they realize you are just passing through and a bike tourer, not a vagrant.  Churches might also be a good location too.

In other words, try to avoid just setting up a tent in plain view, if possible try to ask before and it'll avoid a lot of conflicts..  If that is not possible, set up camp after dark in again in a place as far away from plain view as possible.

Jay

400

General Discussion / What really is Adventure?

« on: June 11, 2004, 08:29:02 am »

Adventure does not always equate risk, but just the fact of living by the moment.  I have an old shirt from The North Face company that has a view of some mountain range with the words below it "Never stop exploring".  I really like it because that is what life is to me. We are put on this world for such a short time, that there are always someplace to go, some people to meet, and go explore. That, in a nutshell is adventure to me.  Adventure is enjoying the best and the worst of life and being able to deal with both. Living in NYC could be adventure to folks from the country or vice versa. Cycling the Karakorum could be an adventure.  Going to the mall can be an adventure (to some! Everybody has his or her adventure and that is one of the appeal.

Nice thread!  

Jay

401

General Discussion / Adv Cycling Maps and Water

« on: June 09, 2004, 08:36:12 am »

Regarding water, just a heads up. If you do decide to camel the water, Nalgene, among others, sell flexible gallon water jugs that you can carry water and it can be folded to fit a small size when empty. The only downside is the large nozzle but you can probably find other flexible water carriers with smaller nozzles. Platypus, camelback, blackburn, MSR, all sell bladders of various sizes...

Like Brad says, it is adventure cycling but it is also foolish not to prepare for the worst case scenario. Cycling when dehydrated is tough. I've been there and this was in CT, in a rainstorm and not in a searing desert too.  

Jay

402

General Discussion / When is the USA Summer/Winter?

« on: April 26, 2004, 04:54:18 pm »

Yeah, upper NY State is going to remain pretty frigid even when it's like 80/90degF in Arizona (SW USA) or even in Florida (SE USA).  

Nothing else to really add that DaveB hasn't already done so, if you plan on going over Niagara Falls, don't forget to pack the barrel.

Jay

403

General Discussion / A Big Hello!

« on: April 26, 2004, 04:55:44 pm »

Howdie!, 40 years-that's cool, you've got about 8 years more than I've been on this planet.

Jay  

404

General Discussion / hi all! I am new here

« on: April 21, 2004, 04:59:02 pm »

WOW, awesome shots, I've only had time to look at a couple but I have to return to look for more...

I saw a shot of a tandem LOOK with a trailer, I didn't know that LOOK made tandems. I have a Jalabert Look 381i that is obviously not a touring bike that I adore.  

Anyway, you have an added "," at the end of your URL, you could probably edit it to remove it but clicking on it will give you a DNS failure.  

Welcome to the ACA or at least the forum, thanks for sharing your photos.

Jay

405

General Discussion / Hi I'm new :o)

« on: April 14, 2004, 03:58:37 pm »

Hey aeb, welcome to the forum.. We're a small bunch but a good one!  RAGBRAI is a ride across Iowa, which I'm sure you can find out more info like the Acronym from their website...

http://www.ragbrai.org/

It's been around a bit, it's quite big too.  

Jay