Messages

1

Routes / Re: Two Weeks/Early Oct/900 miles max

« on: September 28, 2017, 10:52:17 pm »

John,
I had a SW States map but it was hard to read so found the AAA one and yes, it has an amazing amount of detail and easy on the eyes.   And I played around with Ride with GPS for a while and realized you took a little time to make those maps so thanks!  That's a good site actually.    I used Map my Ride a few times and it is garbage compared to this one.   

I like that northern alternative.  It brings the mileage down to about 760 to ABU.   

I am realizing a lot is going to depend on how I do with the altitude.  Living and riding in Seattle at sea level is far from ideal in preparing for a ride in this area.  We shall see. 

I appreciate you sharing all of your intimate knowledge of the area.  And everyone else as well. 

I printed this all out and now need to get out the highlighter. 

Thanks again,

Paul

2

Routes / Re: Two Weeks/Early Oct/900 miles max

« on: September 27, 2017, 09:36:58 pm »

John, that's great and thanks a lot. 

I have never been to the Grand Canyon.  Even though I have been yearning to ride across southern Utah, I will follow your advice and head south instead (but no pressure:). 

So it's not worth going past that turnaround point on 163? 

The map is great.  I wished I were more GPS savvy but it will more than suffice.   

But I most likely will ride into Albuquerque first to a FedEx to ship my stuff and then to an REI for the bike.   But it's good to know there is a plan B if I get delayed by doing some hikes and taking it all in. 

I'll report back in a few weeks. 

Thanks. 

Paul

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Routes / Re: Two Weeks/Early Oct/900 miles max

« on: September 27, 2017, 09:56:33 am »

Again, sorry for reviving and belaboring this thread but hopefully someone else might find this helpful. 

The shop that received my bike said they had a lot of snow above 6000 feet but it has come and gone.  Not sure how I am supposed to feel about that or if I shouldn't be surprised.  Does that change anything?  I guess I won't know until I get there. 

If you don't mind, here are my proposed general routes but obviously they will need a bit of refining mostly in regards to dirt roads.  The last one might be stretch due to mileage. 

https://goo.gl/maps/jRaiREGr1ou

https://goo.gl/maps/uwqjCjsgY282

https://goo.gl/maps/DB4gxpEUYyH2

The guy at the shop sounds pretty knowledgeable and I will see what he has to say but my experiences with local knowledge have been pretty disappointing. 

Well anyway, thanks for taking another look and if I don't hear back, I won't blame. 

4

Routes / Re: Two Weeks/Early Oct/900 miles max

« on: September 14, 2017, 10:09:29 am »

Thanks John.  Unfortunately I have had more experience with headwinds than I would ever care to have.  Southern Australia and the Canadian Prairies bring tears to my eyes. 

This time of year will be a challenge for me because I am not a morning person and unlike most cyclists who like to make camp early and lounge about, I like riding late almost to sundown to enjoy the temperature and colors.  Its also quieter because most people have gotten to where they are going.  And that's why I tour alone. 

But as long as I know I am going in the prevailing direction, if I am in a headwind, I still know there is hope.  Thanks!

So I am going to make a decision when I get to Kayenta: Albuequerque and do the canyons you recommended.  Phoenix but not likely anymore now that I know about the prevailing wind direction.  Or, and the most likely at this time, back to St. George with a stop at the North Rim along the way.  All options way better than a good day in the office. 

5

Routes / Re: Two Weeks/Early Oct/900 miles max

« on: September 13, 2017, 10:00:13 am »

John,

Thanks for chiming in.  This is what I was going off of but it's not as clear as your picture: https://wrcc.dri.edu/htmlfiles/westwinddir.html#NEVADA

No air fair savings is worth a day of head wind I tell ya so St George it is.   

Really wished I had more than 2 weeks but alas.  Routed a few options for finishing in Albuquerque, Phoenix or a circuitous route ending in St. George.  All good stuff I am sure. 

Thanks to everyone for your advice. 

Paul

6

Routes / Re: Two Weeks/Early Oct/900 miles max

« on: September 12, 2017, 08:47:49 pm »

Thanks a lot for that and sounds easy enough.    I suppose if I hold a crisp $20 in the air that will help as well. 

And FWIW, I am going to start in Albuquerque and finish in St. George.  Much cheaper flying that way and from what I have gathered, the wind patterns look more favorable going east to west that time of year.  Also hoping to make good time in the beginning so I have more time going through Bryce and Zion. 

Thanks again. 

7

Routes / Re: Two Weeks/Early Oct/900 miles max

« on: September 12, 2017, 02:48:20 pm »

I am shooting for starting on the 29th and was re-reading the above.  How hard is it to get a ride through the tunnel? 

8

Routes / Re: Two Weeks/Early Oct/900 miles max

« on: July 22, 2017, 08:38:41 pm »

Thank you John/s.  Texas will have to wait and it looks like I can fly into St. George which I think makes more sense.  I have a map on they way and once received I will get out the highlighter and review all of the above.  Finishing in Albuquerque looks good or maybe even Phoenix.   I hate only having 2 weeks but alas. 

Now if only my 14 year old lab and parents will stay healthy for the time being.....

On a side, can either of you recommend a ship to address in St. George?  I know that's a stretch.  I am going to try Bike Flights for the first time rather than worry about TSA and my bike.  It appears to be a pretty active community so a bike shop might come through for me. 

Thanks again.

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Routes / Re: Two Weeks/Early Oct/900 miles max

« on: July 22, 2017, 06:27:50 pm »

Sounds like you know the SW and TX.   Really appreciate the dirt route suggestions.   If you don't mind me asking, do you live in UT or just toured there a lot?
 That's quite a bit of specific knowledge and exactly what I was hoping for.  Thanks. 

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Routes / Re: Two Weeks/Early Oct/900 miles max

« on: July 22, 2017, 03:46:29 pm »

That looks like a good map, thanks.

And I should have mentioned dirt is welcome.  Looks like some potentially nice ones in TX but didn't find much on Texas on bike packing.com. 

Its a toss up at this point: southern UT or TX.  They both will happen eventually whatever order they happen.

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Routes / Re: Two Weeks/Early Oct/900 miles max

« on: July 21, 2017, 07:50:51 pm »

That's a lot of great information.  Thank You!

Many years ago my wife and I drove to Moab then south to Blanding and west across the bottom to St. George.  Mind blowing to say the least but of course I could only think about doing it on a bike.  Not sure I could ride it and not feel rushed only having a couple of weeks considering all of the great hiking the area has to offer.  I definitely like the idea of doing part of Utah and finishing in NM.  A lot of options and probably not a bad road in that part of the world. 

I think it's time to invest in some paper maps for planning anyway.  I find it too hard to plan with googlemaps. 

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Routes / Re: Two Weeks/Early Oct/900 miles max

« on: July 21, 2017, 12:14:35 am »

That's the advice I got two years ago and that I was referring to. Except I started in Portland.  From Vancouver two weeks would be a push.  And maybe it was from you, among others, because your name does look familiar. 

In any event, I want to go where it's warm and the chance of rain will be close to nil.

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Routes / Two Weeks/Early Oct/900 miles max

« on: July 20, 2017, 11:47:41 pm »

That's my criteria and I am having a hard time deciding where.  Then I had an aha moment and remembered how you helped me out two years ago so here I am again. 

Some ideas are Southern Tier from San Diego to El Paso.  One thing I like about an AC route is meeting other riders. 

El Paso to San Antonio via Big Bend (probably top of the list right now).  After spending a year touring in Australia, wide open desert scenery has its hooks in me. 

St George UT to Denver.  Maybe getting a little late for this one. 

Las Vegas to Albuquerque via southern Utah. 

I probably cant go wrong with any of those but as always, I would love to hear about some roads or highways that are outstanding.  I am open for anywhere in the southern US that will still be warm to hot. 

Thanks!

14

General Discussion / Re: Juneau - Seattle

« on: February 14, 2016, 01:42:02 pm »

I have also been all over BC and there are a lot of great options (and some bad ones like highway 1).  You could start in Kamloops and ride north on 5 to Jasper.  Down the Icefields like others have recommended.  Into Banff and then back track a bit and ride south through the national park to Radium and then down to Cranbrook.  Over to Creston then north along Kootenay lake to the Ferry, over to Nelson and then up hwy 6 to Nakusp, up and over the Monashees and then back to Kamploops.  Thats about 1000 miles.  I have ridden all of these areas (except the Icefields unfortunately) in separate trips and they are spectacular with good shoulders and decent traffic.  In addition to the Icefiields, riding through Banff Nat'l Park and through the Kootenays will be mind blowing.   You could also add more miles by riding south from Banff on 40 through the Kanaskis. 

Anyway, there are some great options.  Have fun researching. 

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Gear Talk / Re: Recommendations for Long Sleeved Jerseys & Tights for Sun Protection

« on: August 31, 2015, 08:42:35 pm »

Like Churnett1981, I also use an ex-officio long sleeve shirt for all the reasons s/he outlined.  Many years ago, I read an article in AC about someone who road the perimeter of Texas and wore a men's dress shirt.  Ever since then I always bring mine on a tour.  It breathes well when it's hot and helps keep me warm when it's cool.  I used mine on a 10 month tour in Australia and Fiji about 14 years ago and it's still going strong.  I know it's a personal thing but I avoid wearing tights when I ride and especially when I tour.  Too stinky, hot and I feel silly when I am off the bike.