Messages

196

Gear Talk / schwalbe marathon supreme tires

« on: May 31, 2007, 11:52:13 am »

I sure hope they are not bad as I just got some yesterday in prep for riding 1/2 the L&C trail this summer.  Thought about the XR but they were out so went with the Supremes.  Take this in the right way but I hope do not share your experience with them .

Happy trails and may the wind be at your back!

TulsaJohn

197

Gear Talk / which panniers?

« on: January 27, 2007, 01:17:56 pm »

If you are going simple (no cooking, not a huge tent, etc.), it should work.

Along with Arkels, consider Robert Beckman (aka Needleworks, RBD Designs, etc.).  He was some standard sized packs, but will custom add-on from there (solar rechargers, special requests, etc.  Extremely simple hookup but you can literally lift and swing bike by packs while they are attached.  As they are all hand made by him, you know what you are getting.

Very pricy, but very very good.

Happy trails and may the wind be at your back!

TulsaJohn

198

Gear Talk / Need a new tent

« on: January 27, 2007, 01:24:42 pm »

Thanks for the responses.  Has anyone had PERSONAL experience with the single wall tents like Bibler?  If so, how would they be in August in the central plains.  While no tent will be comfortable in 100 degrees, I "think" a fly'd tent would be cooler as it would have a airflow between the fly and the tent.  However, everyone who has a Bibler or similar tent swears by them but all reviews seem to be in cooler/cold climates.

Any one out there use/used one?  Thanks!

Happy trails and may the wind be at your back!

TulsaJohn

199

Gear Talk / Need a new tent

« on: December 26, 2006, 12:59:40 pm »

Hope all had a Joyous Christmas!  I need to finally get a new tent after many many years of great service of my old one (brand no longer made).  So I am looking for testimonies from people who have toured with their tents in the past year or three.

I am looking for a tent that MUST: 1) sleep one restless sleeper plus gear (F&R panniers; 2) has a max of three non-fiberglass poles; 3) be able to sit up in; 4) sub-six pounds when fully packed (poles, tent, fly, stakes, etc.); 5) high quality

I PREFER the tent: 1) have great ventilation (camping temps are usually is in the 65-85 range) at night so great ventilation is strongly desired; 2) Short folded pole length; 3) traditional poles [no funking 45 degree bends in the middle of a single section (I too old school ), "T" pole (hubs okay though), etc.]; 4) heavier/durable materials over shaving grams; 5) strong zippers or can be retro-fitted with such); 6) minor vestibule over entrance to keep rain out of tent

I don't care: 1) if free-standing; 2) what color (no hot pink); 3) brand; 4) for tarps/canopy only.

Some tents I have considered are NF Vector 22; SD Lightening; and Black Diamond/Bibler several varieties.  An interesting tent is the NEMO which does not use any poles but is self standing.  I'll wait until the techonolgy proves itself but it is sort of cool.

May we all have a wonderful New Year!!

Happy trails and may the wind be at your back!

TulsaJohn

200

Gear Talk / Panniers transforming into backpacks

« on: September 21, 2006, 12:44:14 pm »

Try contact Robert Beckman at Beckman Panniers in Oregon.  He may have changed his company name however.  He custom makes every pack and back in '89 I had him do his first conversion of adding straps to a tandem rear pack for use as a day pack.  He does HIGH quality work, is brilliant in his solutions to problems, and would probably be the only one who could accomplish this.  Forewarned, he is not cheap but his equipment will last a lifetime.


Happy trails and may the wind be at your back!

TulsaJohn

201

Gear Talk / pedals?

« on: October 30, 2006, 08:46:22 am »

Thanks for the Yellow Jersey link.  As far as numb feet, I have only gotten them since started wearing clipless as my shoes have to be tight to feel like they are not slopping around in the pedal.

I have over 40k miles in old-style cleats and straps with no problems and yes I did use them properly to get the 100% powerstroke in the cadence (used to race so I learned that valuable skill).  Only time I got sore feet is if I used tennis shoes instead of cycling shoes.

Obviously, some definately prefer and are better off with clipless (my 'bent is much better with clipless), but for some of us weirdos, old school is often better, i.e. steel touring frame versus other.  Not trying to start a flame war, I'm just a old school cyclist thinking about the "good old days" .

Happy trails and may the wind be at your back!

TulsaJohn

202

Gear Talk / pedals?

« on: October 29, 2006, 03:33:59 pm »

For road touring, I am sooo old school that I strongly prefer (but can't find anymore) the old Dettio Piedro??? riding shoes with the old nail in cleats with leather straps and steel toe clips.  I have tried Look, SPD, and bolt-on cleats but I still like the old style.  Technological  "improvements" can sometimes not be improvements.

Happy trails and may the wind be at your back!

TulsaJohn

203

Gear Talk / Touring Rear Wheel Recommedations

« on: December 10, 2005, 07:08:22 pm »

I guess I'm too much from the old (ancient ) school.  The only times I have broken spokes (other than a crash) have been when I am loaded touring (under 35 pounds of gear including panniers)while in my 24t chainring.

I weigh less than 150 and used to be the strongest hill climber in the ol bike club when I was in my teens/early twenties so I could really torque when I wanted to.

After many many years and thousands of miles loaded touring, I swear by a few things:  48 spoke wheels, Phil Wood hubs (ok, I bought mine many moons ago), Brooks saddle, a helmet, and gloves.  Of course, I don't expect everyone to agree...just my 2 cents worth .




Happy trails and may the wind be at your back!

TulsaJohn

204

Gear Talk / touring shoes

« on: November 13, 2005, 09:24:47 pm »

My LBSs don't carry cleats (or the shoes they nail to) anymore.  Where do you get them.  I especially miss the really comfy Italian shoes which, to me, are like what a Brooks saddle is to the fanny.

Happy Trails and may be wind be always at your back!

Tulsa John

Happy trails and may the wind be at your back!

TulsaJohn

205

Routes / Paved Great Divide maps?

« on: August 28, 2008, 09:40:47 am »

   I liked how you ended the commentary with "cheers".  Seriously not being negative, just thought it seemed funny going from a "negative" (don't know which word to use) to "cheers".

Happy trails and may the wind be at your back!

TulsaJohn

206

Routes / Pac coast help 2

« on: August 23, 2008, 07:35:05 pm »

If you are thinking about if you get hit and go sailing over the side, if I remember correctly, there are very few areas that close to the drop off.

Plus when you are on the ocean side of a curve turning to the to the right (imagine the position that I am saying), the line of site may be greater for the car (greater safety) than if you are northbound and have a hill or cliff to your right on a curve turning to the right.

If you are comfortable riding in traffic in your local area, you should be fine on tour.  Also, the ACA maps give a summary of the riding conditions as does the website (more limited).

Enjoy the ride!

Happy trails and may the wind be at your back!

TulsaJohn

207

Routes / Pac coast help 2

« on: August 23, 2008, 05:16:08 pm »

Can't reply accurately to your other PCH post as it was decades ago I went, but prevailing winds are definately in north to south direction.

I did the coast S-N and had headwinds most days.  A couple of days it was so bad I never got out of my inner chain ring.  Go over to crazyguyonabike.com and look at some of the journals as that may help.

Happy trails and may the wind be at your back!

TulsaJohn

208

Routes / recommended route for cycling with children

« on: August 28, 2008, 09:37:53 am »

I forgot to ask where you are flying into but perhaps your idea of renting a car (mini-van is better)and going to different locations is not a bad idea.  It would give you flexibility but give you opportunities to hit the highlights.  You may need to get a bike rack stateside however with that many bikes.

Look up the website railtrails.org to get a idea of which rail trails are available.

In Colorado between Breckinridge & Vail is a bike path but has a few steeper sections and the 10,000ft (3,300m?) elevation may get you.  Great scenery though.

The pacific northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, western Montana, British Columbia, is a very pretty area.

California has a wide variety of terrains & scenery and there is lots to do for the kids.

The George Mickleson rail trail in South Dakota is in a scenic area with Custer State Park and its wild herd of bison (buffalo) and is within proximity to Yellowstone & the Tetons which is a nice area to bike can exceed the 7% grades.  Lots of camping and there are special "hiker/biker" campsites so you are always guaranteed a spot if you arrive under your own power (not car).  Remember though when driving out west that "proximity" can be 500k-1000k!

While I don't know much about it, the Route Verte opened recently in Quebec area.  This area might be good as it is scenic, much more European in flavor, and the temps are definately cooler than out west.

Finally, you might post this question over at crazyguyonabike.com as there are a LOT of tourists there.

Happy trails and may the wind be at your back!

TulsaJohn

209

Routes / recommended route for cycling with children

« on: August 26, 2008, 06:35:42 am »

Can you give a little more info on what type of tour you want.  For instance, do you want mountains, desert (probably not in the summer!), open plains, rain forest, historical, etc.  Can you give a location in Europe so we might get an idea, i.e Holland or southern Italy.

What about temperature?  Since you are from Holland, you probably are not used to our summers where in many parts of the country it can top 33 degrees celsius every day while other areas never get above the upper 20s.

When you say "July/August", do you mean 60 days or 7 days during that time period?

Do you want dedicated cycle paths (most will be finely crushed gravel coverted railroad paths and the longest is less than 500km long), rural country roads, big cities, etc.  When you say "relatively flat", are you talking road grade or geography as the long shallow grades Colorado roads are easier (to me at least) than the lung-bursting thigh-burning short-but-steep roller coaster hills of Missouri.

If you are as strong as a Holland grandmother rider we met (BIG SMILE) you will have not a problem with ability.  I was doing a tandem tour in Holland and one day a 70+ year old lady passed us on a single-speed upright bike into a strong headwind.  That humbled and impressed me.

The answers will help everyone not second quess what you are looking for and hopefully suggest a wonderful ride.

Happy trails and may the wind be at your back!

TulsaJohn

210

Routes / Girard, KS to Little Rock, Ark - Help

« on: April 22, 2008, 12:07:05 am »

Do a Yahoo (hate google) search for "Freewheel" which is a ride across Oklahoma.  Look at the archive maps and piece something together.  Oklahoma is much flatter but the eastern section is almost as pretty as western Arkansas.  Perhaps head east just below I-40.  Try to avoid the Fayetteville, AR; Eureka Springs, AR; & Branson, MO areas...especially on the weekends.

You didn't mention when and if you are camping, cooking, etc.

If you come thru OKLA, let me know and I can try to let you know where to go/stay.

Happy trails and may the wind be at your back!

TulsaJohn