Messages

16

Routes / Problems with Great Rivers maps

« on: December 22, 2004, 01:25:42 pm »

    You should have a good trip starting late May, there will be more traffic on the Trace on weekends, holidays and around Jackson and Tupelo Miss. The Trace going through Jackson is under construction so I followed the AC detour route through Jackson and it got scary at times. When I rode back home from Natchez I stayed on the Trace through Jackson and there was 5+ miles still under construction and I was able to ride around the construction workers grading the Trace and made it through Jackson in 1/4 the time. The trace going through Jackson should be completed late 2005.
The Trace going through Kentucky and Tenn should have rest areas with water and flush toilets then in Missippi the rest areas and water get farther apart. Get a Natchez Trace map for all the camps and rest areas to supplement the AC maps.
Going from Cape Gir to the Trace will be physically harder because of the constant rolling hills. My bike has a 44-34-24 triple with a 11-32 cassette and  used the granny gear a lot. Sometimes I wished for just 1 more lower gear (No Joke). I was pushing trying to average 50 miles a day in the hills.

Good luck on your trip, be safe and ride defensively. Clyde

17

Routes / Problems with Great Rivers maps

« on: December 15, 2004, 08:15:13 pm »

I road Cape Gir. to Natchez and back to Cape Gir during October 2004 and forgot to print the map corrections on the Adv cycling web site. I had the same problems in Karnak and Mermet using the old maps. I stayed at the Lions club and had to clear the junk away to have a flat spot for my tent. My trip was still great and following the Adventure Cycling maps without the corrections wasn't that bad. Out of the 800 plus miles round trip less than 30 miles had fast traffic on 2 lane roads so don't be afraid to do the ride. The roads from Cape Gir across Southern Illinois and Western Kentucky are 2 lane county roads with very little traffic. The road get's very hilly (little ones) all the way to the Natchez Trace. Keep in mind I did the ride in October so the summer months will have more traffic especially around the Land Between the Lakes area.
 

18

Routes / Mexico: South Baja's Cape Region

« on: January 07, 2005, 01:52:37 am »

Hi Mitey-Miss,
     Just knowing someone else has toured the Baja helps. I would like to know what parts of the ride you would and would not do again. What route did you ride? Did you ride any off road unpaved? What time of year and how was the weather? How was the hwy traffic on Mex 1 and Mex 9 for cycling? Did you ride any of hwy 9? Whats the farthest distance between food and water service? Did you camp in the bush? What were the tent camp fees? Have any problems with the locals? Any bike shops before La Paz?
      I have the AAA maps and their list of campgrounds, didn't think of the RV'ers info, I will go to Barnes N Noble and see what I can find.
      Thanks in advance for any info you have.  
      I will be leaving San Diego on the 2nd of April if you want to go along
Regards Bikeman  

19

Routes / Mexico: South Baja's Cape Region

« on: January 03, 2005, 03:32:32 am »

I plan to ride San Diego to Cabo San Lucas in April and May following Mex hwy 1 to La Paz then Mx Hwy 9 back to La Paz. Do you have any advice Pros or Cons?

20

Routes / Researching Australia touring March of 2004

« on: January 29, 2004, 06:49:38 pm »

Janet,   Why take the bus between Sydney and Brisbane?
         I plan 6 months min 9 max with a short trip to NZ.
         When did you tour Australia?
         Thanks for the pay for water info I'll need to get a bigger Platypus maybe 2 or 3 since I drink a lot more than usual.          

21

Routes / Researching Australia touring March of 2004

« on: December 31, 2003, 10:46:15 am »

I'm making plans for a 6 month camping tour of Australia starting the first week of March 2004 and need any first hand experience, advice or criticism you have about my plan. I'm hoping 6 months will be enough time if not I will extend my trip (I'm retired).

My plan A itinerary is .

March-- Perth to Albany, Esperance, Adelaide then Melbourne.
April---- Melbourne to Lakes Entrance, Sydney then Brisbane
May---- Brisbane to Rockhampton, Townsville then Cairns
June--- Cairns to Mt Isa , Tennant Creek then Ayers Rock
July---- Ayers Rock to Darwin then Wyndham
August- Wyndham to Derby, Broome, Carnarvon then Perth.

I would take the scenic routes following highway 1 staying close to the coast line where possible. If I ride 50 miles a day through the populated areas and as many miles as possible through the un-populated areas I should have a few days off now and then. I prefer to ride and enjoy the outdoors and scenery versus visiting museums or out of the way historic sights. Not that I don't enjoy museums and historic places I do.

Thank you for any and all information you can give me.

Clyde

22

General Discussion / Dog Tags anyone?

« on: February 15, 2006, 01:46:42 pm »

When you can't speak for yourself health care providers need to know that you don't have medical conditions just as much as they need to know if you do. Specify no allergies, blood type, I.C.E. person and etc.    

Regards: Clyde
The journey is my destination.

23

General Discussion / Mountain Bike for Travel/Touring

« on: January 20, 2006, 06:05:53 pm »

Cabby,
       I use a cannondale F600 with lockout front suspension. I would recommend a light weight Mtn bike with lockout front suspension and hardtail rear. The std mtb chain rings 44/32/22 and 11/34 cassette work fine for me. If your using panniers and carrying 40 plus pounds  have a bike shop evaluate your wheels for touring also consider your heels hitting your rear panniers. I had to buy a OMM rear rack that's offset to the rear to give me the needed clearance and I upgraded my wheels because the factory rims were built to be light weight. Since I already had the bike it was cheaper than buying a true touring.
Good luck.
Clyde    

Regards: Clyde
The journey is my destination.

24

General Discussion / Australia in 2004

« on: October 11, 2003, 10:23:59 pm »

Anyone making plans to cycle and camp in Australia? I plan to tour Australia in 2004.

This message was edited by Webmaster on 11-4-03 @ 11:23 AM