Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: time of year for east to west

« on: December 24, 2014, 01:12:45 pm »

I tried to post a prevailing wind map for February but the file was too large. Here is what it showed for the ST, the wind was northerly east of Texas, southerly in Texas and a bit of a mix west of Texas. I have not ridden the Southern Tier so have no first hand experience to share. I have done the Transam and Northern Tier, I based my direction choice on where and when I wanted to start (or finish). The wind direction didn't factor into the decision.

2

Routes / Re: Washington, DC to Madison, WI

« on: March 17, 2014, 09:45:37 am »

I did a search on this site for the Lincoln Highway (old US 30) which goes through Ohio. Here is a link.

http://forums.adventurecycling.org/index.php?topic=11954.msg60902#msg60902

I want to look at this some more but it sure seems promising.  It comes very close to Monroeville and has strip maps for each section of road. I've done the NT before and am thinking of going north to Michigan from Monroeville on the North Lakes route.  Here is a link to the Lincoln Highway site.

http://www.lincolnhighwayoh.com/guide/preface.html

On the left hand side under "1928 Route" you can click on a section, read the history of that section and see the strip map by clicking a link at the bottom of the page.

3

Routes / Re: Washington, DC to Madison, WI

« on: March 15, 2014, 09:35:59 am »

There is a spur route from Pittsburgh to Erie which would connect you to the Northern Tier. It is listed as an Underground Railroad spur.

I have thought of doing something similar to your ride and have considered riding a somewhat direct route across Ohio to Monroeville, IN. Then you could  take either the NT west or the North Lakes through Michigan to get to Wisconsin. The North Lakes would give the option of the two ferries across Lake Michigan depending on where you were going in Wisconsin. One is Muskegon, MI to Milwaukee, WI and the other from Ludington, MI to Manitowoc, WI

 I have no definite ideas for a specific route across Ohio yet.

4

Routes / Re: Starting the Northern Tier in Bar Harbor, Maine - Bike Shipment Questions

« on: February 06, 2014, 05:26:20 pm »

I've never had a problem with shipping my bike to a motel. I ask if it is ok before making a reservation and call them the day before the bike is due to arrive to remind them that it is coming.  I usually ship it so that it will arrive the day before I do, just in case.  At the Villager Motel in Bar Harbor the bike and box of gear were in my room waiting for me.

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Routes / Re: Starting the Northern Tier in Bar Harbor, Maine - Bike Shipment Questions

« on: February 05, 2014, 11:15:42 am »

I shipped my bike and gear Fedex to the Villager Motel and had just one pannier as carry-on luggage. I flew into Bar Harbor from Iowa by way of Boston.  The Cape Air flight into Bar Harbor from Boston was on a 9 passenger plane, a new experience for me and very enjoyable. This worked well for me but like John said with four people you may want to get creative to hold the cost down.

6

General Discussion / Re: Link to this forum is buried, why???

« on: January 23, 2014, 09:10:58 am »

I agree also, thanks for bringing it up. I noticed that the Forums were hard to find initially and that there seemed to be less activity but hadn't put the two together.  I hope something is done to repair this and hopefully bring the forums back to the level they once were.

7

General Discussion / Re: Trikes and rumble strips...

« on: June 24, 2013, 10:38:51 am »

If you wanted to consider a long wheelbase recumbent one recommendation would be an Easy Racers Gold Rush or Tour Easy. I rode from Maine to Iowa last summer on a Gold Rush, it was comfortable and very stable.

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Gear Talk / Re: stability

« on: June 17, 2013, 09:16:23 am »

I think a bike with panniers simply catches a lot more wind, side winds or otherwise. On the same downhills, I have gone considerably slower on a loaded touring bike (front and rear panniers) compared an unloaded bike. I imagine the 40 spoke wheels with fenders on my touring bike added to the wind resistance, making the bike even slower.

9

General Discussion / Re: Cleaning your bike on a long tour

« on: May 31, 2013, 08:42:28 am »

I carry chain lube and rags with me while on tour. I wipe off the chain and lube it about once a week, more often if there is rain. Don't forget about the pivot points on derailleurs and brakes. A new chain made it across the entire transam in 2006. Needed to be replaced when I got home.

I don't clean the bike itself but do occasionally wipe the grit off of the rims and brake pads.

10

Routes / Re: Louis and Clark Route - Hwy 12 Lolo Pass Section

« on: April 25, 2013, 10:24:51 am »

Hwy 12  from Kooskia to Lolo is also part of the Transam. I rode this east to west in 2006 and enjoyed it a lot but remember I was coming down from the pass. I just looked at some photos and it didn't have much of a shoulder. Over the years I've told people that I thought that was one of my favorite roads on the Transam, even after already seeing a lot of pretty country. The highway is right next to the Lochsa river and I had no issues at all with traffic. Sorry I can't help with the rest of hwy 12.

11

Routes / Re: Need help with getting ready for bike tour - Routes

« on: December 16, 2012, 01:57:18 pm »

I have several questions:
1. Time frame for  the entire tour
2. Your planned average daily mileage
3. Camping or motels
4. Do you have to leave from New York
5. Do you have to start in January

It seems like most people who plan a perimeter tour want to avoid snow as stated before and want to ride south on the Pacific coast.

12

Routes / Re: Need help with getting ready for bike tour

« on: December 16, 2012, 10:40:22 am »

StargazerSol, I know that your questions here deal with equipment. But in your original post, which is now gone, you laid out your route and time of departure. Maybe you could post a question in Routes about that route and whether beginning an incredibly long first tour on the Northern Tier in January is a good idea or even possible. You should include your plans for average daily mileage and lodging.

You could receive some very helpful information.

13

General Discussion / Re: recumbent

« on: October 28, 2012, 11:30:21 pm »

I have no problem at all with mounting or dismounting a Tour Easy/Gold Rush with underseat Panniers.

14

General Discussion / Re: recumbent

« on: October 21, 2012, 05:51:35 pm »

I did the eastern half of the Northern tier (Bar Harbor, ME to Iowa) this summer on a Gold Rush. For those who don't know this has the same geometry as a tour easy only it is made of aluminum.  My crankset is 46-34-20 and like you I  have a 11-34 cassette.  I did not use a fairing or body skin and am on the very high side of average as to the weight of my load. I used rear and underseat panniers and carried camping gear.

In the past I have ridden the Transam and the western half (WA to IA) of the Northern Tier self-contained on an upright carrying the same weight. Overall the tour I did this year was the best of the three and I have to believe the recumbent was part of the reason for that. So I would say if you like your Tour Easy the best then go for it, you won't be disappointed.

15

General Discussion / Re: Shipping Bike to Virginia

« on: January 17, 2012, 09:36:22 pm »

If you aren't looking for a bike shop, I shipped mine to the Duke of York Motel in Yorktown. They held it for me and then I assembled it myself. This was in 2006.