Messages

16

General Discussion / Re: New to Touring

« on: March 29, 2009, 07:18:12 am »

You're obviously very knowledgeable about bicycles. The XC will certainly do the job, and would probably be a bit more comfortable than the Fugi for long rides. This assumes you don't intend to ever do loaded touring and have no need for fenders, a front rack, heel clearance for panniers, or low gearing. If you think otherwise, I'd suggest the LHT.

You already have a dedicated road bike. The XC is sort of a compromise between a road and mountain bike and designed specifically for the sport of cyclo cross racing. No compromising with the LHT. Designed to carry a load just about anywhere, with lots of attach points for accessories.

I just don't see how the XC fits here. The Fugi should serve you well for credit card touring. The LHT for self supported touring. OTOH, nothing at all wrong with stocking your stable with all three. No compromises at all that way.

17

General Discussion / Re: Best Camera for touring?

« on: March 26, 2009, 10:14:10 pm »

I have an 560 and agree the images are a tad on the soft side. My daughter's very old 2 meg Canon made sharper, snappier pics but had a much better lens and cost nearly $500 in 2000.

I think the key is trying to find a point and shoot with an exceptional lens. The Leica on the referenced Panasonic has the reputation. Maybe they didn't compromise too much to put it on this cam. I'd order one off the net and compare the image with the Canon. If no better, send it back.

For the price, $106 at Amazon, the 560 is a good buy and travels well. I've had success with the Nikon Coolpix line also. But neither quite measure up to my daughter's old Canon for pic quality.

18

General Discussion / Re: Brooks saddle damage

« on: March 20, 2009, 09:51:43 pm »

The special wrench is nice, but not having one, I was able to tension with a standard box end. Bit tedious, but doable. I abused mine during the break in trying to hasten the process. As a result it sagged too much and required more tensioning than is recommended. Worked, but I'm sure has shortened it's life considerably, and it certainly doesn't look pristine anymore. 3 years and 6000 miles old now. I try to take reasonable care of it, but don't get consumed. Will just buy another when the time comes and be more careful with the break in. For me, Brooks is the lesser of the evils.

19

General Discussion / Re: ‘Camping’: Is it really necessary?

« on: March 09, 2009, 08:33:11 pm »

As there is a questionable stretch on the NT for motels, and you prefer light and fast, mail a bivy and light bag ahead to last post office, general delivery, before you leave civilization. They'll hold it for you for 30 days. Include whatever you plan on hauling the gear in. When you reach civilization again, ditch the gear by mailing ahead to your destination. Or, come up with a fun contest and give it away. I know a fellow who walked across the US and promised to give every penny he picked up to whoever guessed the closest. I think it was about $35.

If you are able to average 100 miles/day unloaded, your motel cost will be much lower than the average touring cyclist who only manages about 50 a day with a load. I'd guess about $1500.

I personally would not trade one day of camping for a motel, but that's just personal preference.   

20

General Discussion / Re: Misting phenom

« on: March 09, 2009, 07:59:54 pm »

That's 3 votes for condensation, one coming from CG. I'll take it, relieved it wasn't a fabric defect.

Has only happened once which gives credance to that idea. Been in a number of ts and stayed dry. Now I don't have to engineer a 'fix' which was getting a bit tedious, would have looked terrible, and caused more condensation.

21

General Discussion / Misting phenom

« on: March 09, 2009, 08:02:50 am »

Anybody experienced this? Where the force of a heavy rain causes water to penetrate the fly as a mist causing everything to get damp inside. Any ideas how to prevent.

I'd like to hear from anybody who's tent camped when it rained really heavy to find out if this is fairly common with lightweight tents, or not.

22

Colorado / Re: Weather in May

« on: March 09, 2009, 07:03:06 am »

Thanks for the info. Route is Grand Junction to Pueblo. Your report is encouraging. I won't hold you responsible for any surprises on the down side and will give you credit for the upside. We're a little early to avoid uncomfortable highs in Death Valley and thru Kansas. For us, reasonable cold is easier to deal with than unreasonable hot. We will have all the needed layers, including booties my wife has lovingly sewn for me.

23

General Discussion / Re: Cross Country for a Cause?

« on: March 08, 2009, 09:43:28 pm »

You'll have much greater credibility and exposure if you can find a non-profit willing to lend their name and support to your ride. The two fellow I am personnaly aware of who had sponsorship raised a lot of money and had web surpport and publicity from the agencies.

24

General Discussion / Re: finding a riding partner

« on: March 08, 2009, 09:35:02 pm »

I've toured solo and with a partner. There are pluses and minuses to both ways, but I'd give the edge to riding with a partner.

I live in a small town in a county where you can count serious cyclist on one hand. I wasn't even looking for a partner and lucked up on two over 3 years. Found one on Warmshowers about 70 miles from where I live and the other thru CG about 200 miles away. Point being, you may have to depend on luck here. Being involved in the touring forums/sites is one way to find a partner.

It takes a great deal of flexibility for two or more people to have a good tour together, especially a long one. I tend to be the more flexible. I am satisfied with letting my partner plan the tour and set the pace which is about 50 miles/day, plus or minus 20. We don't ride together necessarily. We do end the day at the same place and stay in touch via cp. We don't even expect to camp together. If one wants a motel and the other doesn't, fine. If one wants to lag behind at lunch and the other wants to forge ahead, fine. Flexibility is the key.

Be aware of your partner's moods and try to accomodate. Offer help when needed. Compliments go a long way.

Well, sorry. You didn't ask for philosophy but got it anyway. Good luck.

25

General Discussion / Re: Is it worth installing a kick stand?

« on: March 08, 2009, 09:03:24 pm »

I've toured both ways and way prefer a simple kickstand. Mine's from WM. The biggest problem is wind blowing the bike over. I like the jar lid idea for stabilizing the bike on soft ground.

I tried the double stand, and all the poster said is true. However, it is heavy, expensive, and you have to be careful cutting it to length. Too short and it's worthless. Too long, and the front end is too high. Front wheel should clear the ground about an inch or two. Oh, the bolt mysteriously stripped out of mine at the end of a 1200 miler and the stand fell off. Have no idea what caused that. Be careful with the attach bolt.

26

Colorado / Weather in May

« on: March 08, 2009, 08:48:23 pm »

Will be touring west to east thru central CO in early May. Looking for advice about what to expect from the weather. Odds of severe conditions? I know our route takes us over Monarch. Couple of older guys, like 60+.