Messages

61

Gear Talk / Re: Helmets

« on: January 18, 2012, 09:53:33 pm »

I have a size 8 head that is long front-to-rear. A Giro Atlas II Large is the only helmet that I can get my head into. I have destroyed two of them while wearing them so I am a firm believer in wearing helmets.

62

Routes / Re: Best Route St. Louis to Missoula

« on: January 18, 2012, 09:45:39 pm »

I rode most of the Katy Trail (Clinton to Dutzow) a few years ago. It goes from St. Charles to Clinton - most of the way across Missouri. It's very pleasant - a fine break from fighting traffic. I got on it just after a big storm but there were no problems. It's the longest Rails-to-Trails project in the US. If you ride it get a copy of "The Complete Katy Trail Guidebook" by Brett Dufur. It's available on amazon.com.

63

General Discussion / Re: Newbie to touring and trying to figure out my fitness level

« on: January 17, 2012, 01:36:50 pm »

I used to drive up to the little league parking lot in San Antonio and ride around the hills of eastern Pasco County every Sunday morning for about a metric century (60-65 miles) but I got tired of the 39 mile drive up. Now I just head off from my house in Holiday and head for the Pinellas or Suncoast Parkway Trail.

When it comes time to tour I just load up Pete's Machine and head off. Only once did I ever have any trouble in the first few days (low fitness, very hot weather). Otherwise I have always knocked off the 100 mile days right off.

Perseverance matters more than fitness. You are clearly plenty fit - fitter than me. You'll do fine. I never trained on a loaded bike - just packed up and headed off.

64

Routes / Re: Dipping the tire in Florence Oregon.

« on: January 12, 2012, 11:29:38 am »

There is a campground where I stayed right in town with a boat ramp right next door. I forget exactly where it is - on the south end of town as I recall. Anyway, the boat ramp would certainly do for a wheel dip although it's on a river or inlet - not on the open ocean.

65

Routes / Re: LA (or San Fran) to New York - From March 2012

« on: January 08, 2012, 06:27:44 pm »

I agree with Aggie. Also, bicycling from LA to SF will likely mean headwinds. Everyone cycles southward on the west coast. San Francisco down the coast to about Morro Bay is really worth seeing - beautifully scenic. You could do that then cut NNE to Yosemite. This is a bit circuitous but would give the snow some more time to melt.

66

Gear Talk / Re: Cycling Shorts vs. Padded Liners?

« on: December 28, 2011, 03:13:52 pm »

I use Sugoi and Fox MTB shorts with detachable padded lycra inner shorts. The lycra shorties are attached to the outer shorts with snaps or light straps that can be cut. This lets you mix and match and use the lycra part for swim trunks (so I've heard). It's hard to tell in catalogues which ones you can separate so I just poke around bike shops until I find what I want on sale. I have never paid over $50-60 - usually less.

67

Gear Talk / Re: Bike saddle issues

« on: December 24, 2011, 10:09:53 am »

I wouldn't consider anything but the Terry Liberator Y Gel Saddle. I have used it as long as I've been touring plus a few years. I only get a little brief discomfort after remounting after a stop and only then if I have put on at least 80 miles in the day. I have never heard of anyone using the Liberator that didn't swear by it.

As for male "performance problems" Georgina Terry advertises this saddle as being a great preventative for this. Give that woman a hand. 

http://www.terrybicycles.com/Saddles/Mens-Endurance/Liberator-Y-Gel-Saddle_2

68

Gear Talk / Re: Which Schwalbe

« on: December 20, 2011, 09:42:09 am »

I use 35mm Schwalbe Marathon Supremes. They are much tougher than the Continentals I used to use - wear longer and have much fewer flats. My total touring weight - me at 205 lbs., clothing , gear, water, racks, bike, etc. - is almost 300 pounds so I don't worry about a few extra ounces of tire. Changing tires under miserable conditions - rain, heat, cold, heavy traffic, sitting in a ditch, etc. - is something I really try to avoid.

69

Routes / Re: Southern Tier- Route Safety/Hazards

« on: December 20, 2011, 09:25:07 am »

I wouldn't even worry about safety. In over 10 years of touring all over the US I have, to the best of my recollection, never even encountered any hostility, much less been attacked or robbed. People don't really know what to make of touring cyclists and just what would they gain by robbing us?

Motels in west Texas tend to be very cheap if you want a break from pitching your tent.

I hope you like Mexican food. You will be going through towns will little else.

Touring cyclists I've met seem to have a lot of trouble with flats on trailers. I would recommend the sturdiest tires for your trailer you can get and use tire liners.

I use Schwalbe Marathon Supremes and love them. They wear well and, despite my considerable total touring weight, rarely flat. I use good tire liners.

As for goathead thorns, stay on the pavement.

70

Routes / Re: Biking from Tallahasee, FL to Charleston, SC

« on: December 10, 2011, 07:50:00 am »

Probably not. Main highways in Georgia tend to have narrow shoulders full of rumble strips. It will really drive you nuts. If you go that way you would most likely do better sticking to back roads.

I would recommend taking US90 to Jacksonville and heading north on US17 (good shoulder, no rumble strips) but I don't know how you would skirt around Jacksonville. Taking 301 and A1A from Baldwin to Yulee is out of the question. That stretch is really bad - narrow two lane, shoulderless and heavily trafficked although they are improving it in places. You could try 121 up to Folkston but I don't know anything about it. Or pick your way through Jacksonville.

If you go up US17 you can skirt around Savannah by taking Dean Forest Road (307) to Port Wentworth and crossing the river on the old bridge.

US17 through Georgia and between Hardeeville and Walterboro in South Carolina is good bicycling road. The interstate takes all the traffic.

Do NOT approach Charleston by taking 17 or 17A between the Interstate and Charleston or Summerville. They are very bad stretches of road. Go up to 61 and ride it into Charleston. It is not ideal but is much, much better. You can get from Walterboro to 61 by going east on 17A a few miles to Sidney's Road and up it to 61. This is the ACA route.

Richmond Hill and Hardeeville have very cheap, clean motels. They compete fiercely. I like the Motel 6 in Richmond Hill which also has a KOA.

71

General Discussion / Re: 100 dollar bills too large?

« on: December 09, 2011, 11:44:03 am »

A real problem with $100 bills is that they are the most widely counterfeited US currency. They will be checked - swiped with the pen or checked with the light box - in most places. So make sure that YOURS are for real. I have seen people embarrassed in convenience stores when their bills have been checked and refused because they were counterfeit. I rarely carry anything larger than twenties but then I pay for most everything with my Mastercard.

Smaller bills are not guaranteed, however. I was once in a convenience store where a the clerk caught a phony $10 bill. The customer was furious and vowed to take it back to the bank where she got it. Talking with the clerk afterward I was told that she had caught two ten's and a twenty over the years.

Small purchases in convenience stores are about the only place I use cash and then the smallest bills I've got..

72

Routes / Re: Southern Tier, Louisiana to Florida, or Reverse

« on: December 05, 2011, 05:11:58 pm »

Spring or Fall would probably be best - avoid the hottest and coldest months. Going eastward would probably give you a slightly better chance of favorable winds but there is no guarantee.

73

Gear Talk / Re: Brifters vs. bar-end from a convenience standpoint

« on: November 28, 2011, 09:32:25 pm »

I have 9-speed bar-end shifters on my 12 year old touring bike (Litespeed Blue Ridge). They suit me all right although I occasionally bump them with my knee when dismounting - not often enough to be a real problem. I have replaced the cables once.

On the other hand I have 8-speed brifters on my 30+ year old Sampson (Omega frame with 105 components), my knock-around, casual riding bike. Most everything but the frame and brifters have been replaced at least once over the years. The small cassette shifter is a bit worn - sometimes takes a while to shift and requires a special touch - but otherwise the rig still serves me well. But I can no longer easily get get chains and gears so I will probably change the whole rig to 10 speed one of these days. Or just get a new bike.

It's amazing how Shimano components hold up. I certainly don't baby my bikes and, to the best of my recollection, have never had a failure. Bar-ends on my touring bike and brifters on my local bike suit me just fine.

74

General Discussion / Re: Best cycling town/area on Atlantic coast?

« on: November 27, 2011, 10:01:21 pm »

New Jersey and SE Pennsylvania have surprisingly good cycling. The roads are generally good with fine shoulders. There are lots of historical places to visit and it's easy to get good, simple food - diners everywhere. SE PA is loaded with ice cream and fudge shops. NW NJ and along the Delaware River is lovely country although often hilly. You'll get a good workout. Like most anywhere, if you avoid the urban areas you can do fine. The Jersey shore is tacky and touristy in spots but not unpleasant. Cape May is not to be missed. There are plenty of campgrounds and parks for camping. You can get tons of cycling maps and information with a little poking around the internet.

75

Gear Talk / Re: Tents

« on: November 24, 2011, 09:47:56 am »

I have a Hilleberg Akto. It is extremely weatherproof - really stands up to rain, wind and even water running under the tent. It is also very light with a roomy encloseable patio. The double wall means condensation is not a problem. The single crossways pole is fully sleeved but easy to install and remove. The disadvantages are that it is not free standing - uses an incredible 12 stakes - and the entrance is a bit awkward. It also is single piece - does not have a removeable rain fly - although the numerous vents are sufficient for all but the hottest nights. It has held up well but if it ever wears out I will probably go back to North Face which is, among other things, a lot cheaper. Or Eureka with their huge selection and moderate prices.