Messages

1

Gear Talk / Both panniers AND trailer at the same time?

« on: April 24, 2008, 11:16:00 am »

my husband and i toured australia with a full set of panniers each, and traded off on the BOB, which we mostly used for the bulky stuff: tent, mats and sleeping bags. it made packing panniers much easier. it may be overkill, but for us, bush camping 7 months straight, it simplified things. the BOB can be turned over for use as a table with two camp stools(which also fit in the BOB bag).
regards-janet

2

Gear Talk / Camping Tent

« on: July 15, 2007, 10:31:24 pm »

i use these guidelines when buying & using a new tent:
*fly reaches all the way to the ground
*it has lots of ventilation
*has 1 door if for one person, two doors if for two people
*i replace the factory stakes with good nail pegs, and always carry extras
*treat it lovingly, especially by packing the wet and dirt fly and groundcloth separately
regards-janet

3

Gear Talk / Underwear

« on: August 19, 2007, 03:11:18 am »

andiamos!
regards-janet

4

Gear Talk / Charging electronics on camping tour?

« on: July 15, 2007, 10:38:29 pm »

try a brunton solar charger you can strap to the top of a pannier or leave out on a picnic table:
http://www.brunton.com/catalog.php?cat=8

5

Gear Talk / which panniers?

« on: February 17, 2007, 04:38:23 am »

ortlieb! a great attachment system, and they keep out all water and dust. the only downfall is very hot weather-your food will cook inside of them. they last forever-i rode 600 miles with the front rollers attached improperly with nary a problem. it may be a decision between pockets and plain. good luck!

6

Gear Talk / does anyone use a rolhoff speedhub on their tourer

« on: January 27, 2007, 05:01:54 am »

i have a rohloff 14 on a bike friday folding bike. very sweet shifting, with nary a problem. it weighs more & is wider, and the rear rack struts must be stretched a bit to accomodate. otherwise flawless, with a simple oil change each year. no bent derallieurs!

7

Gear Talk / Bike for Petite Women

« on: January 28, 2006, 11:27:08 pm »

to get a perfect fit you will probably have to go for a custom bike. i've had great luck with 2 bike fridays, especially handy for travel. the fitting can be done by phone or email. good luck!

This message was edited by jnorth on 1-28-06 @ 7:28 PM

8

Gear Talk / Comfort Gear

« on: January 25, 2006, 09:33:41 pm »

definitely a three-legged stool with back rest(turn the empty BOB over for a table), a small pillow, and  at least a one inch thick thermarest if the trip is more than 7 days.

9

Gear Talk / solar battery charger

« on: January 25, 2006, 09:27:57 pm »

i've had good luck with a brunton solarport and my canon s100 elph's mAH NB-1LH rechargeable battery. i used the canon dc adapter and female coupler from the brunton.

This message was edited by jnorth on 1-25-06 @ 5:28 PM

10

Gear Talk / Panniers or Trailer?

« on: December 05, 2005, 01:20:37 am »

i'm sorry, but i agree with mr. hiltz-there's alot out there to read before you post...have you checked out: www. crazyguyonabike.com???
here's my completely breakable rules:
one person, trip < 2 weeks-panniers
one person, trip > 2 weeks, sleeping inside-panniers
one person, trip > 2 weeks, self contained-trailer
two people, trip > 2 weeks-trailer
airline travel involved-panniers
full suspension bike-trailer
REALLY bad roads-panniers
tired of broken spokes-panniers
bike won't stay upright on kickstand-trailer
travel backwards going uphill-panniers
wore off back of heel-trailer
need solar panels-trailer
recumbant-trailer
tandem-trailer
am german-panniers
am swiss-trailer
am multi cultural-both
the there's a folding bike...
regards-janet

11

Gear Talk / online gear

« on: December 05, 2005, 01:29:04 am »

howdy-i live in alaska, and can totally emphasize with the isolation, and outrageous(or nonexistant)shipping choices/policies.
try:
www.rivbike.com  (california)
or:
http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/bikes.html
or perhaps an internet search of canadian bike resources.
if, like me, you check shipping policies before ordering, to avoid fedex or ups ground delivery failures, don't hestitate to call and request what is the most convenient for you.
good luck-janet

12

Gear Talk / Posting journal entires and technology

« on: December 05, 2005, 01:51:02 am »

do you really want to cycle tour with expensive electronic devices?? i agree with mgarnett-use public libraries and hotels to post your journal through: wwwcrazyguyonabike.com
a cinch to set up, and he replies to problems quickly.
regards-janet

13

Gear Talk / solar battery chargers

« on: January 28, 2004, 10:48:23 pm »

oops=i read everyone else's replies after i posted my own. addendum-to have successful solar recharging you must have enough extra batteries so you don't get caufght short. recharge one set while the other is in the device.
 i live in alaska, and have no problem using solar power(in my house and on the road), as long as i am prepared for poor sun hour quality-but hey! we make up for it with daylight length!. most small electronic batteries take no more than 4-5 hours to recharge with the brunton.
TTFN

14

Gear Talk / solar battery chargers

« on: January 28, 2004, 10:40:19 pm »

hi-i have the brunton 2.2 solarport, it is great for charging gameboys, cellphones, pdas, etc. if i had a chance to do it again, i'd get the solarport 4.4 (includes the AA battery thingy). it is the size and weight of a vhs tape, and has a heap of adapter plugs. i have used it for all kinds of trips-bike, car, boat, with good results.
i don't know anything about rechargable stoves-good luck!
regards=janet

15

Routes / denali adventure

« on: April 24, 2008, 11:09:56 am »

please come fully prepared for sub-freezing temperatures. the weather is very unpredictable there, esp with the altitude(i suggest a down vest or jacket for the evenings). skin, hands and feet need special coverage & care, it is very dry and dusty.
the park highway road is several long and acute ups and downs as you cross the river beds. it is a unique and unspoiled vista 24 hours a day(no darkness in summer).
regards-janet