Messages

61

International / Re: Calais to Paris

« on: October 31, 2010, 03:08:12 am »

From Calais to Brugges you can, if I remember correctly, use the North Sea Coastal Cycle Route.   It's a bit obscure in places but is generally a good ride on paths and cycle routes.   You follow th coast to Dunkirk then turn inland and follow a canal pretty much all the way.   Don't know what your plan is for accommodation but there is only one camp site in Brugges and it's quite a nice one.   

Can't help with the route to Paris after that as I was headed on down the coast.   

Have fun!

62

Gear Talk / Re: Salsa Fargo Front Rack

« on: October 20, 2010, 05:53:58 am »

Please be aware that the Fargo has, in some cases, major handling problems if fitted with front racks.

http://www.adventurecycling.org/forums/index.php?topic=6948.0

63

Gear Talk / Re: Down to three bikes....

« on: October 20, 2010, 05:51:20 am »

A few comments, I have a Surly LHT which is an excellent bike.   I'm not a big fan of drop bars so have fitted mine with trekking bars and speed shifters.   For me that's a lot more comfortable with a good range of hand positions.

As I think I may have mentioned in another thread, I weighed my front and rear panniers and racks and they came to 6kg (not including bar bag).   The weight I've seen quoted for a bob yak is 8 kg so in touring terms, although there is a difference, it's not hugely significant.

In both cases it's largely down to personal preference but the arguments for a trailer are pretty compelling.   

64

Gear Talk / Re: Shaking on the downhills

« on: October 20, 2010, 05:40:20 am »

As mentioned above by whittierider, this is a problem difficult to identify.   The first thing I'd try would be to take the front panniers off and see what happens.  If you still get the shimmy, try again with more weight in the front panniers. 

65

Routes / Re: Renting a van to transport bicycles

« on: September 10, 2010, 03:28:28 am »

In my experience most towns will have several rental options.   U_Haul is probably the most common for van hire but do you actually need a van, you may find an SUV will suffice and it will be a lot more comfortable.   I was able to get my Surly and all baggage into the back of a Hyundai SUV without any difficulty and without needing to remove wheels etc.   Plenty of room for a couple of bikes.   I've had good experiences with U-Haul, Enterprise and Alamo over the years.

Costs are calculated differently.   In addition to a daily charge, U-Haul also charge mileage.   Enterprise had a higher daily rate but didn't charge mileage.   Where you may encounter a larger cost is if you rent the vehicle from one location and return it to another, you will then be charged a fee based on distance.   You may also find that, in some cases, rental companies will charge extra if it's returned in a different state.

You should be able to get lots of information from the various company's websites.

66

Routes / Re: US Civil War Tour

« on: August 29, 2010, 03:28:34 am »

I can also recommend asking for tourist information leaflets when you contact the States.   Virginia has a series of excellent leaflets for the main battlefield sites in the state.

I'd also recommend (if you haven't already got them) the excellent Civil War History trilogy by Sheldon Foote.

67

Gear Talk / Re: Salsa Fargo - Lemon of the year!

« on: July 28, 2010, 05:58:27 am »

njkayaker, I did actually admit my maths error on this, I was in the middle of something else and rushed it off without checking.   ~The maths is, in the post, dreadful but I have already owned up to that.

Statistically, however, comparing the number of posters on this site (and I admit that this may not be representative of the every Salsa Owner in the world) who haven't had problems with those who have, still reveals a relatively high percentage.   Add to that Salsa's own admission of problems with shimmying and it becomes even more apparent that there is a problem with this model.

And let's be clear about the nature of the problem, this is not something trivial, this is a bike which in my case was too dangerous to ride and in John's case appears to be equally serious.

As to the solution, well, getting the poor chap to wrap spare inner tubes around the frame is, frankly, laughable.   Whether that came from Salsa or the LBS I don't know.

68

Gear Talk / Re: Salsa Fargo - Lemon of the year!

« on: July 27, 2010, 05:13:56 am »

In response to the comment on bar bags, yes, I was using one.   I have always wondered about the effect of a bar bag on stability but as I've used them on a number of other bikes without problem, and exactly the same load on A Surly LHT I discounted it on this occasion.

I've now started to wonder if the problem could be something to do with a heavier frame, on my alu framed Dawes and two lighter steel framed bikes, I didn't encounter the problem.

69

Gear Talk / Re: Has anyone toured on a Bike Friday?

« on: July 20, 2010, 04:54:31 am »

Let me know when you're passing through Durham, if you go that side and we can meet for a coffee

70

Gear Talk / Re: Salsa Fargo - Lemon of the year!

« on: July 20, 2010, 04:51:30 am »

I measured up my stuff and found that the weight of panniers and racks was 6kg against 8kg for the trailer complete with bag so not too much of a penalty.   The people I've seen who used trailers seemed pleased with them.

I agree with the concept, some of out Lakeland and Pennine trails are a bit of a chore on a road bike so a more robust and off road capable bike is a good idea.

I also like the brakes, the BB5s I find excellent, I have them on a Gary Fisher mtb and they provide good stopping power without the overkill of the full on mtb hydraulic types.

Enjoy the ride

71

General Discussion / Re: Cycling New Zealand top to tail - advice needed.

« on: July 19, 2010, 08:45:48 am »

As a general recommendation, try and get hold of a copy of Josie Dew's book, Long Cloud Ride.   It's a great read and all about her bike trip through NZ

72

General Discussion / Re: Cycling and Lodging in the Tuscany of Italy

« on: July 16, 2010, 07:13:02 am »

Umm!    That'll be pretty much every Italian I think.   There are plenty of tour companies but if you want to do your own thing, the best way to start is with a Michelin regional map, they highlight all the scenic routes.   Most Italian towns, even the smaller ones, will have a hotel.   Prices in high season will be, well, high!  May/June is pretty good.   Tuscany's a pretty hilly area but truly lovely.   There's no shortage of good restaurants either.   

Have fun

73

General Discussion / Re: Need to transport luggage in Provence

« on: July 16, 2010, 07:04:34 am »

I haven't seen anything like that advertised, the easiest thing is probably just to hire a taxi or a local "man with a van" for each journey.   If you tell the hotels in advance, they should be able to recommend someone local.

If you haven't been to that part of the world before, check out http://www.logishotels.com/

They are generally pretty good, family owned hotels and quite reasonably priced.

Bonne journee

74

Gear Talk / Re: Salsa Fargo - Lemon of the year!

« on: July 15, 2010, 12:15:36 pm »

Glad you're on the road John, even if it's not quite behaving as a proper touring bike should.

I have to say that over all of this my view of Salsa has moved from one of mild irritation to one of utter contempt.   

Wrapping spare tubes around frame members strikes me as being a rather clever get you home fix.   

In the circumstances, I hope they have the decency to replace your bike with a good one.   

75

General Discussion / Re: Novice coming to America !

« on: July 11, 2010, 01:54:47 pm »

I prefer mountain biking type shorts so have pockets for most of the essentials.   Anything else is kept in a bar bag which comes off the bike with me.


As to going to the wrong place - Don't go there (copyright Tommy Cooper - Ahem! )