Messages

1

Routes / Re: How many people ride the Northern Tier each year?

« on: August 09, 2025, 06:17:11 pm »

This is a marvelous thread.  As a veteran of the road, I can say for myself that the allure of paved bike touring--in the West, where I live--has narrowed down to about zero.  The increase in traffic and distracted drivers have led to a steady, dangerous decline in the experience.  I loved my seasons on the road and stayed with the Canaligators on my coast-to-coast in 2007 (Thanks, guys!  That meant A LOT.), but I can't see myself ever doing something similar again.  In the Midwest/East there are so many road options, out here?  Almost none--UNLESS, you go off piste, which is what I have done.  It's all about fat nobby tires and remote routes, some long, many shorter, gravel, sand, 4x4, single-track.  Once you get into this kind of riding, it's really hard to go back.  Traffic suxs, straight up, and out in the middle of Utah on a crusty 4x4 road, you might get one slow-moving rig all day--or none.  I can't say about numbers, but the "bikepacking" dirt is growing.  It's definitely a more demanding discipline, but we love it.

2

Routes / Idaho Hot Springs Intel?

« on: August 09, 2025, 06:03:38 pm »

Ahoy, Riders:  My wife, our faithful hound, and I--God willing and the creeks don't rise and the fires don't burn--will be trying the Idaho Hot Springs Loop in Sept.  We have the ACA paper maps, and I have a GPS download as well.  Has anyone done it recently?  Any concerns/worries/stuff we need to know?  Also, perhaps my main concern now, is bears.  How bad are they?  What precautions did you take? We have an Ur-sack, but the thing is heavy AF, and, frankly, seemed to be pointless when we did two sections of the GDMBR the last two years.  Appreciate whatever you can throw our way.

Thanks!

Scott, Jodi and Patchy--arf!

3

Routes / Re: San Fran to San Luis Obispo - Hwy 1

« on: August 09, 2025, 05:56:32 pm »

Be prepared for some MUCH hotter cycling!  Also, check out that route profile--looks brutal!

4

Routes / Re: Backside of Glacier??

« on: May 16, 2024, 06:36:57 pm »

We were pretty horrified by the afternoon traffic heading west on that afternoon closure section.  The good news (sarcasm) is that the traffic didn't decrease at all when we got back on the road.  Ugh.  Campground in West Glacier was wonderful, and the breakfast they cooked!  Bueno,

5

Routes / Arizona Route 191 South of Alpine?

« on: May 16, 2024, 05:52:22 pm »

Hey, Riders:  My wife, or pup, and I are heading out for a bikepacking tour through the high country of eastern AZ.  For those interested, here's the route--although we're doing a truncated version:

https://www.theforrestbiome.com/el-lobo-lupus.html

Our version starts and ends in Springerville and avoids a big drop to the lowest point of the route and instead does a direct connection heading south from Alpine for about 15 miles on US Hwy 191, the Coronado Trail.  Looks like zero shoulder, but it also looks like very light traffic.  Anyone with experience on this route?  Thanks!

6

Classifieds / Re: Wanted: Camping chair - packable

« on: June 11, 2022, 12:21:19 pm »

Dude, that's DEEEELUX!  Hah.  Re. weight:  My wife and I bike tour with our dog, so a few pounds here and there are no biggie for regular bike tourers.  Enjoy.  Time in camp will be so much better.

7

Connecting ACA Routes / GDMBR to Western Wild Lands connector?

« on: June 11, 2022, 11:56:00 am »

Anyone ridden the GDMBR to WWL connector from Solida to Utah?  Looking at this as a possible alternate to finishing the GDMBR to Silver City if conditions are crap in NM.  Any intel, experiences appreciated.

8

Classifieds / Re: Wanted: Camping chair - packable

« on: June 11, 2022, 11:53:04 am »

I've been using one of the bottom-of-the-line Crazy Creek chairs.  They weigh about a pound and can be rolled up for attaching to the bike.  I use a velcro strap to lock mine down in a roll.  Way less than $100 if you can't fine something used on this forum.

9

General Discussion / GPS navigation apps/info?

« on: January 21, 2022, 05:21:02 pm »

Hey, riders:

Doing my homework for an attempt on the GDMBR this August.  I've got both RidewithGPS and the ACA app on my phone.  Any preferences/opinions/insights as to what to use? I'm leaning towards the ACA app as it lines up well with the paper maps, which we have, but I've yet to purchase the ACA app maps.  Any experiences with the ACA?  We'd like to go with phones if possible instead of adding another piece of gear.

Thanks!

10

Gear Talk / Re: Which recumbent?

« on: June 22, 2021, 10:50:13 pm »

Congrats on the Hase. Superb machines.

11

Gear Talk / Re: Bike setup for the GDMBR

« on: June 22, 2021, 10:44:30 pm »

Thanks, Wildtoad.  I'm REALLY glad we have such a long lead time.  Our plan is to start Aug. 2022.  Hopefully by then the border to Canada will be open, but for sure we'll have lots of miles and experience on our rigs.  My home turf has probably thousands of miles of dirt roads of every possible surface to explore, so I feel confident that the tech issues can be worked out.  We have a lot to learn about this style of riding and getting used to conventional bikes.  While I used one for commuting for years, virtually all of my tours have been on recumbents--two or three wheels.  Working out the padded shorts, greasing up the junk in the trunk, dialing in bike fit....  I went through a learning curve with bents, which for sure have their own requirements, and now it's like starting over.  Long distance, loaded touring is not just "riding a bike."  Thank Zeus I'm retired! It's exciting, though, and I love having a big, long-term project to focus on.  Happy times.

Kind of a breakthrough evening today.  We got our rather ADHD cattle dog to ride in the BOB trailer for a few laps in front of the house.  Astonishing.  My wife walked along side, feeding him snacks as we rolled, just walking the bike at first.  Then I pedaled--and he handled.  So happy right now.  Once we get that cush Burley Coho, we be stylin'.

12

General Discussion / Stove and fuel for GDMBR?

« on: June 22, 2021, 07:10:32 pm »

Hey, Cyclists:

As my wife and I work through gear research, especially trying to save weight, I'm looking into NOT taking our reliable Optimus gas stove--which burns unleaded as well as white gas.  The stove is great, but it is quite heavy.  What is the availability of canisters for the newer stoves?  I've used--happily--a Pepsi-can alcohol stove, but it is not great for two people. 

Your thoughts?

Thanks.

13

General Discussion / Re: Shipping bike from US to Vancouver Canada to start Pacific Coast tour.

« on: June 22, 2021, 06:56:28 pm »

Just talked to Bikeflights about something similar as I'm trying to sell a recumbent trike to a guy in Canada.  Duty is the killer.  Curiously, he said NO duty when shipping from Canada to the US.

14

Gear Talk / Re: Bike setup for the GDMBR

« on: June 20, 2021, 06:37:46 pm »

Thanks so much for your input.  Because of supply issues, I ended up finding a stock Krampus in the Midwest.  I've got some Jones bars waiting.  I'll fine-tune as I ride and test over the next months.  The setup is with hydro brakes, a 1x12, and 3" skins--tubless ready.   I'll ride with a rigid fork for a while and see how I like it.  I'm hoping fine, but I can go with a sus fork if necessary.  The Redshift stem looks interesting, too, and with a money-back guarantee, so maybe worth a try.  I'm going a little insane trying figure out what's what cuz of too much available info., but it's fun, too.  Hopefully the bike ships this coming week.  Meanwhile, it's 100+ every day. Gah.

15

Gear Talk / Bike setup for the GDMBR

« on: May 30, 2021, 03:57:11 pm »

Okay, newbie here to mt. bikes generally and dirt bike touring for sure.  I'm experience at long-distance riding (solo coast-to-coast and mostly paved Rocky Mtn. ride from Jasper to Mexico), but we're looking at the GDMBR with deep interest.  That will require new bikes!  Yay!  I've got some ideas worked out but wanted to run them by other riders.  So here goes:

Bike frame: Surly Karate Monkey, front suspension

Bars: Jones H bars

Pedals: Platforms w/straps for climbing.  Don't want clip ins. (Recommended brands?)

Wheelz: 27.5 inch (Recommended brands?)

Tires: 3" tubeless--Maxxis Chronicle?  (The riding where I live has a lot of loose/sandy sections.  Fat rubber a must.)

Given my wheel/tire choice, do I go with 40mm or 50mm rims?  I'm thinking the 40's would be fine AND lighter.  I ignorant here!

Gearing:  Big questions.  I'll be riding heavy--dog trailer in tow--so low, low gearing is a must.  Do I go 1 X 12, 2 X 10/11?

Brakes: Questions here, too.  I'm having my first love affair with hydro's on a e-phat bike, but not sure if I want them on this build.  Had Avid BB7's on my other bikes for years.  I've heard the TPR Spykes are really good.  In either case I'd likely run 203 mm rotors to control a big load on long descents.  I DO love the feel of the hydro's....  (Recommendations? Costs?)

Rear rack:  Gotta be bomber!

Frame bag:  Brands?

Handlebar bag: Dunno.  Seems like it might be cool for hydration, etc.  I don't want anything on my back.

Overall, I'd like to keep the build to about $2.5k, but could go higher.  If this goes, my wife will be completing her 70th year and I my 60th.  I'm not gonna cheap out on the bike.  I want good, reliable stuff, but it does not have to be elite, top shelf.

So fire away.  Tangents relevant are welcome.  I'm obsessing, as usual.  Be well and ride on.