Messages

511

Routes / Re: food and water on the southern tier

« on: January 24, 2009, 11:51:57 am »

Hi PM we are starting on the ST in a couple of weeks time.  The ACA maps are great combined with Google Earth, there are a lot of other services id there and you can follow the parts of the route that concern you.  In the past I only ever got concerned about shortage of h2o once, my fault (but didn't have the benefit of ACA or GE then), but as I rode I held up my water bottle and the second RV stopped and filled my bottles up.  Much appreciated and fellow travelors are always helpful.  Good luck

512

Routes / Re: Handcyle with wheelchair

« on: January 24, 2009, 11:39:26 am »

Hiya and good luck, good advice from WH re the dog.  They can be scary but I also have never actually been bitten however in some countries where rabies is prevelant you can get packs of dogs which is scarry.  I tend to use my water bottle to give a good squirt at the nose.  On the whole though you shouldn'y have this problem in USA.  On the positive side any dog coming running at you sure encourages you to get up that hill you've been struggling with a bit faster.

513

Routes / Re: cross country polio fund raiser for newbies

« on: January 17, 2009, 08:10:47 am »

Hey  good luck, but don't avoid hills as they can be some of the best riding, plus you only cycle 50% of the way  - the rest is down hill.  Just make sure your gearing is right.

Staying on flat ground can often be harder than hills/mountains because if you hit head winds that is harder and more soul destroying than any hill.

Tony
ps we have a web site for fund raising and ST in Feb 09 www.bike4gus.com

514

Gear Talk / Rear bike rack

« on: December 01, 2008, 12:46:02 pm »

Hi depends where you plan to travel - whenever I have cycled in the less developed countries I always use a steele rack - just in case of breakage or accidents you can easily get it welded almost anywhere. Blackburn is good.

515

Gear Talk / Spongy Wonder cycle seat

« on: November 10, 2008, 06:32:22 am »

Thanks guys, yes it is for real - I can't beleive I am doing it.  My excuse - it took weeks to arrive from Canada, by which time I had shipped my cycle out to Florida.  And yes have my old saddle out there with it.  Just wondered if anyone has tried these, but will carry the old one until I decide.

Thanks

This message was edited by tonythomson on 11-10-08 @ 5:58 AM

516

Gear Talk / Spongy Wonder cycle seat

« on: November 09, 2008, 11:30:00 am »

Has anyone had any experience of these new type seat, The Spongy Wonder Seat.  I have just bought one and haven't had chance to try it out before setting off on the Southern Tier. I know, I should know better and this is probably the worst bit of prep anyone could do.  That is why I am now panicing as to whether to go with it or not?

517

Gear Talk / A unique situation (SouthernTier).

« on: November 09, 2008, 11:07:14 am »

Just thought I would jump in re bikes and their various qualities.  Not that I recomend this but while cycling across China a few years back came across this German guy - about 18 - who had flown into Beijing bought a local bike and set off across country. Had done about 1000ks his front wheel bearings were shot and the wheel was wobbling all over the place! The guy was almost blind and wore these really thick glasses and could not see to repair his bike.  I managed to patch it up for him.  I don't think he had washed either in all that time.  But he just carried on going.  I met up with him again some months later in Bankoc - agreed to share a room only if he had a shower!! Last I heard he was in Indonisea but had fallen off and broken his glasses so could see even less!!! Never heard from him again but he still had that old chinese bike cost around $20 new, so can be done cheap, but not for me.  Kermit (his nic name) where are you , probably lost.

518

Routes / North to Alburquerque NM

« on: November 20, 2008, 01:22:48 pm »

Hi has anyone riden Socorro to Alburquerque and then back along the 60 & 12 to Reserve New Mexico.  If so what's it like ??  Just a side trip off the Southern Tier

519

Routes / Nature Coast Trail

« on: November 17, 2008, 12:10:21 pm »

Planning to use the NCT Rails to Trails from Chiefland to Cross City.  Does anyone know if the trail extends from Cross City to Hanes and on to Clara on the 51? It looks like it goes that far on GE but is it ridable on touring bike?
Thanks

520

Routes / southern tier weather

« on: November 23, 2008, 04:06:16 am »

Hey congrats on new job, where are you going? Don't come here to UK too cold and damp. Hope you keep up with the forum as I have found a lot of your advice invakuable, many thanks

521

Routes / southern tier weather

« on: November 17, 2008, 12:01:03 pm »

Hi Victoria, try Wundersearch really good web site. If you can't find it I can email you the site unless you know how I get it onto here.  I am leaving Florida in Feb E to W so give us a wave as you go past.

522

Routes / Florida in February

« on: November 11, 2008, 02:36:11 am »

Graet info, very much appreciated. Regards Tony

523

Routes / Florida in February

« on: November 09, 2008, 10:07:26 am »

Hi Litespeed can you give me directions to The Nature Coast Trail please. Or where to find it on web. Thanks

524

Routes / Florida in February

« on: November 09, 2008, 10:02:19 am »

I leave for San Diego from Celebration, Kissimmee mid Feb. Heading for Withlacoochee trail- after this north to Trenton. Any advice re best route to conect with ACA Southern Tier as 27 seems only alternative. Tony

525

Routes / Berlin to Copenhagen

« on: November 21, 2008, 12:04:29 pm »

Hey guys are you setting of now?  Getting cold and wet here in Europe, it's a great ride but.....
Good luck if so.