Messages

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General Discussion / Re: advice for tablet or laptop for planning (rerouting) while on tour

« on: May 16, 2021, 01:25:14 pm »

Just to circle back on the question; I ended up buying a Surface Go 2 with a keyboard/cover & an arc mouse (that folds flat.) Computer, keyboard & power supply total slightly under 2 pounds. It's 9 5/8" x 7" so small enough to fit snuggly in my Ortlieb handlebar bag. I a believer in the idea I shouldn't haul more crap than I need to (which is a corollary to the "try not to make myself slower than I already am.")

I ran into a cul de sac with my ipad mini. Couldnt get it to work. Might have been the keyboard version I got but I suspect it's a fundamental issue with what IOS is designed for.

I saw the bit about changing apps. I've no doubt there are more, better, faster apps out there than rwgps. Unfortunately, because the clubs, groups, rides, etc that I do all use rwgps, rwgps is my church. For better or worse.

We'll see if I actually opt to haul it with me. My next couple trips are fairly short and are in areas I have some familiarity. Emergency rerouting less likely. Regardless, I really like the petit size of the Surface Go, that it's a legit computer, light weight. Honestly, I think I could survive on this thing day to day. I'm mostly a mac nerd but frankly, I've been in technology for 30 years so there's not much romance left in any of this computer stuff. Yet, I'm pleased . . .

appreciate everyone's help and great thinking here! If you find a Surface Go laying by the side of the rode while you're out on a ride, you can assume the love affair ended and I decided I hated the thing so much I refused to wait for a garbage can to get rid of it!

John

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General Discussion / Re: advice for tablet or laptop for planning (rerouting) while on tour

« on: May 09, 2021, 01:12:49 pm »

Surface Go looks like it might be perfect! Thanks for the suggestion HikeBikeCook!

I'll look at the Samsung Tablet as well

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General Discussion / Re: Camping or not? Is the weight worth it?

« on: May 09, 2021, 01:07:44 pm »

Safe travels SwampYankee! Sounds like a fabulous trip. I'm so impressed with the people here. Legit badasses all

I'm more of a hotel person than a camper but the camping conversation was enlightening for me and made me think differently about my preferences

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General Discussion / Re: advice for tablet or laptop for planning (rerouting) while on tour

« on: May 09, 2021, 12:28:55 pm »

Thank you HikeBikeCook. I get it. I owned a Surface 4+ years ago (probably still have it someplace.) Was just hoping to find something a little smaller/lighter. Sounds like that's a misguided aspiration unfortunately. Appreciate the guidance from you guys; thank you!

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General Discussion / Re: Out Of Shape and Wanting to ride the TransAm

« on: May 09, 2021, 12:24:16 pm »

Dave,

Impressive that you're contemplating such a worthy endeavor! Bravo

I wonder if you couldnt do a week or two long trip that is hotel to hotel rather than camping. Lot to unpack in that I'm sure but hotel rates seem a bit low right now because of covid . . . and my tolerance for well less than 4-star accommodations when I'm solo is noteable. My requirements are; "clean bed, shower, towels & access to food . . . and low risk of contracting Hep C!" ) My standards go up if I'm rolling with a friend or if I'm being met by my girlfriend . . . but mostly "cheap with a bed & shower" is ok with me. Also means that you gotta pick a route with some lodging/food options. Not super hard but not something to "figure out as you go" unless you're under duress and running away for some reason

I have a heart condition (had a cardiac arrest 15 years ago and was one of the 3% that survive and one of the .03% that dont require assisted living afterward) and I've been having a number of related arrhythmia problems/procedures. My cardiologists are great but I'm not their typical patient. I sent my garmin heart rate graph to my cardiologist after doing hill repeats once and his response was "wow. I'm glad you can tolerate that but I wouldnt tell you to go do it."  I've come to the conclusion that their other customers dont really look like me. I like them just fine and have been seeing them (at a research institution) for 15+ years. But they dont really know. Not their fault but there are big gaps in what they're able to provide actionable info about. So, I listen to my docs and if they say "absolutely do not do xyz," I pay attention. But Im also aware I own the machine, have a better sense of what's ok and what's probably not than they likely can . . . and then I go do my thing (with more caution & vigilance than I might otherwise.) The drugs are tough mentally. They doubled up my beta blockers recently which further restricts my already suppressed heart rate. Which is a thing actually. So, you know, there's stuff to keep figuring out. That's just true for me and I imagine you live in a similar world.

So, I'm not one of the fast kids. I'm 53 and as a younger man I was quite a bit more speedy. Simply not true today. I'm pretty slow. I recently completed a 360 mile 8 day ride from San Luis Obispo to San Diego along the pacific coast. I took off (undertrained) after a series of heart procedures over the previous 3 months. I was anxious and didnt know how it would go. I was grateful that I'd planned a hotel to hotel trip and ended up hauling about 15 pounds of stuff. Frankly, climbing up a steep 10 mile schlep over the mountains out of Solvang, 15 pounds might as well have been 100. I stopped 1/2 dozen times. It was hard; not soul robbing but I could see soul robbing from where I was. In the end, I was happy to have done the ride. It boosted my confidence that I can sustain and that my resilience hadn't totally evaporated . . . and I feel like it left me with a bit of a rebuilt base that I've been capitalizing on.

So, I guess my opinion is you're totally ok to make your decisions with the information you have, hear the "don't kill yourself & sue me" advice from the docs but appreciate that you're not necessarily being irresponsible if you make decisions that are not 100% aligned with their preferences, and maybe find a way to get more data about how it'll be for you. You know, by knocking out 40-50 miles loaded to see how it goes. I could have done a better job of that before my short trip and wish I had. I waived it off because I'd done +/-20 days similarly loaded; and I didnt know what it would be like in the condition i was ACTUALLY in when I took off. Dunno that I would have done much different but it would have helped me manage my mental game more effectively on the bike ("Why the hell can't I go any faster! Oh my god I'm slow!")

Impressive you've got your head in the game. Especially given the challenges you're dealing with. I'm sure it's not easy and I think your intentions and grit are admirable. I hope you're able to find a way to go do your thing. I think you're 100% right to think it matters.

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General Discussion / Re: advice for tablet or laptop for planning (rerouting) while on tour

« on: May 09, 2021, 11:29:45 am »

Thank you guys. That's helpful. Sounds like you're advocating for a legit laptop in lieu of just a tablet. Makes sense but it's disappointing. I was hopeful I'd sort out some sort of tablet approach (that I could actually use for route planning on rwgps AND read my kindle books while out on the bike.) I had a gen 2 surface a number of years ago (I was selling to Microsoft so needed to be part of that tribe ) I liked it just fine (as much as one can really like a "hammer" or a "screwdriver".)

I'll take another look at the Surface . . . thank you for sharing your thoughts. Very helpful!

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General Discussion / advice for tablet or laptop for planning (rerouting) while on tour

« on: May 08, 2021, 02:16:18 pm »

Hello!
I'm a pretty frequent user of RWGPS. Far from advanced but functionally literate. Probably have 10,000 miles of routes planned & executed.

I typically plan my overall route then break it down to "daily" routes which I load on my garmin. I then also run the rwgps app on my phone (in my jersey pocket) so I can hear the audible input as well as see what the garmin says. Obviously, none of this stuff is perfect but I find the two together help me maintain my sanity when I'm making my way.

I was on a 10 day tour recently and discovered I'd routed myself onto a freeway . . . HW101 in SoCal; parts of it are ok to ride on and parts are not. I routed onto a part that wasnt. Needed to hole up and recalibrate a route. I was fortunate that my buddy was hauling his laptop so we could sort a better plan.

I'm resistant to hauling a laptop (weight.) I've tried monkeying with my ipad mini but without a keyboard/mouse, it's pretty rough. I tried an addon kb/trackpad but it's pretty awful (cant hold the click button down & move the mouse.) Wondering if folks have found a small/light Surface or something they are able to reliably plan routes on rwgps and dont mind hauling. I'm a comfortable mac/ios/windows person but have't spent any time on android. If android is the right answer, that's fine. I just dont have any experience there.

appreciate your thoughts and help!

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General Discussion / Re: Warm tour ideas (US)

« on: May 08, 2021, 02:04:50 pm »

Well, thought I'd circle back with a wrap up. Thank you again for all of the input and ideas. I'm grateful and humbled by your generosity of spirit; thank you!

I ended up riding from San Luis Obispo to San Diego. A buddy went with me which I was grateful for given I'd had a some heart issues the first quarter of the year. We did about 40-50 miles/day and followed the ACA route along the coast. I routed us inland a bit to Santa Maria first day because thin lodging options looked to make a very long day. Came up Drum Canyon out of Los Alamos which was both hard and wicked cool on the backside (roughly southbound.) Routed thru Solvang as well. Also beautiful and a legit climb (for me) up Alisal Road.

Fun ride. Feel like I've got a good base going into the spring and a foundation to recover my resilience. Thank you again!

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General Discussion / Re: Warm tour ideas (US)

« on: February 28, 2021, 04:03:01 pm »

thank you for the help and input. Sorry to disappear. Had some health stuff. Thinking I'll head out first week in April. One option is Santa Barbara to Palm Desert. ACA pacific route to long beach then head east for Palm Desert. I've tried to break the route down into 40-50 mile days. Last day is a sorta long one because services are limited.

After re-reading all of your input, I'm seriously considering scraping my CA plan (and my visit to friends and relatives in Palm Desert) and heading to AZ) 

I'd be grateful for thoughts about the route. Long Beach to Palm Desert is a route I simply hijacked from RWGPS . . . could be a complete fantasy . . . that has happened to me more than once 

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35282364

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General Discussion / Re: Low profile rugged touring tires

« on: February 28, 2021, 03:53:02 pm »

Would the Conti GP 5000 tire be an option for you? I have had a number of sets. I have better luck than with the Schwalbe Pros re flatting. But, as was mentioned earlier, tires are a thing . . . and lots of people have well and hard earned opinions about why their tires are best  

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General Discussion / Re: Rain Jacket? Yes. Rain pants?

« on: February 28, 2021, 03:34:32 pm »

I use a Marmot PreCip rain jacket since it's farily lightweingt and some old single layer lightweight rain paints which I annually coat with a waterproof spray. Seems to work pretty well for me but it's hardly perfect. But as others have a testified, in hiking and cycling, if you're going to put forth any exertion, you're going to sweat, some more than others, and get wet from the inside. I use a cheap shower plastic shower cap from Walmart to cover my helmet but have yet to come up with a satifactory method of keeping my feet dry. I generally go with wool socks inside my shoes. I still find the best defense is to make sure you have dry clothing to change into when you stop. Otherwise, you're going to be screwed.

I've just started using these neoprene socks. They keep my feet plenty warm. I wear wool socks underneath. They're not really waterproof though. I figure I can put up with the wet. Allows me to wear my cycling shoes instead of cycling boots in the rain. The boots keep my feet dryer but also restrict my range of motion just a tad. I've not done a multi day tour though. Just day rides. I also got some Showers Pass similar type socks. The Shower's Pass ones seem a bit more sturdy but they're a bigger pain to get on & off. My feet sweat in them. I suspect "breathable" is a relative term.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000O5WQXA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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General Discussion / Re: carrying a firearm on a tour

« on: February 28, 2021, 03:17:53 pm »

I had a friend of a friend who commuted & raced in the late 80s & early 90s. He carried with a holster visible at about his right jersey pocket (on his back.) Not a revolver.

He carried because he'd had issues with redneck motorists in rural areas. He wanted it visible when he was on the road as a deterrent.

I looked into it at one point (more out of curiosity than out of intention.) I believe a holster that has some stretch and hugs the body is a possibility.

I get this is a plot point and you've likely moved on at this point. I wouldn't carry on a bike. I generally find I'm "overserved" with crap to worry about while I'm on the bike as it is and adding a radical variable like firearms to the list would probably leave me sitting on the couch rocking fore & aft to comfort myself. Possibility of dropping it, losing it, leaving it unattended, unwittingly violating some local, federal or state law would leave me catatonic. And, I've got minimal confidence that I'd be in a position on the bike where it would be the right answer . . . although a mountain biker got killed about 10 miles from me by a cougar a couple years ago . . . Still, odds are pretty low I'm next up on that list.

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General Discussion / Re: Alernate bicycle seat to a racing bike. More comfortable.

« on: February 28, 2021, 03:02:59 pm »

Thank you Rixtoy  Really helpful thoughts on breaking in the B17. I've moved on to the Selle Anatomica saddles but I love the Brooks saddles (but threw in the towel after putting in 5,000 miles on one and not being ecstatic about it.) However, my last name is "Brooks" so it's a cheap way to get my bike monogrammed

I do have a Brooks saddle (with the springs) that I bought for an ebike (because it looks cool and . . . well, the name.) I dont spend that much time on the ebike but I'll run it through your oven program. I like that! Thanks for sharing 

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General Discussion / Re: Warm tour ideas (US)

« on: January 28, 2021, 12:49:38 am »

Thank you again for all the input, ideas, coaching & guidance. I'll have a look at the florida routes. That's interesting. Resistant to flying cross country (because I dislike long flights not because of anything else.) I like the El Paso idea. I'll look at that. Was thinking about taking the Southern Tier route to El Paso. I can catch a train there back to San Diego (with a change in LA.) That might be a cool trip although I'm a bit intimidated by the distance; 950 miles is a legit trek in my little world (here's the route I'm starting with in my thinking; https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35086590?highlight=13219-30587)

I'm settling on 40-60 miles/day depending on climbing & lodging. That seems plenty ambitious. Appreciate the guidance about finding suitable places to stay. I was planning a trip near Tuscon (from a tour company itinerary that I totally ripped off as a base line.) Ran into an issue with no services in Madera Canyon. Called one of the places and they said I could ship a box of food that they'd hold for me. Microwave & hotplate in the room. I've certainly eaten worse than canned chili for breakfast while on the bike but it did make the point for me that planning will pay serious dividends I imagine.

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General Discussion / Re: Warm tour ideas (US)

« on: January 23, 2021, 12:20:35 am »

Thank you all for your thoughts, concerns, ideas and input! Very helpful. I do realize my details were a bit sketchy; sorry. I'm thinking 50-75 miles / day. So, (having done absolutely brilliantly as a fourth grade math student) I guess that means I'm thinking a 700-1000 mile trip depending on climbing. I did three "town-to-town" multiday trips solo last summer. No camping; not my thing. (I did 2,000km throughout France on foot one year and grew pretty fond of a warm meal, a bed, and a shower every day . . . could be I'm high maintenance! ) I did a 5 day trip in mostly central oregon on dirt roads. Type 2 fun. Was hard. Think I'll stick to one and two day gravel trips in the future (unless I decide to make that ride an "annual thing". . . you know, because ) I got about 5,000 miles in on the bike in 2020 and about 3,500 in last year. I turn the cranks 3-5 days / week but I plod along; I'm not one of the fast kids.

For the trip, I'm thinking somewhere south of 50ft/mile. More than that would set me up for a wicked summer on the bike but I'm pretty sure I'd be miserable and might end up putting my bike in a dumpster.

The ideas about Arizona were intriguing. Here's a shorter plan I was playing around with;
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35012709

After looking at the ACA route, I thought about doing San Diego to Tuscon via Phoenix/Tempe. I havent mapped out the route from Tempe to Tuscon yet. But here's what I think is the ACA route that I found on RWGPS (I paid them $65 for the annual and would gladly buy their maps if I take their route.)
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35059347