Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: Barge and Bike in the USA?

« on: September 20, 2023, 02:03:43 pm »

David, when I biked the C&O it appeared no boat could make it up or down the Potomac.  It was too rocky, rough and shallow and I assumed that's why they built the canal a long time ago.

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General Discussion / Re: Barge and Bike in the USA?

« on: September 19, 2023, 10:57:20 pm »

Thanks, that's the very thing I was looking for.  Unfortunately, the McCready tours look great but I think my family would balk at $5,000 per head.

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General Discussion / Re: Barge and Bike in the USA?

« on: July 31, 2023, 04:43:01 pm »

  I agree.  There are so many beautiful places here.  Such as the Columbia River, the Coastline of Maine, the Outer Banks.  Maybe somebody will start something.

4

General Discussion / Barge and Bike in the USA?

« on: July 30, 2023, 05:20:25 pm »

I'm trying to interest a number of male family members (the ladies are more comfort prone) in a 'barge and bike' vacation for next year but traveling outside the country sure makes that idea expensive.  Is anyone aware of this type of USA travel in a gorgeous setting whereby one puts his gear on the boat and they provide a bunk, showers and meals and each day one rides from breakfast to supper with a guide, meeting the boat at the next stop?  I'm actually a touring cyclist with 10 cross-countries under my belt and while wondering how the other half lives by being supported, would really like to come up with an epic event for the family.
Ideas are welcome.

5

General Discussion / Re: Kickstands

« on: July 17, 2023, 02:03:35 pm »

I'll check it out.

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General Discussion / Kickstands

« on: July 17, 2023, 12:11:18 pm »

I travel heavy and don't concern myself with weight.  I've completed ten long distance rides fully loaded and found that 2 kickstands do the trick, one center mount and one rear mount.  As long as caution is exercised, my rig never tips over.  The problem is I am unable to find STEEL kickstands to withstand wind gusts, inexperienced Amtrak employees and situations out of my control.  Available kickstands are all made out of aluminum and snap off very easily which leads me to say I am done with replacing them with junk
When I was a kid, my balloon tire bikes had indestructible steel kickstands.  That's what I need now and a search of the internet says there is no such thing.  WHO makes steel kickstands?  I suppose I could buy a couple old bikes to rob it of the stand but that seems like a ridiculous option.  The other option is to adapt a motorcycle stand but I don't have the tools to do such a thing.

7

Routes / Re: Doing the Great Divide on hard surface roads and Trails

« on: May 04, 2023, 02:39:05 pm »

Thanks for the good wishes.

8

Routes / Doing the Great Divide on hard surface roads and Trails

« on: May 04, 2023, 01:39:39 pm »

At 79 I'm not too interested in really roughing it Bikepacking but by following parallel to the ACA Great Divide route on highways, I get to see a lot of the same stuff and experience more locals.  I'm planning on the solo 2023 ride from South to North, beginning in Albuquerque and ending in Whitefish, MT.  I am not starting at the border due to the mess down there.  I was informed by a sheriff that I will be carrying survival gear which is not lost on border jumping banditos.  At the other end, Whitefish is close enough to the Canadian border and also where I can catch the train headed West to Spokane.  Last year I pedaled parallel to the Pacific Crest Trail south to north but hikers and bikers alike were halted at the half way mark due to wild fires.  It was nasty with ash, and the campgrounds that were operating were full of firefighters.  Grocery stores and restaurants were all closing too so I turned away and headed home.  Therefore this year I am also going to attempt to complete what I didn't do last year.  Let's see how tired I am by then.  Time will tell.  So I'll be arriving in Albuquerque around May 17th for the Start, using Amtrak from Kansas City.

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General Discussion / Re: Searching for an Amtrak list of baggage handling stations on the Empire Builder

« on: March 15, 2023, 08:35:13 pm »

Thanks for the info.

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General Discussion / Re: Searching for an Amtrak list of baggage handling stations on the Empire Builder

« on: March 15, 2023, 04:30:59 pm »

Thanks.  They don't make it easy, for sure.  Last year I didn't know that they had cancelled use of the dining car because of Covid.  Only available to room renters.  Ended up with nasty frozen sandwiches for a couple thousand miles.

11

General Discussion / Re: Searching for an Amtrak list of baggage handling stations on the Empire Builder

« on: March 15, 2023, 04:18:07 pm »

That's what I needed, an expert.  Thanks.

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General Discussion / Searching for an Amtrak list of baggage handling stations on the Empire Builder

« on: March 15, 2023, 03:38:54 pm »

Here we go again, trying to find Amtrak stations that allow roll-on or baggage car service for the Empire Builder Line without looking up each station along the way.  I spent an entire day two years ago before finding that map in the past, it is not easy to find online.  As I grow older, my frustration level is more sensitive.  I'm a seasoned bike storage/train traveler attempting my tenth cross-country riding on hard surfaces in parallel with the Great Divide Trail up the Rockies from Albuquerque to Whitefish, MT.  Then take Amtrak West w/bike onboard to somewhere near where it crosses the Pacific Crest Trail to head South down the Sierras to complete last years ride which was halted due to wildfires. So the question is, "where can I disembark with my bike in the Sierras?"  Any assistance would certainly be appreciated.

13

Classifieds / Re: Wanted - Sierra Cascades Map Set

« on: January 03, 2023, 05:41:33 pm »

Hey thanks for getting back to me.  I already have 4 & 3.  Going to make a second attempt this summer after getting thrown off of the road due to wild fires last summer at the half way mark.

14

Classifieds / Re: Wanted: Camping chair - packable

« on: June 12, 2022, 08:04:06 am »

My latest bike tour begins today by way of a train to California.  After a few days in the desert during the present heat wave, I will send you an update.  Had no idea that I might become an influencer.

15

Classifieds / Re: Wanted: Camping chair - packable

« on: June 11, 2022, 12:16:38 pm »

Thanks, Mr. Bent:
I gave up waiting and bought a cheapo online that comes in a soft case.  Tried it out last night and it feels good.  I'll get some reading done for sure.  It's a few pounds heavier than yours but I travel heavy and don't worry about weight.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08BZ8BGLJ?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details