Topics

1

Routes / NT or L&C Going West from Missoula?

« on: March 03, 2014, 02:30:03 pm »

I'm starting route planning for May 2015 - my first "Big Crossing." Rough outline - DC to Pittsburgh via C&O and GAP. Pittsburgh to Madison WI (home) via Lake Michigan shore. Madison to Yankton SD via parents' home in Iowa. Yankton to Pine Ridge Ind. Res./Black Hills via 12/northern NE. From the Black Hills over the Big Horns to Cody/YSNP. I've been to Glacier, so I'm basically swapping the Big Horns for Glacier in terms of scenic value. Not the same, but I hope to see the Big Horns when the flowers are in bloom (third week of June). I'd rather save Going-To-the-Sun-Road for an east-bound trip.

I'm still trying to conceptualize the final stage - YSNP to finish. I'm thinking of taking the TA to Missoula, then either L&C to Seaside Oregon OR Hwy 200 to Sandpoint ID to hook up with the NT. So basically it is NT v. L&C between Missoula MT and the Pacific. Any thoughts? Other options I should consider? I'll probably hit Yellowstone sometime around the 4th of July, if it matters.

2

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / UGRR Section 2 - Flooding

« on: May 17, 2011, 11:04:47 am »

I received e-mails from a NB rider I met while on the UGRR. He gave up on cycling between Grand Rivers, KY and Cincinnati, OH due to flooding in KY and IN. Attached is a link to the KY DOT site. If you look on the right you will see a road closures map. You can zoom in on the map to see specific roads that are closed due to flooding. I could not find a similar map for Indiana.

http://transportation.ky.gov/

3

Gear Talk / Is it worth changing tires?

« on: November 30, 2010, 10:57:38 pm »

I bought a used Surly LHT. It came with Bontraeger H2 tires, size 26x1.5". I'm at least 4 mph slower on my standard Sunday morning course v. my steel-framed LeMond with Conti Gatorskins 700x23. While I expected the LHT to be slower, I guess I feel like these H2s just do not roll well. I have not typically ridden mountain bikes or 26" wheels, so maybe it's all in my head. Is it worth it to step up to something lighter and allegedly better rolling like the Schwalbe Marathon Supreme 26x1.6 folding, or will I likely just be disappointed? I read one post where the writer warned against using a folding tire for loaded touring, is this the main stream opinion or one person's unfortunate anecdote?