Messages

1

Bikecentennial / Re: Wish I was there

« on: November 27, 2009, 08:37:33 pm »

I was there, and it surely was a unique and unforgettable experience.  For me it was perfect timing, falling between school and my first job.  For many others I'm sure it was the same as my age group seemed to dominate the Bikecentennial population.  Our group (TAWK525) left Reedsport, Oregon on May 25th and arrived in Yorktown, Virginia 80 days later.  We were a camping group and began with most of us pitching a tent each night.  Eventually most of us resorted to sleeping under the stars sans tents.  One or two members of our group (Steve Levine?) didn't even bring a tent and they converted us to that lifestyle.  I have a journal (Summer Fun) on the crazyguyonabike website that tells the story of that summer as seen from my perspective.  Sadly, I've lost contact with most of our group.  I'd love to re-connect with the others and trade strories from '76.  Does anyone know these people and their whereabouts??  Michael A Lai (San Francisco, CA), Nancy Burkholder (Wooster, OH), Gerald T. Munchel (Greensburg, IN), Bob Ceasar (San Diego, CA), Steve Levine (San Juan, CA), Mike Smith (Crystal Lake, IL) and Scott J. Edwards (San Francisco, CA).  Cities listed are the towns these people called home in 1976.  Although I was there, I too, am very anxious to hear the experiences of others.

2

Gear Talk / Pannier/Daypack combo?

« on: February 01, 2008, 07:27:32 pm »

I've never tried them, but I'm intriguied by the panniers that convert into backpacks found at www.panpack.com.  Maybe these would work for you.
Brad

3

Gear Talk / Anyone name their bike?

« on: October 06, 2005, 11:06:00 pm »

I have'nt named any of my bicycles.  If I did, I'd probably name it something like "Good Times", then
whenever I tour I could let the "Good Times" roll.

4

Routes / Theme based tours

« on: November 30, 2008, 12:25:21 am »

What kind of theme based tours have you taken?  Historical, food based (BBQ, etc.), architectural, geological, baseball parks, hot springs, museums, etc., etc.  Weird or mundane, doesn't matter.  Just trying to gather ideas for future tours.  Thanks.

5

Routes / Lewis & Clark - Section 7

« on: July 06, 2005, 01:08:47 am »

Styx:
I didn't experience any problems with food or water between Biggs and Lewiston.  I didn't bring a stove, I ate out along the way.
 
For the entire trip my goal was to average around 50 miles per day.  My mileage on the Biggs/Lewiston stretch bounced around quite a bit.  I went about 60 miles from Biggs to Crow Butte Park (camped), 90 miles to Walla Walla (motel), 30 miles to Dayton (camped), 80 miles to Lewiston (camped).  I had my mind made up to motel it in Walla Walla, that was the reason for that high mileage day.  The day to Lewiston was a very easy day of riding.  I had a tailwind, plus it seemed I had a lot of gradual downhills.
 
Brad

6

Routes / Lewis & Clark - Section 7

« on: July 01, 2005, 12:04:51 am »

Styx:
I just got back from doing almost the same trip as you're planning.  I, too took Amtrak to Portland (from St. Paul, MN) and found it a neat way to travel.  I started in Astoria, Or and finished in Lewistown, MT.  From Missoula I went onto the section 5 map, but here's what I can tell you up to Missoula:
-lots of waterfalls on the Oregon side.  Multnomah Falls is the most popular but some of the others (such as Latourel, Wahkeena and Horsetail) are very nice also.  The Historic Scenic Columbia River Highway is very scenic with lots of shade trees for comfortable riding.  Several neat overlooks of the Columbia Gorge.
-Rowena Crest has some wonderful views of the graceful switchbacks falling downwards into The Dalles.
-The Dalles has some neat murals on some of the downtown walls.
-I like the scenery from Walla Walla to Waitsburg.
-Also some good looking country along Alpowa Creek just before Clarkston.
-Long uphill climb from Culdesac to Winchester, but also quite scenic.  Nice campground at Winchester State Park.
-Beautiful, beautiful ride along the Lochsa River.  Sometimes hard to fully enjoy as Highway 12 has a fair amount of traffic (including trucks) and has no shoulder...ride aware.
-East of Biggs services are rather sparse (with the exception of Umatilla).  This stretch contains an absurd number of discarded soda bottles filled with pee, more so than any other stretch of road I've been on.  Crow Butte Park has plenty of room for camping.  They also have a small store with snack type stuff located in a building at the swimming beach.  They just opened as I was there, hours of operation may vary.
Hope you have a wonderful ride,
 
Brad

7

General Discussion / What book would you recommend to read?

« on: November 30, 2008, 12:33:06 am »

If you are referring to books on bicyle touring I would recommend anything by Willie Weir or Joe Kurmaskie a.k.a. the Metal Cowboy.  These books contain great tales from the road.

8

General Discussion / Lewis and Clark Trail

« on: November 20, 2003, 02:46:07 am »

Hello Darius:
My two cents worth concerning the Lewis & Clark Trail: I started near St. Louis (actually St. Charles) and bicycled to Williston, ND.  This is the first long tour I've taken since crossing the U.S. via Bikecentennial in 1976.  Traffic did not seem to be too bad along the route.  It was heavier near the big cities, as expected, but never really a big bother.  I was surprised to find a little more traffic in the Dakotas than I expected.  Surely not heavy or a particular bother but a fair number of fisherman pulling boats, especially on weekends as the Missouri River is a hot fishing attraction.
Scenic areas:
-The Katy Trail in Missouri, especially near Easley and Rocheport.  Keep a sharp eye to the left of the trail (when traveling west and very shortly after crossing a bridge) near Easley for "Boat Henge".  A cabin owner has "planted" his old, retired boats into the ground in a vertical fashion and created a unique outdoor sculpture.
-Arrow Rock is a cool little town.  A tourist town with many old and interesting buildings.  Weekends are probably pretty busy, but when I was there during the week it was quite quiet and the State Park is right next to the town.
-Weston is another interesting town similar in style to Arrow Rock.
-Definitely stop at the Lewis & Clark State Park near Onawa, Iowa if you get the chance and especially so if you have an interest in Lewis & Clark.  "Wild Bill" a heavy-set chap with a bushy beard volunteers his time there.  He's there virtually every day during the summer months and he's a walking, talking fountain of information on the Lewis and Clark Expedition.  He'll gladly share his knowledge and he's a great guy to boot.  The park has three replica boats of the Lewis and Clark expedition docked on an oxbow of the Missouri.  You can board these boats at your leisure and get a great insight into a part of the expedition spent on the river.
-Spirit Mound near Vermillion, SD.  A landmark visited by Lewis and Clark.  It is located about seven miles off the route, but I took a rest day in Vermillion and explored it that day.  Worked out good for me.
-I enjoyed the wonderful countryside near Fort Thompson, SD, Mobridge, SD, the area between Yankton, SD and Marty, SD, and the area from New Town, ND to Williston, ND.
-Again if you're into Lewis & Clark, Sioux City, Iowa and Washburn, ND have very good visitor centers.
-Knife River Indian Villages Historic Site just outside of Stanton, ND is a fun stop.  They have a replica of a Hidatsa earth lodge.
 
A few other places I found interesting (places to stay or eating establishments):
-Ellis Bakery in Boonville, Missouri.  An old brick building with a fantastic tin ceiling.
(I like old buildings)
-Apple Tree Lane Bed and Breakfast near Excelsior Springs, Missouri (1 mile off route).  A great place to stay if you like these sort of things.  The home cooked meals are fabulous!  Because they are located out in the country they also include dinner with their rate.  Dinner, room, breakfast, Wow!  Ask for the Northwoods Room.
-Smithville, Missouri has a great old building called the "Brickhouse Café and Pub".  Good food, attentive, friendly staff and a good place to mellow out especially if you like blues music (this they play non-stop).
-The city park in Falls City, NB (Stanton Lake) is a nice, quiet little park for camping.  Cheap and they have  a shower.
-Bike Plus, a bicycle shop in Vermillion, SD.  Rich Ross the owner is a very nice guy, has a well stocked shop and will gladly provide information on the area.
-Griffin Park in downtown Pierre, SD is a very good place to pitch a tent.  Camping is free, but they do not have showers.
-Pollack, SD has a really cool B & B.  It’s the old town train depot, built around the turn of the century.  Completely restored the whole second floor is available for rent.  They only charge $50.00 per group.  I was going solo, so they let me have it for $25.00.  The owners are very friendly too.
-"Sweet Violet's" in Stanton, ND.  They have great buffalo burgers and ice cream.  'Nuff said.
-Ginger's Café in Williston, ND.  Very, very good food at reasonable prices.  One half block off route in downtown Williston.

I sure enjoyed the journey and will travel the western half of the route in 2005.
 
Brad