Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: Lions and tigers and bears oh my!!!

« on: February 01, 2017, 03:34:40 pm »

Pat, you left off ticks and mosquitoes. In certain areas, ticks can carry life-threatening diseases. Use DEET and/or don't spend a lot of time in tall grass, or, if you do, check yourself thoroughly.

Definitely check yourself for ticks and remove asap - but definitely not DEET - if you've seen what it does to plastic,  waterproofs,  tent if you accidentally spill even a tiny drop you wouldn't want this near your skin.

2

General Discussion / Re: Lions and tigers and bears oh my!!!

« on: February 01, 2017, 03:32:20 pm »

Just remember to ride on the right side of the road and you'll be fine. . . . .

Sorry I just couldn't resist, 

The advice on this thread is very solid (and cars and ticks are more a likely problem than lions, bears, and dogs). Still I'd carry some pepper spray just in case for dogs as well as bears. People go nutso over using pepper spray on dogs but it's up to you to make the choice whether to use it or not in an emergency).

Not such a bad point - I cycled toured in Canada for 9 weeks and returned to the UK and forgot what said of the road I should be on - only remembered when I came face to face with a car,  luckily neither of us going very fast.

3

Gear Talk / Re: Looking for Cycling gloves for COLD WEATHER

« on: February 01, 2017, 03:28:03 pm »

I know you said you don't want lobster gloves but have you tried them - I suffer from cold hands but get on much better with lobster gloves than regular gloves and they don't impede gear change or operating breaks.

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General Discussion / Re: Lions and tigers and bears oh my!!!

« on: February 01, 2017, 06:23:48 am »

Reading with interest - as planning my own trip and the worst thing in Scotland is midgies - hoping that I see bears when I'm in the States - was really lucky and saw some in Canada when cycling touring - but don't want to be woken up by one in the middle of the night - I know I have eaten in my tent but not used tent for at least 6 months so hoping that any foody smell has disappeared by now.

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Gear Talk / Re: Reflective Clothing; Jackets/Jerseys Etc (Warm Weather)

« on: January 31, 2017, 07:24:28 am »

I have a friend who uses a Provis jacket and swears by it - really lights up when car lights are on it - very tempted to get one myself but not sure how breathable they are.

6

Routes / Re: West to East - Indiana and Ohio

« on: January 30, 2017, 04:54:53 pm »

Pennsylvania Bike Route V passes through the Brush Valley east of Penn State University. The Brush Valley is home to numerous Amish farm. You are more likely to see people out and about in buggies on the weekends. Route V ends at the Pennsylvania-New Jersey border, which sets you up for New York (assuming you mean New York City). If you find yourself going near Vienna, Ohio, I have a nice route from there that takes you to Route V in Emlenton, PA and incorporates about 23 miles of pretty rail-trail along the Allegheny River.

Cheers for the pointers - I've googled the Pennslylvania bike route you mentioned and found some links for maps but don't seem to get anywhere - ?old links that don't work any more - any advice would be great.

7

Routes / Re: West to East - Indiana and Ohio

« on: January 30, 2017, 03:52:49 pm »

Sizeable Amish community in northeastern Indiana, around Shipshewana.

If you're coming down the 400 Trail and going through Baraboo WI, don't miss the circus museum.

There is a network of rail trails around and through Chicago.  The lakeshore trail is great.  If you need a good urban escape route south out of Chicago, I can supply it.

Yes please to urban escape route out of Chicago.   Thank you

8

Routes / Re: West to East - Indiana and Ohio

« on: January 29, 2017, 03:23:54 pm »

Cheers J - loving the pictures especially the lighthouse at Michigan City - I love lighthouses and hoping to visit some along the Oregon Coast and then some along the Maine Coast when I get there.

9

Routes / West to East - Indiana and Ohio

« on: January 29, 2017, 04:40:18 am »

Good morning (UK time).
Cheers for all the help on my other posts so far - if anyone plans on coming to Scotland to cycle,  hopefully I can give you some pointers.
My route planning across America has so far taken me to the Deke Slayton Museum in Sparta,  Wisconsin - from here I plan to head South East to Indiana and head East to Ohio (eventually heading to New York). I would really like to travel through the Amish areas - see the horse drawn carts,  traditions, etc but not intrude.   Any suggestions on routes?   Any do and don'ts - don't want to upset or offend anyone.   
Cheers again for all your help.
Happy cycling.
Lucy

10

Routes / Re: Solo Trip Across America

« on: January 28, 2017, 06:44:29 am »

Not sure about exact dates and times yet - currently trying to piece bits of maps together.
Cheers for the reminder about the eclipse - that would be amazing to see.   It would also be great to see all the Harley's on mass as well but like you say will make accommodation tricky.

11

General Discussion / Re: Trangia Stove / Meths

« on: January 27, 2017, 06:37:05 am »

Cheers for all the tips folks - and Ian I didn't know that I could use gas with my Trangia - good to know but will stick with what I'm used to ie meths or yellow HEET,  when I get to the states - cannae wait.

12

International / Re: Japan

« on: January 27, 2017, 03:40:25 am »

Hope to come to Japan at some point - it looks like an amazing country - won't be for a few years though.

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General Discussion / Re: What about travel other country to cycling?

« on: January 23, 2017, 02:25:00 pm »

I cycled from Stirling in Scotland to the Dolomites in Italy a few years (taking the ferry across the Channel. Amazing cycling in the UK,  France, Germany,  Austria and Italy.
Great cycling in home country Scotland but the weather can be very hit or miss and you want to avoid midgie season.

14

Gear Talk / Re: How to camp lightweight and sleep more comfortably? any advice please?

« on: January 15, 2017, 04:32:44 pm »

If my towel is dry - I lay this on top of my mat and that helps.

15

Routes / Re: Solo Trip Across America

« on: January 15, 2017, 03:15:41 pm »

Cheers guys for all the information and J no need to apologise or shoot yourself.   Really useful info - I'm already thinking that one trip to the States won't be enough.