Messages

1

Gear Talk / Re: Anyone here use Rok Straps?

« on: June 15, 2016, 04:19:59 pm »

Used Rok Straps on the TransAm. They're great.

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Gear Talk / Re: saddles and sores

« on: June 15, 2016, 04:19:08 pm »

1) Reflect Sports "Hooha Ride Glide" prior to your ride

2) Clean shorts always, or shorts that laid in the sun (UV kills bacteria)

3) Sudocrem antiseptic healing cream (an Irish product available via Amazon) after your ride if needed

3

General Discussion / Re: Locks for a solo Trans-Am camping tour?

« on: April 01, 2016, 02:28:45 pm »

Pound for pound, OnGuard Bulldog Mini U-lock (with optional cable), used as Sheldon Brown suggests, is a candidate. The smaller the U, the smaller the chance it can be pried apart.  BUT U-locks are unwieldy and heavy for touring (and you can lock only to certain objects).  That's why we opted for a cable lock instead for riding the TransAm. If I knew I had to leave my bike in DC or NYC, etc., I probably would have made different provisions.  In Eugene, Oregon we locked our bikes in our hostel room.

4

Classifieds / SOLD: Like New 2015 Jamis Aurora Elite, 57cm, $1100, location: Denver area

« on: February 28, 2016, 12:17:15 pm »

57 cm, for someone in the 5'10" to 6'2" range, depending on leg/torso proportions. The bike was bought for a family member and it didn't pan out sizewise. It has approximately 50 miles on it.

An Aurora Elite ordered through your local bike shop will set you back $1650 plus tax and shipping. Or pay $1100 for this like-new bike. The $1100 price (paid via Paypal) is fair and FIRM. Packing/shipping extra.

Light, strong 631 Reynolds frame. Shimano 105 drivetrain. Cable-actuated hydraulic disc brakes. Threadless sliding stem for easy handlebar height adjustments. Reflective 35mm adventure tires for both paved and gravel roads. Matching fenders and rear rack. Pump peg and spare spokes. Add panniers and go. Specs attached.

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General Discussion / Re: camping on city parks

« on: February 18, 2016, 08:15:49 pm »

The only places we contacted the police along the Trans Am were in small towns (sometimes off route) where camping was not normally sanctioned or where it was specifically requested on the TransAm maps. This gave us an extra measure of security because we felt the police would keep an eye out for us and we were less likely to be awakened by police in the middle of the night.

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General Discussion / Re: Locks for a solo Trans-Am camping tour?

« on: February 18, 2016, 08:08:52 pm »

I suggest bringing a medium weight cable (not the curly kind) and padlock for maximum flexibility. Most times (e.g. park campgrounds) you want your bike next to your tent, and that means locking to a picnic table or tree. Odd as it seemed in the comfort of our living room "pre-trip", we seldom locked our loaded bikes in small town America while we were in restaurants or stores along the TransAm, though this was partly because we used Click Stand Brake Bands ($2 for 3 at Cyclosource), making it confusing and frustrating for opportunist thiefS to roll our heavy loaded bikes away.  There were a handful of places (mostly in the bigger cities and college towns) where we were glad to have a more substantial cable lock. If you feel compelled, you can always buy a Mini U-lock in a bigger town if you feel uncomfortable without it.

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

« on: August 15, 2015, 09:15:18 pm »

I found a long-sleeve summerweight jersey to be perfect for riding the TransAm.  Here's a source for them in Colorado:
www.boure.com/

Canari is another brand that makes such jerseys.

8

Routes / Re: Trans America water refil options in Idaho between Lucille and Powell

« on: August 07, 2015, 07:40:44 pm »

True, we also had no problem, though we did carry a 4 liter water bladder on stretches where we were worried. 

9

Routes / Re: Biking in Yellowstone

« on: August 07, 2015, 07:38:48 pm »

Yes, ride early to avoid the crowds.  We had no flats/punctures on the TransAm until we rode the off-road, unpaved sections of the TransAm in Yellowstone (e.g., Fountain Flat "road"), where we picked up nails and other debris and had four flats in one day.

There is always room in campgrounds for touring cyclists. 

10

Routes / Re: Bad spots on the Transamerica

« on: August 07, 2015, 07:35:18 pm »

Eastern Kentucky and Western Virginia for sure ("yard dogs").  Carry "Halt" on your handlebars, test it, and be ready to use it.  I found myself riding with one hand on my handlebars and one hand on pepper spray during this stretch, with one eye on the road and the other scanning for rogue pit bulls.  it wasn't until central Virginia and the dogs disappeared that I realized how tense I was during this stretch.

The other tough stretches?  Idaho, between Council and Riggins, due to no road shoulders, strong head winds and truck traffic (stock trucks, grain trucks, and logging trucks).  Also, Wyoming, between Jeffrey City and Rawlins.  HEAVY semi-truck and oversize truck traffic, strong headwinds, and poor pavement conditions (a combination of rumble strips and broken pavement within the road shoulders.  This stretch made riding a dozen miles of I-80 seem like child's play.  For reference, we rode west to east.

But you can handle it, and you'll have a blast.  Go ride!

11

General Discussion / Re: Touring Bicycle

« on: November 16, 2014, 10:57:45 am »

Just completed the TransAm on a Jamis Aurora Elite.   Love love love it.  Lighter 631 steel tubing, good components, disk brakes, rear rack, nice looks, great tires.  More bang for the buck than a Surly LHT (bought one of those used first, then sold it; liked the Aurora Elite SO much better). You can find them new sometimes on ebay, usually a previous model year.  I bought mine new on ebay 2 years ago for $1200.  Just be sure to confirm that the model year, gearing, etc. are what you want:  Jamis has gradually been dialing in the ideal touring components over the past few years.   Oh, and the paint job is smooth and incredibly durable (powdercoated?).  My bike has not a single chip or scratch after 7000 miles, including 4700 miles of loaded touring.  This despite plenty of fall overs onto metal posts, park benches etc.  Each time I thought, "oh well, so much for the nice paint job..."  But then I'd pick up the bike and not. a. nick.

12

Classifieds / Re: For Sale: Complete Set TransaAmerica maps. $85 including shipping

« on: November 13, 2014, 03:29:36 pm »

 I will change this ad to SOLD when the maps are no longer available.  Note that these are experienced TransAm maps, having crossed the country.  Yup, they know the way.

13

Classifieds / SOLD: Complete Set TransaAmerica maps. $85 including shipping

« on: October 13, 2014, 09:30:42 am »

12 map set purchased last winter.   Used for one cross-country tour (2014).  These are waterproof, tearproof maps so they're still in good condition.  Some small marks or smudges may be apparent, but these don't affect readability/useability.  Save $50 compared to the member price for complete set. Don't take a chance of maps being out of stock when you're ready to go...

Map dates are listed below.  These were the most recent available when I purchased the map set last winter.  Maps are updated only periodically, and updates (new campgrounds, etc.) can be found in the addendum section of Adventure Cycling's website.

2013:  Map Sections 1,2,3,11,12
2012:  Map Sections 4,5,6,7,8
2011:  Map Sections 9,10

If you're interested, please use the message function on this website to respond.

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Connecting ACA Routes / Re: Options along the TransAm in Kansas

« on: August 18, 2014, 10:04:38 pm »

Thank you everyone for your replies.  The US 50 option through Kansas is now buried 6 ft under!

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Connecting ACA Routes / Options along the TransAm in Kansas

« on: August 13, 2014, 10:03:06 pm »

We are cycling the TransAm west to east and will soon leave Wyoming for Colorado.  We recently encountered a rider who said she rode US hwy 50 in Kansas because the "towns are better spaced" than state hwy 96 (the official TransAm route).  Thoughts anyone?