Messages

61

Gear Talk / Re: Can you help me locate these water bottle cage brackets

« on: July 17, 2011, 04:34:20 pm »

Check out this website mentioned in an aca blog.  http://twofish.biz/V2/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6&Itemid=24  They are listed at amazon.com for $15.75.  

62

General Discussion / Re: Touring with different types of bikes

« on: July 17, 2011, 04:21:38 pm »

You should take a couple of loaded day rides with some hills to see if you have the same pace.  I've seen recumbents go faster and slower.  It just depends on the rider.  

63

Routes / Re: Route suggestions request

« on: July 15, 2011, 03:36:22 pm »

If you go to Death Valley from Las Vegas the shortest route is to take hwy 160 to Pahrump.  Its about 60 miles.  Once you leave vegas there isn't much until you get to Pahrump.  Then turn onto hwy 372 which becomes 178 to Shoshone (about 90 miles from LV).  Follow 178 and it will take you into Death Valley National Park.  It's about another 80 miles to Furnace Creek in Death Valley with no services along the way.  So its about 170 miles from Las Vegas with few services along the way.   This will take you past Badwater which is the lowest point in North America.  A slightly shorter route is to continue up to Bell Vista Ave.  Follow the road (Ash Meadows/State line rd) unit you reach hwy 127.  Go north about a mile until you reach hwy 190 west.  This will take you to Furnace Creek.  If you want to go to Badwater you will then head south.  Even in March take plenty of water.

There isn't a good way to get to the Grand Canyon south rim.  You could take Boulder Hwy into Boulder, NV.  You then have the option of taking the hwy across Hoover Dam or the new bridge.  Either way you'll be on hwy 93 to Kingman, AZ.  You then have the option of taking the interstate (I-40) to hwy 64 which goes up to the south rim.  This will be about 300 miles one way.  You could take old hwy 66 out of Kingman but it will add quite a few miles to the journey but it might be a more enjoyable road.  But be prepared to take lots of water.

You could head north out of Vegas and go through St. George, UT.  This will connect you with the ACA Grand Canyon Connector route.  Not sure of the mileage.

I'm not sure there are un-paved roads you can take from Vegas that will get you to either destination.  I know of a couple to some campgrounds on the North Rim but I'm not familiar with the South Rim.

64

Routes / Re: Route suggestions request

« on: July 14, 2011, 12:51:10 pm »

Are you planning to ride on paved or unpaved roads?  There isn't a good direct route but one can be put together but it may be somewhat round about.  3 weeks may not be enough time to cycle from Death Valley to Grand Canyon and back.  It may take a week each way.

65

Gear Talk / Re: New bike too big?

« on: July 10, 2011, 10:59:48 am »

You may be leaning forward a little too much.  You may be able to lessen that by getting another stem that is shorter and/or with more of a rise.  This will put the handlebars closer to you so you won't have to lean as far forward.  Check with your local bike shop.  They be able to let you try several different stems to see which one gives you the best fit.

66

Routes / Re: SC avoiding hwy 89

« on: July 10, 2011, 08:45:07 am »

The road surface is just ok.  In parts there is a shoulder but in other parts there is no shoulder.  You can expect to see a fair amount of debris (sand, dirt, rock) on many parts as well.  The road isn't swept after the winter so all this debris is just out of the road traffic.  I would expect that you will be riding along the white line most of the time because of the debris.  You will also see a fair number of logging trucks and a few of the drivers think cyclists have no place on "their" road.

67

Routes / Re: San Francisco to San Luis Obispo

« on: July 03, 2011, 02:51:46 pm »

Camping in Pfeiffer Big Sur State park is a nice stop.  It has hiker/biker sites and pay showers.  There is a restaurant that is ok.  You could also cook something in the campfire/charcoal grill or go into "town" and eat at some other restaurant.  There are some nice trails and a couple that will take you to the ocean. 

68

Routes / Re: San Francisco to San Luis Obispo

« on: July 02, 2011, 02:51:30 pm »

Amtrak would be an excellent option to go from San Luis Obispo to Oakland.  The Coast Starlight is most always on time; the charge for a bicycle box and handling ($20) is reasonable; don't have the hassle at airport security; and it is more comfortable than driving or being stuffed into an airplane.  It may take a little bit longer but it planes, buses and autos.

Plan to take some time exploring the parks along the coast.  Many are really neat and well worth the time.

69

Connecting ACA Routes / Re: Arriving late in Portland and reaching Pacific coast

« on: June 28, 2011, 07:19:10 pm »

You have one other option.  There is a shuttle that runs twice a day (10am & 3pm) from the Amtrak and bus stations to Tillamook (Tillamook County Transportation District).  They do have bike racks on the front of the shuttle and the cost is about $10 per person.  You may have to spend a night in Portland depending on when you get in. If I had to do it again I'd take the shuttle from Portland.  The ride from Astoria to Tillamook seemed to be non stop high speed traffic. 

70

California / Re: Pacific Coast Sections 4 & 5

« on: June 26, 2011, 08:46:45 am »

I rode down the coast two years ago and stayed in hotels along the way.  The only place I had to camp was in Big Sur.  I was there over Labor day weekend and didn't want to pay an exorbitant price for a room.  Camping was only $5 or $10 dollars and the warm shower was about $0.75.  Depending on how far you want to ride each day you shouldn't have trouble finding a place to stay.   When I left Big Sur I stopped at Deetjen's Big Sur Inn for breakfast and had a great meal.  I liked to stop at small mom & pop places to eat breakfast.  I got a good feel for the locals that frequented these places.  One restaurant in particular was a small place in Guadalupe.  Just a little store front in a farming community.

I rarely made a reservation.  I would leave at about 7am and stop riding about 2 or 3.  I'd then see what hotels were in the area.  Never had a problem finding a room.  I didn't bring any cooking gear and never went hungry either.

I enjoyed my time in Monterey and Pismo Beach.  If I do it again I'll plan to spend an extra time in those towns. 

The only train that goes up to the Bay area is the Coast Starlight.  It runs once a day.  You should be able to catch it in Santa Barbara for the trip up the coast.  The bike box is $15 and $5 handling for each.  I've done it many times with no problems.  (I do zip tie my handlebars to the top tube.) 

71

Routes / Re: Eugene to Crescent city

« on: June 02, 2011, 07:43:10 pm »

Try contacting an airport transportation service in Crescent City.  They may have a shuttle to Eureka where you can catch a flight to Eugene. 

72

General Discussion / Re: Hit by uninsured motorist

« on: June 02, 2011, 01:32:15 pm »

Check with your insurance company.  You may be covered under the uninsured motorist coverage if he in fact doesn't have any insurance.  Other than that you will have to file suit and hope he has some assets you can attach.  Good Luck.

73

General Discussion / Re: Gotta eat, but don't want to cook/boil

« on: May 05, 2011, 05:42:23 pm »

I've done several tours and never taken my cooking equipment.  I also don't relish cooking at the end of the day.  I've never gone hungry even in the west.  I like to stop at the little hole in the wall places for breakfast.  I've had some great meals that were very inexpensive.  It is also a good way to meet the locals.  As was previously mentioned I like to stop at Subway for lunch.  They seem to be found just about everywhere (including gas stations).  I then find an interesting looking place in my overnight spot for dinner.  I try to avoid the chain restaurants when I can. 

I do carry a couple of MRE's for those times when I won't be able to find a place to eat.  (Like Langtry, TX on the ST).  They are quick, easy to prepare and provide enough calories to get me down the road.  May not be the best but at least I don't have to worry about them spoiling.

74

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / Re: Pacific Coast Route - section 4, map 49 road closure - April 2011

« on: May 01, 2011, 08:58:44 am »

Thanks. This is perhaps a better site on the slide and updates are relatively frequent. http://blogbigsur.wordpress.com/

  Check this site as posted by cgarch.  It should keep you updated as to progress cleaning up the slide.

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Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / Re: Pacific Coast Route - section 4, map 49 road closure - April 2011

« on: April 27, 2011, 05:45:06 pm »

There is another post in this section about the closure.  Cgarch has been good about updating their progress and a possible reroute.  Go to that posting to get the some info on rerouting.