Messages

1

Routes / Charlotte, NC to Cherokee, NC

« on: April 20, 2013, 10:02:02 pm »

I am thinking about flying into Charlotte as an access point to the Blue Ridge Parkway southern starting point, then riding north to end of Shenandoah  NP. I'd begin mid-June. Anyone out there have experience with this route that could provide information on best route to go from Charlotte to Cherokee? Once on the Blue Ridge there is ample guidance.

Thanks,

Tom

2

General Discussion / Packing bike for transport

« on: April 20, 2013, 03:01:53 pm »

Best wishes to all. In the past I have packed my bike by taking off the pedals and turning the handlebars 90 degrees. With a typical-size bike box, does one also need to take off the pannier racks (front and/or rear)?

Has anyone here had experience with Air Caddy? I wondered if one had to take racks off to use it also. (http://www.shipbikes.com/Whatis.html)

Thanks

Tom

3

General Discussion / Re: Overall weight for touring

« on: May 27, 2012, 05:05:48 pm »

Hi John,

Yea, 600 feet per hour feels fairly flat, but used it as a reference point. It would be great to average 12 mph. Thanks for the feedback!

4

General Discussion / Re: Overall weight for touring

« on: May 27, 2012, 04:12:36 pm »

Bogiesan,

Thanks for comments/feedback. I've re-thought some of my accessories, like ditching the laptop as an example, and the simpler picture is like this:

Bike w/fenders and racks: 32.6 pounds
With panniers and handlebar bag: 40.8 pounds
With tent, sleeping bag and pad: 46.8 pounds
With "everything else" (well almost everything): 60.4 pounds

I have to add a few more things, but no more than another 3 pounds, so I'll be under 65 pounds, except of course then there is water and food to add as needed.

On another note, I am wondering what a "typical" averge rate of speed is for  a trip. Obviosuly if there is a large degree of uphill/downhill  and/or elevation gain/loss, or a day of headwinds/tailwinds, it will vary.

I have been doing 3-5 hour out-and-back rides (at 65 pounds total weight, about 600 feet elevation changes per hour over slight grades) and have averaged 14-15 mph, which is above the average I had planned when I started thinking about this trip. I figure I'd try to average 12 mph and ride 6-8 hours per day, with ample breaks tossed in between 2 hours riding "shifts". I think trying to maintain 14-15 daily might be unrealistic.

Wondering if 12 mph seems reasonable based on peoples' experiences

Tom

5

General Discussion / Re: Overall weight for touring

« on: May 25, 2012, 08:29:41 am »

indyfabz and pdlamb thanks for your comments "If you are comfortable with the load, go for it" and "And you're comfortable with your bike and that load? Go ride."

That sums it up and gets me away from over thinking it.

staehpj1: I had seen your article a while back and it's really good to look at it again. Your perspective is inspiring in it's simplicity, one of those less is more things.
 
One result of this post is I am examining more carefully items I bring. I think one issue is I have more room in my panniers than I need, Arkel T-28s front and T-42s rear. I know I don't need to fill them but it's tempting to say "oh look I have room for this". I have a week before I leave and already overnight I cut out several pounds with the thought "if I find I need it I can buy it on the road."

Thanks again and enjoy your day!

Tom

6

General Discussion / Overall weight for touring

« on: May 24, 2012, 07:55:12 am »

I have been looking at posts on this site, as well as crazyguyonabike.com, in order to obtain info on how much weight (bike/gear/water/food) is carried on a cross country tour. I am looking at it from two points of view. One is - what is the weight of an "average" self supported tour, and the other is what can the bike support safely (I weigh 152 pounds). I see that individuals occassionally address this issue, and depending on their tour attitudes and needs, I have read blogs where total weights are reported in the range from 40 pounds up to 115 pounds.

I realize there is no average or "typical" weight, as what people think is important to bring varies. But I am trying to get a sense of what to expect long term and answer the question - am I bringing too much/can I bring more?

I am riding a Surly and with my racks/panniers/handlebar bag it comes to about 42 pounds. After I get the bike loaded, including two 28 ounce water bottles, it is at about 70 pounds. I have been riding it comfortably at this weight. To experiment, I added a few textbooks and extra water bottles and did some riding at 83 pounds. The bike handled okay, but not as "nimble" as at 70 pounds. I went slower uphills, but for four hour test rides overall average speed was very similar, in the 14-15 mph range at both weights.

The main thing I noticed at 83 pounds is the bike feels very heavy when maneuvering it around while not riding it, just pushing it around, moving it onto a sidewalk, etc. And it feels a little different when standing up when going up hills, though totally stable.

Background: I am riding CT to Washington, have a ten week window of time, plan on riding 75 miles per day with ten rest days (no riding), which would actually let me cover the ~3800 miles in about nine weeks. Have been riding 750 miles per month last three months training.

So I wondereded if anyone had thoughts/comments on this. I wondered if the difference between 70 pounds and 83 pounds, or in those ranges, seemed to matter much in your experiences or planning. I'd like to add more weight, like bring a laptop in particular, but am hesitant to do so as I feel I might regret the extra pounds down the road.

Thanks for any feedback!

Tom

7

Routes / Connecticut connect to Northern Tier

« on: April 29, 2012, 06:00:02 pm »

I am planning a ride from southern Connecticut area to west coast and I want to connect to Northern Tier around Erie, PA. Two possible routes to take are PA Bike Route Y (http://www.bikepa.com/images/routeymap.gif) or NY Bike Route 17 (https://www.dot.ny.gov/display/programs/bicycle/maps). I am looking for feedback to help determine which route would be best to take, mostly concerned with the amount/type of traffic, type of roads/shoulders. Anybody out there ride both and be able to make a comparison? Or if you rode one, what were the positive and negative aspects?

Thanks much.

Tom

8

Gear Talk / Re: Bike Question - Specialized Roubiax

« on: March 03, 2009, 01:08:10 pm »

Again, thanks to everyone for the feedback.

I think it would be wise to upgrade on the wheels. I have a set of wheels from another bike I could use. The front is a Ritchey Aero (28 spoke) and the rear is an old Mavic G40 (36 spoke.) I think they might be better to use, after having them serviced. Or simply buy a new set of wheels.

And for a trailer I like the Burly Nomad over the BOB based on what I have read. I like what appears to be increased stability. There is a dealer in town that carries the Nomad so I will check it out.

Tom

9

Routes / El Paso to Dallas

« on: February 28, 2009, 11:56:11 am »

Hi

Checking to see if anyone has experiences riding from El Paso, on Southern Tier Route, to Dallas-Fort Worth area. I'd like to include Guadalupe Mountians and Carlsbad if possible.

Thanks

10

Gear Talk / Re: Bike Question - Specialized Roubiax

« on: February 28, 2009, 09:58:36 am »

Hi staehpj1 and thanks,

I found the specs on the bike. It is a 2005 Roubaix Comp Triple
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?arc=2005&spid=21473

Chain rings are 52Ax42x30A. I replaced the freewheel, for doing Mount Washington, and it now has a 34T on the biggest cog, so instead of the original 30X25 it has 30X34. Able to stay seated all the way up that climb.

Wheels are Mavic Ksyrium Equipe 20 hole front, 24 hole rear.

I weigh 155 pounds - winter weight, will be about 150 pounds for trip. 

I'll check out the other trailer information.

Thanks

Tom

11

Gear Talk / Bike Question - Specialized Roubiax

« on: February 28, 2009, 08:53:48 am »

I am considering a USA trip coast to coast. Original thought to use my carbon-fiber, Specialized Roubaix with a BOB trailer. The bike (2006 Model) is so comfortable that I would hate to have to buy a different bike to use. But, I am wondering about structural integrity. Will it be strong enough to pull a trailer? Has anyone toured with a carbon fiber bike or know of people's experiences?

I read in another post, by dlambert (September 08, 2007):

" I am REALLY glad I did not ride the Roubaix.  I am not certain the problem would have been the frame, the index shifters, the spoke pattern on the wheels, or some other aspect of the bike that makes it really fun to ride on day trips.  The problem would have been in the 2-ring cranks."

I have a triple on the bike already.

Thanks

Tom