Messages

16

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

« on: January 17, 2012, 05:37:08 am »

Sounds like you are good to go on fitness and the Trek will do fine on a supported tour as long as the geometry works for you day after day.  For me (your age), going to a touring bike made a huge difference in comfort.  You might consider slipping over to Texas this winter and ride in the Davis Mountains to see how it goes.  Plenty of climbing, decent elevation, and spectacular scenery - road or mountain bike. 

Welcome to touring.  You are going to love it.

17

General Discussion / Re: Crossing Canadian Border

« on: January 16, 2012, 07:35:24 pm »

I crossed the border into Canada at Cape Vincent onto Wolfe Island.  Very low key and uncrowded plus a couple of ferry rides to boot!

First sign said "Welcome to Canada"
Second sign said "Watch for Bikes"
Third sign said "Hands free devices only"

It was love at first sight!!

18

General Discussion / Re: Computers and the bike

« on: November 06, 2011, 06:02:36 pm »

I used a EeePC netbook on my 66 day ride this summer.  Well worth it IMO.  2 of us used it to check email, store pictures (over 1500), and keep a crazyguy journal and blog current.  Keeping it charged was never an issue.  On a related note, i was very surprised how unreliable my att blackberry was.  Had we been relying on it for directions or regular communications, we would have been in deep trouble.

Keith
www.crazyguyonabike.com/whenlife

19

General Discussion / Re: Stupid Hotel Question

« on: October 30, 2011, 08:23:04 am »

Another plug for Warmshowers.  We were hosted 10 nights on our recent cross country (and were not on ACA routes most of the way).  Awesome hosts.  I can't say enough kind things about the people that cared for us.  I might also mention that the National Parks have a "no turn away" policy for cyclists in campgrounds, even when advertised as full. 

I was also amazed at how many places we were able to stay after friends and family had a look at our route.  Here's just one example.  My best friend from high school (back in the 70's) was looking at the route and noticed he had a cousin near the route up in Montana.  Sure enough, they were 3 blocks off our route and were glad to invite us in.  We had 7 of these along the way. 

Have a great trip!

20

General Discussion / Re: Rain gear on self contained long distance touring?

« on: October 06, 2011, 04:45:36 am »

Here in the NW I have been poured on every month of the year, sometimes far from any acceptable shelter.  I bring light weight "waterproof" jersey and keep pedaling.  I rarely use rain pants in the summer, but just let the legs get wet.  If in the mountains, though, it can get too cold so I bring leg warmers and wear them if I'm getting too wet.  Hypothermia can be an issue in the mountains any time of the year.

Ditto on the hypothermia and it doesn't have to be in the mountains.  The coldest I have ever been on a bike was in Oklahoma in June.  Freak cold front and all day driving rain storm. (I was known as blue lips for the rest of the trip!)  I have not left the house without some sort of rain protection since, and the better quality stuff sure makes it more pleasant to manage heat.

21

Gear Talk / Re: Could a cyclo-cross bike do?

« on: September 28, 2011, 03:32:11 pm »

I don't know if this helps or not but here is my 2 cents.  I just completed a cross country with a girl who rode a Specialized Tricross.  She abused it badly with her packing style and it held up fine.  About a week into the ride, her low budget rear panniers failed and so she just overpacked her front ortliebs (brimming to the top) and put everything else into one big bag on top of her rear rack.  I would have bet the farm the bike (or at least the racks) would have broken but she had no issues at all.

22

Bicycle Route 66 / Re: Has anyone ridden any parts of route 66?

« on: August 27, 2011, 07:32:42 pm »

I've ridden the Oklahoma and Texas portions many times, but only on a motorcycle (or in a car).  I can only think of one section that is even borderline bicycle friendly.  If you have specific questions, i'll try to get you some better information. 

You mention a possible spring crossing.  LOTS of gusty winds (high) combined with miles and miles of interstate dominated with truck traffic.  Not fun.

Good luck,
Keith

23

General Discussion / Re: Getting a Bike to where you are going

« on: May 29, 2011, 05:18:40 am »

We are leaving this week driving from Oklahoma to Maine.  Our drivers situation was uncertain a while back so be looked at one way rentals.  Be aware that they sell out well in advance of holiday times.  We could not find anything even close to big enough to haul 3 of us with our bikes and gear for this week.  The companies seriously interested in one way rentals are few are far between.  Hertz and Avis were all we could locate.

24

Gear Talk / Re: Brooks Saddle - Some helpful tips before I purchase

« on: May 11, 2011, 04:54:00 pm »

Very pleased with my B17.  One thing you don't see mentioned much is that there is limited fore-aft adjustment, seemingly about half what my other saddles offer.

25

General Discussion / Re: How can I find....

« on: February 27, 2011, 05:51:13 pm »

I've been working on the same thing for a few years now.  Very slow and frustrating.  Lots of interest and talk.  Very few takers.  Current plan is to take them in one at time and slowly build their confidence and ability.  We are finally starting to develop a core group that others are watching and listening to. Bicyclists can be terribly intimidating to new riders.  One common problem i've noticed with unsuccessful new rider introductions.  I've seen well intended folks go out time and time again with new riders and then invariably pull away.  They then stop to let the newbie catch up.  Fail.  This only lets the faster rider rest just compounding the issue for the next part of the ride.  Make sure you stay with the new people.  If you get away from them, at least ride back  and then rest with them so you get the same break.  Good luck.   

26

Bicycle Route 66 / Re: Welcome to Bicycle Route 66!

« on: February 25, 2011, 05:34:16 am »

I'm in Perkins OK.  35 miles north of 66.  Might be able to help.

27

General Discussion / Re: Motorbike riders out there?

« on: February 11, 2011, 04:17:32 pm »

This caught my attention as well.  My most traveled MC was a KLR 650.  One month ago, i sold my remaining motorized steed, a Suzuki wee strom.  I'm planning a coast to coast this summer so the motorcycle wasn't getting any love anyway with my training. !

This will be my first long tour and i'm very curious how i feel about motorcycles when i return.  Heck, i may go car free too, who knows!
keith

28

General Discussion / Re: Serious back/rump problems

« on: January 02, 2011, 03:38:01 pm »

I know three people that tour on Crank forward bikes and they seem to do fine.  SLOW but fine.  Good luck in your search.

29

General Discussion / Re: Advice about Unique Bicycle Touring Company

« on: January 02, 2011, 03:33:33 pm »

I like your idea.  Seems like it might morph into some sort of "home base" with some sleeping inside and some out.  Utilizing such a  service would be beyond my budget but i have lots of friends i would love to introduce to touring and this seems like a nice gateway to do that.  I would think hosting a small group in conjunction with an organized tour would give you lots of immediate exposure. A handful of happy customers can spread the word pretty quickly around a group of 800 or 900 riders!  I know several groups in our state ride (Oklahoma Freewheel) do something similar with there own RV's and i thought it looked like fun.   Good luck with it!

30

Classifieds / Re: cannondale t2

« on: December 24, 2010, 06:06:31 pm »

I would also like some pics.
keithreed60@yahoo.com

Thanks!