Messages

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Classifieds / Soma Saga 58cm touring bike

« on: April 28, 2014, 09:37:57 pm »

 I've got a Soma Saga I built last year to do some touring, never did any, so the bike has pretty low miles, like less than 500 easy.

9spd xt rear der
SLX front der
Velocity Dyad wheels laced to LX hubs
Dura-ace bar end shifters
Thomson lay back post and stem
Chris King headset
Cane Creek levers
Avid Single Digit 7 brakes
700x32 Continental Gatorskins
Shimano cranks, Deore maybe, with external bearing BB
Pletscher dbl kickstand

Low miles, taken care of, frame has frame saver in it, built up new with new parts. 1000.00 plus shipping

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General Discussion / Re: "inexpensive" supported tour

« on: March 30, 2012, 11:25:30 pm »

Thanks! Yeah, I need to be looking at more of the state tours.  I did BAK a couple years ago and that was a pretty good time. 

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General Discussion / Re: "inexpensive" supported tour

« on: March 30, 2012, 09:29:39 am »

Thanks for the suggestions!!  I've thought about RAGBRAI, but that's just too many people for me, if I could get in to do it!!  Bon Ton Roulet sounds pretty interesting, any idea how many people do it?  Is it like a RAGBRAI # of people or more like 3-400 range? 

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General Discussion / "inexpensive" supported tour

« on: March 29, 2012, 09:26:46 pm »

Okay, so I was thinking of doing the Key west tour in October, but after talking to a friend who did it earlier in the year, and the cost, I've decided against it.  What I would like is a 2 week long (or so) supported tour, doesn't have to be 100% supported, I don't mind carrying my stuff.  I don't think I'm ready to go it totally self contained, as far as finding a place to stay, getting food every day, every night.  At this point for me, that would take a lot of the fun out of it.  That's just me.  I did the Santa Fe Trail Trek last year and had an awesome time.  It was supported, they carried gear, had food arrangements, everything.  AND it was fairly cheap!! What I'm finding, and I'm not meaning to sound cheap, or complain, is that the majority of the tours I'm seeing are at least twice what the Santa Fe ride cost, and/or way less time, or distance.  Having done that ride before doing any other tour type rides, I think, has ruined me.  Or at least made it difficult to find another with as much to offer.  I might just do that one again, but i would really like to ride somewhere else......Utah, Arizona, Florida keys, nevada, there are others maybe.  What are your thoughts? Any suggestions? Am I being to picky?

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General Discussion / anybody done the adventure cycling florida keys ride?

« on: March 28, 2012, 07:21:07 pm »

Thinking of doing it in October, just wondering what people thought of it.

Thanks

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General Discussion / Re: Which sunscreen?

« on: March 13, 2012, 09:02:54 pm »

I might be late replying, but here you go. http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2011sunscreen/best-sunscreens/best-beach-sport-sunscreens/
I was worried about using "bad" sunscreens too.  If you ride enough you put a lot on, and those chemicals have to build up.  I like the All Terrain Terrasport.  Lasts all day, doesn't sting my eyes, rubs in pretty well, and does a good job preventing sunburns!!  I've also noticed that it helps keep me a little cooler.

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Gear Talk / Re: Bike Mirror

« on: January 08, 2012, 01:34:05 am »

Don't know where you are with the mirror thing now, but I use a Zefal (i think) bar end. It actually straps on the end of the bar with a rubber strap, easy to take off and put on.  Small enough to not be in the way but big enough to shoe what's behind me.  I've tried the Take-a-look mirror that goes on the glasses and it worked pretty well when i get it adjusted just right, but I'm always taking it off my glasses and then have to readjust it.  its kind of pain, but if you never took it off it would probably be great.

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Gear Talk / Re: Bike saddle issues

« on: January 08, 2012, 01:26:51 am »

I've tried quite a few saddles and any of them will work for me on a 30-40 mile ride and some of them will work on a long ride, 80-100 miles. By far the most comfortable one is the SMP.  I've tried others that are supposed to offer less pressure "down there" but they all, after a certain number of miles created numbness and discomfort, except the SMP!! It really is amazingly comfortable, kinda goofy looking, but comfy.  I did have to fiddle with positioning a little, and ended up doing just what they said to do, it didn't adjust like other saddles when it came to fore and aft and level.  Try one, if you haven't already.  I demo'd one from Pro's Stuff.com before I bought it.

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Gear Talk / Re: Sleeping pads

« on: October 08, 2011, 10:58:21 am »

So, an additional follow up....after three weeks sleeping on the NEMO.  It never really got cold on this trip, maybe 40, but the pad was warm, and I found that the amount I inflated it made a big difference in my sleeping comfort.  I would usually inflate it all the way and then lay on it and let a little air out to get it perfect!!  Definitely a good investment!! I'm glad I bought it before the trip.

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Gear Talk / Re: Cleatskins

« on: September 15, 2011, 11:14:11 am »

Okay, so a little follow up.  The Proskins, the ones that are supposed to stay on the shoe all the time, work well, however I found that they kinda squished the shoe into my toes, so I've been using them like regular covers and just putting them on when I need them.  The other covers, the big ones that cover the whole front part of the shoe, I like.  Easy on, easy off and real nice to walk in, even in mud!! I found that they hang off my handlebars easily for transport. 

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Gear Talk / Re: Sleeping pads

« on: September 15, 2011, 11:09:09 am »

A little follow up.  I've been sleeping on the NEMO for a few nights now, and its awesome, so far! Very comfy and warm!! Easy to inflate, not as easy as self inflating, but not too hard or time consuming.  Rolls up nice, I like it! I've got a few more weeks left, I'll keep you posted.

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Gear Talk / Re: Sleeping pads

« on: September 08, 2011, 01:04:41 pm »

Thanks everybody!! After more thought and the advice and info from you guys, I splurged and got a Nemo Cosmo insulated pad.  I liked it because it has a built-in pillow, a foot pump and a regular mouth fill valve, and its wider than the regular sized pads, it would be a large I guess.  The baffles run across instead of the length of the pad, which, just laying on them in the store, I liked better.  We'll see how it as after a couple weeks worth of sleeping on it.  Thanks again!!! I went to Dynamic Earth in Kansas city, very helpful guys and a real nice store.

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Gear Talk / Re: Sleeping pads

« on: September 08, 2011, 01:03:47 am »

Snow! Yikes, I hadn't EVEN thought about snow!  I guess parts of it are kinda high.  Okay, I'm liking the idea of the insulated pad more and more.  I'm really looking forward to the ride.  It sounded like it'll be a lot of fun with some interesting things to see on the way!!
Thanks for the info!

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Gear Talk / Re: Sleeping pads

« on: September 07, 2011, 11:56:54 pm »

I like comfort!! Thanks!

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Gear Talk / Sleeping pads

« on: September 07, 2011, 09:01:38 pm »

 So, I'm leaving Friday for a three week ride, the Santa Fe trail trek! I was going to take a twin size air mattress, but I'm having second thoughts.  It's a supported ride, so size isn't really the issue.  I'm a little concerned about the cool nights, down in the 40s high 40s but still.  Will I get too cold on the air mattress?  So I'm thinking about a self inflating insulated mattress.  The thermarest prolite plus, or big agnes? has one too, that looked good, I don't remember the model, or models. Any thoughts one way or another? I figure if I'm going to buy one I might as well buy a good one that I can use for touring later.  Thanks for the help!!