Messages

1

Gear Talk / Re: Tent fly

« on: August 28, 2012, 01:47:38 am »

Check out the do it yourself forums on this site. 

www.hammockforums.net

Those guys make a lot of their own gear, especially tarps.

2

Gear Talk / Re: Help me accesorize my Surly LHT

« on: August 18, 2012, 03:11:47 am »

The Surly front rack is heavy and not really needed.  I bought a Jandd "second" front rack and it has worked great for me. 

I also love my SMALL Arkel handlebar bag.  It has a map holder.  And a great mount that won't drive you nuts.
 
Panniers are up to you, but I have been happy with "nice" rear ones and cheapy Nashbar fronts (with a few mods before using them).

Replace the brake pads with Kool Stops.

3

Gear Talk / Re: Surly Disc Trucker v. LHT

« on: August 12, 2012, 12:01:51 am »

You saw me with a fully-loaded LHT a week ago. 

That storm was epic in a hammock, and the LHT frame was just fine pounding out 91.5 miles the next day to just past Osakis where we camped, all into that 20+ mph wind.

 

Oh man, yeah, I remember. I told my boss I had put two guys on bikes in site B-5, and he said nobody came up to him with problems in the morning. I patrolled through the park by truck as the storm was ending, but nobody flagged me down. We had a few limbs down at both locations, nothing major, no property damage or injuries.

He also told me, in the future it's okay to put touring cyclists in the lake picnic area, so next time, whether it's you or anyone else, that's what I'll do. At Sand Dunes I would put you in one of the Pineview group sites.

Glad you had a good trip. Hope it was somewhat cooler on Sunday, and that you and your son-in-law got some quality time together.

Ride safe,
Ranger Hans

Actually, that campsite (B5) was perfect.  We had a great evening, and I actually enjoyed the storm, as I made sure there were no dead branches above me when I set up.   I am also trying out a bigger tarp than usual for better rain coverage over the hammock when bike-camping (it's too heavy for backpacking though) and it worked rather well with the storm.  The stock tarp probably would have left me a little wet in that much wind and rain. 

We had a great Sunday doing only 65 miles, with about 40 on dirt/gravel/minimum maintenance roads with almost zero wind.  I'm sure we'll do that trip again, as we've already had people from work ask us about coming along next time.   

Thanks again for the great campsite.  It was beautiful, and we didn't see anyone else all night.

4

Gear Talk / Re: Surly Disc Trucker v. LHT

« on: August 11, 2012, 08:09:40 pm »

Anyone really tour on an LHT with full packs?   Is the frame stiff enough for full packs?

We see about a half-dozen fully-loaded LHTs every summer in the park where I work. Front and rear panniers, front bags and a BoB, large rear bags only. We are a nice ride from the end of the commuter rail line. People will ride the train out from the Twin Cities (MN), and then trek the 20 miles to Lake Maria State Park or 12 to Sand Dunes State Forest campgrounds on their bikes.

You saw me with a fully-loaded LHT a week ago. 

That storm was epic in a hammock, and the LHT frame was just fine pounding out 91.5 miles the next day to just past Osakis where we camped, all into that 20+ mph wind.

 

5

Gear Talk / Re: Surly Disc Trucker v. LHT

« on: July 25, 2012, 10:15:47 am »

Anyone really tour on an LHT with full packs?   Is the frame stiff enough for full packs?

We see about a half-dozen fully-loaded LHTs every summer in the park where I work. Front and rear panniers, front bags and a BoB, large rear bags only. We are a nice ride from the end of the commuter rail line. People will ride the train out from the Twin Cities (MN), and then trek the 20 miles to Lake Maria State Park or 12 to Sand Dunes State Forest campgrounds on their bikes.

You might see me rolling by on my way from Minneapolis to Perham next weekend.    (On a fully loaded LHT that rides just fine under load)

6

Gear Talk / Re: help choosing a bike

« on: July 22, 2012, 10:54:08 pm »

I am very satisfied with the LHT that I purchased last year.  Not only is the price right, but it rides well for me under load.  FWIW, I carry about 35 pounds of stuff with me.  I am torn over whether to be sad that I got the 700 wheels instead of 26 inch wheels, or the canti's instead of the new disc brakes, but, in the end, it does what I need it to do, and it does it comfortably.

7

Urban Cycling / Re: Cycling in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota

« on: August 20, 2011, 12:21:42 am »

You make me want to bring my bike up to the cabin this week.  I am over by Perham on Big Pine Lake, but will likely spend most of the week on a pontoon boat, not a bike.