Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: Bon Ton Roulet

« on: May 30, 2012, 09:38:16 am »

Also, watch out for the cops. Lots of riders were blowing through stop signs on the way to the camping location at the school. The cops were not happy and told the organizers that they were going to ticket riders.

As they should.  I'm one of those who think we need to obey the traffic regulations as a matter of self preservation.  It does become difficult sometimes if you're in a pack.  You have to worry about the scofflaws behind you running in to your rear.

I won't say that I've never done a rolling stop, but no more that I've done in my car and I'm pretty conscientious about it.  What gets me is stopping for a red light and having someone blow past me running the light.

Of course having said that, Mr. Karma will probably now have me get a ticket and I'll have to hang my head in shame.

2

General Discussion / Re: Bon Ton Roulet

« on: May 29, 2012, 09:16:06 pm »

thanks for the replies.

We have a 4p eureka.  But we split it in 2 and put it on our rear racks.  I think it's about 8lb total including ground cloth.

I expect to bring roughly the same things as I do on self supported touring.  Except of course no food or stove.  I might bring some extra biking stuff as I could make it through the week without a wash.  Usually bring 4 sets on a self supported as I'll be washing anyway.  Anyway I don't expect to bring anymore than would fit in my rear arkel bags plus the tent & sleeping bag.

3

General Discussion / Re: Bon Ton Roulet

« on: May 26, 2012, 05:08:01 pm »

This is great cycling country. Be ready for seriously hilly E-W roads and easy N-S roads <grin>.

Fred

We'll take it slow.   We've done the cascades and rockies although that was 10 years ago when we were both in our fifties.  But we also both have comotions with a 24 granny and a 34 cog.  And we won't be lugging 50-60 lbs of junk.   If we walk, we walk.

4

General Discussion / Re: Bon Ton Roulet

« on: May 26, 2012, 05:02:31 pm »

And here I thought Arkel GT-54s would be large. 

I guess I could bring a large roller suitcase so as to pack the sleeping bag and a pad although it seems silly just for that.

5

General Discussion / Re: Bon Ton Roulet

« on: May 26, 2012, 12:04:50 pm »

For example, they have a limit of 2 small bags.  Now maybe I don't know what a small bag is, but I don't think I can get my sleeping bag or thermarest in a small bag.  They also say you can't bungee stuff to the outside of the bag. 

I have emailed them and am waiting for a response.

So I figured if anyone here had done the Bon Ton Roulet, they'd know stuff like that.  This is my first supported tour.  In the past, I've taken whatever I want and can hang on the bike without such regards.

I don't have questions about the roads or ride itself.  Just Bon Ton logistics.

6

General Discussion / Bon Ton Roulet

« on: May 26, 2012, 12:51:48 am »

Anyone here done this ride?

I have signed up for this year and have a couple questions.  I've always done self supported bicycling and this will be my first 'luxury' tour.  The questions I have are specific to the Bon Ton Roulet procedures, not general questions.

7

General Discussion / I-78 Excess Tolls Warning

« on: October 02, 2011, 06:23:35 pm »

I was looking over my EZ-PASS statement yesterday and noticed  a large toll for crossing the Delaware.  As this was about 10 days ago, I knew exactly what I was doing.  I was carting my brother and his bicycle back to Reading PA.   I have a 2003 Camry with  Thule roof rack.

Instead of the recent 33% increase, I was treated to a $6.50 toll, a 766% increase.  I also had a toll from a few days earlier and had been charged the expected $1.00.  While trying to figure this out, I went to the rates page and noticed that one of the truck rates is $6.50.   I couldn’t find any other $6.50 charge on the web site.

I can only come to two conclusions.  One is that DRJTBC has decided to detect a sedan with a bike on top as a 2 axle truck.   The other which of course is more likely is that my brother has really worn out his welcome in Pennsylvania in a mere 14 years and government officials are trying to make sure anyone bringing this detritus into Pennsylvania will be assessed a surcharge complying with some provision of the Clean Air Act.

But in the event that I’m wrong and it is the bike on the roof, I thought I’d warn anyone using this bridge.  I have filed a dispute on their web site.  We’ll see how it goes.  I did have my brother look at his statements and he has a couple $5.75(?) charges from before the toll hike.  We’re not sure, but all of these might have come from the relatively new high speed toll lanes. 

8

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / Re: Outer Banks Open?

« on: October 02, 2011, 06:21:10 pm »

Alas we didn't even make it out of NJ.  Got to southern NJ and my brother hurt his back.  At least when we try this next time the outerbanks should be in good shape.

9

Connecting ACA Routes / Re: Chesapeake Bay Tunnel to ACA AC Route

« on: September 14, 2011, 08:48:41 pm »

They told me to call 2-3 days before.  Think I should do that then call that hour before too?

10

Classifieds / Re: Wanted - Atlantic Coast Section 7 Map

« on: September 14, 2011, 07:27:37 pm »

Sent you an email.  I'm leaving for Key West in 2 days so I'll need your address by tomorrow night to get it out before leaving.

Turns out that Map 7 in the older set is an '06 so the addenda won't be quite as bad.

11

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / Re: Outer Banks Open?

« on: September 09, 2011, 06:07:25 pm »

We are going down through Delmarva and connect to ACA map 4.  When we get to Virginia Beach we'll probably stop for lunch and try to get a hold of the visitors bureau.  Depending on what kind of answer we get at that point, we will connect to the outer banks segment or connect to the main route around Suffolk.

I'll try to post if we try the outer banks.  I'm not very good on the Droid but can probably get a short note in.

12

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / Outer Banks Open?

« on: September 08, 2011, 05:25:54 pm »

Anyone know the condition of the outer banks.  My brother and I are leaving from NJ to Key West next week and had planned on taking the outer banks alternate.  We plan to reach there around late Sep.  Maybe as late as Oct but probably late Sep.

I know they have a tourist / visitor bureau.  I will find / contact them but often 4 wheels don't understand 2 wheels well sometimes over estimating sometimes under estimating what they can do so I figured if another cyclist had info, that would be better.

13

Gear Talk / Re: Yet Another Newbie Gear Question, OH YEAH!

« on: September 08, 2011, 05:16:45 pm »

Need a strong wheel to carry the weight? A touring bike has 36 spokes.

I think my old cannondale T700 has 36.  I figured that was light touring.  For my americano I ordered up 40 for the front and 48 for the dishless rear.  Almost 10 years and I haven't even tweaked the truing.  Of course the downside is if they were to break on tour, I'm probably screwed trying to get a replacement.

I do prefer the bar ends although to be honest I've never owned a a brifter bike. 

I have a 450 mm chainstay which i think is barely adequate (Jandd Expedition rear rack, Arket GT-54 rear bags, 13 / 48 shoes)

14

Gear Talk / Re: RX Cycling Sunglasses

« on: September 08, 2011, 04:53:20 pm »

but holding them over a light colored background when they were supposedly "clear" would show a visible amount of tint that was not there when new. They were from a New England chain called Pearl Vision ( don't know if they are national?) .

Funny.  With my latest pair, that's what it looks like when dark.  I almost returned them thinking I didn't get the transitions I had ordered.  Look clear when not in the sun. These are real Transitions.  Don't know if there are other makers of whatever the generic name is.  My first pair were much better.  Unfortunately found their way to the bottom of a river in St Thomas last year.

Perhaps there is just a lot of variability and not enough QC.

15

Classifieds / Re: Wanted - Atlantic Coast Section 7 Map

« on: September 08, 2011, 04:45:20 pm »

I've got both a 2004(?) and 2009(?) I can spare.  Would rather give up the older one.  Perhaps 2004 + addenda = 2009?  But if you think you really need the newer one, I'll send that one.  If you want one, I'll double check the dates to be sure.

bp