Messages

61

Connecting ACA Routes / Re: Missoula to the Pacific

« on: April 03, 2013, 08:20:11 am »

You will actually join up with the NT at the junction of 200 and 56. Bull River Campground just south of the junction was nice.

I camped at the Bull River Campground last summer. It was nice enough, but primitive. No electricity, no showers. For just $2 more, I could have stayed at the RV park right at the junction of 200 and 56. It has all the amenities and it doesn't require you to go down and back up the big hill to Bull River. I made the wrong call.

62

Routes / Re: Avoiding Yellowstone

« on: April 03, 2013, 07:33:33 am »

Because Yellowstone doesn't allow organized group tours through the park, group tours (including ACA tours) routinely detour around Yellowstone. These routes are easy to find on the web. Having said that, I didn't find the traffic in Yellowstone to be any problem at all. I went through in late June. The crazy traffic doesn't really start until after the fourth of July. The campgrounds in Grand Teton and Yellowstone are nice, very inexpensive (for bicycles) and never full (for bicycles). I agree that Old Faithful is overrated, but there are a lot of other great things to see in the park (including many kinds of animals), and the Tetons are spectacular.

The ACA group tours avoid Yellowstone by going through Idaho, via Jackson,  Wilson, Teton Pass, Victor, Driggs, Tetonia, Lamont, Drummond, Ashton, Warm River, Island Park, West Yellowstone.

63

Gear Talk / Re: Racks

« on: April 01, 2013, 07:59:14 pm »

Not only is it 3 pounds (which itself would be a killer for me), but it seems to lack the structural elements necessary to give it rigidity and keep it from swaying. Most reviewers say that you need three struts for such stability under load.

64

Connecting ACA Routes / Re: Missoula to the Pacific

« on: March 31, 2013, 07:31:09 am »

Once you get to Missoula, you can ask the pros. But the L&C is quite a bit shorter than the TA.

65

General Discussion / Re: Training: Schedule Critique Needed

« on: March 31, 2013, 07:23:59 am »

I'm 5'10''. It says I should be between 58-60''. Is that once inch a problem? 

Probably not. You won't know until you take it out for a long test ride.

66

Gear Talk / Re: No Stove

« on: March 30, 2013, 07:36:19 pm »

I did the TA and NT without a stove. I didn't miss it but I did enjoy occasional meals provided by a fellow cyclotourist with a stove. I do not believe a stove is necessary to eat either economically or healthily.

67

General Discussion / Re: Training: Schedule Critique Needed

« on: March 29, 2013, 07:04:24 pm »

Get out of the gym ASAP. Get on the road now. Riding indoors is not the same.

How many miles of training you need depends on how many miles a day you plan to average on tour and whether you have enough time to ramp up after the tour starts.

68

Gear Talk / Re: Schwalbe tires

« on: March 29, 2013, 05:40:58 pm »

If the tires are otherwise identical, then wire bead and folding will work equally well. Wire bead is usually a bit less expensive and folding easier to store and carry. But be aware that in some models (e.g., Mondials), the wire bead is a completely different tire than the folding tire of the same name.

69

General Discussion / Re: Getting hungry too fast while riding

« on: March 29, 2013, 05:17:20 pm »

I eat at least every hour. I have no problem carrying enough food to do that. Maybe four pieces of fruit, a package of cookies, a few candy bars, a sandwich, etc. I don't find it an issue.

70

General Discussion / Re: Guide to Poor Woman's Cycling

« on: March 29, 2013, 04:38:37 pm »

based on previous advice, I wonder if I should steer clear of the TransAm...Is East to West worse than West to East?

Steer clear of the TransAm? Whatever for?

Early starting dates favor beginning in the East.

71

Routes / Re: Transamerica Cost

« on: March 29, 2013, 04:22:58 pm »

Anywhere from $1000 to $10000, depending on your tastes. It is possible to do the whole route without spending a dime to sleep if you try.

72

General Discussion / Re: Packing for flights

« on: March 28, 2013, 04:57:57 pm »

Use a sturdy one.

I would say that 90% of all bike boxes are flimsy

I wasn't talking about the bike box--I was talking about the gear box.

73

General Discussion / Re: Packing for flights

« on: March 28, 2013, 10:47:48 am »

My favorite is the cardboard box. It comes in any size you want, is usually free and is easy to dispose of. Use a sturdy one.

74

Gear Talk / Re: Tail Bone Pain

« on: March 25, 2013, 02:53:32 pm »

A bike fit is a great idea, but to some extent, it just takes time. Most people say it takes a few hundred miles to break in a Brooks, but it took me a few thousand. Furthermore,  riding outdoors will likely be better for this than on the trainer.

75

General Discussion / Re: Cycling US = Crazy?

« on: March 25, 2013, 09:43:35 am »

Cycling in the U.S. is fun, safe, easy, beautiful and enjoyable -- but not everywhere,  and apparently not where you are. Get out on the lonely, serene back roads.