Messages

1

Youth Bicyle Travel / Good tours for teens reasonably priced?

« on: March 24, 2011, 06:14:35 pm »

I'm in Ohio and I'm looking for a good teen bike tour program for my son that is reasonably priced.  Any ideas?

2

Routes / Re: Riding on Interstates

« on: September 15, 2009, 08:24:35 pm »

Rode legally on 10 in Texas and Arizona and 8 in California.  Watch out for the signs on the ramps as some spots are marked as no bicycle stretches.  Found the interstate shoulder pavement a great improvement over the typical tar and chip Texas roads.  Watch out for the wide load trucks!  Good riding.

3

Routes / Re: route from Jacksonville to Pensacola

« on: September 15, 2009, 08:15:42 pm »

The panhandle coast is a scenic ride, but I disagree with 98 being a good road from Ft Walton Beach to Penscola.  Heavy traffic and no shoulders as I remember it.  Not enjoyable and one of the most dangerous stretches I encountered on the Southern Tier.  90 would be a safer route.  Good riding.

4

Routes / Re: Texas roads on Southern Tier

« on: June 25, 2009, 10:47:40 pm »

The Texas roads were rough, but the worst section I encountered on the S-tier is Seely to Occitillo CA.  Makes Texas tar and chip seem extra smooth.  Take the Interstate instead.

5

General Discussion / Secure Transport of 15 Bikes

« on: May 23, 2009, 11:24:16 pm »

We have a new fleet of 15 bicycles we are using for touring groups at our YMCA camp and need to secure them inside a 6'x 12' enclosed trailer to tow them safely.  Does anyone have experience with securing them inside the trailer to prevent damage when they are being towed?  What is our best bet to permit fast loading and unloading, but still preventing damage in the moving process?

6

General Discussion / Re: Southern Tier Bicycle Assistance

« on: April 15, 2009, 08:30:20 pm »

Hey Jean,

Since you live fairly close to the absolute worst section of road on the Souther Tier route (Seely to Ocotillo) you might find your services in high demand from westbound riders.  Good luck.

7

Youth Bicyle Travel / Re: Sag or not to sag?

« on: March 16, 2009, 11:01:11 pm »

We are in the initial stages of a cycling program at our summer camp and I'm definately going with a sag on our trips the first year.  It is a great tool to deal with problems.  Our pick up has On Star for emergencies and with kids on your first tour, you are likely to run into an issue or two.  On another note, the experienced program director's at our camp made it clear to me that the trip had to have a lot of fun for teens to truly enjoy the experience.  Plan on stops to swim, canoe, and activities and things kids like to do.  We plan to let the kids participate in the planning and daily decision making, so the trip is really theirs within reason.  It can still be a challenging ride, but remember they are kids too and they like to have a good time.  Good insurance is a must.  One claim could ruin your life and don't rely on a release to protect yourself.  Good success to you and have a safe trip.

8

Routes / Re: Southern Tier............

« on: March 16, 2009, 10:28:10 pm »

April to mid-May are probably fine, but heat in the west and humidity in the east would make me choose another ride for June and July.  I did the S-tier last Mar-May and the weather was great. 

9

Routes / Norfolk to San Antonio

« on: October 21, 2008, 08:22:47 pm »

Consider the Alabama and Mississippi Gulf Coast for a great ride on your journey to San Antonio.  Roads and bridges were in good shape as of May 08.  Good riding

10

Routes / Southern Tier question.

« on: October 20, 2008, 07:56:09 pm »

Westinghouse is right about the Tammany Trail in Louisana.  It's about 35 miles of great trail from Covington to Slidell and it brushes up near the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain.  If you do that you can easily head south east and follow the beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast.  Not sure about the extent of storm damage there though, but it is a great off route and well worthwhile in my opinion.

The Canal Bike Path is in between I-17 and Rt 60 if you are heading east bound into Phoenix.  Check with locals as you enter Surprise AZ, or Peoria at the latest, so you can make use of this great bike path.

Good riding.

11

Routes / Southern Tier question.

« on: October 19, 2008, 09:17:06 pm »

As I remember it, the only place on designated trails is about 18 miles of greater Phoneix and a few miles near San Diego.  Both are on the published route.  Some of the remote highways will feel like trails though.  It's a great ride.  Good luck.

12

Routes / southern tier in august

« on: May 18, 2008, 05:48:48 pm »

The Southern Tier is a great ride, but not in August due to excessive heat in the west and added humidity in the south east.  I agree with the other writer to consider a northern route for the August time frame.  

I recently completed the S.T. and found the winds generally favorable heading E to W until AZ and CA.  Riding early in the morning usually worked well to counter the afternoon gusts.  

Good luck.  

13

General Discussion / Camping on bike routes

« on: October 19, 2008, 09:09:27 pm »

Completed the S-tier in May and found the campgrounds to vary in price $0-20 and motels from $35-75  The S-tier has many long remote stretches and while camping off road is possible, you will attract attention from the border patrol in a number of areas.  They are on high alert for illegals and they will be able to track your movements.  Based on your anticipated mileage, your other challenge will be carrying enough water & food to make it safely.  You would be advised to take a more populated route, but if you are intent on riding the S-tier, start in Florida where the terrain is flat and you will ride yourself in shape before you reach the long open, mountainous, and dry stretches in the west.  I'd also recommend you train before you start to increase your daily mileage and riding enjoyment. Good luck.