Messages

631

Routes / Re: Kettle Valley Railway

« on: March 05, 2010, 08:14:10 am »

If I am not mistaken, an sotry written by a duo who cycled come of it appeared in "Adventure Cyclist" magazine within the last year.  Maybe you can contact AC and get a copy.

And have you seen this:

http://kettlevalleyrailway.ca/

Unfortunately, I couldn't find any word on surface conditions.  But there is a link to a published book about the trail system.  Being a former railroad right of way, I doubt you will encounter singletrack.  Typically, a railroad ROW would be at least 15 ft. wide.  Usually wider.

From one commerical outfit that runs tours on the trail:

"Cycling on some paved roads and the unpaved Kettle Valley Railway trails, whose surface varies from smooth hardpack to loose gravel."

I would suspect that, like many trails, codntions will depend on weather.

632

Routes / Re: Newbie Looking for Suggestion on Inter-Mt West Route (7-dayer)

« on: March 04, 2010, 08:13:28 am »

Thanks, i will look this over.  Yes on the skinny tires.  i am a road guy so this is all new to me.
Thanks for the input and i might circle back once i dig in here. 

Then you probably want to head to Missoula via Drummond as someone familiar with Skalkaho Pass informed that the unpaved section is quite long.

633

Routes / Re: Biking for Local Food

« on: March 03, 2010, 09:15:08 am »

maybe you could fill BOB trailer with dirt and grow the food as you go...it'll get plenty of sunshine/rain/etc and won't go bad as fast? :

Ha!  The visual I have in my head is priceless because I can see someone doing something like this if it hasn't been done already.

634

General Discussion / Re: Cycle lane or another sad joke

« on: March 02, 2010, 11:49:04 am »

The sand and dirt is from the sanding for ice/snow and often does not get cleaned off until May of June.

They sweep the bike lanes in your neck of the woods?  Wow!  Here in Philly we have to rely on mother nature (in the form of rain) to wash the sand away.  It's truly pathetic.

635

General Discussion / Re: Gators in FL

« on: March 02, 2010, 11:45:01 am »

Watch out for the Jersey Devil.  Much scarier than any gator.   

636

General Discussion / Re: Passing other tourist riders

« on: March 01, 2010, 02:06:27 pm »

I also enjoy talking to the Harley riders - especially camping near them, guaranteed to entertain.

Definitely.  I camped in Montrose, CO.  There were four Harley riders there.  There was one male-female couple.  Their male friend, not wanting to be a third wheel, had a blow up doll attached to the passenger seat of his bike.  There were a few at the fish access campground in Ennis, MT when I stayed there.  They had a little party but weren't overly loud and obnoxious and never kept me awake.  The next morning, one of them was nice enough apolgize in the event that they had.  That's more than I can say for the loud RV-ers and car campers I have encountered.

637

Routes / Re: Newbie Looking for Suggestion on Inter-Mt West Route (7-dayer)

« on: March 01, 2010, 12:46:30 pm »

I have a possible loop tour planed for this summer starting and ending in Missoula.  Stops in Darby, Winsdom, Wise River, Butte (day off there) Philipsburg, Hamilton and then back to Missoula.  Here are links to the daily maps.  At "show" you can select elevation profile to see the climbing.

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/363989

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/363991

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/362569

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/362595

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/362638

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/364377

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/362560

I have done the segment from Missoula to where you turn off for the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway towards Wise River.  That portion is part of AC's TransAm route.  It's o.k. until Darby and then gets much better as you climb to Chief Joseph and Lost Trail Passes.  The Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway is part of their Great Divide Roue and was recently paved.  From what I have read and seen, it's quite beautiful.  AC is riding it as part of Cycle Montana this year.  To get to Butte you will need to spend time on the interstate, but it is legal and there doesn't seem to be much traffic.

You say road biking?  Is that as opposed to mountain biking or will you be riding road bikes with skinny tires.  The reason I ask is that the penultimate day crosses Skalkaho Pass.  Much of the road is not paved so it might not suit you.  I am planning on going fully loaded with 37c tires.  There are motels and camping in every town except for Wise River.  There is RV camping there but I don't know if they can accomodate tents.  The motel is small so reserrvations would probably be a good idea.

638

Routes / Re: Will I need reservations Atlantic Coast

« on: March 01, 2010, 12:06:43 pm »

As to holidays. Memorial Day long weekend weekend is May 29-31 so you should be good coming up to Richmond.  But keep in mind that Memorial Day weekend is the seen as the unofficial start of the summer season, at least here in the east.  Depending on where you find yourself that weekend, places may be crowded.  And you very well may experience significantly heavier traffic, especially in areas with popular recreation destinations.

I remember coming down the east coast and finding myself in Mass. during Labor Day weekend--the unofficial end of summer.  I was lucky to find a hotel room that Sunday in a nowhere town.  (The nearby campground was booked solid.)  The next day I did get a camp site and just sat down that day to wait for the heavy Monday going home traffic to run its course.

You might want to consider reservations and taking a day or two off during Memorial Day weekend.  Research or ask the locals if there is a nearby town that is having a parade and/or celebration that weekend.  It could be fun.

639

General Discussion / Re: Organising our bicycling trip from France

« on: March 01, 2010, 09:47:51 am »

Doing this from memory and from knowledge of certain areas:

There is a huge state park and campground just north of Hyde Park, NY which makes a great base for visiting the Vanderbilt Mansion or Roosevelt's place.  There is also camping somewhat south of New Paltz and a little north of Pt. Jervis, NY.  South of Pt. Jervis, you can camp at Worthington State Forest across from Delaware Water Gap, PA.  About 6 Kms south of there there is an RV park which I understand is expensive (close to $40) and right next to the road.  Next there is Bull's Island.  Don't know the exact mileage, but it's a mostly flat ride from Worthington State Forest.  If you come in the height of the summer you should definitely make reservations for Bull's Island.  It's always crowded, at least during the weekends.  Try to avoid weekends as they require you to reserve for two nights.  While I have never stayed there, Worthington is probably the same way--very crowded--as there are a lot of popular hikes in that area and it's not that big of a place.

South of Bull's Island you won't find a place to camp on route to Norristown, PA, which is where my knowledge ends.  But since I live in the area I can say that I doubt you will find camping for a ways south of Norristown.

640

General Discussion / Re: Passing other tourist riders

« on: March 01, 2010, 09:10:24 am »

Oh BTW...  I forgot to mention that talking to cyclists going the opposite direction is a great way to get or share info about the road ahead.  There were a few hosts and lots of must see stuff that we might not have known about had we not compared notes with folks going the other way.  There were also some hints about how to best cope with difficulties ahead.

Great point.  This summer I flagged down some people who were going to other way to find out if there was any word about Logan Pass opening.  They were nice enough to stop and chat with us.  And you really can get useful intel. from people.  "You have to check X out."  "Y has great ice cream."  "Don't camp at the Rawlins, WY KOA.  It has no shade and it's right next to I-80."

And you never know who you might run into.  In CO a couple pulled into a city park to chat with me while I was eating lunch.  Turned out I had passed them going the other way the year before in MT.  We had shouted to each other about our Bob Beckman panniers.

641

General Discussion / Re: maximum weight

« on: February 25, 2010, 08:47:44 am »

"All touring bikes include clearly explained weight capacities so you're looking at non-touring bikes?"

I don't this information for the LHT on the Surly web site, biut maybe I am missing something?

642

Connecting ACA Routes / Re: Transamerica to Northern Tier via the backwoods or the pavement?

« on: February 24, 2010, 07:22:09 am »

From W. Yellowstone, stay on AC's TransAm route to Missoula, MT then take their Great Parks route to Whitefish, MT where you can pick up the Northern Tier route.  I did the same in reverse back in '00.  Nice route with plenty of places to camp.

If you have a few extra days before heading from Whitefish to Eureka on the Northern Tier, you could ride out and back to Glacier National Park and ride up and then back down the west slope of Going to the Sun Road to Logan Pass, one of the most scenic mountain roads in the U.S.  Whitefish to Sprague Creek Campground (a great place to start the climb) in the park would be one day.  The next day you could ride up to the pass and back.  The third day ride back to Whitefish.  You might choose to ride back to Whitefish the same day after you do the climb to save a day, but there are bicycle restriction in the park.  You basically cannot ride west from Spague Creek Campground until 4 or 5 p.m.

643

Routes / Re: routes from Ohio to NYC

« on: February 23, 2010, 12:52:59 pm »

The George Washington Bridge is the only way to actually ride into Manhattan from the west.  If you don't mind taking a ferry onto the island I can give you a route that we ride as a club event every year.  It starts in Lambertville, NJ. You could follow the AC Atlantic Coast Route south from Delaware Water Gap (which is actually noth of Portland) to L'Ville and then pick up my route.  (Virtually all flat as it follows the river south.)  It ends in Hoboken, NJ (birthplace of baseball and Sinatra) where you can catch a ferry to Manhattan.

http://www.nywaterway.com/Home/RidetheFerry/SchedulesRoutes/InteractiveFerryMap/tabid/132/Default.aspx

Take the ferry from the 14th Street dock in Hoboken to Midtown (W. 39th St.) and jump right on the bike path that runs north and south along the Hudson.  During the week you could also catch a ferry or PATH train from the NJT Station in Hoboken to the World Financial Center if you want to visit Ground Zero before riding noth along the Hudson River path.

You can do it from L'Ville in one long day.  We start across the river in New Hope, PA and end in Brooklyn Heights.  Total is about 96 miles.

If you don't want to ride south to L'Ville just to head back noth, you could cross the river into NJ at Belividere and devise your own route to meet up with it.  Be warned though that some of the hills in that area of NJ are quite difficult.  Some call them the Jersey Alps.

Most of the route is, believe it or not, quite nice and not urban, and there are several historical sights along the way, although you will need to feel comfortable riding in urban settings and in traiifc.  In the 14 or so years this ride has been run, no one has been assaulted or injured by a motorist.  You are more likely to get cheered on by the locals in Jersey City.  One huge disclaimer:  You would be insane to try it during a weekday.  That is because the route goes through the heart of the Port of Elizabeth & New Jersey.  I go there for work sometimes and I don't feel safe in my car.  All trucks trying to make deadlines all the time.  We hold our event on the Sunday before Labor Day when the port is deserted.  I think it's pretty empty on summer weekends.

Send me a private message if you want the cue sheet.

Another source you might try is the BTCNJ:

http://www.btcnj.com/

or the Central Jersey Bike Club:

http://www.cjbc.org/index.html

or the Western Jersey Wheelmen:

http://www.bikewjw.org/

644

Routes / Re: Elevation chart for Atlantic Coast route?

« on: February 16, 2010, 07:48:48 am »

Yes.  The hills would be exagerated unless the profile were really elongated.

You will likely have a very steep climb after you cross the  Susquehana River towards Columbia, PA.  From Lancaster County all the way to outside New Hope, PA you will have rolling terrain.  Some short, steep hills and maybe a few longer ones, but probably nothing much over 2 or so miles.  You will descend for a few miles into New Hope.  From there all the way to Port Jervis, NY you won't encounter anything of note save for two or three short, steep hills between Milford and Belividere, NJ and then a gradual slog up from Portland, PA to Delaware Water Gap as you rise above the river.  Inside the Gap Recreation Area you may find a few rollers.  Outside of Pt. Jervis you will climb about 2 few miles up to Otisville.  After that, my memory/knowledge is fuzzy.  I do have a general recollection of a climb outside of Rhinebeck, NY and some "frustrating" hills in CT and MA.  CT especially.  I also remember at least one "Slower Traffic Keep Right" climb north of Damariscotta, ME that was a real chugger.

But like someone wrote, nothing you would plan your day around.

645

Routes / Re: From Florida to Maine

« on: February 12, 2010, 09:33:59 am »

Assume you are talking about AC's Atlantic Coast Route, at least as you get further north.  Did Bar Harbor to Norristown in '99 and routinely ride in Hunterton County and Warren Counties in NJ.  I will take you through NJ:

The section between Lambertville, NJ and Port Jervis is quite nice.  Take the path out of L'Ville (left onto path shortly after crossing the bridge).  Assuming it hasn't been raining, it's even doable on road tires.  And S.R. 29 is narrow and has no shoulder from the north end of L'Ville to the north end of Stockton (about 4 miles).  After that, it opens up and there is a good shoulder until Frenchtown if you want to get off the path (but you probably won't).

Bull's Island, a few miles north of Stockton, is a great place to camp.  But it's very popular during the weekend so try to hit it during the week.  Weekends require a two-night stay unless you show up Saturday and there is a free spot.  Try to get a walk-in site near the river.  Then walk across the pedestrian bridge to Pennsylvania and have a beer at the Black Bass Hotel.  The area is somewhat rural so if you are cooking, you will need buy groceries way back in New Hope, PA at the shopping center on Rte. 179).  Long way to carry, but it's flat.

Heading north, Frenchtow is cute place.  Not sure if the path goes all the way to Milford (where there is a good bakery) you will have to take the road.  It's not the greatest, but it's the only way.  Some traffic and marginal shoulder, but not death defying.

The way from Milford to Phillipsburg is charming.  It follows the river past some pretty homes.  At some points it's not even wide enough for two cars.  Good thing there is little traffic.  Just beware of the surface in places.  Over the years there has been some serious flooding which has made it slightly bumpy in places.  There will be some traffic in Phillipsburg, but then you will be back on quiant and secluded roads to Belvidere, where you cross to into PA and ride along the rover some more.  I believe there is a campground along this stretch.  Rte. 611 will probably have traffic, but I believe there is a good shoulder.  Worthington State Forest across from Delaware Water Gap, PA is very nice.  A reservation to camp might be needed.  Just watch out for bears.  Seriously.  Most of the rest of the route to Pt. Jervis, NY is throught the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.  Very pretty.  If you can, try to get to the Walpack Inn Rte. 615 for some of their famous black bread.  It may be off route, though. 

If you are feeling enegetic, before you get to Pt. Jervis, NY you will pass near High Point State Park in NJ.  You can ride to the top and brag that you have ridden to the highest point in NJ--a whopping 1,800+ ft.  It's actually a good climb as you are starting pretty much from sea level.

Hope this helps.  Send me a private message if you would like more info.