Messages

1

GPS Discussion / Re: Android App to view GDMBR gpx

« on: Today at 05:54:41 am »

The topofusion tracks are by far the best GPS data for the Great Divide.  They have sufficient detail to sort out any recent logging road, something waypoints are useless for.

I load them into a Garmin, but I have found the iphone app motionx to be a very good phone app, which works well offline and and allows for downloading maps.

2

General Discussion / Re: Pronounciation...

« on: June 14, 2013, 05:33:12 pm »

Interesting that the French don't call them panniers.  i can't remember what they do call them, but while they understand pannier they use something else.  If you buy something from Amazon France the online shopping cart is a pannier.

3

General Discussion / Re: Shipping bike box to final destination

« on: June 14, 2013, 05:29:41 pm »

Yeah, those cases are very nice.  I've had nasty connections trying to bring two boxes on a luggage cart out to a bus to get to a different terminal.  Fortunately, Ive yet to have a bike damaged and I love abandoning the cardboard box and heading out.

Now the airlines are so intent on extracting money every step of the way we keep a couple of bikes with a friend in France. 

4

General Discussion / Re: Shipping bike box to final destination

« on: June 14, 2013, 06:12:03 am »

I have brought bikes to Europe over and over in a cardboard box.  To return, I look for a bike shop or department store.  Last trip a Carrefour store in France unpacked two new bikes just so we could have the boxes.

5

General Discussion / Re: Who's driving the increase in Cassette cog numbers?

« on: May 24, 2013, 02:27:19 am »

I hate to say it,but the 10 speed set ups we have really do shift better than the 9.  I just rebuilt the bikes we keep at a friends place in Europe with new xtr or sram xo nine speed ( which is available online cheap), and sort or wish I'd done the ten speed.

6

General Discussion / Re: Touring in Corsica

« on: May 02, 2013, 10:49:19 pm »

We spent a few days there and met with a group of Brits who had done a longer tour.

the place has incredible scenery, along with the worst roads and least bike friendly people in France.  Maybe the Tour de France starting there will improve some of that.

7

Gear Talk / Re: Camping Gas/stove

« on: May 01, 2013, 11:57:52 pm »

The new super efficient JetBoil has brought me back to canisters.  The new canisters were tough to find in Montana, but not impossible.

8

Gear Talk / Re: rigid or not on the great divide?

« on: May 01, 2013, 11:52:47 pm »

I use a suspension fork but find it they are not so effective on washboards. They are just too slow in responding.

One of the top Great Divide racers claims a springy ridged fork ( I know, oxymoron) is better.

I had a suspension stem back in the day which definitely did more to smooth washboards than the fork.

If you go with a fork get one which lets you set the dampening very light.

9

Gear Talk / Re: MTB tires

« on: May 01, 2013, 11:45:37 pm »

I use schwalbe tires.

I also use a slime filled inner tube

AND

a liner between the tube and the tire.

I also carry at least one extra inner tube and four or five patches.    Hate flats when I am riding.

Have you tried tubeless?  I have been through all those liners and such, but was finally sold on tubeless after and Arizona Trail trip without a flat.  None, in two years now.

10

Gear Talk / Re: do I have too much crap?

« on: May 01, 2013, 11:40:42 pm »

We ride cook and camp on the great divide with rear panniers only.  Amazing how much weight is saved by cutting out the front racks and panniers.  Go through your " crap" and eliminated half of it.  Replace what is left with really lightweight stuff.  You'll enjoy being a rider, not a mule!

11

General Discussion / Re: Bears

« on: April 18, 2013, 08:58:26 am »

Don't worry about the bears.  You-tube search "moose tramplings".

12

Gear Talk / Re: Saddle bags versus trailer in tow: Which is better for a cross country trip?

« on: April 01, 2013, 11:37:46 pm »

Well, I have done several trips with trailer people, and they all came back next year with panniers. 

If you can go rather light, you can skip front panniers.  Trailers are often compared to a four pannier ride, and even then, they are  heavy.

13

Routes / Re: great divide road after Banff

« on: February 20, 2013, 08:00:39 am »

just look at what the top racers ride in the tour divide---mostly hardtails, with lots of rigid forks.

They all have tires in the 2.0 range.  I suppose a cyclocross bike would work, but it would be painfull.

Everytime a friend with a trailer rides a piece of that with me they return with panniers next year, but they all get the trailer through.

14

Gear Talk / Re: Bob Yak Trailer? XCountry tour, thoughts?

« on: February 16, 2013, 09:42:22 am »

I've had several friends join us for a section of the great divide who used a BOB.  It worked, but every one of them switched to panniers (usually just two) for their next tour.

15

Routes / Re: Recommendation for a 1 week solo tour in warm weather region in March

« on: February 10, 2013, 09:37:54 am »

Last March we stayed in Patagonia, Arizona, mountain biking locally and followed the Arizona trail to Tucson.  Weather and riding were great.  While we were in Patagonia, an Adventure Cycling tour came thrrough, and they seemed to be having a good trip.  It is full for this year but you might look at their itinerary:

http://www.adventurecycling.org/tours/tourdetail.cfm?t=VAN13&id=391&p=1