Recent Posts

31

General Discussion / Re: Tandem bike possible with large rider in Stoker position

« Last post by unfdad on May 21, 2013, 01:13:04 pm »

Gosh John,

Certainly appreciate the great info and quick response.  Did not understand "There are a lot of options depending on whether you want couplers, belt drive, Rohloff hub, etc."...can you explain what options I should look for and consider to make our touring an enjoyable experience.  Also, do both people on a tandem have to peddle at the same cadance or can a bike be set up where one can peddle at a difference cadance...or even coast while the other person continues to peddle.

Thanks again!

Don

32

General Discussion / Re: Tandem bike possible with large rider in Stoker position

« Last post by John Nelson on May 21, 2013, 12:37:17 pm »

I have a friends in a similar situation. They do successfully ride a tandem together, but they had to get it custom made by Co-Motion, one of the best tandem manufacturers. Standard off-the-shelf tandems are almost always designed for a larger captain than stoker.

http://www.co-motion.com/index.php/tandems/general/custom

If you go this route, it is best if you work with a bike shop to get the measurements to custom fit you. If the bike shops are willing to work with each other, you should each be able to go to your own local bike shop. I'd recommend you visit one of the Co-Motion dealers in your area. You can find one by clicking on the "Find Dealer" link at the above cited web site.

There are a lot of options depending on whether you want couplers, belt drive, Rohloff hub, etc. Plan to spend in the $3000-$6000 range, maybe more if you go fancy.

Tandem bikes can fit on standard rear hitch racks, usually with the wheels removed to make them shorter. They can also be transported on the roofs of SUVs or station wagons. You can fly with a tandem by breaking it down if you get couplers, but it takes a long time to disassemble and reassemble, and you should buy the fairly pricey cases they sell. It will take two cases to hold it.

AFAIK, there's no problem pulling a trailer with a tandem. You can also use panniers if you prefer.

33

Youth Bicyle Travel / Boy Scouts Bike Across the US--Check it out

« Last post by mcrosen on May 21, 2013, 12:22:57 pm »

If you're interested in youth bike trips, follow us across the United States this summer.

We're a group of mostly high school students and Boy Scouts riding from Maryland to Oregon this summer to raise money for the Lineberger Cancer Center at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Many of us are new to this, but a few of us have done it before once or twice. Follow us on our GPS map on our website at www.lucky13biketrip.com, or see updates from our Twitter page @Lucky13BikeTrip.

Feel free to ask questions about our trip, our cause, or anything else about biking across the country.

34

General Discussion / Tandem bike possible with large rider in Stoker position

« Last post by unfdad on May 21, 2013, 10:24:58 am »

I am new to forums, and to this site, so please forgive anything not done correctly.  My brother (who is vision impaired) and myself are considering taking up long distance bicycling touring next year when we retire and I have a couple questions I'm hoping that can answered to let me know if this is possible for us.

My brother is 6' 4" tall, his weight is in the mid 190's, and I believe his inseam is 36”.  I am 5' 10.5" tall, my weight is in low 190's, and my inseam is 30.5”.  Since I have good vision I would need to ride in the front seat position and my brother would be riding behind me. 

•   Can a bike be configured to handle this size difference? 
•   Any suggestion on what manufacturer would be a good quality bike to look into?
•   My brother lives near Rochester, NY and I live in Jacksonville, FL…any suggestion for bike shops to check out in either of our areas?  If not then anywhere on the east coast between us?
•   Any thoughts on what we should expect to spend for a good quality bike?
•   How hard is it to transport a tandem bike?
•   Can a BOB trailer be used to pull camping gear and should a single or double wheeled trailer be considered?

Thanks for any thoughts you may be able to offer,

Don Bidleman

35

Gear Talk / Re: Bio Lite Stove...

« Last post by darren.pinkham on May 21, 2013, 08:58:22 am »

I havce never personnally owned a bio light stove but i recently looked into buying one. from what i've gathered from the multile reviews that i've read, the biolite stove is more trouble then it's worth. The stove takes hours to charge something as simple as a cell phone and has a low fuel capacity so you need to refill it frequently. also it wieghs about 2.5 pounds which is really quite a bit of weight for a stove but you will not have to carry fuel. Personally i feel the whole charger system is just another thing to break and a simpler stove might be more reliable option. i have been leaning more towards the vital stove which is roughly the same minuse the charger and about 40$ cheaper. The fan on the vital stove works off of a seperate battery to run it's fan, unlike the biostove which needs to be generating enough heat to power the fan.The vital stove weighs about and pound and a half which is a whole pound lighted then the bio lite stove. A pound and a half is still pretty heavy for a stove but keep in mind that you will be saving weight and space when it come to fuel.

If you want to check this stove out here's a link
http://www.vitalstove.eu/

I hope you find a stove that meets your needs
Darren

36

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / Re: transamerica, section 10, map 124

« Last post by JMilyko on May 21, 2013, 07:47:16 am »

No worries, Jana! Keep posting here, I'll forward them on to Twitter.

Hope your trip has been great.

.Jennifer.

37

Routes / Re: Route help needed from Ashland, OR to Shasta

« Last post by JMilyko on May 21, 2013, 07:45:00 am »

If you ride the Sierra Cascades section 3 route from Ashland to Shasta, it's only 7 miles in I-5. =)

http://www.adventurecycling.org/cyclosource-store/route-maps/sierra-cascades-route/sp/sierra-cascades-route-section-3/

.Jennifer.

38

Connecting ACA Routes / Re: Connecting Southern Tier to Western Express

« Last post by jpendleton on May 21, 2013, 07:43:30 am »

Did you ever work out a route to Durango?  We're westboud on ST now.  Had planned to continue to Grand Canyon Connector but we're more than ready to start angling away from the west headwinds.  If not from Silver City, then another option we're considering is to continue on ST to Globe then head northwest through Payson and Flagstaff to Grand Canyon.  How are those roads (188, 87,...) for traffic and shoulders?

39

Routes / Re: Route help needed from Ashland, OR to Shasta

« Last post by Gabe on May 20, 2013, 09:40:41 pm »

Thanks y'all!  That's exactly what I needed.  I can handle 10 miles on the interstate, especially when it's all down hill.

40

Routes / Re: A Brit in New Mexico

« Last post by bobbys beard on May 20, 2013, 05:18:26 pm »

from one brit to another, i recommend you take a compass. saved me a lot of time on junctions without signage.

and yes,  it will no doubt be hot so make sure you carry plenty of water. 

enjoy