Messages

826

General Discussion / Re: Trans Am bag question

« on: March 21, 2010, 07:39:56 pm »

You probably won't ever be sleeping above 8100 feet, except for Fairplay at almost 10,000 feet and the Breckenridge/Frisco area which is above 9000 feet, and maybe Guffy at 8600. In July, I would expect temperatures overnight in those areas to touch freezing, but not get much below it.

827

General Discussion / Re: Novice cyclist's math

« on: March 20, 2010, 07:53:37 pm »

I think it's an illogical question, like many others, such as how many miles biking equals one mile running. These are all apples-to-oranges comparisons. There are no answers.

828

General Discussion / Re: chafing or discomfort from seat

« on: March 18, 2010, 07:51:06 am »

The word "chafed" suggests to me a clothing problem. Switch to proper cycling clothing (even if you don't like how it looks). Then use a lubricant on the chafed areas.

829

General Discussion / Re: Raising money for TransAm trip, half donate to charity

« on: March 16, 2010, 05:27:22 pm »

I would recommend that you completely separate your two fundraising activities. Have one endeavor to raise money for your trip, and a completely separate endeavor to raise money for the charity. Money raised in the latter effort would go 100% to the charity. If necessary, postpone the trip until you have raised or earned enough money to fund it.

830

Gear Talk / Re: 2002 Trek 520 - NEW

« on: March 15, 2010, 01:35:36 pm »

Yes, I'd say there's plenty of room for wiggle in the price considering its age. It's clearly not moving fast. But you might be better to negotiate for thrown-in merchandise rather than price. Maybe a front rack, panniers, water bottle cages, helmet, blinky light for the rear, a dozen spare tubes, some clothes, chain lube, better fenders, a pump, a bike computer, shoes, etc.

Not much on a bicycle deteriorates just sitting there indoors. You might not need to replace anything. If you plan to do a lot of loaded and hilly touring, you might want lower gears. Otherwise, it might be fine as is. Ride it for a while (at least six months, maybe even a few years) and see how it goes. See how well you can adapt to the saddle.

What else you might want to do depends on what you plan to do with it.

831

General Discussion / Re: Parterner(s) for cross-US trip late summer 2010

« on: March 15, 2010, 06:38:40 am »

August may not make a "good" starting month. It's pretty late. But whether or not it makes an "acceptable" starting month depends on how long you intend to take and what route you intend to take. If you go fast and/or take a southerly route, it may be acceptable.

At 100 miles a day, you could be finished in a month. In that case, starting in August would be just fine. Very few people, however, manage 100 miles a day for very long, and even fewer of them do it self-supported, and even fewer of them have a lot of fun en route. It may also be difficult to find riding partners who desire this grueling of a schedule. Days are also getting noticeably shorter by August and September, so you'll need to manage the daylight well.

You can post for riding companions right here on this site:

http://www.adventurecycling.org/mag/companions.cfm

832

General Discussion / Re: Trans Am summer 2010. help and advice

« on: March 12, 2010, 09:42:34 pm »

1. Go over to crazyguyonabike.com and read a number of journals of others who have done the TransAm.

2. Wait until mid-June to start.

3. Buy the ACA TransAm maps.

4. Make some loose agreements with your friends about where you will sleep, where and what you will eat, what time you will go to bed, what time you will get up, what time you'll start riding, how often and where you'll stop for R&R, and whether you'll stay together or meet at certain intervals.

5. Wear sunscreen.

6. Pump up your tires and go.

7. Have fun.

That's all you need to know. For extra credit, read Donna Lynn Ikenberry's Bicycling Coast to Coast.

833

General Discussion / Re: Gatoraid (sp?) v Water

« on: March 09, 2010, 02:08:49 pm »

Depends. During extended exercise, you do need to replace both calories and electrolytes. You can get both either from a sports drink or food, or from a combination of both. How much of both you need depends on the duration of the exercise, the intensity of the exercise, your body chemistry, and the temperature. For durations less than two hours, water is all that most people need. Above that, you’ll need to replace both calories and electrolytes if you expect to keep going without decreased performance.

Whether you should use food or a sports drink or a combination depends on your preferences and what your stomache can tolerate. Everyone is different.

834

Gear Talk / Re: Question about something.

« on: March 05, 2010, 12:34:08 pm »

The "average" size is 4.5 mm. You will have no bolts at all of this size, but it's the average between 4 and 5, both of which are very common. If I had to guess, I'd say you probably need an M5.

835

General Discussion / Re: Money money money!

« on: March 05, 2010, 12:31:21 pm »

Per-person costs will vary with the size of the group. Multiple people can share motel costs and campground costs, and food can be purchased in larger quanties.

836

Routes / Re: Biking for Local Food

« on: March 05, 2010, 09:09:22 am »

I figure that eating some junk food or fast food won't kill me as long as I manage to get some decent variety.

Yea, me too. I figure a steady diet of Hostess isn't good for you, so I like to mix in some Little Debbie too. That way I cover both food groups.

837

Underground Railroad / Re: Road Conditions in Ohio

« on: March 05, 2010, 08:55:28 am »

If you haven't already done so, be sure to fill out a map correction form.

http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/correctionform.cfm

838

General Discussion / Re: My Idea

« on: March 04, 2010, 08:22:16 pm »

Don't do it alone.

the young women that I have met who did an XC tour alone would disagree with Scott's advice.

But their mothers would all agree with it.  

I'm with Pete. You'll be fine either way.

839

Routes / Re: What are the current map versions?

« on: March 04, 2010, 08:16:21 pm »

Yes, I'm sure they would too, but it'd still be easier on everybody if they posted it.

840

Gear Talk / Re: Gear for a three-day tour

« on: March 04, 2010, 02:36:32 pm »

Everyone has different preferences, but if the day started cold and I knew it was going to warm up later, I might just decide to be cold for the first hour or so. If I did need to keep my legs warm, I'd take a pair of knee warmers, which work perfectly, weigh very little, pack very small, don't cost much, and are easily removed (some people can even remove them without stopping).