Messages

16

GPS Discussion / Re: Another newbie setup question

« on: March 21, 2011, 01:16:12 pm »

I would make sure you go for one with autorouting in the handheld  unit.  That way if you miss a turn or have to make a detour, you can find your way back to the route.

I used a Garmin GPSMap 76C.  The older version of the software to create routes had problems.

I currently use a Delorme PN-40.  The ability to add roads on the computer and have them show on the gps is great, useful for paved trails and bikeable highways.

Jeff

17

General Discussion / Re: Buffalo Bike Shops

« on: July 07, 2010, 09:55:32 am »

Are you planning on going to Canada via the Peace Bridge or directly heading east and connecting to the route near Lockport or heading to North towards Niagara Falls? 
You are about 5+ miles from the Erie Canal while at Berts Bikes.

Good Luck
Jeff

18

General Discussion / Re: Buffalo Bike Shops

« on: July 06, 2010, 01:31:17 pm »

I have never used Ricks bike shop.

I have used Berts Bikes.  The closest to the route would be their Northtowns store in Tonawanda, which is about 10 miles from the airport.

Depending on how you plan on arriving in Buffalo, I can suggest different options/routes from the bike shop.

Jeff Costanzo
Lewiston, NY

19

General Discussion / Re: Buffalo Bike Shops

« on: July 06, 2010, 12:25:46 pm »

How are you arriving in Buffalo as I might be able to suggest alternatives.  

I have never delt with Ricks shop.

I have used Berts bikes in the past and have not had any problems.
Berts Bikes is the largest bike shop in Western NY, 4 stores.  http://www.bertsbikes.com  Your best bet would be the northtowns store, located in Tonawanda/Amherst close to the Erie Canal.

In Niagara Falls, NY there are several shops that are alot closer to the Norther tier route headed East than Buffalo.

Jeff
Lewiston, NY

20

Routes / Re: Using Google Maps & the cycling routes - Beware!

« on: May 26, 2010, 09:41:06 am »

I had it route me from Letchworth State Park, NY to Lewiston Ny and it added about 50miles (50% more)to the route vs a more direct route.  It is basicly North West.  Google had the route going North East until it reached the Erie Canal Path and then heading west.

Google bicycling routing seems to over prefer trails to roads so much so that it will add over 50% to the distance to travel just to use the trail.

Google maps street view is very helpful to confirm that the item(campground, store, ect) is actually where the map says it is or that the road exists.

It is nice to actually find trails with, but I will keep using Delorme's TOPO to do my routing.  I can add the trails found in Google to delorme when they actually help.

21

Gear Talk / Re: Pannier racks for LWB recumbents

« on: April 20, 2010, 07:28:46 am »

I have 2 LWB recumbents, a tour easy and a Longbikes Slipstream with a Rans seat.  Both have rear racks and both attach the same way.
the bottom of the rack attaches to the bosses above the axle and there are 2 straps that go to the seat stays, the tubes that support / set the recline angle of the seat.  they use a clamp.  This setup is basically the same as you would use on a wedgie bike. 

If you don't have any bosses above the axle, take a look at old man mountain, they have several adapters to fit unusual problems.

22

Routes / Re: Northern Tier-ish

« on: March 18, 2010, 08:19:37 am »

That path could be a good route if one is coming from the South and uses the Grand Island bridges (190).  I tried this and my trike was too wide at the top of the Southern Bridge.  I had to back down the sidewalk from the top, took about 45 minutes:(.  It connects with a very nice called river walk which start around the Peace bridge and goes thru Niawanda park.

23

Routes / Re: Northern Tier-ish

« on: March 16, 2010, 01:17:01 pm »

It appears that every winter the bridge over the whirlpool bridge is closed to pump something over it.  If they keep it closed, the only other way that I would take to the falls would be  Hyde Park to Walnut or Ferry. 

I forgot another route along the upper Niagara River.  There is a path on the south side of buffalo ave at the 190 bridges that takes you along the the river right into the state park.  There just doesn't seem to be a nice way of getting there from the east as even tho buffalo ave is low traffic, the conditions of the road was horrible the last time I rode down it.

24

Routes / Re: Northern Tier-ish

« on: March 15, 2010, 01:30:18 pm »

The route from east of Niagara falls would be to stay north of Niagara Falls, Upper mountain road or Rt 31 (just don't take 31 past Hyde Park rd).  then take Lewiston Rd South.  Near the intersection of Lewiston Rd and Hyde Park Rd there is an entrance ramp to the Robert Moses Parkway.  The old Southbound lanes of the parkway has been turned into a multi use path with a pedestrian bridge crossing over the car lanes.  The path will take you right down to 2 blocks from the rainbow bridge.  Much better than any road in the City of Niagara falls.  I can find better directions if you need.

25

Routes / Re: Northern Tier-ish

« on: March 10, 2010, 12:05:55 pm »

For amtrack to niagara falls, ny.  There is no checked baggage service in NF.  only in Buffalo.

You might want to check out biketrain.ca  They have announced the schedule for their Toronto - Windsor trains for the summer and have yet to announce their Ontario east train.

I live and work in Niagara Falls, NY. and for bicycling across the border, I perfer the Lewiston Queenston bridge or the Rainbow bridge over the peacebridge in buffalo.

26

General Discussion / Re: Camping on Blue Ridge Parkway?

« on: September 04, 2009, 11:41:06 am »

The overnight stops planned for are setup for mostly camping and less expensive motel/lodge ect.  I prefer camping for the security of the trike that I ride.

I ride a Greenspeed GTE, on the tour around lake Erie I had 1 day of 100+ miles and several around 90 miles, fully overloaded .  I do better mileage wise on the trike than on my Tour Easy, even more so in hills.

I do have a question for you on what is your plan for getting back to the car after the ride?  This trouble has required me to either do organized trips or circular solo tours so far.

Thanks
Jeff

27

General Discussion / Re: Camping on Blue Ridge Parkway?

« on: September 03, 2009, 08:34:43 am »

I am also looking at it for sometime in 2010.  I have already layed out my overnight stops based on mileage and found that I must both camp and hotel/lodge ect at some point.  I found that with my average mileage I would have to do both.  I started planning with about 50 miles per day,  about 60% of what I did going around Lake Erie this summer.  I wound up with 45 -75 mile days.

I defiantly would recommend "Bicycling the Blue Ridge" book, as it lists options for where to stay.  I used Delorme's Street atlas and Topo software to help locate overnight stops.

28

Gear Talk / Re: panniers

« on: August 10, 2009, 10:59:08 am »

I love the Arkels.  I ride around with a GT-18BP and tour with a set of GT-54's.  I ride a Greenspeed GTE trike, so the pockets come in handy for the rain gear, wallet ect, while still having a water resistant compartment for purchases or gear that I don't need right then.

When I tour, I put everything in space bags (ziplock style bags that one can roll the air out of).  These keep everything water proof and allows me to carry probably too much gear:).

The Hook system for the Arkels are very adjustable, I haven't seen any rack system that they wouldn't work with.

29

General Discussion / Re: Prep for my first trip

« on: July 24, 2009, 12:43:05 pm »

A popular option for the car is to leave it at the long term parking at an airport.  Ride to another airport and rent a car/ SUV and drive back to your car.    Since you are traveling with a trailer, you probably will only be able to ship the trailer back or rent a SUV type car.   Be aware that there are not many options for one way car rentals.  I ride a Trike that does not fold or come apart, so for any 1 way ride I have to look at renting a Uhaul type, as one-way pickup truck rentals seem to be unavailable.

Jeff

30

General Discussion / Re: Browsing problems?

« on: June 18, 2009, 09:27:23 am »

Thank you.  It appears to be fine today.