Messages

31

General Discussion / Re: Cycling in thunderstorms

« on: August 04, 2009, 03:54:22 am »

This item was on the Internet news the morning of 4 August 2009

http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2009/aug/03/cyclist-struck-lightning-north-boulder/?partner=yahoo_headlines

Scott

32

General Discussion / Re: Motel/hotel discount

« on: July 28, 2009, 07:29:39 am »

If you want a discount ask for it.  You don't need a AAA or any other organization to bargain for you.  Always remember the answer is NO until you ask.

33

Gear Talk / Re: Head Lamps at Campsite ~~ Annoying?

« on: July 18, 2009, 07:02:53 am »

That eight-day week must have been a long one?

People do what is important to them.  I've gritted my teeth and tolerated televisions, campfire smoke, loud card games, parties.  Getting away mean different things to different people, I guess.  You made a memory.  If you'd been all by yourselves that eight days you wouldn't have had anything to tell us.

I'm as guilty as they next person.  I warmed up a Harley in a KOA one morning at shorty after four.  The straight pipes made an excessive amount of noise and I'm sure there were some who were gad to see me go. 

34

Routes / Re: Grand Canyon & Death Valley

« on: July 18, 2009, 06:44:18 am »

Take water.  There's not much surface water in the areas you've mentioned.  What you take with you may be all you have.  I've seen many of the desert travelers use the a couple water bladder inserts for extra storage.  When they are empty they don't take much room to store.  Depending on the time of year you travel in these area, you may need as much two gallons per day.

 

I will be rolling out of Ushuaia in November and spending the next 18 spinning my way up to Prudhoe Bay. I have recently been planning my route through the USA and was wondering whether anyone could give me some opinions or advice on plotting a course from the Eastern edge of the grand Canyon over to Las Vegas, up through Death Valley and into Yosemite?

I know there are cycling restrictions in Grand Canyon National Park that make a direct route difficult.
Also, does anyone have any thoughts on the availability of water along this section of route (Death Valley being an obvious concern).

My complete US route will be taking me from Tecate, up to the Grand Canyon, across through Las Vegas, Death Valley, up through Yosemite, over to San Francisco and then up the Pacific coast all the way to Canada. This will involve sections of the Southern Tier, Grand Canyon Connector, Sierra Cascades and Pacific Coast Adventure Cycling routes.

35

Routes / Re: Oregon Coast

« on: July 08, 2009, 04:49:16 pm »

You can travel south to north.  You will most likely encounter more head wind and the shoulder is much narrower on the northbound lane.  You didn't mention where you planned to start and finish. 

If you're driving a car rather than a motorhome you might consider storing while you cycle south and then figure how to go back north after you've reached your southern most point.

There are other worthwhile routes of which you'll have to make local inquiry. 

North of reedsport a couple miles is Gardner.  There's a way to follow logging roads over the Coast Range to the Willamette Valley from there. 

There is a way from either the McKinzie Summit or Willamette Summit that will take you to Crater Lake.  The local bike shops in Eugene should be able to give you directions.

If you have good legs and go between June and September you might consider McKinzie Bridge to Sisters via McKinzie Pass. 

I don't know how any of that would work with a car.

Scott in Texas

36

General Discussion / Re: Safety issues for solo biking

« on: July 07, 2009, 02:46:24 pm »

Correct me if I'm wrong.  I believe gun permits are issued by the county.  Other counties and other states are not obligated to honor a gun permit they didn't issue. 

I drove a semi over the lower 48 for a few years and I never let myself get into a situation I couldn't walk away from.  You have to travel smart and follow your gut instinct.

"Git yourself a gun!" was the advice of the Deputy Sheriff in a little town mid Texas.  Now coming from UK I wouldn't hardly know one end from the other, "you need a gun son" (I'm 61!)  Why?  "Cos the motel you plan on staying in has the biggest 'roaches ever and if you don't git them, they sure as hell gonna git you"

I've cycled many different countries and never felt the need to be armed, follow your instincts and be open to people.

Just finished the \southern Tier, the people I met made it special.  Thanks yanks!

Oh and definately support the use of a mirror.

37

General Discussion / Re: older riders

« on: June 22, 2009, 12:13:40 pm »

IceJan,

Tell your family I can't think of a more noble cause than cycling toward the distant horizon.   Willie suggests keeping your journal in letter form.  Scribble your events of the day on notebook paper and at the end of the week mail the finished sheets home to Aunt Martha, or whomever will hold them for you.

Keep us informed.

Scott

38

General Discussion / Re: older riders

« on: June 20, 2009, 02:45:19 pm »

I'm there, will turn 60 in August, will celebrate with my first self supported tour in New Mexico in late September, keep riding, it's always a beautiful day for a bike ride.

What part(s) of New Mexico do you touring?  We own some undeveloped property a half-dozen miles northwest of Pie Town, within a stone's throw (literally) of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route.  It's a diverse state.

Scott

39

Southwest / Re: Welcome to the Southwest Region

« on: June 20, 2009, 11:09:17 am »

Hi,

I live north of Dallas about 40 miles.  I'd be interested in reading some opinions about cycling across Texas.  I received a message that Gov. Rick Perry was about to veto the new bill which required three feet of space between a bicycle and a passing motor vehicle. 

Not good, in my opion.

Scott

40

General Discussion / Re: Cycling and camping in bear country ? !

« on: June 20, 2009, 11:01:56 am »

Bears are unpredictible.  I think most of the issues have been addressed.  But there are times when women should not put themselves in harms way.

Scott

41

Gear Talk / Re: How many people tour with non-touring bikes?

« on: June 20, 2009, 08:50:08 am »

I recall a high school math teacher who pedaled a single-speed Schwinn with a coaster brake from Oregon to New Jersey each summer in the 1980s. 

Scott

42

Gear Talk / Re: Help on choosing rain gear

« on: May 31, 2009, 08:49:26 am »

Once while on a tandem tour without rain gear we bought two garbage bags from a StarMart and went on our merry way.  We looked pretty bad but it sure worked and I stopped carrying rain gear.

Scott

43

Gear Talk / Re: Chris King rear hub skips when pedaling after coasting

« on: May 31, 2009, 08:45:26 am »

Make certain there's no tension on the chain going into the hub, if there is the gears will not be fully engaged. 

Also, cut the finger off a rubber glove and slip it oveer the entrance into the hub.  That will keep sand from getting in side.

Scott 

44

General Discussion / Re: older riders

« on: May 20, 2009, 12:11:24 pm »

My wife and stopped our pickup camper and gave shelter to a middle-aged tandem couple in Utah a few years back.  They'd been caught in a downpour.  They were visiting all the Utah counties on their tandem.  There was just room for the four of us.  Barb brewed a pot of coffee and we shot the breeze until the rain had passed. 

What a great experience. 

Scott

45

General Discussion / Re: older riders

« on: May 19, 2009, 07:26:26 am »

You see the big picture.  Press on.

Scott