Topics

1

Gear Talk / Bio Lite Stove...

« on: May 19, 2013, 09:57:57 pm »

I just recently discovered, even though it may be a year or two old, a "new" stove called the Bio lite stove. Its "hook" is that it can charge an item via usb port while cooking. The heat inside the cannister converts into energy and allows you to charge a cell phone or similiar item. Anyone have any experience using one? Is it worth the 120 dollars?

2

Routes / Toll roads in Florida...

« on: December 23, 2012, 09:52:49 am »

We are planning our x-country tour. We plan to dip our wheels in Melbourne, Florida and cut across to Disney World where we will stay a few days before continuing on to SF, Ca. But there are two (that I know of) toll roads that it looks like we will need to take. One coming into DW and another going out of DW. Does anyone know if bikes are allowed on toll roads in Florida?

3

Routes / When would YOU do this?

« on: January 06, 2012, 04:46:27 pm »

I live in South Texas. Corpus Christi, to be exact. WAY down in south Tx. I need to take a trip but my trip will take me north, all the way thru Texas, all the way thru the Texas Pan Handle, straight up to Colorado Springs, Co., then take a sharp turn west, cut thru Utah, Nevada and finaly into California, ending in San Francisco.  What is the best time to avoid extreme heat/cold? A little added info... I prefer to ride in extreme heat than extreme cold. When is the best time for this route? Anyone help? Thanks! Ron

4

General Discussion / About Colorado....

« on: October 20, 2011, 10:26:30 am »

Im not sure if this is in the right area or not. I tried looking for my answer in other areas of the forum but no luck.  I am traveiling east to west next  summer, leaving 1st week of June.  I plan to go thru Colorado.  By when should I be out of there? Or what is the latest part of the summer that I can comfortably enter Colorado without hitting cold weather?

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Routes / Ok, here's the deal...

« on: September 25, 2011, 02:50:19 pm »

I have a partner now that will be joining me for my cc tour next summer.  We have decided to dip our wheels in Long Beach, NY. We want to see the Statue of Liberty, Twin Towers Memorial, Niagra Falls and Times Square. All of these are within the same area, correct? Or are they too far apart from each other. I am totally not familiar with the NY area.  Has anyone ever done this same routine? Can anyone tell me or does anyone know which specific roads to get from one site to another?   Which site should be the last to visit as we make our way out of the NY area and head west toward Colorado Springs? We now actually plan on ending in LA, which is where she is from. I tried mapping this out myself but its not easy! If anyone should have any specific roads that we can steal from you, please help.  A million Thanks You's in advance!

6

General Discussion / What would this be called?...

« on: July 31, 2011, 11:12:42 am »

I am planning my (what was supposed to be) my cross country  trip for next May.  Was going to begin in Bar Harbor, Maine and navigate myself to San Francisco.  However, I have changed my route and decided to start at my own front door in Corpus, Christi, Tx, straight up north to casper, Wy, then nw to Oregon, then down the west coast to SF, Ca, then come back home following the west coast and ending at my own front door again in Corpus Christi, Tx.  I know thats not a cross country tour because I did not technically cross the country.  Is there a name for that kind of route? Just curious. 

7

General Discussion / Critters inside your tent?

« on: July 10, 2011, 08:12:03 pm »

I realize that there is a topic right now about bears, but I wanna ask... Has anyone ever waken up in the middle of the night and found a raccoon or possum right outside your tent or even managed to quietly make its way INTO your tent without making enough noise to wake you? I am setting sail on my first x-country tour in June of 2012, but my greatest fear is to wake up in the middle of the night and find a raccoon INSIDE my tent! Can they quietly knaw thru the material of a tent? Coming face to face with one inside my tent will scare the %#$*&^%$@#$ out of me! LOL!

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Routes / Niagra Falls...

« on: May 01, 2011, 03:48:09 pm »

Im doing my cc tour in May of 2012, starting in Bar Harbor, and going west to California.  Which ACA map would take me closest to Niagra Falls?  I know I will have to veer off the map to find NF, but I really do want to see it.  Hope someone can help. Thanks! Ron

9

General Discussion / Been working on my tour club site...

« on: April 26, 2011, 09:51:00 am »

Its finally open.  I have 5 members already who have joined us and hopefully more will come aboard. Its still very basic but I have more enteries to put in.  Any suggestions as to what other useful information I can add? Check out my site. Let me know. Thanks! http://bigdaddycycling.org/

10

General Discussion / Evening rides...

« on: March 29, 2011, 07:20:45 pm »

I believe that most cyclists take on the day at the very beginning. Sunrise maybe? But has anyone ever tried doing their ride in the evening? Instead of cycling in the morning, ride your 70ish miles in the evening as the day gets cooler and arrive at your destination just before sunset? I know there are the obvious (having time to fix problems while it is still early) but aside from needing time to fix problems with the day coming  to a close, is there any reason NOT to do your miles after lunch? 

11

General Discussion / Hypothetical question...

« on: March 15, 2011, 06:25:58 pm »

Ok, I have been doing great on my weight loss. Have lost nearly 70 pounds cycling, running, cardio-vascular work, in preparation for my 2012 TA tour.  But im curious.  If a person wants to travel across the country, at a weight of about 350, with no experience... Is it possible to train while riding? Will he lose weight? Will he have to leave earlier to compensate for the very short rides during the first month? How long will it take before he can ride 60 miles per day? What are the chances of a person with no riding experience (and very heavy) of completing this long ride? This is something that crossed my mind. I started wondering... What if I had started this long ride at my old weight of 350 and never even touched a bike till I got on it the day I started the tour. Could I have made it? 

12

General Discussion / I was asked a question today...

« on: March 09, 2011, 09:47:28 pm »

On a long trip, say, the TA, do cyclists usually reach towns frequently enough to allow a female the privacy she needs to use the restroom? I know guys can usually go just about anywhere.  But all that riding requires lots of fluids, which in turn requires frequent stops. Where does the female "go" when the next town is still not in reach?

13

General Discussion / How can I find....

« on: February 27, 2011, 03:26:20 pm »

I'm interested in starting a local cycling club (maybe not a club, but a group) of individuals that may have weight issues or could use cycling as a way to get fit or to help with any other issues. But how do I get the word out to the entire local area that I am looking for them? I know they are out there. Ive tried Craigslist, putting up flyers in bike shops, etc. But I need a strong announcement that will really get to most of the city. There are people out there who want to ride but have no one to ride with or may start but quit very quickly because a lack of a support.  I think that by seeing people who share the same kind of hurdles and still pressing on, they would be more willing to continue because they would have support from their "team".  Who knows? Maybe some of these indivduals would want to complete a cross country tour? I read somewhere that heavy riders are called Clydesdales? Is that term a polite term? Accepted? How about a Clydesdale Cycling Club? I dont know. Would that offend anyone? I could use some help. I have talked to several friends that I have known for a long time and asked them if they would be willing to go cross country with me. They all say they would IF THEY WERE THINNER. Thats the key. Getting people to ride to get fit and beginning a whole new life. Im still not a thin rider, but I am almost ready for my tour in 2012, even at my current weight.   

14

General Discussion / Is it ok to travel solo...

« on: September 29, 2010, 08:48:40 am »

Is it safe and alright to travel alone, even if I have never been on a long distance ride and totally inexperienced? I am planning to cross the US next summer, but i have never done it before. Total beginner. No camping experience, no hiking experience. Will I starve? Where will I sleep? What if something goes wrong? How do I get to help if my cell fone signal is out of range? I originally wanted to tour with someone, but I lost touch with the gentlemen that replied to my post searching for a touring partner.  But if it comes down to having to go alone, could I do it? I admit, I love solitude. I love being alone and calling my own shots.  But will I actually have the nerve to ask someone if I can set up my tent in their yard? I have lots of doubts about touring alone. I'm a grown-ass man, but being alone for three months... I dont know. Maybe I just need to hear from some of you that have done this before. I am VERY excited about this dream of mine, though. I want this SO bad! Even if I gotta go alone!

15

Routes / TransAm starting in mid Aug?

« on: December 12, 2009, 10:10:06 pm »

Hello, all.  My name is Ronnie. Semi-New to the cycling world and planning a TransAm HOPEFULLY next year with a good female friend.  I read that this route is best during May-September.  However, my work schedule will not allow me to start until Mid August.  We plan to ride East to West.  Is a mid August start a bad idea?  It will take us into November.  Has anyone (I'm sure someone has) started this route this late before?  Thank you in advance for your comments and suggestions.  Ron