Messages

16

Routes / Re: Route suggestions request

« on: July 15, 2011, 04:33:49 pm »

Have you checked out CGOAB?

In particular the following two journals. The author took 13 days just to complete the Death Valley tour, so your plan of 3 weeks in total might be a tad ambitious.

 http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/Cali2Colo

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/DeathValley2011

The author invites queries vis his guestbooks.

17

General Discussion / Re: High Visibility - Always Good or Not?

« on: June 16, 2011, 09:13:04 pm »

This article was just publised in our local paper today. Probably not so much use for touring situations, but none the less, a pretty good idea I think.

http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/cartech/lasermade-bike-lane-could-save-lives-20110615-1g2oi.html

18

Routes / Re: Going to the Sun Road Status

« on: June 09, 2011, 07:30:10 pm »

ACA had a really cool poster of someone doing the Going to the Sun Highway a Logan Pass.

If this is the one it is still available. http://www.adventurecycling.org/store/index.cfm/product/270_100/going-to-the-sun-poster.cfm

I have had that poster hanging on my lounge room wall for the past 20 years now. I sent away to ACA for mine, once I had gotten back home, and then had it framed. It is a wonderful poster and amazing that it is still available.

I cycled over Going To The Sun highway (E to W) in late July, so no problems with its being open. The poster depicts the "cyclist" climbing from the western side of the pass.

19

General Discussion / Re: ACA Maps

« on: April 27, 2011, 02:12:11 am »

Maybe it's just me, but I think that the ACA maps are the greatest thing since sliced bread.

I marvel at their artistry; I am stunned at the enormous number of hours of route research that has gone into them; I am gobsmacked at the amount of invaluable information in their service directories; I am enlightened by the field notes contained in section, informing me of the history and geography of the area I am riding through; they give me intricate turn by turn instructions no matter in which direction I am riding; and finally, they are a precious souvenir, a keepsake of my ride that I can refer to at any time after my tour, remembering a particular strecth of road here and there, a lung bursting climb...........

You see, we have nothing like them here in the land down under.

They are worth every cent!

20

Connecting ACA Routes / Re: Crossing Ohio (east-west): US 224 or US 30??

« on: March 23, 2011, 10:27:28 pm »

The Northern Tier used to pass right across Ohio. The section of Maps was Section 2 of the Iowa to Maine Route, and went from Corry PA to Monroeville IN. The total distance was 370 miles.

Perhaps if you contacted ACA, they might be able to assist you. If not, I would be happy to try to help out. I cycled the route in 1991, so obviously, there could be some changes. The trickiest part of that old route was the Cleveland Bypass section.

Anyway, try ACA.

Regards

21

General Discussion / Re: Headwinds

« on: June 06, 2010, 08:39:20 pm »

G'day Clay, I know exactly how you are feeling. Some days out on those high plains are just murder, but you get through it. As a couple of other posters have already said, don't be too hard on yourself, and you can also get away with a few relatively short days through much of eastern Montana-Malta to Harlem to Havre to Chester are all quite manageable, especially with early starts. Chester to Cut Bank was by far my worst day for headwinds (I very nearly turned back just a mile out of Shelby where I had stopped for some breakfast), but after Cut Bank, you are pretty well into the foot of the Rockies and out of the wind.

And don't be overly concerned with "gravity" being an impediment in the mountains. After the winds across the plains, the climbing can be a relief, and don't forget, there is always the downside to the mountains. Overcoming such adversary can only make you stronger, and you will be laughing about it in just a few weeks time and even feeling a bit chuffed with yourself. Plus, it makes a good story to tell your family and friends, and you can embellish it as much as you like, because YOU WILL HAVE DONE IT!

Best wishes
Dennis S

22

Routes / Re: X-Country Route w/ the Easiest Grades

« on: February 03, 2010, 09:35:58 pm »

This may not specifically answer your post, but there is an inspiring journal on the CGOAB website, which give you some ideas of what is possible.

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/5525

23

General Discussion / Re: Considering Solo XCountry Trip...friend can't get time off from work

« on: January 11, 2010, 02:18:16 pm »

It's important to realise that EVERYONE is jittery and anxious over their first long distance solo tour. No amount of words of encouragement from family, friends, colleagues or strangers on forums such as this, can make that gnawing feeling in the stomach go away. However, once you are underway, you will soon discover your own rhythm for the ride, and you will be chuckling away at yourself over those early self doubts and what-ifs.

Do the ride YOUR way. Don't get hung up on what other tourers you meet might be doing. It is YOUR tour, don't compromise on places and things you have your heart set on seeing or doing. Most importantly, allow yourself to enjoy it. You WILL be fine!

24

General Discussion / Re: Advice for a cross-country trip

« on: November 30, 2009, 08:14:18 pm »

As John has already indicated, you will need to average approx 100 miles per day for the 6 weeks duration of your ride. That does not allow for any stops, ie resting, sight-seeing, possible mechanical repairs to your bikes, possible illness to yourselves, possible bad weather conditions that it might be wiser to wait out.

I have no idea about your levels of fitness, so perhaps these notions might be mere pimples to you. However, I would always urge anyone who is contemplating such a long tour, to really experience the ride, and not just belt out the miles day after day. You are most likely to regret it upon reflection.

I do hope you have a great trip.
 

25

Routes / Re: Honeymoon trip suggestions for Mexico, Central or South America!

« on: June 18, 2009, 10:37:17 pm »

Hello Bianchi,

There is an excellent journal on the Crazy Guy website which should give you plenty of clues as to where and when to go. It is titled "Our Long Haul Honeymoon" and the address is http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?doc_id=4060

Regards
Dennis

26

Routes / Re: How much to save to do the TA

« on: March 23, 2009, 09:56:43 pm »

Hey everyone, I am coming from NZ to cycle the TA, and am keen to get an idea of how much I will need to save to ensure I dont run out of money!

I will be camping the majority of the time, and have my cooker with me, trying to do it on the cheap. Thinking 3 months shuould be enough to cross.

Any rough ideas? Thanks in advance!
Scott

G'day Scott, from across the ditch.

Mate, one thing you should check on with the US Consulate, before you go, is how much you will be expected to have when you pass through US immigration. When I did my crossing (admittedly quite some time ago now) I was specifically asked how much cash I had to last me the 3-4 months I was planning to be in the USA.

Enjoy the ride!

27

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

« on: February 20, 2009, 11:27:21 am »

My own opinion is that camping is probably the best way of meeting other travellers, especially other touring cyclists. I sometimes lock myself away in a motel room when I'm touring, when I would be better off in a campsite, mingling with other people. Admittedly, the sanctuary and comforts of a motel, are often too inviting too resist.

I have cycled the NT (admittedly 18 years ago now), and mixed up camping and motelling. I found that a number of the campsites did not have showers, so after two or three nights of that, I needed to stay in a motel. But carrying a tent and sleeping bag, gives you additional options, should things go wrong with either the bike or your own body during the day on the road. The distances between towns along the western section of the NT are vast. Small towns indicated on your maps, might just happen to be closed on the day you pass through. Be prepared, but most importantly, enjoy the ride.

28

General Discussion / Re: Bicycling Australia

« on: February 04, 2009, 07:11:08 pm »

My recommendation would be to do a loop to the south of Sydney, taking in the Royal National Park and the coast road as far as Wollongong and then onto Bombaderry, across through Kangaroo Valley, and then from the southern tablelands back up north to Sydney. Some climbing up out of Kangaroo Valley, but this ride offers a great variety of scenery. Time of year should not be too problematic, although it can get quite cold in the southern highlands in winter.

Of course, this loop can be done in the opposite direction, although there is substantially steeper climbing along Lawrence Hargraves Drive if you ride north out of Wollongong to Sydney.

As the previous poster has already advised, you can always take a short train ride to get you into or out of the centre of Sydney, which is the option I generally choose; and likewise, I would be only too happy to help out with further advice if you like.

29

Routes / Cookie Lady Book Now Online

« on: December 08, 2008, 01:27:18 pm »

Many thanks for providing that link. It was wonderful to be able to read the history of June and her family; their kind assistance to so very many cyclists; and of the area as well.

Good Cycling
Dennis

30

Routes / Trans Am vs. Northern Tier

« on: October 27, 2008, 01:33:27 pm »

If you go to Crazy Guy On A Bike website, you will find hundreds of journals re crossing the US.

Read the two journals by Mike Risica. He rode the TransAM and then the NT two years later. They will give you some useful insights.

I rode the NT, (quite a few years ago now), but the closest I came to any big cities was the southern outskirts of Cleveland. The ACA maps do a great job of keeping you away from cities. However, I have no first hand knowledge of the TransAM.

Whichever ride you do, enjoy the experience. It will last you a lifetime.

Good Cycling
Dennis