Messages

1

Urban Cycling / commuting by bike

« on: March 07, 2007, 05:09:41 pm »

I agree. This morning, for instance - temps in the teens, and snowy, icy roads - so much so that driving was a bit hazardous. Not the kind of conditions I want to be on my bike trusting drivers!

Spring will come...spring will come...spring will come...

Daryl Bernard

2

Urban Cycling / commuting by bike

« on: March 02, 2007, 06:48:56 pm »

Man, you guys are killing me. I'd love to ride to work everyday, but two factors prevent that: 1) I live 25 miles from work, and 2) I live in Michigan.

I do commute a few days a week when the weather is decent, but I have to leave at 5 in the morning to get there on time. In the winter, sometimes it's just too cold. This year much of January and February was in the single digits (or colder) in the morning. I live in a flat, rural area where the winds are often 20+ mph. My coldest commute was about 17 degrees F. My toes were hurtin' by the time I got to work! Everybody there thinks I'm absolutely nuts!

Daryl Bernard

3

Gear Talk / front racks

« on: April 27, 2007, 07:23:15 pm »

If you don't mind spending for quality, I recommend Old Man Mountain. If you go to their web site (www.oldmanmountain.com) and e-mail them, John will set you up with a rack that will fit your bike and meet your needs.

I needed a rack that would fit:
1) my mountain bike
2) with no rack mounts
3) no brake bosses
4) with 29er tires
5) and beefy front shocks
6) and disc brakes

...and John got it right on the first attempt. Very helpful.

Daryl Bernard

4

Gear Talk / mounting extra bottle cages

« on: March 14, 2007, 08:01:31 pm »

In response to Paul's question about 5 water bottle mounts...hmmm...well, I REALLY don't want to run out of water, so I think three is minimal. Plus, I've been looking into the UDAP bear repellent that comes in a canister, which can be stored in a special water bottle-like mount. So that would take up one. I guess I figure if I can fit five mounts on my frame, why not?

As for stowing a 2 liter elsewhere - honestly I don't know. I've ordered my panniers (Arkels!) and racks (Old Man Mountain!) just today, so I don't know about space and all. This will be my first tour, so it's all a big learning process for me!

Daryl Bernard

5

Gear Talk / mounting extra bottle cages

« on: March 14, 2007, 03:27:45 pm »

As for Camelbaks...I would not want one on a long distance tour. I mountain bike a lot, and although I use a Camelbak when conditions call for it (way out there where I might need lots of water, plus tools, spare tube, food, etc), I've grown tired of carrying all that weight on my back. On a fast and furious trail, it's nice to sip from the tube without trying to grab a bottle, but for a long haul on the road or an easy trail ride, I'll take water bottles every time.

Daryl Bernard

6

Gear Talk / mounting extra bottle cages

« on: March 10, 2007, 08:20:50 pm »

My bike has the standard two bottle cages. Almost every loaded touring bike I've seen has three. Due to my frame configuration, I could fit three additional cages on my bike - a Gary Fisher Paragon 29er. I could put two on the underside of the down tube (and still have plently of front tire clearance) and another on the topside of the top tube just under the front of my saddle, with no peddling issues.

My question is, how to mount these cages? Are zip ties sufficient? How about stainless steel clamps? Does anybody have their LBS drill and tap additional mounts on the frame? Just wondering. I think having the option of five water bottles, or four bottles plus a UDAP bear pepper spray, would be very nice.

Daryl Bernard

This message was edited by ride29 on 3-10-07 @ 6:18 PM

7

Gear Talk / front rack for disc brakes & shocks

« on: February 23, 2007, 10:54:51 pm »

I'm gearing up a Gary Fisher Paragon 29er for a long distance tour. I need to find a front rack that would be disc-brake and suspension fork compatable. My suspension fork is a Rock Shox Reba, if that matters.

Any ideas/suggestions?

8

Routes / Crossing the Mighty Mac

« on: April 17, 2007, 11:57:05 am »

Paul - the thing that has always concerned me about riding the tunnel of trees route is safety. The road is very narrow (two vary narrow lanes), there is zero shoulder, the trees begin immediately where the road ends, and the road dips and rises and twists and turns continuously. There is no way for a driver to see a bike rider until they are right on him. While it appears to be a fun and scenic bike ride, it's also a fun and scenic drive, the kind that some drivers might like to zip along - like a little roller coaster. Did you find safetly to be a concern?

Daryl Bernard

9

Routes / Crossing the Mighty Mac

« on: April 15, 2007, 10:32:33 pm »

Fred - having come across the bridge a few times, have you ever ridden down the Lake Michigan coastline, through the "tunnel of trees" between Bliss and Harbor Springs? I've only driven it, but I always see lots of bike riders. Our favorite beach is a very secluded stretch of Lake Michigan sand just north of Bliss. I plan on taking that route, and continuing down through Petoskey, to Traverse City, before heading home to Midland.

10

Routes / Crossing the Mighty Mac

« on: April 14, 2007, 04:12:12 pm »

Fred ~ Thanks, but I've spent enough time on Mackinac Island to make the ferry fee simply not worth it. It is a nice little island, but a bit touristy to me. Or, as one of my colleagues say - "just a bunch of horsesh*t and fudge"... Regardless, I just want to get across the bridge, and $2 fits nicely into my budget.

Daryl Bernard

11

Routes / Crossing the Mighty Mac

« on: April 13, 2007, 04:55:47 pm »

Thanks for the link - I went to that website and this is what I found:

Transport Services
The Mackinac Bridge Authority provides transport services for pedestrians, bicyclists and snowmobilers who are not allowed to cross on their own. Fees are:

Passengers  $2.00
Bicycles  $2.00
Snowmobile and driver*  $10.00
 
(Extra passenger)   $2.00

*Service available 8am-8pm, 7 days a week



Daryl Bernard

12

Routes / Crossing the Mighty Mac

« on: April 13, 2007, 03:38:51 pm »

What is the procedure for crossing the Mackinaw Bridge from Michigan's UP to the LP? I'll be coming back from out west in early August, and I'm not sure what the deal is in getting over the bridge. Thanks!

Daryl Bernard

13

Routes / Plotting my own course

« on: March 07, 2007, 08:14:35 pm »

Hi Schultz...I am getting very excited about my first tour this summer! I've just ordered my Arkel panniers, and will order my Old Man Mountain racks in a couple days.

My route back from Yellowston will run along northern Wyoming, including the Bighorn range and Devil's Monument. Once in South Dakota, I plan to head north on US85 to TRNP North, then east thru ND and Minn on 200, until I join up with US2 near Wisc - then into Michigan. Is that what you were planning?

I will be glad to get back with you and let you know how it goes.

Daryl Bernard

14

Routes / Plotting my own course

« on: February 27, 2007, 10:24:05 pm »

One thing that concerns me somewhat (I'm not overly concerned about much of anything) is the condition of the road itself, such as the width of shoulder, etc. This information simply isn't on the map, so it seems like it's pretty much a crap shoot.

15

Routes / Plotting my own course

« on: February 27, 2007, 11:28:30 am »

I'm taking my first tour this summer, a 60 day trip out to Wyoming from Michigan. Due to logistics, I won't be following any of the established ACA routes until the very end of my trip through Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Instead, I'm plotting my own course using state highway maps. I'm choosing what appear to be minor roads/state highways, etc., with small towns interspersed throughout.

Just wondering what your experience has been with this type of route planning (as opposed to the organized, detailed maps for ACA showing bike shops, camping spots, stores, etc). Thanks!

This message was edited by ride29 on 2-27-07 @ 9:48 AM