Messages

1

Routes / Re: My own Great Debate

« on: April 02, 2011, 02:16:15 am »

 Thanks for the advice on train travel IndyFabz, I was unaware of that information before right now. That helps alot and if I have to spend an extra day or two riding from Richmond to Yorktown and the actual start of a Trans-America tour then so be it.  It will all be worth it to say I rode, literally, from coast to coast. Thanks for the responses, it was very much appreciated.

PS from what ive read, the western express can be brutal but by then I'm thinking survival will be a given. Water and food will be in abundance. I dont like to go hungry nor do I like being thirsty so taking chances is the last thing that I have in mind.

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Routes / Re: My own Great Debate

« on: April 01, 2011, 02:35:15 am »

SCREW THAT! Im going coast to coast!!! Train from NJ to the start of the TransAm, take that to Co and then its the western express into the pacific!

Hahaha there are so many choices but I thought about it and why cheat my way and take a train across the country that I live and not learn anything about the peoples on the east or see any of the splendor these lands have to offer. This sounds like the best idea to me and I think that 2 months will provide more than enough time to accomplish this dream and be back with enough time to see my nephew be born. Its a done deal. (until tomorrow when I concoct another idea)

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Routes / Re: My own Great Debate

« on: April 01, 2011, 02:02:59 am »

Thinking outside of the box is great advice-Im just so torn on where to ride! I'd like to do it but thats just unreasonable. I think taking the train is my better bet just because I can still see the country(somewhat) that ill miss and wont be killed with the fees that go along with taking a bike on a plane. I really would like to ride into California and to the Pacific Ocean. Having grown up all my life, and still being only miles from the Atlantic, it has been a dream of mine. The thought of taking a train to Denver and riding the Western Express in its entirety and then turning north seems appealing, considering that youve stated how joyous riding on the Pacific is. You may be on to something here... 

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Routes / My own Great Debate

« on: March 30, 2011, 11:53:06 pm »

WHERE TO START?!?!?!   

So, as many of you, I plan on touring starting in June. This is a given and in the months passed, I had the idea to ride from my home in NJ, south to VA and then across eventually ending in 'Frisco. Within the past week, Ive really flirted with the idea of getting to the west coast by rail and then "taking the long way home" by bike. The latter idea, now, is especially tempting seeing as recent news of my sister having a baby boy thats due in late August has emerged. I would love to leave from my home on the east coast and ride into the sunset day in and day out but I would be eternally bummed if I were to say, NOT make it all the way to the west coast pre-baby. That is going to be the deciding factor on when I end my trip. So, I have 2 questions for all of you with more experience than I and I would love to hear what your opinions are...

"Am I just being ridiculous for wanting to see the Pacific Ocean and just enjoy the ride for what it brings or is riding along the west coast as breathtaking as I have imagined in my head?" (NJ IS FLAT ALONG THE WATER!)

"Where can I take a train into, to get somewhere above the Red Woods in NORCAL so I can ride the Pacific Coast to 'Frisco and then bear east?"

 

5

General Discussion / Re: Does a bum toughen up?

« on: March 24, 2011, 02:33:52 am »

My take on it is that ANY seat will give you discomfort but only for the first few rides, MAX! Im in the process of breaking in a Brooks professional for my tour this summer and the first few miles left me sore but now that ive got about 100 miles (no where near broken in yet  ) I find that the saddle soreness has gone away. So, to answer your question, yes saddle soreness goes away as your sit bones work their way into whatever your saddle of choice is. If discovering any numbness or serious discomfort than by all means a new seat would be within reason but any kind of time in the saddle will leave you uncomfortable to some degree at first.

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General Discussion / Re: photography and cycling

« on: March 01, 2011, 10:04:30 pm »

that video seemed to go on forever and in the best possible way. I enjoyed your trip of Oregon, from the comforts of my home 3 miles from the atlantic ocean in NJ. nicely put together and thanks for the good vibes~

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Routes / Re: Setting out from New York City.....Good idea or not?

« on: February 21, 2011, 10:26:05 am »

riding in NYC at first is very intimidating but once you realize that you have the best form of transportation to get around the city that feeling quickly dissipates and it becomes very enjoyable. Its the best way to see the city imho with the ferry being second because you can see it from the outside. You should enjoy it, and know that its not as hard as it may seem to escape if needed. good luck! 

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Colorado / Re: Worst experience across the US was in CO

« on: February 17, 2011, 11:37:09 am »

out of curiosity-has anyone ever been pulled over for speeding on their bike? kinda random question for the thread but i'm more than capable of hitting speeds over 25 miles per hour if i'm working for it and regularly do so in the summer months in new jersey to "race" cars that are sitting in traffic to get to the beach. wreckless, sure but its a rush

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Gear Talk / Re: Marin Four Corners

« on: February 13, 2011, 10:56:28 pm »

I work for a Marin Dealer in NJ and I can honestly say that MOST of what Marin makes is a very quality ride with there beach cruisers being the exception. I have not yet had the chance to ride a 4 corners but for the money, looks to be a great bike. Good luck on your search!

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General Discussion / Re: Luxuries

« on: February 07, 2011, 10:18:39 pm »

I love the idea of bringing a fishing pole. I am working on my first tour as well and this sounds like something to sink a little thought into. Usually my luxury is riding my bike so I hadnt put any effort into this aspect. As far as a fishing license... "OOPS! I had no idea..!" A fishing infraction in Kansas is my last concern hahaha

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General Discussion / Re: Indoor Training...

« on: February 01, 2011, 08:08:20 pm »

I have been spinning at the gym and just like the trainers, the sensation of riding just isnt really there. It is basically just going through the motions of pedaling and therefore only working/keeping loose the legs. With the rollers its nice because it utilizes the lower portion of your body with pedaling, your core (abs and back) to maintain balance and your upper body (arms and shoulders) to hold you up and stabilize your bars. With that being said, once I tried my friends rollers-spin got really old, really quick. Try the rollers first but be forewarned it does take some getting used to and keep in mind that my only advice for rollers is to just go for it, pedal up to speed and maintain it-once you start cruising you will realize what I mean.

PS SPRING AHEAD!Punxatawny Phil will tell us just how much longer we here on the East Coast have to endure winter, tomorrow.

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Gear Talk / Re: How accessible is propane on the TA Trail/good stove?

« on: December 23, 2010, 10:49:55 pm »

It's just funny because I was totally willing to go out and buy an actual($$$) propane burning stove and this seems to be the lightest/easiest/most efficient way to cook food and boil water and it is made out of house hold items Replacement would be a breeze too if it came down to it on the road. I also like the fact that rubbing alcohol is almost everywhere from grocery stores to pharmacies to hardware stores. This will definitely be what I will be bringing with me on the road.

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Gear Talk / Re: How accessible is propane on the TA Trail/good stove?

« on: December 23, 2010, 08:12:35 pm »

Im thinking of just making/experimenting with a coke can stove for the time being and see how i can make that work for me. If it works out well then I will just carry one of those with me for the trip considering its only an ounce of weight, easily replaced, and uses isopropyl as fuel. This is very easily accessible and the weight gained from the fuel is lost with the stove.

Have any of you guys out there used this approach to camp cooking?

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Gear Talk / How accessible is propane on the TA Trail/good stove?

« on: December 14, 2010, 01:58:34 pm »

I have in mind to cook my meals most of the way along the TA trail when I converse it next summer considering I enjoy making a nice meal for myself and so my question would be-
1. What is a camping stove that you guys have had good success with (lightweight, ease of use, maximum efficiency)?
2. How common are fill stations where I can access a gas such as propane to power my burner?

Im making a trip to REI by Philly this upcoming week so I want to have a base for what to look at.

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General Discussion / Re: photography and cycling

« on: December 12, 2010, 09:27:03 am »

Although photography is not a hobby of mine, I will be bringing a camera with me when I leave this coming May to do the TA Trail. I found this sweet little thing that Kodak makes thats just like the flip camera's so it takes hd video as well as 5+ mp pictures and its nice and tiny. Just in case I see something I need to capture in time. If it will be used is yet to be seen but in my mind it has tons of uses.