Messages

16

Routes / Re: Arizona 288 --Globe-Young Hwy?

« on: July 12, 2012, 11:28:16 am »

Thanks, Yuma.  I'm still interested in hearing more about it, but after I put the route through RidewithGPS, I discovered it gains about 12,500 ft. between Globe and the upper highway.  And water looks scarce.  We'll route through Phoenix. 

Scott

17

Routes / Arizona 288 --Globe-Young Hwy?

« on: July 12, 2012, 09:04:14 am »

Hey, riders:  Coming up close to the start of a big tour and still working on some options.  We're thinking about possibly bypassing the Phoenix area all together as we work our way from Silver City, NM, to our home in CA.  From Globe, AZ, I found Hwy 288.  Does anyone know about this road for cycling?  Paved?  Water sources?  I can see that we won't have any supplies, so will have to leave Globe well stocked.  If we did this route, we'd pick up the Magollan Rim Rd. and follow that across to 87 and 260.  I've pedaled that stretch before.  Any advice/experiences greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Scott

18

General Discussion / Re: Near miss with truck on Trans-Am

« on: July 06, 2012, 11:36:07 am »

Dang, I hate sharing the road with big trucks when no shoulder is around.  I, too, have had a mixed bag of experiences.  For some reason I've had many more bad encounters with logging truck drivers.  Not sure why this is true.  The driver shown in the OP would have pissed me off mightily, too.  The horn was totally unnecessary.  That shows a level of aggression I find disturbing.  I think EVERY SINGLE DRIVER should have to live and bike on the roads of his or her country for at least a year before getting a driver's license.  Once you know what it's like to be at the mercy of trucks and cars, you'll never drive the same way again.

Be safe out there, everyone!

Scott

19

General Discussion / Re: Share how you got $ & time off to tour

« on: June 21, 2012, 06:16:31 am »

Good point, Danno, although I read of families doing big tours, too, so I guess even that can work, too.  Creativity, dedication, bring everything you have to the game and we can accomplish a lot.  As for me, I'm a college teacher, a career that I chose in part because of the schedule.  I'm currently on summer break and planning on a four month tour down the Rockies to New Mexico then home to Cali across the desert.  Can't wait!  Right now I have to get out on a training ride before it gets too warm.

Bottom line:  Dig in and make it happen.  When this life is over, it's over.

Scott

20

Routes / Re: Nevada and Utah 2011 ? Advice & tips please

« on: June 13, 2012, 12:48:44 pm »

Re. fuel:  It's more expensive, but you can simply by cans of denatured alcohol at most hardware and paint stores.  Fortunately, you can usually find it in 1 qt. cans.  Higher elevation areas in Utah will probably have the Heet.

Scott

21

Routes / Re: Sierra Cascades; desert heat in July

« on: June 13, 2012, 12:45:41 pm »

Be prepared to bake just as bad in Sept.  It's often a VERY hot month in the Mojave.  You won't get significant cooling until Oct.  Just be prepared to carry lots of water and do the start before dawn and sit out the afternoon if you have to.

Have a blast!

22

General Discussion / Re: My TA has begun

« on: May 10, 2012, 05:53:57 am »

Hey, Tim:  Way to hang in there.  Of course we'd expect nothing else from a Marine!    Truly brutal heat.  You've gotten some bad luck in that area for sure.  It shouldn't be so hot this time of year.  Now think of all the wonderful humidity you have to look forward to in the Midwest and East.  Ah, the truth is found in the turning of the pedals.  I'm heading out on a tour myself in a couple of days, even raising a few bucks for the Wounded Warrior Project.  I totally respect the commitment and sacrifice you make for us.

Ride well and keep the rubber on the road.

Scott

23

Routes / Montana route info...

« on: May 04, 2012, 08:27:11 am »

Hey, Cyclists:  My wife and I are in the planning phases for a mostly paved Rocky Mtn. tour starting in Aug. from Jasper, Alberta.  At times, I'm planning on taking some mixed surface routes (ex. Cottonwood Pass and Ute Pass in Co.).  Another option I'm exploring is a mixed surface route between Augusta and Hwy 15--old state hwy 434. Google Street View shows pavement south of Rt. 200, so I'm wondering about the section between Augusta and Rt. 200, which appears to be dirt/gravel.  Google doesn't covered that section except the very north-most tail out of Augusta.  We'll probably hit this mid-August, give or take.

Opinions, info., experiences?

Thanks!

Scott

24

Routes / Re: N. Colorado Rt. 9/Hwy 9?

« on: April 25, 2012, 05:37:33 am »

After looking at the options, I think we're going to CR 3 Ute Pass/Rt. 9 etc. to Copper Mtn. and Leadville.  Then at Buena Vista we'll do Cottonwood Pass over to Gunnison and work our way south.  Hoo man, this is going to be awesome.

Thanks again.

Scott

25

Routes / Re: N. Colorado Rt. 9/Hwy 9?

« on: April 20, 2012, 08:19:01 pm »

I checked out some Google views of the Ct. Rd. 3/Ute pass route.  It looks fantastic.  And as noted, Rt. 9 from that point south has a fine shoulder for the quick run into town.

Thanks!

Scott

26

Routes / Re: N. Colorado Rt. 9/Hwy 9?

« on: April 20, 2012, 06:37:28 pm »

Thanks, Ewert.  This is congruent with  a recent book I read about the route.

How about this option:  Rt. 11 (Trough Rd.--dirt, looks pretty good) to 131, south to 6, parallel interstate, then take 24 all the way to Leadville and 285/Salida?

Looks okay on Google street view, but local intel trumps!

Thanks,

Scott

27

Routes / N. Colorado Rt. 9/Hwy 9?

« on: April 12, 2012, 07:36:30 pm »

Hey, Riders:  Well, the big planning is on for our major Rocky Mtn. tour this summer/fall.  We'll be starting in Jasper, AB, in early August.  I've read some less-than-flattering comments about Rt. 9.  We'll be hitting in Sept.  Thoughts?  Alternatives?  In general, we're following the divide, heading to Salida.

Thanks!

Scott

28

Routes / A great little tour

« on: April 06, 2012, 07:54:46 pm »

Hey, Riders: I just completed a wonderful little tour with my wife, Jodi, and our faithful hound, Django.  Here's a link to a short write up with lots of pics and map and link to detailed info. related to the map.  If you are in the central California coast region and want to do a great, wonderful, can't recommend-it-enough ride, this is the one.  Bloody hot in summer, however.  Spring and Fall optimal.  Bring a taste for great scenery, empty roads, and excellent wine.

A perfect little tour:http://scott-waylandadventures.blogspot.com/

Cheers!

Scott

29

General Discussion / Re: Pacing on a long distance ride

« on: March 18, 2012, 04:11:09 pm »

Tim Travis once said something like: "I'm not going to let riding the bike get in the way of this tour!"  That's a rough paraphrase but spot on with his sentiment. 

Words of wisdom, Lloyd, words of wisdom.

Scott

30

General Discussion / Re: Recumbent trike travel

« on: March 13, 2012, 07:52:45 pm »

+1 for what Pataneap said.  I've toured a lot on trikes--tandem and single--and the Radical bags are great.  Handling is in NO WAY adversely affected.  I've bombed down hills (curves, too) at over 40 mph just fine, thank you.  You do need liners for the Radicals, but with these, you'll be full-on waterproof.  Click here: http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/slideshow/?o=1&doc_id=7710&page=7&v=3j for a photo of my Catrike fully loaded with Radicals.  For big and/or steep hills , do make sure you have extra low gearing.  The trike in the photo has a Schlumpf Mtn. Drive, which gives me a low about 10 gear inches.  I used it at times up the 19% grades required to get to where this photo was taken.  Slow for sure but no crazy strain on the knees.  If you choose a trailer, a two wheeled model like the Burley Nomad will not adversely affect handling, although it does make a bigger package for turning around, etc.  These trailers are quite stable, and I've towed them behind bicycles at speed over 30 mph with confidence.  In short, go do it!   Touring on trikes is great.  The only drawback I can see is that stealth camping is sometimes more complicated, and they are a bit slower overall than bikes.  But you can't beat the stability and overall safety.  Do some touring and report back.

Trike is a Catrike Expedition with 203mm rotors, short cranks, and the aforementioned Schlumpf Mtn. drive.

Cheers,

Scott