Messages

16

Routes / Re: Newbie Advice / Western Express

« on: September 10, 2012, 01:04:26 pm »

Sunscreen and ChapStick is all I carry...oh, and bandage tape in case there is a blister.  Not even sure if that qualifies as First Aid.  There is a store along the WE route at least once per day so you can provision as needed.  Beware of Sundays in Utah though.  Many stores..even some gas stations..are closed

17

Routes / Re: Newbie Advice / Western Express

« on: September 02, 2012, 09:19:18 pm »

There is little in the way of mammals on this route...certainly nothing threatening.  You will see deer, bunnies and ground squirrels..that's about all I saw.  Most of the reptiles you encounter will be flattened on the road. Lots of birds about though.  The only spray you might need is bug spray and even that will probably not be used in the Basin and Range.

18

Routes / Re: Newbie Advice / Western Express

« on: August 30, 2012, 06:57:04 pm »

Hello Scott.

I agree with what has been posted. 

To add:  I rode the WE route solo from Sacramento to Baker, NV a couple of months ago...then went on to SLC.   Most of the traffic gives ample room as they pass...and most of them wave to you.  You might get tired of waving back...I did.  The good news is you can see them and sometimes hear them coming for miles.  The only problem I encountered was when 2 opposite direction trucks or RVs ( the worst) happened to meet at the same spot I was.  In this case they stay in their lane and leave little room for you.  Cars are OK but trucks and RVs generate a substantial wake and the blast of wind, particularly when there is a crosswind blowing from your left, is mighty.  This is where a mirror is very helpful to anticipate the "perfect storm" scenario and pull off the road to let the trucks pass.  Happened to me several times on the way to Salt Lake City and once I figured this out I learned to relax a lot more.

As others have said the shoulder on US 50 is for the most part good.  The comment about Carson City to Sand Mountain is accurate.  The shoulder and rumble strip configuration changes from county to county.  Some better than others. 

Biggest surprise?  The "Loneliest Road" really isn't very lonely any more. I began riding each day at sunrise and had the road to myself for the first couple of hours but once the day got cranked up had a car/truck/RV go by me about every 5 or 10 minutes.

My favorite bit? Between Austin, NV and Middlegate is route 722...the old highway.  Spent 5 hours on this road and counted 3 cars.  A beautiful ride.

Caution: no bike shops along US 50 in NV until you hit Carson City. 

I believe there was a 3 day stretch between about Fallon and Ely without cell phone service.

If you haven't already try searching this forum for other WE discussions. I found a lot of good stuff here before my ride specific to this route.

An excellent ride and great adventure. You will enjoy.  If you would like to see the daily blog I wrote during this ride contact me at claydenb@yahoo.com and I will forward the link to you.

Ben

19

Routes / Hawai'i Big Island Belt Road (south)

« on: June 23, 2012, 05:21:19 pm »

Anyone ridden Hawaii's Big Island Belt Rd, rte. 11, south between Captain Cook and Hilo recently?  This road runs through the Volcanoes Nat'l Park.   I'm looking for riding conditions on that stretch for a 3 day counter-clockwise island circuit.

I've ridden Kona side-Hilo and back many times, both via rte 19 and Saddle Rd but never the southern route, and familiar with the "peculiar" riding conditions in Hawaii.....mostly very good with occasional bits a little hairy and nearly always quite windy. 

Wondering what the current situation on the route through Volcanos Nat'l Park, etc is like.

Any advice is welcome.

Mahalo.

Ben

20

Gear Talk / Re: Do I need a water filter

« on: June 16, 2012, 06:53:26 am »

Just returned from a solo unsupported ride across the most remote part of the Lower 48, The Great Basin.  Didnt bring a filter but did have iodine tablets just in case.

Carried plenty of water for the longest days without services, over 100 miles, and never busted out the iodine.  Turns out it was a good thing too....there was very little running or standing water anywhere to be found in Central Nevada.

21

Routes / Re: Credit Card Touring the Western Express

« on: June 13, 2012, 06:44:38 pm »

Hi Pete.

Should add there are no bike shops between Carson City and just before Salt Lake City.

B

22

Routes / Re: Credit Card Touring the Western Express

« on: June 13, 2012, 08:01:07 am »

I just returned from a Sacramento-Salt Lake City solo 8 day ride.  Followed the Western Express route to the Utah border and used motels entirely.  Went very well.

Scarce overnight options in Austin, Eureka and Baker, NV.  There is a day with over 100 miles and some climbing but nothing gnarly, mostly in the 3%-4% range I would say.  Most days are 70-90 miles and all with some climbing.  No services of course between most towns.

I would advise booking the motel well ahead. The small town motels are filled with highway workers and drilling crews.

Riding conditions are very good however "The Loneliest Road" is over rated.  I never felt lonely at all.  Not many cars/trucks but one every 5-10 minutes on average I would say.  Riding shoulder conditions vary from county to county.  A rumble strip has been cut into the shoulder of most of this route.  Sometimes you are forced onto a 6" bit of paved shoulder or choose to ride in the traffic lane to avoid the rumble strip.  I spoke the a "rumble strip cutter" at one of the road work sites and he tells me the new NV DOT spec for rumble strips is to leave a wide shoulder for bikes.  Eventually the roads will all have plenty of room but I only saw this on the newest segment of road.  I flatted 3 times in 800+ miles on my road bike, not touring bike, tires.  Not too bad.

Between Fallon and Austin, NV you will have a choice to stay on US 50 or take the old highway, Route 722.  The junction is at about the halfway mark and just past Middlegate.  I highly recommend the 722 alternate route.  The most beautiful scenery and I counted 3 cars in 60 miles.

Wind is a big factor.  Start at sunrise if you can to get in as many miles as possible before the afternoon gusts start to blow. 

In Baker you can visit the Great Basin Nt'l Park and make the epic climb to 10,000' on the Scenic Road.  There is no fee to enter this National Park.  First time I have encountered that.

Cell phone signal is spotty along much of this route.  No signal at all for 3 days on my phone.  I did find Wifi in all the overnight towns though. 

After Delta, UT I stayed on route 6 for 60 miles then joined route 68 to get to SLC in 1 day.  This route saves 20 miles over the "recommended" route.  68 runs along the west side of Utah Lake and is very remote but without any shoulder in spots.  Super light traffic though and after 7 days on US 50 it seemed just fine to me.  Others I spoke to advised a different route around the east side of Utah Lake through the developed area.  68 seems like a fine way to go.

68 runs straight into central SLC.  This was by far my least favorite part of the trip...perhaps because I had spent a week alone on the "Loneliest Road".  SLC massive sprawl and associated traffic and red lights was a sad way to end an epic ride.

I spotted 2 other long distance solo cyclists and one big group on the route.  One dude, young Tom from the UK, is on month 8 of his around-the-world ride.  He's halfway done.  Good luck Tom.

I enjoyed the ride. It was an amazing week.

Happy to answer any more questions you have about this route Pete.  Best of luck.

-Ben

23

Routes / Re: Nevada and Utah 2011 ? Advice & tips please

« on: May 28, 2012, 08:43:43 pm »

FYI: T-Mobile does not work well in remote areas in the US.  I use T-Mobile and will be crossing NV next week on US 50 expecting 3+ days without service. 

Actually, now I think about it, might be nice to not have service for 3 days.

Wildlife is very timid in the high desert and not to worry about.  After much desert camping I can offer one bit of advice: Check your shoes in the morning before you put your foot in. 

24

Routes / Re: Credit Card Touring the Western Express

« on: May 16, 2012, 07:35:41 am »

Yes Pete, from Delta, UT it will be 6 to SLC, however I am still trying to determine if "Old 6 and 50" is suitable for a road bike with touring tires.  It is a dirt road of unknown condition.  I am attempting to follow the Pony Express route as closely as possible and US 50 strays pretty far from this in spots.

I will inquire from the locals or other bikers I see along the way as to secomdary road conditions and figure it out on the fly.

25

Routes / Re: Western Express Advice

« on: May 14, 2012, 06:42:41 am »

Hamster.

I am heading along same route as you in early June.  Would appreciate any good advise you can pass along when your ride is done.

Ben

26

Routes / Re: Credit Card Touring the Western Express

« on: May 14, 2012, 06:39:53 am »

Hi.

I have thoroughly planned, I think, the "credit card" WE ride from Sacrameto to Baker, NV.  Leaving the WE route in Baker to head to SLC.

Ride starts in SAC June 4 so if you can wait til after then I will pass along some specifics.  Of course careful planning is critical but the "unexpected" situations are the ones we remember.  I expect a few unexpecteds.

Hotel options are very limited in parts of WE crossing NV but there are enough hotels to string together a reasonable plan.....but requires some 100+ mile days as you know.

August weather could be a challenge in NV.  This is the "monsoon" season with frequent afternoon thunderstorms.  Suggest early morning starts for the best chance to beat the t-storms and the heat too.

Anyway, stand by for some info later in June.

Ben

27

Routes / Delta to Slc route advice

« on: April 27, 2012, 06:47:36 am »

In June planning an 8 day ride to follow ACA Western Express from Sacramento but leaving that route in western Utah to get to SLC.  Last day of the ride is Delta, UT to SLC which has various options looking at the map but can't tell which is more bike friendly.

Any advice for a good Delta, UT to SLC route?

-Ben

28

Routes / Re: Riding South through Camp Pendleton...an update please.

« on: February 21, 2012, 04:50:23 pm »

Thanks Tim and Dfege.  Sounds like a go.  Tim, I will check with the PAO office 24 hours prior for status update. Worst case I end up on I-5 for 20 minutes.  Very helpful. 
Happy riding.
-Ben

29

Routes / Riding South through Camp Pendleton...an update please.

« on: February 21, 2012, 10:40:22 am »

Hello.

I've read numerous threads and web sites, most very old, regarding bicycle access through USMC Camp Pendleton, San Diego County, and its ever changing open/closed status?  Anyone up to date on access today?  Is there still some freeway shoulder riding required?

Plan is to ride Long Beach Airport to San Diego on Feb 28, 2012.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

-Ben

30

Routes / Re: touring route for california

« on: January 23, 2012, 08:32:42 am »

Some good advice above.  South of SF is also good touring but with fewer town and road options.  All very nice though.

I've been riding in N. Cal for many years and had good luck using the train to get me back.  You can get N. to Seattle, S. to LA or E. to Reno and be back the next day via Amtrak.  Bike friendly too with a few restrictions.  Amtrak won't actually get you to SF proper, it's across the Bay in Emeryville where you end up but it is possible to get back over to SF via BART with your bike.

A train ride back is a great way to end a fun adventure.  Just an "outside-the-box" idea. 

If the train's not suitable you could also ride, for example, S. past Big Sur to Santa Barbara and pick up a one-way car rental to get you home.  I've done this too and it works well.