Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: Inspiration for a 2 week mid-February tour

« on: December 13, 2022, 07:50:00 pm »

If you could relax that restriction to "mostly light traffic," you might be interested in something like AC's Southern Tier from Phoenix (Tempe) to El Paso, or east of El Paso (not sure where Amtrak stops in Texas.  Or you might make a loop from Phoenix on the ST to Lordsburg, NM, then loop back to the south through Douglas, Sierra Vista, and Tucson on the return trip.

Thanks Pat.  This kind of centers on the area that I had in mind.  I'll take a closer look. 

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General Discussion / Inspiration for a 2 week mid-February tour

« on: December 12, 2022, 02:51:44 pm »

Hi all,
My bike travel imagination is in need of a boost.  I would welcome some brainstorming for a two week tour location in mid to late February.  It would probably need to be an out and back, or a point to point with Amtrak support. I suppose I could do a hub and spoke thing if there was plenty of great riding in a particular area.   In order of importance, I'd say I'm looking for:
-Limited to Continental US or maybe Baja Mexico
-Plenty of warm sunshine  8
-Reasonable traffic conditions.  (I consider a 4+ foot shoulder plenty adequate if not overwhelmed with high speed traffic).  -Shoulderless pavement in spots would be ok if traffic is very light.
-Dirt/gravel options would also be fine.  Maybe even preferable if the service options were reasonable.
-Plenty of access to available camping/public space with motels available along at least part of the route.

I've got some ideas but I'm curious to see what all you come up with.  Thanks in advance!

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General Discussion / Re: How to become a bike guide

« on: September 04, 2020, 11:00:44 pm »

You might enjoy this story (at least it will be enlightening).  https://www.outsideonline.com/2407239/bike-touring-dream-job-nightmare

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General Discussion / Re: Cycling across the US (east to west)

« on: September 04, 2020, 10:57:04 pm »

Have a great trip! If you can possibly make the trip without monetizing it, please do so.  Big bike trips are all about the people you meet along the way, and when they discover/sense that you're doing it to make a buck, the experience changes.   Authentic connections will make the story life changing and one people will want to hear.   

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General Discussion / Re: Which bike should I travel the U.S. with?

« on: November 01, 2016, 10:13:22 pm »

You don't provide enough details for much advice; route, timing, etc. but in general it would be a hell of a long ways across the states on a fatty.  What about lacing narrower rims on the Pugs so you can run a little more distance-friendly tire?

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General Discussion / Re: bike vs. bike

« on: December 24, 2015, 08:44:41 pm »

This is a little off topic but I hope you think it's worth mentioning.  The Vaya can flex a bit around the bottom bracket on a bigger rider when fully loaded. 

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General Discussion / Re: Cost of a cross country USA trip?

« on: November 26, 2015, 11:56:50 pm »

Sorry if i missed it but is this your first long tour?  If so, you should try to sock a way a bit more if you can as it's hard to know just how you are going to feel being out for that length of time.  Personally, I found it really easy to justify 8-10 bucks for a meal if it meant included all I could drink, a change to charge the electronics, wifi, etc.   

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Classifieds / Re: WTB: Touring bike size 60cm or so

« on: November 20, 2015, 10:39:38 pm »

There's a 60 Disc trucker over on the CGOAB classified page right now

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General Discussion / Re: Looking for tips on building a route not on ACA network (DC to Alabama)

« on: November 02, 2015, 03:06:21 pm »

I had very good luck building a cross country route by mapping one based on my best guess and then asking people in the regional section of bikeforums.net for their advice on what I had proposed.  It paid off big time.  Even made a couple friends out of the deal.  Good luck!

10

General Discussion / Re: Brooks Sadles

« on: June 29, 2013, 09:42:47 pm »

Another male here albeit a 140 lb one if that makes any difference.   Started a coast to coast with 800 miles on a Brooks B17.  Best purchase I ever made.  Butt is NEVER a limiting factor for length of ride.   2 years and 10,000 miles later, the saddle goes on whichever bike i'm riding.  Interesting side note:  I put it on my newest ride (Salsa Fargo) and the local collective have all been taking it for test rides.  Based on the feedback i've gotten, the LBS has sold three Brooks because of it.

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General Discussion / Re: Need help picking a route

« on: February 07, 2013, 07:35:27 pm »

Is your route completely open?

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General Discussion / Re: When You Are the Only Cyclist in the Family

« on: January 26, 2013, 11:09:04 pm »

My kids are 24 and 29.  Long distance cycling has absolutely changed my life the last 6-7 years or so-I am having an absolute ball.  However, I can't imagine for a minute missing out on the kids growing up while I was out on a bike. Yours will be grown quicker than you can possibly imagine.   Figure out what kind of bikes they like to ride now, join em and grow into long distance stuff together over time.     Or, you could just pull a Metal Cowboy....read Joe Kurmaske's Mud, Sweat and Gears

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General Discussion / Re: Advice on Heading South in Winter

« on: November 16, 2012, 10:24:17 am »

Sounds like "snowbird" might be your key word.  Lots of folks heading south with their monster homes on wheels.  Sorry I don't have any good advice on how to connect with them.  I've found that even though we disagree on transportation mode, many of them have the same spirit for travel as us.  I bet finding a ride wouldn't be too difficult.

Have a great trip.  What's your cgoab journal going to be titled?

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Southwest / Re: Want to do pavment free ride with camping, does this exist in Texas?

« on: September 03, 2012, 09:31:41 pm »

I think the Caprock Canyon Trailway might be a good option for you assuming you wait until the weather cools.  Shade can be VERY difficult to come by.

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General Discussion / Re: Chamoix cream is it worth it?

« on: July 06, 2012, 09:52:51 pm »

I had never used/needed it until i rode 5 days straight in the rain.  Worth it at any price.  I little dab will do you.