Messages

16

Routes / Re: Bicycling from Lewiston Idaho to Boise

« on: July 31, 2010, 09:15:54 am »

Paul,

We have been back from our trip a few weeks now and wanted to get back to you.  We had a great ride from Lewiston to Boise.  We followed the Lewis and Clark route until Kooskia, and then actually the Trans-Am route (although didn't know it at the time) until New Meadows when we got on 55.  55 was fine.  There are some areas where there are no shoulders.  And it especially got a little tense between Cascade and Smith's Ferry where the road goes through a canyon and there is absolutely no shoulder.  But the scenery is wonderful, the small towns are fun and everyone was friendly.  There were a couple of good climbs, one in McCall and the second after Horseshoe Bend.  Would definitely recommend this route.  Dave

17

Routes / Re: Portland to SF, along HWY 101/1, NO camping??

« on: July 31, 2010, 09:05:41 am »

I have bicycled twice down the Oregon coast. The reason that everyone camps along the Oregon Coast is that (1) it is SO cheap for hike-biker sites at the Oregon State campgrounds--$5 including shower, (2) the campgrounds are well-maintained and you generally meet other cyclists, and (3) many times you have great ocean views.  However, there are plenty of motels/hotels down the coast. I don't know how full they are during the tourist season, but every town of any size has a motel.  Good luck.

18

Routes / Bicycling from Lewiston Idaho to Boise

« on: June 14, 2010, 10:43:25 pm »

I will be touring from Lewiston to Boise in a week or so (after starting in Portland).  Can anyone tell me about the route, taking 95 out of Lewiston and then taking 55 south to Boise.  Is there much traffic? How is the scenery?  Is there camping along the way? Any reason I shouldn't take this route?  Would appreicate any help you can give me.

19

Routes / Re: Riding out of LA or San Diego in July

« on: June 14, 2010, 10:37:48 pm »

I have to agree with valygrl.  I live in San Diego and although the weather is nice hear on the coast, it is unbearably hot in the desert.  This time of year the daily temps are well over 100 degrees F.  It would be a much nicer ride to start in Portland or Seattle.

20

Routes / Re: portland to SF realistic time frame and advice needed

« on: November 02, 2009, 10:36:38 pm »

I have bicycled the Oregon and northern California coasts several times, the latest was this past summer.  For maps I definintely recommend the combination of the ACA maps and the Kirkendall book (Bicycling the Pacific Coast, available at Amazon.com).  They complement each other very well.  The state campgrounds on the Oregon Coast are awesome.  They have hiker-biker sites, and you don't need reservations.  They were $4/night and showers were free.  This fall California raised their prices to $10/night (I think).  In California campgrounds, you'll need quarters for showers, generally two quarters are adequate.  As mentioned in a previous post, private campgrounds are much more expenisive (think $20-$30)...I usually do that route in fourteen days.  That gives you some time to take some hikes, visit lighthouses, and simply get off your bike and enjoy the scenery.

21

Routes / Re: San Diego County area tour?

« on: November 02, 2009, 10:23:55 pm »

Valygrl is right.  Although I've never been on the AYH Christmas-New Year's ride, I have heard many great things about it.  (I live in San Diego).  However, if you were planning to come before Christmas, San Diego offers lots of choices--from riding up the coast to San Clemente to crossing the mountains all the way to Palm Springs to riding down to the border and everything in between.  You could easily fashion a ride on your own.  If you want, please send me an email, and I would be happy to help you plan a trip. Would you be going self-contained?  Camping? Hotels?  My email address is: dfege at aol dot com.

22

Routes / Re: Maps other than ACA -

« on: November 02, 2009, 09:06:45 pm »

For maps that show sufficient details for bicycling, I find that the "Gazetteer" printed for each state by Delorme is a lifesaver.  You can order the Gazetteer on line from Amazon.  I don't take the entire Gazatteer with me, but I take only the pages that I think I will need (literally destroying the Gazatteer). I find that other maps, like State Highway maps. simply don't show enough of the sideroads.  In addition, the Gazatteer shows the topography.  Each State's Gazatteer costs some money, but I have found nothing better, other thatn ACA maps.  They also list campgrounds in the state.

23

Routes / Re: Pacific Coast Route Camping

« on: January 21, 2009, 06:52:08 pm »

I have cycled the PCBR from Astoria to San Diego, parts of it more than once.  The hiker-biker sites tend not to fill up, and there is usually enough space.  I found the sites in Oregon to be fabulous.  I also found more bikers there.  Some nites you form a little community and eat and tell stories until you can't stay awake anymore.  In southern CA (sounds like you're not going that far), the homeless tend to congregate.  At some of the state campgrounds here in San Diego, there have done away with the hiker-biker sites for that reason.  Hope you have a great trip.

24

Routes / Re: Colorado loop

« on: January 21, 2009, 06:47:43 pm »

My wife and I did a self-supported route in Colorado last summer.  We drove to Cortez (one long day drive) from San Diego and left our car at a motel. We cycled to Mesa Verde and spent two nights there.  We cycled in the park for a full day.  Then cycled on 160 through Durango, over Wolf Creek Pass, to just past South Fork and then got on 285 to Saguache.  Then we took 114 over a pass (can't remember the name) to U.S. 50 and into Gunnison.  The pass out of Saguache was awesome: no traffic and a gentle climb.  Going down on the other side was also a great downhill through a narrow canyon.  Some of the most spectacular riding I've ever done.  In Gunnison, we took a day trip to Crested Butte.  Then we stayed on U.S. 50 to Montrose and turned south to Ridgeway.  In Ridgeway, we camped at a resort with hot springs.  Was fabulous to relax under the stars.  From Ridgeway, we took 62 and 145 to Telluride. (Telluride has a nice city campground along the river, but no laundromat!!)  From Telluride we took 145 to Dolores and back to Cortez.  The trip was about 600-700 miles.  There were lots of campgrounds along the way.  Hope you have a great trip!!

25

Routes / US Perimeter Tour Logistics

« on: June 05, 2008, 07:11:15 pm »

Here's a great book about bicycling the perimeter of the U.S.  It was written by Jane Schnell.  If nothing else, it's fun to read.

http://www.amazon.com/Changing-Gears-Bicycling-Americas-Perimeter/dp/0962611204/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1212714202&sr=1-2

26

Routes / Pacific crest bike trail

« on: January 30, 2008, 02:33:52 am »

I assume you are talking about the ride that parallels the Pacific Crest Trail, but on roads.  Not on trails.  I have done that rider from Leavenworth, Washington to Sequoia National Park. The ride is awesome!!  There is lots of climbing through the Cascade and the Sierras, but the scenery is gorgeous.  Hig hway 89 in California can get busy and it is narrow in places. Camping is plentiful.  The climb into Sequoia National Park was the toughest.  It starts at about 500 feet above sea level, and I think you climb to about 8000.  It took us over a day to do that climb.  Have a great trip!!

27

General Discussion / Highway question

« on: January 30, 2008, 02:18:17 am »

It really depends on the state and safety. In 1990 I rode across Montana and was on I94/I90 most of the way.  There was VERY little traffic.  After awhile, I didn't even ride on the shoulder anymore, just stayed in the right hand lane.  I have also been told that one can ride on I-5 from Ashland to just south of Portland, but have never done it.  However, generally it is not allowed to ride on Interstates because of safety.

28

General Discussion / Pacific coast

« on: January 30, 2008, 02:25:05 am »

Although this topic has been covered well by the other responses, I wanted to chime in about campgrounds.  In both Oregon and California, the State Camping grounds have sites set aside just for bicyclists and they are very cheap.  I haven't done this trip lately, but the campgrounds cost around $2-$5 for cyclists.  In California the showers were extra, about 50 cents.  This is important because many of the campgrounds are full during the summer, but they are supposed to let cyclists in regardless without a reservation.  One side benefit is that cyclists are usually situated together.

29

General Discussion / Biking in Denmark

« on: February 20, 2006, 10:44:40 am »

By the way, you probably already know but Denmaark is VERY flat.  I think the hightest point is something like 900 feet above sea level.  But the winds can be debilitating.  And the campgrounds are awesome.  Have a great trip

30

General Discussion / Biking in Denmark

« on: February 20, 2006, 10:42:17 am »

I have biked in Europe many times, including Denmark.  I have never shipped my bike ahead of time, so I can't help you there. I have always taken the bike with me on the plane.

Most (but not all) airlines will let you take your bike on an international flight for free, counting as one piece of luggage.  You can either get a box from your local bicycle shop and pack the bike (probably the safest).  Either the bike shop can pakc it for you and you can do it yourself.  In addition, most airlines will let you buy a generic box, for $15 or more, to put your bike in.  For airline boxes, all you need to do is loosen and turn your handlebars (you may have to disconnect brake cable if not long enough) and take the pedals off.  You can usually get a box from at the airport, but then you have to stand in line twice: once to get the box, and then to check-in.  So allow enough time.  You can also put other things in the box to cushion the bike, like bikepads, or sleeping bags.

When you return, you can arrange to get a box from a bicycle store near the airport, not an easy thing to do.  Or you get a box from the airlines.  Some of the airlines only give you a big plastic bag to put your bike in.  I'm always scared when that happens, but nothing serious has happened yet.

Double-double check with the airline about their policy on taking bikes.  Usually they don't know!! I have gotten different answers, so it's worthwhile to do the homework ahead of time.

When you get to the airport in Denmark (Kalstrup?), just a nice out-of-the-way place to spread out and assemble your bike.  I have put my bike together in some of the finest airports in Europe: Hamburg, Gatwick, DeGaulle, Frankfurt, Shannon.

Wish you luck.  

I have never taken a BOB, so I can't help you there.