Topics

1

General Discussion / Dream realized!

« on: September 04, 2011, 09:04:31 pm »

Today I reached Boston.  4,500+ miles and 13-14 weeks after beginning the ride in Portland, OR!

Thanks to all here who offered advice and encouragement as I was planning this odyssey.

It was a hoot!!

Journal is on crazyguy ... www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/HtoB
Last several days still to be posted.

2

Routes / HELP!

« on: June 25, 2011, 09:17:14 pm »

I'm in W Yellowstone.  Was planning a few days in Yellowstone, then exit park @ NE entrance, ride to Cooke City, then over Beartooth, down to Red Lodge, up 78 to Columbus, and then continue my xcountry on L&C.

But Beartooth Hwy is AGAIN closed due to rock/mudslide and opening uncertain.

Looks like best option is to ride up US 191 to Bozeman and continue on L&C from there.

What say ye?

Thanks!
Michael

3

Gear Talk / new OFF product

« on: May 11, 2011, 05:33:32 pm »

OFF has new insect repellent product.

Don't have to spray it on yourself.  Repellent is in a container that you clip to your clothing and a "cloud" of repellency is maintained around ya.

Anyone tried?

4

General Discussion / Gotta eat, but don't want to cook/boil

« on: May 04, 2011, 04:39:41 pm »

Thought I'd take the boiling gear with on my NT xcountry.  But just completed 4-day warmup tour and found that using that gear was not appealing.  In the morning I was antsy to get going and in eve did not really look forward to the "cooking" process (I'm not fond of cooking ...  ).

So I'm seriously considering leaving the cook equip at home.

So my "perfect" eating plan is to eat something quick in morn before breaking camp, stop for BIG breakfast, lunch would be some kinda sandwiches/trailmix/fruit/etc. on road, and dinner would be something not requiring cooking.  If bkfast place not found then, hopefully, lunch would become the BIG meal.

For those of ya who tour without the cooking equipment, please share your experience of what foods worked for you and/or eating patterns worked for ya.

Thanks!

5

Gear Talk / Rain Covers AND Plastic Bags

« on: May 04, 2011, 04:23:26 pm »

My panniers are from Lone Peak & aren't of the waterproof materials.

I'll be using plastic bags inside the panniers for rain protection and for organization.

So, what say ye all re the rain covers ... leave 'em at home to save bit of weight & bulk?

Thanks!

6

Gear Talk / Ground Cloth Recommends

« on: April 20, 2011, 08:21:11 pm »

Need help from the experienced touring cyclists here ............

What material, and why, do you recommend under my tent floor to protect from abrasion & poke through and to serve as waterproof barrier?

Thanks!
Michael

7

General Discussion / CONGRATS Pete!

« on: April 17, 2011, 11:27:46 pm »

Pete Staehling's CGOAB journal is this week's FEATURED journal!
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/?o=Rogkr
:thumbsup:

8

Routes / Bannack State Park

« on: March 24, 2011, 09:31:08 am »

Bannack SP is approx 4 mi off TA route between Jackson & Dillon, MT.
Anyone have experience reaching the park from TA route and camping experience?
What about it as a rest day?
Thanks!

9

Gear Talk / Touring weight

« on: February 25, 2011, 06:14:57 pm »

Wellllll, finally got around to weighing my gear list.  Ughhhh!

According to the Wii ..............
Bike, including racks & empty water bottles          33.5
Gear, not including water & daily food                 46.9
Total                                                             80.4

I was hoping to be at 40 or less on the gear.

Not sure where to go from here, but it's good to vent!   

10

General Discussion / Motorbike riders out there?

« on: February 11, 2011, 06:01:04 pm »

Posters to a recent thread identified themselves as motorbike riders, in addition to doing the pedalbike thingy.

I was quite surprised at apparent # of you who are doing both motor and pedal biking.  Thought I might be the only one.  Obviously not!

So who of you are or have been motorcycle owners and what do ya ride?

My motorbike is Suzuki GSX650F (sport touring).

11

General Discussion / Think SPRING!

« on: February 02, 2011, 08:29:44 am »

In Chicagoland ... here's this morning's view out the patio door.



Don't think will get many miles on the bike today ... but snowshoes will come in handy!

12

Routes / Portland Amtrak station to Champoeg State Heritage Area

« on: February 01, 2011, 11:24:39 am »

Daughter lives in Eugene.  So I was planning to begin my xcountry ride at Florence.  But since am taking the train, an option is to get off train at Portland, load up the bike, and ride to Eugene using The Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway.  Looks like easy (ala relatively flat) 3-4 day trip.

Willamette Bikeway begins at Champoeg State Heritage Area.  Any recommendations as to routing from  Portland's Amtrak station to Champoeg?

Thanks!
Michael

13

Gear Talk / Panniers - seam sealing and water repellency treatment

« on: January 18, 2011, 01:41:31 pm »

Based on my search, this topic has not been discussed since 2005.

I'm using Lone Peak bags, not the Ortlieb-type waterproof bags.

Do others have experience/advise re effectiveness of seam sealer and water repellency treatment?

Yes, I'll be using plastic bags to keep the stuff dry.  But I'd also like to know your experiences with seam sealer and water repellancy treatment of panniers.

Thanks!

14

Routes / Ohio's Triple Nickel

« on: January 07, 2011, 11:31:59 pm »

Would like to know experiences riding Ohio 555 ((Triple Nickel).
I've done it several times on the motor(sport)bike and consider it one of the greatest stretches of road in U.S. ... gotta love those twisties!
But would like to hear the cycling perspective.

Thanks!
Michael

15

General Discussion / Eating ... not IF, but HOW

« on: December 15, 2010, 06:07:28 pm »

Guess there's no getting around the need to eat on my x-c tour.
So that much is settled.

My culinary skills are limited and am happy to keep it that way.  And my tour budget is also limited. 
Told the wife eating/sleeping would avg $25/day.  So NOW I'm trying to figure out how to keep that promise.  Typical decision-making process for me ... shoot then aim.

Obviously, tent will be typical abode.

OK, on the eating front, here's where I'm at now:
>> Breakfst - Need at least 1 carbo-loading meal per day and I love breakfast.  So will plan on breakfast being left to the "pros" at restaurants/cafes/convenience stores.
>> Lunch - will do the multi sandwich thingy using fixin's from groceries/convenience store/etc.  Will need to find space in the bags for these goodies.
>> Dinner - similar to lunch but, whenever possible, purchase before arriving at cg and limit volume to what can mostly be consumed that eve.

So, am I on a doable strategy so far?

Cooking ... like I said, skills are limited & so is interest.
So if I haul any cooking equip it will be very basic:
>> pot
>> alcohol stove
>> necessary tag alongs
So now gotta find room for basic cooking equip and a bit of food.

Any of you been successful with this strategy?  I'm all ears as to how-to's and details!
Thanks!!!!