Recent Posts

91

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

« Last post by jana on May 17, 2013, 01:34:01 pm »

Sorry Jennifer, we don't tweet! But I'll certainly continue to post any relevant info we stumble upon. In terms of food, we just ate at Brooks Cafe in Sonora and it was AWESOME. The owner was telling us that there have been fewer transam cyclists showing up these last few years. A pity. Definitely highly recommended. They're open Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm.

92

General Discussion / Re: Establishing a budget. Can you review my list? Suggestions??

« Last post by staehpj1 on May 17, 2013, 11:53:44 am »

Front Panniers - $160 - Nashbar or Performance Waterproof often on sale for under $40
Back Panniers - $180 - Nashbar or Performance Waterproof often under $50
The above panniers have worked well for me for a coast to coast trip and some other long trips.  That said you only list one rack.  If using 4 panniers you will need 2.
Socks - $25 - I usually use Underarmor low cut poly socks 4 pairs for about $14 (the poly ones).  I take two pairs three at most.  I have found that for me they work better than cycling socks. 
Spares (chain, tubes, etc) - $25 - Chain?  Why would you ever need a spare chain unless going somewhere really remote for a long time.   
Tools - $135 - Sounds kind of high.  It varies with the bike though.  
Locks - $100 - I usually tour with a $12 lock.
Water (CamelBak) - $40 - I'd skip the camelbak

93

General Discussion / Re: Establishing a budget. Can you review my list? Suggestions??

« Last post by indyfabz on May 17, 2013, 10:17:54 am »

+1 on the pedals, shoes and cleats. E.g., My Shimano MT-33L MTB shoes were probably around $50 a few years ago. Got a disocunted paid of Shimano SPD pedals earlier this year for around $50.

Why carry a spare chain? Learn how to make temporary repairs and bring the necessary tool and extra links to do so. In all likelihood, if you start out with a new chain I don't see much of a chance of any problems. I crossed the country with 12 other people. That represented over 55,000 bike miles. Not one broken or damaged chain.

+1 on the "locks." A fairly light cable and small lock are all you need to deter oportunistic theft. And keep in mind that a u-lock doesn't come in that handy outside the urban setting. I personally think many people have an unrealistic notion of the risk of theft. When I carry a lock I find I rarely use it. During my last week+ tour (10 days) I used my lock 3 of the 7 nights I spent outside. Would have been 2, but the Missoula KOA seemed somewhat accessible to the general public.

I see a budget for fron and rear panniers but only one rack. Four panniers requires 2 racks.

Come up with a budget for clothing and things like gloves based on where and when you will be travelling. Nothern Tier in May? You are going to want/need cold/wet weather gear.

What tools are you considering? I have never toured with more than a chain tool, tire levers, spoke wrench, a set of allen wrenches and the screw driver and knife in my Swiss Arm knife.

94

General Discussion / Re: Establishing a budget. Can you review my list? Suggestions??

« Last post by John Nelson on May 17, 2013, 09:48:20 am »

If you have time to wait for sales, you can probably do better on many items. And there is no one place to get all this stuff. Different places will have different sales on different items at different times. REI has their several times a year 20% off one full-priced item sale which I use to buy big stuff that doesn't usually go on sale. But it might take you two years to acquire stuff with one coupon at a time.

Gloves - $25 I get my summer gloves for under $10 at Performance.
Helmet - $50 I've never spent more than $35.
Front Panniers - $160
Back Panniers - $180
Handlebar bag   - $60
Handlebar - Find USED
Fork   - $100
Pedals - $100 Performance sells SPD-compatable pedals for $20 to $45.
Shoes (w/ cleats) - $150 Cleats come with the pedals, not the shoes. You can get Shimano MTB shoes for $30 to $70 at Performance. Forte brand MTB shoes can be had for even less.
Socks - $25
Clothes - $220 That may not be not enough, but it depends on what's included and what you already have.
Brakes & Cables - $140
Tires   - $100 If you get tires suitable for long-distance touring, you may need to spend a bit more.
Spares (chain, tubes, etc) - $25   The spare chain alone will probably cost you $25. Tubes about $4 each. "Etc" could cost a lot more.
Saddle - $60 Saddles are available in whatever price range you want. The Brooks B-17, favored by many but not all touring cyclists, is around $100.
Shift Cables - $20
Derailleur   - $100
Rack - $45
Tools - $135 You can spend this much on tools, but I recommend you don't take $135 worth of tools along with you on the ride. That would be way too heavy.
Locks - $100 Way, way too much. A $100 lock will be ten times too heavy. A $10 lock is as much as you want to carry.
Chain Lube - $8
Water (CamelBak) - $40
Food -
Maps - $151

95

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

« Last post by JMilyko on May 17, 2013, 09:01:41 am »

Thanks for the info, jana! I have also tweeted it out on the #acaTransAm hashtag. if you're on Twitter, would love to have you use it along the way to report in on flooding and good food stops, too!

Enjoy your TransAm journey!

.Jennifer.

96

General Discussion / My experience dehydrating food to take touring

« Last post by raybo on May 17, 2013, 07:49:45 am »

On my recently completed tour around Big Bend National Park in West Texas, I experimented with dehydrating my own food and taking it along for eating on the road. I dehydrated mashed potatoes, broccoli, and carrots. I also took dehydrated re-fried beans (this I'd taken before), textured vegetable protein (TVP) and nutritional yeast.

I had the potatoes, broccoli and carrots for two meals. The resulting stew was filling, tasty (with enough spices added), and lightweight. Unfortunately, the carrots were very chewy and the broccoli a bit tasteless.

The nutritional yeast was a great addition to the re-fried beans and make a great replacement for cheese. I will definitely take this on future trips.

I have written an article that covers all this is much greater detail, should you be interested in reading more.

For future tours, I will definitely be dehydrating some foods and packing them along for the ride!

97

Classifieds / KONA SUTRA & PANNIERS

« Last post by shane.lonergan on May 16, 2013, 11:13:16 pm »

56cm 2012 KONA SUTRA - 4 MEC panniers, 2 rain proof covers, cycle computer, spare spokes, 1 bottle cage.
Bike and gear (small rip in one of smaller front panniers) is in excellent condition. Awesome set up which has been extremely reliable. Asking $1000 obo

98

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

« Last post by jana on May 16, 2013, 06:35:17 pm »

We just heard from a guy in Bardstown that Howardstown Road (through Howardstown) is closed due to flooding. We are going to hop on the 583 to New Haven and then the 31E to rejoin the route at the junction of the 84 and the 470. Hope this helps some other riders!
Jana and Tom www.honkforfreedom.com

99

General Discussion / Re: Cycling Pants...

« Last post by rawhite1969 on May 16, 2013, 05:54:39 pm »

I often ride in running pants.  Tapered enough at the bottom to not be a problem, but loose enough otherwise to be comfortable.  Padded shorts under them.  Ride in them all winter and anytime temp requires it.    Also very happy with some capri length riding pants from AeroTechDesigns.  Lots of pockets, room in the right places.  They hit below the knee.

100

General Discussion / Re: Cycling partner(s)

« Last post by dwboca on May 16, 2013, 05:28:50 pm »

Hi Westinghouse,

Not a full hijack but a partial - sorry - but it's on topic.

I am not signing up for your tour (timing bad) but would like to see if there is interest on your part or any other people reading this post for joining me for any part or all of my modified Southern Tier tour. 
This is my basic route https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=213731278210051813731.0004c3e119ef9df5c7235&msa=0

I want to do this in 29 or 30 days, self-supported, camping most nights and a motel once a week.  The average daily mileage would be 92 miles to complete in 29 days.  The route is 2,600 miles and I "borrowed" it from two other cyclists who did it and said the route was pretty good.  I will be 55 years old and am into endurance activities.  I have never cycle toured before but have bought all the right equipment and am training/experimenting right now.  I will earnestly start training in October 2013 and be ready by March 2014 for my trip.

Check out my website:  www.paddleacrossflorida.com and navigate to the training section where I have started to post my bicycle exploits.


I have decided to do this alone but want to consider having someone join me.  The only two people I know whom I would invite cannot make it due to the time constraint (like me, they have jobs).

Let me know if any interest.

dave