Messages

676

Routes / Re: climate/weather questions for a northern route starting april 1st

« on: December 28, 2009, 10:16:45 am »

In 2002 Cycle Orgeon crossed the state from Nyssa to Florence via a beautiful route that included McKenzie Pass, a "must see" IMO.  Nyssa was about a 40 min. bus ride from Boise.  If you get in touch with them at www.cycleoregon.com, they might be able to provide you with maps.  I am not sure if I still have mine.

677

General Discussion / Re: Trans Am Advice Needed

« on: December 28, 2009, 10:05:28 am »

When you write "Trans Am Advice" do you mean that your plan is to ride AC's Trans Am route or do you mean X-country in general?  I ask because, as one person notes, Seattle probably wouldn't be the place to fly into if you are planning to do AC's Trans Am route.  If you are talking AC's Northern Tier route from Anancortes, you can fly into Seattle and ferry/pedal to join to the route just east of Anacortes, WA.  Adds a few days to the trip.

As for shipping UPS, if you have a local bike shop near by, take your bikes there and have them bix them and/or ship them.  This summer we did a loop from Whitefish, MT.  We had our bikes shipped to a LBS in Whitefish.  For a charge the shop re-assembled them and tuned them.  The combined shipping and service was less than the $100+/bike the airline wanted each way.

678

General Discussion / Re: How many days for a good ride

« on: December 28, 2009, 09:49:11 am »

That would be an agressive schedule.  I did the Northern Tier (a longer route that what you suggest) in 93 days.  I think the average was around 65, with a rest day every 6th or 7th day on average.  You will likely need rest days from both a physical and psychological perspective.

The other thing you have to consider is that the availability of services can throw off your planned average.  For example, if you are staying in motels and are in town x, the next two motels on the route could be 40 miles away and 140 miles away.  Same with campgrounds.  Either you will have a monster day or will have to make up those 45-60 miles somewhere.  Imagine of that sort of thing happens several times.

I am with Valygrl.  While I like being able to say I rode across the country, the reason I went loaded and "took my time", as opposed to going with a tour company that did a crossing in six weeks, was so that I could have time to experience the places along the route and not just ride through them.  The experiences are far more important than the "bragging rights."  Consider doing part of one of the routes.  For example, if the transportation logistics would work for you, you could start in Seattle and hook up with the NT just east of Anacortes.  After coming back into the U.S. from Alberta, the route follows the route of Amtrak's Empire Builder between Chicago and Seattle.  You could make it to somehwere like Havre, MT in less than 5 weeks.  You might even be able to make it to Williston, ND or Minot, ND.  From any station along the route that has checked baggae service you would load you bike, ride to Chicago or back to Seattle (the latter would probably be cheaper from a flight perspective) and fly home from there.

679

General Discussion / Re: Rockies in June [was Re: Midwest Icebreaker]

« on: December 23, 2009, 08:43:21 am »

Hmmm.  Since neither 2 nor 3 is a multiple of 35, it must have been an interesting set up.  Single chainring with a 35 speed cog?

680

Routes / Re: climate/weather questions for a northern route starting april 1st

« on: December 22, 2009, 12:36:27 pm »

Concur about temps and precip in WA.  I did the NT in '99 starting in late May from Seattle.  The fourth day, between Bayview at Rockport a cold, hard rain fell all day.  We went over the N. Cascades Highway the first week in June.  It was cold and it snowed at both summits.  A few days later we ate breakfast in a light snow shower in Replublic and then climbed Sherman Pass, where we encountered light snow on the east and west slopes.  Did this same portion of the NT the following year and encountered only slightly better conditions.  Bring good rain gear.

The headwinds on the MT "High Line" (U.S. 2 east of Cut Bank) will likely be merciless.  And there isn't much to break the wind.  Start early in the morning.

The real issue is this:  If you plan to pick up the NT at the point you state and finish in mid-June, absent a miracle you won't be able to get over Logan Pass in Glacier Nat'l Park.  On average, the pass doesn't open until June 15th.  Two options are:  1.  From Waterton Village take the AC Great Park's route through Pincher Creek, Sparwood, Fernie & Elko and then stay on Rte. 93 to the U.S. border crossing at Roosville and then to Eureka, which will put you back on the NT.  Did that in mid-June of this year in the opposite direction.  Chilly mornings and some rain.  2.  From St. Mary, MT on the NT take U.S. 89 south to MT 49 to East Glacier and then U.S. 2 over Marias Pass to West Glacier, which is on the NT.  Did that this summer as well.  Would be about 90 miles.  You could break it up into 30-60 by staying in E. Galcier.  Motels, hostel and camping there.  There is a private campground west of Marias, but not much in the way of services (e.g., food) between E. Glacier & W. Glacier.

681

Mid-Atlantic / Re: Youghiogheny Trail/Great Allegheny Passage

« on: December 17, 2009, 10:19:27 am »

A couple of things:

1.  U.S. 6 is PA Route Y, not V.  And of all the ways to get across, it's probably the easiest.

2.  Route S is difficult in western and central PA.  It calms down the farther east you go.

3.  If you don't have luck with software, you should at least try www.bikely.com.  You can "draw" routes and it will give you a basic profile that includes climbing ft.  Make a separate map for each day so the profile doesn't become too compressed.  This would allow you to compare something like Route V and Route S.

4.  I have a really fun 100 mile route to NYC that starts in New Hope, not too far north of the eastern terminus of Route S.  Our club does it every Sunday before Labor Day.  It takes you into Hoboken, NJ (birthplace of baseball and Frank Sinatra) and then utilizes a ferry across the Hudson River to Manhattan. The only catch is that if you were to ride it during the week you would probably not survive.  That's because it goes through the Port of Elizabeth and Newark and you would likely be squashed by a truck.  However, there are several places prior to the section through the port where you can get a train.  Send me a private message if you would like the cue sheet for the route.  The only way to actually bicycle into NYC from NJ is via the George Washington Bridge.

682

Routes / Re: Maine Campgrounds

« on: December 16, 2009, 12:56:59 pm »

If you are going to be following the AC Atlantic Coast route, Brandbury Mtn. State Park outside of Freeport is nice.

683

Routes / Re: Planning bike tour in Montana - route questions

« on: December 15, 2009, 09:32:03 am »

While it's all still relatively fresh in my mind:

Budget more than you might expect for Canada.  This summer the exchange rate was basically 1 to 1.  Food a drink were very expensive compared to Montana.  We saw a 12 pack of Molson going for $20 in Pincher Creek.  We ate dinner out in Sparwood and two salads, fish & chips and a double cheeseburger with fries set us back a little over $40.  On the subject of Sparwood, a stop at the truck is a must.  There is also a grocery store chain called Overweightea that has good things for lunch.  You will have to Google the name to learn its origin.  Note that our cards did not work in kiosk-type ATM's at two convenience stores in Fernie.  But they did work at ATMs at banks.

Stop at the cafe in Coleman for a cup of coffee or lunch.  It's a former church with an inviting decor.  You won't want to leave.

Eat a good breakfast in Waterton Village.  Not long after you leave the park entrance, where P.R. 5 and P.R. 6 split, you will come fact to face with a monster climb.  Not only is it physically challenging, it gets you psychologically because much of it is straight so you can see what's coming the entire time.

Definitely take the "side roads" used by the AC route between Whitefish and Eureka.  Not only do they get you off U.S. 93, the riding is serene.  Take the time to go the half mile off U.S. 93 into Olney.  Brigg's Merchantile (the only store between Whitefish and Fortine) is quite interesting.  Great collection of old pop bottles.

You will want wider tires for GTS.  You will also want them for Belton Stage/Blankenship Rd. between West Glacier and Whitefish. 
Finally, if you will be flying to Whitefish, consider UPS-ing you bikes to Glacier Cyclery.  Great group of people, and they will store your box for you.

684

Routes / Re: Planning bike tour in Montana - route questions

« on: December 14, 2009, 04:57:07 pm »

My initial response was rushed.  Here are some other thoughts:

1.  Between Blairmore and Waterton Village, the stretch between when leave P.R. 3 and Pincher Creek (IMO a sad little town) has numerous seriously steep but relatively short hills, and it there was also a lot of headwind.  Plan accordingly if you plan to make Waterton Village from Blairmore.

2. Waterton Village to St. Mary is deceivingly difficult.  One you reach U.S. 89, absent unique conditions, you will be fighting a headwind the entire way to St. Mary.  The wind just blows that way.  Plan your day accordingly.

3.  Bike are not allowed between Sprague Creek Campground (a mile west of Lake MacDonald Lodge) and Apgar between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.  The Lodge is a nice place to hang.  You can get drinks at the bar and take them lakeside.  And the sitting room with the trophy heads is a must see.

Feel free to send me a private message if you would like more detailed info.  And these are some of the things we saw:

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1255719603578

685

Routes / Re: Planning bike tour in Montana - route questions

« on: December 14, 2009, 02:00:13 pm »

Did the same loop this summer but with camping.  Did Eureka-Sparwood-Pincher Creek-Waterton Village-St. Mary-Sprague Creek (west side of Glacier N.P.)-GTS up and back on the west side-Whitefish

One snag with combining is that Pincher Creek to Waterton Village can be a bear.  I will never say "It's only 35 miles.  How hard can it be?" again in my life.  We had horrible headwinds.  The last five miles into Waterton village they were gusting to 50 mph according to the data at the visitor center.

Also watch when you go.  We timed it so that GTS would likely be open (plan was to cross June 22), but a massive avalanche over the winter necessitated some extra road work.  We got advanced intel. that it would not likely be open when we got there.  As such, we skipped a planned rest day at Waterton Village, camped at St. Mary, then road all the way to Sprague Creek with Looking Glass Hill and U.S. 2 so we could at least ride the west side of GTS.

686

Routes / Re: TransAm starting in mid Aug?

« on: December 14, 2009, 12:03:56 pm »

Even if you encountered acceptable temperatures during the day, the nights could be very cold in places.  To give you an idea, accoridng to weather.com. the average daily high for West Yellowstone, MT in October is 52.  The average nightly low is 22. Missoula is 57 and 33, dropping to 41 and 35 in November.  Would make for some cold camping.

687

General Discussion / Re: Bicycle Touring with Dogs

« on: December 09, 2009, 11:43:20 am »

Whiterider makes a good point.  And note that some campgrounds don't allow pets at all.  Those that do might require that they be kept on a short leash at all times.

688

Gear Talk / Re: Bring or buy?

« on: December 08, 2009, 02:04:35 pm »

$400 bucks sound about right.  Used to be that on Trans-Atlantic flights, a bike was one piece of carry on and taken at no extra charge.  But more recently, I have heard of people being charged for bikes to and from Europe.  It's likely that he will change planes in the U.S. to get to LA.  That probably requires a second bag check and a new fee.  Some domestic airlines charge well in excess of $100 for a bike.  Northwest is now charging a whopping $175 each way according to their web site.

689

Gear Talk / Re: Bring or buy?

« on: December 08, 2009, 08:41:16 am »

From an economic perspective.....I guess I don't understand why you would spend up to $1,000 to buy a new bike instead of spending $400 to ship the one you own, especially since, at the end of the tour, you are going to have to either pay to ship the new bike home, abandon it or try to sell it before you leave.

From a practical perspective....You would be riding an unfamilar machine that, among other things, may or may not be entirely compatable with your racks and bags (which I presume you already own).

BTW...I could find no mention of the Sienna on Specialized's web site.

690

General Discussion / Re: saddle help!

« on: December 07, 2009, 11:49:08 am »

Some shops have a sits bones measuring tool.  You sit on a gel pad and it locates them so you can measure the width.

For my wide butt, the Terry Liberator has always worked for me.