Messages

121

Routes / Re: Oregon Coast

« on: August 03, 2009, 07:24:29 pm »

I would suggest these side routes that are off 101: 1) The three capes Scenic route (Cape Lookout to Pacific City); the side route between Neskowin and Lincoln City, and finally the Otter Creek Loop, above Newport. Also consider riding the Seven Devils south of North Bend / Coos Bay.

122

Gear Talk / Lightweight Wrench for the cassette lock ring

« on: June 15, 2009, 08:12:33 pm »

Anyone have a lead/idea on a minimalist lightweight 1-inch wrench for loosening the lock ring on the cassette? Just thinking ahead on the odd-chance of having to do a field repair on a broken spoke. So far I'm hauling my Craftsman 1" box wrench and plan to make it do double duty pounding tent stakes. (It's actually lighter than the Park equivalent.)

Craig
Santa Rosa, CA
Pac Coast Southbound in July

123

Gear Talk / Re: Chris King rear hub skips when pedaling after coasting

« on: June 07, 2009, 10:55:01 pm »

As others noted lubing will help. I recently had to have my CK tandem hub 'serviced', for about the third time for the same problem you describe. It was noted that power washing near the hub is not a good idea. Given that the innards are aluminum, I suspect the hub is not that suited to touring. My LB repair guy noted that it was pretty worn (at 6 years old). Next one will be a Phil.

124

Routes / Re: Route from Norther California to Souther California

« on: June 07, 2009, 10:46:10 pm »

Nothing wrong at all with Hwy 1, as the other poster noted. Presume you are not from CA so where do you plan to start? Traffic south of Carmel is not that bad. Shoulders are generally good most of the way and even in the tight spots the traffic simply doesn't move that fast. September is the perfect time of year as well - minimal fog, if any, and the most of the vacationers are gone after Labor Day.

I like the 395 area, especially around Bishop, and the eastern face of the Sierra is quite spectacular, but I wouldn't miss the truck traffic. 395 seems out of the way too. Again depends on where you're starting . .

Craig
Santa Rosa, CA

125

Routes / Re: Seattle to San Francisco Aug/Sept

« on: June 04, 2009, 01:16:32 pm »

Teh recent news is that California may close hundreds of state parks due to budget problems.  This could create problems for Pacific Coast riders.  You will want to keep an eye on how this plays out.  We relied on those great, cheap biker sites all the way down, every night.

The word we're hearing here is that the parks, if they close, won't close until after Labor Day. Makes sense given the pile of reservations they have for the summer. Sure will make a mess of everyone's Pac Coast plans in the future. (Mine? - Tandem/BOB Southbound from Port Angeles in July).

126

Routes / Re: Seattle to San Francisco in May

« on: January 18, 2009, 10:18:38 pm »

snip

Can anyone recommend a nice, friendly hostel/hotel for the day I arrive in Seattle ?

snip

The green Tortoise folks run a hostel. http://www.greentortoise.net/
I have yet to stay there, but sounds good enough that I've booked a reservation in June.

Craig

127

Bike Clubs / Club Jerseys

« on: December 19, 2008, 03:48:27 pm »

Suggest you consider Voler or Aussie. Both have great product. We've
used Voler (http://www.voler.com) for many years and are satisfied
customers.

Craig
Santa Rosa Cycling Club

128

Bike Clubs / Starting a Bike Club

« on: December 19, 2008, 03:46:25 pm »

Good subject, too bad there isn't a little more traffic here. Suggest anyone
starting a club consider insurance. Take a look at the LAB site (League of
American Bicyclists) - they offer a great deal on insurance and have great
support of clubs. Take it from the voice of experience, insurance is a
smart thing to have.

Craig
President, Santa Rosa Cycling Club (2007-2009)

129

Routes / Pacific Coast Route Camping

« on: December 22, 2008, 09:46:57 pm »

Thanks to both for your replies. Again my concern is wrestling the tandem and the bob back on the train early the next day for Mt Vernon. It would be worth considering if I
don't have to have the tandem and BOB still boxed. Our lodging (Green Tortoise hostel) currently is about 10+ blocks away from the station, so we planned to ride there,
essentially making the morning ferry trip to Eagledale pretty straightforward. Hood Canal Bridge will be closed in May and June for the second half of its widening and
upgrade so I expect that that crossing will not be as treacherous as has been previously reported by the time we arrive in July.

When we brought our boxed tandem to the Amtrak station in Martinez for our September trip, the agents there were most helpful. We stopped and checked in with the station
agents about a month before our actual departure to make sure of the process since we were in the area. We probably didn't need to do that since the entire process went
smoothly, both outbound and inbound (coming back from Grand Junction). Having said that I know that others have had less than pleasant experiences. Clearly getting there
early helps. Geeg's experience seems quite outrageous.

Again thanks for the input.

Craig

130

Routes / Pacific Coast Route Camping

« on: December 20, 2008, 09:45:36 am »

Thanks for the info. Have already planned to disembark Amtrak at
Seattle and spend the night, depending on what time Amtrak arrives.
The next day we will take the ferry over to Bainbridge and ride to
Sequim to spend the night. Next day we will ride to PA and then ferry
over to Victoria. We're going for the adventure of it all.

I looked at several different schemes to get to Victoria but none of
them made much sense w/o spending lots of $$. Seems odd to me
that the public transit link breaks down to the north. I had hoped I
could catch the Cascade to Mt. Vernon but there is no baggage service
at that location. Would have been nice to ride to Anacortes and pick up
the ferry from there.

We took the tandem to CO in September but that trip I broke it down
and was able to fit it in a single bike box. They did not charge extra on
that trip. This trip though it will be assembled minus the usual stuff
and my understanding is that they will take it as regular baggage as
long as it meets the 50lb weight limit. Should be easy to do. I'll let you
know how this goes later next year.

In regards to hiker/biker sites that was what I suspected so this is good
to have this confirmed. Thanks much,

Craig

131

Routes / Pacific Coast Route Camping

« on: December 19, 2008, 03:40:01 pm »

Michelle and I plan to ride from Port Angeles, WA to home here in Santa
Rosa, CA in July of 09 (after the NWTR). We'll be on the tandem pulling
a BOB and expect to camp most of the way down. We have not bike-
camped before so I have a couple of questions on the subject. Do the
hiker-biker sites ever fill up? if so, do the park folks tell you to move
on? Or does everyone just get real cozy in those sites? Other than this,
we're really looking forward to a grand adventure after too many years
of driving portions of the route and being in complete envy of those
riding it.

Any comments about traveling on amtrak with the tandem and the BOB
would be welcome as well. Thanks.

Craig
Santa Rosa, CA

This message was edited by cgarch on 12-19-08 @ 6:20 PM

132

Routes / UTAH! and CA Sierra Nevada's

« on: December 19, 2008, 02:53:21 pm »

In regards to the Sierra, it depends which side you plan to ride. As Sean
noted, 395 runs N-S along the eastern slope. There are plenty of
spectacular spur roads up into the Sierra, but many are quite steep. If
by climbing you mean foot-style climbing, then be sure to check out
Whitney Portal. Monster climb from Lone Pine to approximately 8,000
ft, but from there you can access to the trail Mt. Whitney. Just about
any of the roads that head west from 395 end up at campgrounds with
hiking into the wilderness. 395 also has a fair amount of truck traffic
that you may find unpleasant.

If you're on the western side, then you can probably use SR 49, though
it has many narrow stretches. There are countless side roads that you
could use to get away from 49 but you would really have to map this
out.

Craig

133

Routes / California Hwy Ques.

« on: December 19, 2008, 03:02:34 pm »

There is a bike route to the west of 101 that parallels the road by
which you can avoid Cuesta Grade and the immense amount of truck
fumes. It is a bicycle route on the old highway and it is signed. I have
not ridden it and cannot verify its condition - have only seen the signs.
It exits at the top of the grade and I do believe you have to ride a short
stretch to reach the Santa Margarita exit.

58 is a marvelous ride - better than 41. 41 is narrow and tends to have
some infrequent fast traffic.

Craig