Topics

1

Routes / Gallup NM to Durango CO

« on: October 16, 2011, 10:23:14 pm »

I'm planning a one way shortest route road trip to my nephew's graduation from Gallup to Durango. Is there anything I need to know about this area?

2

General Discussion / Bike racks on buses (Regular vs Rural) September 26, 2011

« on: October 06, 2011, 01:48:36 am »

I just learned the hard way that bicycles do not stay on buses just because you have the "hook" clamped down on the front wheel.  Regular buses do not bounce around as much as the rural buses.  However, I only found out recently that the rear wheel can bounce out the bicycle racks of buses and cause the bicycle to flip off the rack. My bicycle bounced out of a rural bus bike rack operated by San Diego MTS.  The driver stopped as soon as it flew off the bus and he did his best to avoid bumps on the road before it flew off.  I was able to take pictures of the damage, although not all the damage was visible until I had the bicycle taken to a bicycle shop for repairs. I talked to an RTA rural bus driver about the accident and he recommended attaching velcro fasterners on the rear bicycle wheel.  I have yet to see velcro fasteners for rear wheels on the bicycle racks of buses even though Amtrak has had them for the front and rear wheels before I started riding my bicycle for vacations.

3

Routes / Sierra Cascades Section 5

« on: October 06, 2011, 01:27:15 am »

I recently took the train to San Diego, took a bus to Lake Morena, and started Section 5  of Sierra Cascades from Lake Morena.  Instead of going to Mount Laguna, I took 79 to Julian and instead of going to Idyllwild, I took Sage Road to Hemet and ended my trip in Beaumont. Is there any reason why the southern section of Sierra Cascades took the "mountain" route instead of "hills and valleys"?

4

Routes / Walnut Creek to Sacramento and Florin to Folsom Lake

« on: October 19, 2010, 02:15:50 am »

I rode part of the Western Express Section 1.  I started in Walnut Creek and road the Horse Regional Trail to Concord then took Pacheco toward Martinez.  Part of the Horse trail was gravel and dirt.  I crossed the Martinez-Benicia Bridge and took Park to Industrial to Lopes Road to Cordella to Pittman to Suisan Valley to Linear Park pathway. There was one rest stop overlooking the Suisan Bay but no water was available.  Part of the path between Suisan Valley and Linear Park was under construction.  I stayed one night in Fairfield. The trip from Fairfield to Sacramento was a pleasant ride especially on Pleasant Valley Road. I stayed one night in Sacramento and got a ride from a friend to Florin.  I took Florin Road to Sunrise Blvd to Gold River and then took the American River Bike trail not knowing it started at Florin Road & Sunrise.  I did not notice where I was on the American River Bike trail because there are only signs on the streets and not on the trail.  I only knew where I was by noticing the bridges that crossed the river. When I arrived at Beals there were no signs so I camped at the park and then the sprinklers came on and I had to move out the way quickly.  The next morning I was able to locate the campground and while resting in my tent a squirrel tried to bite my feet.

5

Colorado / Map of Colorado towns

« on: July 29, 2009, 04:07:02 am »

Sorry.  After reviewing Google map and Rand McNally, the towns of Platoro and Poncha Springs are correctly indicated on the ACA continental map.

6

Southwest / Phoenix, AZ to Durango, CO

« on: July 29, 2009, 03:44:40 am »

I was thinking of making three separate trips: Phoenix to Flagstaff, Flagstaff to Kayenta, and Kayenta to Durango, CO because I only take 5 days trip which includes transportation by train to and from my starting and ending points.  I'm getting a ride back from my sister from Durango. Unfortunately, there is no train or bus near Kayenta, AZ.  Bicycles are not allowed on the main highways, right?. My other alternative is take the Western Route to Durango from Cedar City, UT or take the bicycle route (name?) from Grant, NM to Durango.  I found out that both bus and train stops in Gallup, NM and that I could make it single 5 day trip instead of three separate 5 day trips to Durango.  The trip takes me thru Tohatchi, Little Water, and Farmington, NM.  Has anyone rode in that area and is there a reason to ride toward Santa Fe, NM from Grant?

7

General Discussion / Re: Wondering about Amtrak's rules & handling of bikes

« on: July 29, 2009, 02:59:46 am »

This is an old topic but because it was more than 120 day old. I was told to bring it up as new.  This is a comment about Amtrak on my recent trip from San Luis Obispo to Salinas, CA.  I was planning to take the Coast Starlight back from Salinas to Los Angeles, but I found out that they don't accept bicycles.  I exchanged my original ticket for another one for a minimal charge to take an Amtrak Bus from Salinas to Santa Barbara and then transferred to the Pacific Coastliner which accepts bicycles.  I never had to take apart my bicycle for the Amtrak Bus but the bicycle had to lie down on the side.  I only had a bicycle rack on the back, but I'm thinking of changing the rack to pannier holders.  Do I need to remove them if my bicycle lies on the side?

8

Classifieds / Southern Tier Section 1

« on: August 23, 2006, 02:06:27 am »

Is there any information about the road from El Centro to Yuma, Arizona.  It is a shorter distance than going to Blythe and there is a Amtrak train station in Yuma.  I can take my bicycle on Amtrak.  UPS has strict guidelines to ship bicycles.  I am trying to find a way to bring my bicycle back home.  I only have 5 days available.  I am leaving Los Angeles to San Diego on Monday September 25 with my bicycle and I plan to return to Los Angeles on September 29.  Are bicycles allowed East of El Centro on US 98?  There seems to be side road next to interstate 8.
Tom Fukuman

9

Gear Talk / Rims

« on: September 28, 2008, 07:43:07 pm »

My rim cracked. My tire was okay, but the brakes were another matter.
When I took off the rim, I found out that it broke where there was a
unwelded seam on the outside that cannot be seen on the inside.  Are
all rims made this way? Just to clarify what I mean, inside rim can be
seen because you can see how the spokes are attached to the rim and
the outside rim cannot be seen unless you remove the tire.

10

Gear Talk / Schwinn Derailler

« on: February 16, 2006, 10:47:54 pm »

I twisted my derailler. Can I replace the derailler on my 27 inch
Schwinn 10 speed bicycle with any brand?

11

Gear Talk / Pain in the butt and numbness in the hands

« on: July 11, 2004, 08:00:12 pm »

If I wear those tight riding shorts, will my butt stop hurting.  Is
there any exercise to build up my gluteus maximus.  It doesn't
matter if I have a soft seat or hard seat. Why does my hands
get numb? I ride a 15 speed mountain bike to and from work
everyday.

12

Routes / Grand Canyon/Western Express

« on: November 02, 2008, 11:13:44 am »

I'm planning to ride from Flagstaff, AZ to Durango, CO but I'm not using the Western Express route. Does anyone know the conditions of the roads and weather in late fall or spring?

13

Routes / Pacific Coast route to Borderfield State Park

« on: September 28, 2008, 07:53:52 pm »

Is there a reason the route doesn't end at viewing sight overlooking the
beach and where you can see the lighthouse and stadium on the
Mexico side?  It's paved all the way there.

14

Routes / Pacific coast

« on: June 14, 2008, 07:14:38 pm »

 Becareful riding through the farms in Guadalupe. They cut down all the trees along the road. You have no control when a gust of wind blows you off the road especially when a car or truck passes you.

15

Routes / Pacific Coast

« on: June 14, 2008, 07:03:05 pm »

Just past  Dulah please inform riders going north to continue on the dead end road. I was about to get on the freeway where no bicycles are allowed. There is a new bicycle road in Summerland that you can take around Ortega Hill Rd.