Messages

1

Gear Talk / panniers vs. BOB-like trailers??

« on: January 04, 2004, 10:17:14 pm »

I have used Bob on a very long back country trip. It definitely has some problems.  it hangs up on logs and large rocks even though you bike wheels roll right over where paniers alllow you to roll your large wheels over. Also BOB oscilates going down hill if it isn't loaded just so or is close to maximum load and that can be a truly frightening experience!  Also when riding off road and up loose or really steep grades a smaller person may find the weight too much and have to push and it reacts just like a trailer. I've slid down hill backwards and had BOB jackknife unfortunately you have to straigten BOB in order to unhook. I think if you are a light weight person travelling alone off road and fairly heavily loaded you are better of with paniers

This message was edited by Donna on 1-4-04 @ 6:18 PM

2

Gear Talk / Any suggestions on which bike is best for ....

« on: January 05, 2004, 05:38:28 am »

There are a lot of really goood bikes available. I would suggest a mountain bike as you can do anything on it including road touring by changing the size and kind of tire you are running.  I would suggest shopping at a good bike store and or checking out bicycling magazine and mountain biking magazines for reviews. For your price range you are probably looking at a good hardtail with lx components and 24 speed. Also try for at least mechanical disc brakes and a decent front shock.  If you have a little more $ I would suggest a dual suspension (all mountain bike-they are kind of a new breed this year -Devinci makes a couple of really good ones)- also you can get racks to put panniers on suspension frames

Great Cycling Donna

3

Routes / Slocan Valley BC info?

« on: February 24, 2004, 02:34:29 am »

Sorry to say there is not much in the way of shoulders but also there is very little traffic.Lots of hills especially between Slocan and New Denver. Also are you travelling from New Denver to Kaslo-if so  the hill out of new Denver is a dandy. This is very beautiful country and although the roads have no shoulders there is not much in the way of traffic so you can really enjoy the scenery.All the small torwns here have little in the way of accomodation but there is some and atleast one campground at each town

Great Cycling Donna

4

Routes / Vancouver, BC to Creston,BC

« on: January 12, 2004, 11:41:34 pm »

Route 7 is kind of messy getting out of Vancouver but once past Maple Ridge the shoulders are wide and traffic weekdays not too bad, If you ride a mountain or a hybrid bike you can take some of the Trans Canada Trail as far as Haney. There is only one section that is really bad and thats around Lake Eroch as you are heading towards Harrison Bay. Steep and no shoulders to speak of.  once  North of Aggasi to Hope there are really no facilities to speak of.Hwy 3 from Hope to Manning part lodge is steep but for the most part a decent shoulder. There is camping available and the lodge seves food. Unfortunately from Manning Park Lodge once you get out of the park until Carolyn Mines the shoulder is not very good. From Princeton to Osoyoos the shoulders are great and there are lots of camping and places to get food. One ugly steep 21km climb out of Osoyoos with virtually no shoulder start early (6AM) because probably 40 degree centigrade noon time temp.from top of hill to Salmo road has fairly good shoulder for most of it but wakeup strips can be a pain.lots of hill but lots of places to stay and pick up food. At Salmo you will have to make a decision are you going the Salmo Creston(Kootenay Pass) or up thru Nelson and Kootenay Lakes (most cyclist take this route-way easier althought on far side of lake narrow shoulders(very) If you go up and over Kootenay Pass there is absolutely no facilities of any kind or designated camping until you get to Creston this is a very remote area. A 25-27km climb up and just as long and steep down (actually longer) one hell of a hot and sweaty climb and you want to be down before dark.  It is possible to emergencey stay in a cabin at the very top ( I found this out when I reached Creston) but the shoulders are wide.  If you want specific info let me know and by the way if you are riding a road bike I hope you have a triple chain ring cause you will need it

Great Cycling Donna

This message was edited by Donna on 1-12-04 @ 7:45 PM

5

General Discussion / Biking Shorts

« on: April 14, 2004, 09:20:45 pm »

Its not just the shorts(any shorts will rub) I have been using a lubricant called body glide(buy it at a running store) apply lots of it to you body parts before ride. It work great! I have been using it for several years on all lengths of ride. Also wide seats tend to cause more chaffing because you don"t change your riding position as often an a wide seat as well as riding a seat that is too high because it forces you to rock back and forth thus rubbing you raw. Also beware of seats that are too soft same problem you don't move around on them to change you position.  Good Luck

Great Cycling Donna

6

General Discussion / Great Divide Trip 2004

« on: January 08, 2004, 12:20:22 am »

I have signed up for the Great Divide trip with Adventure Cycling and would like to talk to other cyclist going about trip and other bike stuff

Great Cycling Donna