Messages

16

General Discussion / Re: Cost - WE to TA

« on: February 16, 2012, 08:39:02 pm »

maybe, don't expect low calorie intake (and low quality food) to work very well on a bike tour

Agreed.  I'm all about THE BUFFET!!!!!

I'm gonna post up a final TR on the ride when done.  I'll also be posting a ride log at various WiFi spots. 

Thanks again Valygrl

17

General Discussion / Re: Cost - WE to TA

« on: February 16, 2012, 04:32:01 pm »

bail bonds

Good call  thats the one that COULD an issue.. 

Sleeping in remote "rough" areas is my specialty.  Thanks John.

18

General Discussion / Re: Cost - WE to TA

« on: February 16, 2012, 02:41:19 pm »

Thanks guys for the feedback.  I'm trying to do it as cheap as possible and days on the road are around 70 to 80 days.   The reason is I want to build in weather and ride along dates.  I know I'm dealing with pandora's box in Cedar City and beyond in April.  If I can get through Breaks (with the new detour) NP and to lower elevations in Utah I'll feel better (better be ready for the next crux in CO).  With that said your advice John is about where I wanna be for daily per diem (5 to 10 bones a day).  I spend a great deal of time in the Sierra living on D-hydrates and will be ok with the low caloric intake and the bike is pretty dialed out for hard touring.  Needless to say I'm planning to live (as we say in Yosemite) like a dirtbag till I can get closer to KS.  In KS I have many groups who want to put me up and feed me 

Thanks again and S/F
Tim

19

General Discussion / Cost - WE to TA

« on: February 15, 2012, 09:08:57 am »

I've been trying to complete my budget for the upcoming ride.  I'll be taking the western express with a variation.  I'll be leaving from Bridgeport CA and heading south to the 120 east.  Then on to hwy 6 and all the way out to Cedar City to connect with the WE.  From that point I will continue on to the TA.  Now I do realize no services exisit beyond Lee Vining until I get to Benton Crossing then Tonopah NV.  My route - http://www.opawakening.com/Pages/RouteMaps.aspx

The entire trip will be a tribute to our Marines and Sailors who are fighting and living in the dirt everyday.  With that said, I plan to dirt camp and boil food every night. 

I will be carrying a heavy load with full battle rattle (Storm gear and winter camping equipment).  Because of my experiences living in Yosemite National Park (out of bounds camping) I'd like to "commando camp" most of the way.  So the real cost I can see is gonna be food. 

How much would one budget on a tour like this?

20

Routes / Re: West to East, Western Express & Trans Am -- Dates?

« on: February 11, 2012, 09:23:08 am »

I'm leaving from Hwy 108 (Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center) on April 15th and heading south on the 395 to the 120 east.  Check out my route and keep my site as a favorite as I'll be updating on a daily basis. 

Start to Tonopah NV
http://www.opawakening.com/Pages/PHASELINE3AKeverneInfo.aspx

Tonopah NV to Cedar City UT
http://www.opawakening.com/Pages/PHASELINEAKaraInfo.aspx

Cedar City UT to Dolores CO
http://www.opawakening.com/Pages/PHASELINEAKaraInfo.aspx

Dolores CO to Pueblo CO
http://www.opawakening.com/Pages/PHASELINEAKenwynInfo.aspx

My recent ride from SF to Mono Lake CA
http://www.opawakening.com/Pages/TrainingRides.aspx

Great year to hit the WE early.

21

GPS Discussion / Re: Downloading data from Garmin to PC

« on: February 09, 2012, 09:05:38 am »

I've tried to use that Garmin Connect for the last 2 months and can not even create an account.  I've sent multiple emails and have never heard back.  This is a free service and do not trust it.  I know some have found it as a solution but if it will not create an account then i do not trust it to maintain my data.  I've given up and decieded to use the following service. 

http://www.opawakening.com/Pages/PHASELINE3AKeverneInfo.aspx

This is a great site but does not give you all the bells and whistles that Garmin connnect give you.

edit - spoke to Garmin today and got set up on the Connect platform.  I didn't like how small it embeds into my site so I'll probably stay with the mapping service above.

22

General Discussion / Re: Blatant Anti-Cyclist Comic in Today's Paper

« on: February 08, 2012, 02:50:20 pm »

I got a buddy in San Francisco that blatently rides in the car lane when he has a 20ft shoulder just 10ft to his right.  I've stopped riding with him because of this insane behavior.  I think its a bit of inferiority complex.  Still stupid.

Good comic.

23

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / Re: Western Express Section 3 Map 31 - 2012 road closure

« on: February 01, 2012, 12:21:17 am »

Carla
Thanks for the heads up.  I just noted this on my site as well.  You guys do a nice job keep up the good work.

http://www.opawakening.com/Pages/PHASELINEAKayneInfo.aspx


Tim

24

Routes / Re: A California Tour (Pleasanton CA to Mono Lake CA)

« on: January 23, 2012, 07:56:06 pm »

There ya go fellas.  This grade begins on the western side of the Sierra just at Kennedy Meadow.  BRUTAL!!!  Thank god I just upgraded to the 11/34 gearing.  Even that was bottomed out to super granny.  I'm going back next week to the eastern side (suppose to get warm again) for hot tubs and a Bridgeport to Benton to Bishop.  Great year for a winter tour.  Knock on wood.

UT and CO will be quite a bit easier

Thanks bro that makes me feel a little bit better.

25

Routes / A California Tour (Pleasanton CA to Mono Lake CA)

« on: January 23, 2012, 02:01:52 pm »

http://www.opawakening.com/Pages/TrainingRides.aspx

I thought this group would appreciate this.  If you're thinking about making this tour I will say that the route has beautiful 20 ft shoulders and brand new pavment.  Getting off the train in Pleasanton CA and heading out is safe and simple. 

26

Gear Talk / Re: Which Schwalbe

« on: December 20, 2011, 10:44:58 pm »

Thanks guys.  It looks like it'll be the Mondial HS428's.  Preciate the breakdown on rolling resistance and weight. 

27

Gear Talk / Re: Which Schwalbe

« on: December 20, 2011, 01:45:20 pm »

John I apologize for the terse response.  I come from the rock climbing world and normally getting info from climbing forums is a lesson in tolerance (i.e. loads of bravado and attitude).  But I do enjoy these type of responses and wanted to thank the group who gave their opionions to my inquiry.  Thanks everyone good feedback. 

28

Gear Talk / Re: Which Schwalbe

« on: December 19, 2011, 09:32:19 pm »

Really, john.  I've been there and even talked to my rep.  And yes there is a sea of reviews that I've gone through.  But the reason for asking this group is because I enjoy the experienced opionions that various folks share here.  From there I might be able to gather a collective opionion that will help me make an educated decision based on others real time expierences.  Like mdxix did before you.  If I'm putting others out please let me know and I'll delete this thread.

 

29

Gear Talk / Which Schwalbe

« on: December 19, 2011, 06:09:17 pm »

I just found out that Schwalbe is going to throw me a set of tires as a sponsor for my ride/event.  www.opawakening.com

Needless to say i was hoping to ask the group a question on choice of Schwalbe touring tire you'd choose.  I'm going to run the 700x35c size tires and was leaning toward the Marathon Plus HS 348's.  I'm wondering what the opionions are on these tires from folks who may be running them or have ridden them in the past.   

Thanks a bunch.

Tim Tuomey

30

GPS Discussion / Re: Downloading data from Garmin to PC

« on: December 08, 2011, 11:37:56 pm »

Fred
Thank you for a very acurate and thorough response.  I'll cut and paste this to my ride data base for use on the Garmin. Love this site.

Thanks a bunch.

Tim