Messages

1

Building Sale Discussion Area / Re: The Second Vote to Sell the Building did not Pass!

« on: January 31, 2026, 04:30:40 pm »

does that mean that the building was already sold before the vote?
That's not really according to Hoyle.

2

Building Sale Discussion Area / Re: I'm IN!! Thoughts from a long-time member and trips leader

« on: January 15, 2026, 07:33:32 pm »

It may be legal, but spending capital for operating expenses seems a lot like a Ponzi scheme.

3

Gear Talk / Re: Camp Chair

« on: November 25, 2025, 08:38:23 pm »

If I am in campgrounds, I sit at the table.  In less well equipped camp sites, e.g.stealth, the chair adds a lot of comfort.  I trimmed about a pound off it by having a new canvas made in synthetic by a canvas worker.  The synthetic also does not absorb water like the original cotton.

4

Routes / Re: Vermont 2025

« on: November 25, 2025, 08:29:51 pm »

One could start in Plattsburgh and take the ferry to Burlington, there pick up the Cross Vermont Trail which winds 90 miles across to Wells River on the Eastern Border.  At that point, cross the bridge over the Connecticut River to Woodsville and the beginning of the Cross New Hampshire Adventure trail.  Eighty miles later, you will be in Bethel, Maine, 4 states in 170 miles, mostly off road, or on very quiet roads.  Each of these has a web site where one can download maps.
Alternatively, start in Burlington and take the bike path north, a very short ferry ride (in warm months, check the schedule) to cope with a break in the causeway will lead you to the islands.  These have quiet level roads with the Adirondacks on one side, across the lake, and the Greens, similarly, on the other.  At the northern end you can turn right and ride down the eastern shore of Champlain, back to Burlington.  If you turn left, a bridge takes you to Rouse's Point NY, from there, south will take you to Plattsburgh, and very back to Burlington.
Have fun.

5

General Discussion / Re: Court rules license plate readers illegal.

« on: November 23, 2025, 08:33:02 pm »

Stopped by the police 600 times on a bike!  That must be a Guinness World Record!

6

General Discussion / Re: Costs per day?

« on: September 28, 2025, 07:02:17 pm »

One reason I like eating in diners, etc. along the way is to experience the local cuisine.  Another, is, no dishes to wash.

7

General Discussion / Re: Contrasting the ACA route and any way you want to go.

« on: September 07, 2025, 06:09:58 pm »

Here in Vermont, winter planning for summer trips is a pleasant occupation.

8

General Discussion / Re: Contrasting the ACA route and any way you want to go.

« on: June 01, 2025, 01:29:44 pm »

If I didn't plan my own routes, I'd need to find a winter hobby.

9

Gear Talk / Re: number of wheel spokes

« on: May 14, 2025, 07:28:42 pm »

Agree, Peter White makes great wheels.  Another thing you can do to weight the scales in your favor is to use an internally geared hub or bottom bracket such as Roloff, or Pinion respectively.  Since there is no cluster/freewheel, the wheel can be built with no dish, increasing its strength.

10

Gear Talk / Re: Upgrade for my touring packing set up

« on: May 14, 2025, 07:23:00 pm »

For the OP:
I have Beckman panniers fore and aft on my Bruce Gordon.  The waterproofing is pretty much gone, but I got a canvas worker to copy the original rain covers in modern lightweight stuff and saved a pound.  If I were really into it, I would cut a lot of the outer straps off, I don't really use them, but I kind of like keeping the set up original.  Agree that the mounting system is superb, simple, light, secure.

11

General Discussion / Re: Costs per day?

« on: May 14, 2025, 07:09:46 pm »

Solo touring has many advantages for me, but I do notice that a cheap motel is pretty much a wash for double occupancy vs a campsite for one. 

12

General Discussion / Re: campsites on Empire State Trail

« on: February 17, 2025, 07:55:01 pm »

As I remember it, all of the locks are ok for camping.  There may only be water while the lock attendant is there.  A couple of nights I camped semi wild, close enough to a convenience store to use their bathroom.

13

Classifieds / Re: FS Bruce Gordon rack Robert Beckman bags

« on: October 04, 2024, 02:43:22 pm »

Although I am not interested, I can vouch for the quality.  I have BG racks fore and aft on my Rock and Road, with Beckman panniers.  Very stable, and easy to install/remove.  The racks are jewels.

14

General Discussion / Re: Updated ACA website and 5 year plan

« on: October 04, 2024, 02:39:03 pm »

One way to recruit younger members might be to develop a Gap Year Tour.  It has become more common for graduating high school seniors to defer attendance at college for a gap year. Who wouldn't have benefitted from being a year more mature when he or she went away to college? Whatever one's upbringing, a year riding a bike around the US would be an eye opener, and a lifetime memory.  Maybe couple it with a fund raising challenge.  Surely the clever minds at ACA could make it feasible without taking all the adventure out of it.

15

Gear Talk / Re: How warm should your sleepingbag be?

« on: July 28, 2024, 04:38:35 pm »

Warm enough.
That might be warm enough to be comfortable every night, or, you might save some $$$ on the bag and be a little chilly on one night in 10 or 20.