Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: Miles per day in different parts of the country

« on: November 24, 2018, 11:57:38 pm »

You make a really good point, zzzz, about miles/day and missing much because you get too fixated on the mileage.  As an ex-thru hiker on the Appalachian Trail, I am very familiar with the problem.  The answer, as you suggest, depends on what you are looking for.

And to answer your question, yes, I am trying to figure how long the ride is going to take.  More importantly, I am trying to make route decisions based on how long I think different segments will take.  I have a semi-hard end date.  On the one hand, if I miss my target end date, it will not be a disaster.  On the other hand, it would be nice to hit it.  Within that constraint, can I visit here or there, or must I take the most direct route?

I believe I will be comfortable doing 75 miles per day, 5 days per week.  That averages to 375 miles per week.  If that same level of effort will yield 100 miles per day between Pueblo and St. Louis, or even 125 miles, that would be nice to know, because then I might be able to visit more people along the way. On the other hand, if I just plan on 75 miles, but find I could have gone much further, I will miss out on those visits.  And on the 3rd hand, if I plan on 125 miles per day but only hit 60 comfortably, then my plans will be forced to change.

Of course, anything might change, and I will have to be ready to make real-time decisions based on all the factors which go into a long ride.  I am just trying to get a feel from other people's experience.

2

General Discussion / Re: Miles per day in different parts of the country

« on: November 24, 2018, 09:39:49 pm »

I certainly agree about headwinds. I much prefer hills.  That said, I am told the prevailing winds across the mid-west are tailwinds for me on this trip.  If I am averaging 50 to 75 miles a day in the mountains in 8 to 10 hours (including meals and breaks), how many miles per day can I expect in the mid-west?

3

General Discussion / Miles per day in different parts of the country

« on: November 23, 2018, 10:17:16 am »

Hi,

I am riding across the country this spring, going eastbound.  Based on previous tours and my normal riding, I am planning on averaging 75 miles per day. However, I realize that there is a huge difference between PA and New England compared to the Rockies compared to the Great Plains.

For me, the 75 miles/day number works well in New England and PA, which are not flat.  I am planning only on 50 miles per day in the Rockies.  I have heard that between the topography and the tailwinds, you can do big miles in the mid-west.  What is a realistic number or range of numbers to expect?

Thanks.
Dan

4

Gear Talk / Re: To paint titanium or not

« on: November 23, 2018, 10:05:20 am »

I had never heard of Cerakote until your post, Babe.  It looks interesting.  How does one go about getting a bike coated with Cerakote?  Doesn't the item need to get baked?  I am almost certainly going to let my frame builder paint the bike, since I have seen the results and they are very good.  But I am curious about Cerakote.

Thanks.

5

Routes / Re: Rt. 36 out of Denver

« on: November 11, 2018, 05:15:34 pm »

The plan is to start pedaling May 8 from San Jose, and arrive in Sturbridge, MA, no later than Aug. 2.  I am going south on the Pacific route, then through Death Valley and stopping for 2 days at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. I expect to be at the North Rim on May 26+/-.  After that, I will probably take the Transamerica route east, but I may first divert up to Boulder, CO, if I think there is time.  Sadly, unlikely.

6

Routes / Re: Rt. 36 out of Denver

« on: November 11, 2018, 02:54:27 pm »

Thanks to both of you!  That is so helpful.  I had not heard of AADT, so that is really good to know about. 

I have done one long tour in the last decade (600 miles over 9 days), but I followed the ACA maps most of the way. They are amazing.  The main motivation for thinking about Rt. 36 is to save the time of going south then having to go back north at the end, since I am going to Massachusetts.  However, it may not be worth it.

7

Routes / Rt. 36 out of Denver

« on: November 11, 2018, 08:11:17 am »

I am riding coast to coast this spring.  I might be coming through Boulder to Denver, and then east. (I have not yet decided.) In any event, I was planning on picking up up the Transamerica route in Pueblo, CO, and heading east.  However, looking at the maps, I see that Rt. 36 out of Denver goes directly east somewhat north of the TA route.  Has anyone ridden Rt. 36 out of Denver all the way across the Midwest?  What is it like.

Thanks.

Dan

8

Gear Talk / Re: To paint titanium or not

« on: November 11, 2018, 08:03:25 am »

Well, I was leaning towards painting it yellow, then I was leaning towards leaving it bare. Major angst. The final decision came down to what John Nelson said earlier, which echoed the advice given by a good friend with a red-painted Ti bike: do what puts a smile on your face.  Either way will look great.  In the end, I ordered it matte yellow.  I will post pictures when it arrives in 8 weeks.

9

Gear Talk / To paint titanium or not

« on: November 08, 2018, 09:22:03 pm »

Hi,

I just ordered a Ti frame.  I have the option of painting it or not.  It's expensive, and nothing is more beautiful than a bare Ti bike.

But I am leaning towards painting it bright yellow, for two reasons:

1.  Reduce its theft attractiveness
2.  Be more visible

The visibility part I handle anyways with clothing and blinky lights front and rear.  The real question is theft avoidance.

What do you think? 

And of course, I will be locking it.  But still.

10

Gear Talk / Re: Titanium vs. Steel: Worth it?

« on: November 08, 2018, 09:16:00 pm »

Thanks for all the input! It was really helpful.  After a ton of thought, and significant pre- and post- purchase anxiety, I just put down a deposit on a ti bike! 

Weight was not really an issue for me.  Ride quality was the main reason.  Almost everyone who has ridden both say that at the end of a long, hard day in the saddle, you will hurt less on ti than on steel.  I hope that is true.

I am going to start a new thread on the next big question at hand:  to paint or not to paint.

11

Gear Talk / Titanium vs. Steel: Worth it?

« on: November 01, 2018, 08:27:40 pm »

Hi,

Newbie to the forums here.  I'm sure this has been discussed here before, but I could not find it, so forgive me for asking again.

I am planning a ride from coast to coast, and my previous touring bike (a steel Bianchi) bit the dust. So I am buying a new bike. Fortunately, I can afford Ti, but it is so damn expensive and, well, ostentatious.  Lots of people ride lots of fully-loaded miles on steel touring bikes.  Is Ti worth it?  And why?

Full disclosure:  If I get Ti, it will be painted, although I think the bare metal is more beautiful.

12

GPS & Digital Data Discussion / How to get ACA route on an Android phone GPS

« on: June 23, 2012, 06:24:38 pm »

Sorry if this is repetitious, but I have searched and cannot find a clear answer.  I am looking for a GPS app for my Android phone which has the Atlantic Coast route easily available to it.  Specifically, I want to be able to not only navigate, but also find the answer to questions such as "Where is the next restaurant or hotel on the route?"

Thanks.

Dan