Topics

1

Gear Talk / mounting extra bottle cages

« on: March 10, 2007, 08:20:50 pm »

My bike has the standard two bottle cages. Almost every loaded touring bike I've seen has three. Due to my frame configuration, I could fit three additional cages on my bike - a Gary Fisher Paragon 29er. I could put two on the underside of the down tube (and still have plently of front tire clearance) and another on the topside of the top tube just under the front of my saddle, with no peddling issues.

My question is, how to mount these cages? Are zip ties sufficient? How about stainless steel clamps? Does anybody have their LBS drill and tap additional mounts on the frame? Just wondering. I think having the option of five water bottles, or four bottles plus a UDAP bear pepper spray, would be very nice.

Daryl Bernard

This message was edited by ride29 on 3-10-07 @ 6:18 PM

2

Gear Talk / front rack for disc brakes & shocks

« on: February 23, 2007, 10:54:51 pm »

I'm gearing up a Gary Fisher Paragon 29er for a long distance tour. I need to find a front rack that would be disc-brake and suspension fork compatable. My suspension fork is a Rock Shox Reba, if that matters.

Any ideas/suggestions?

3

Routes / Crossing the Mighty Mac

« on: April 13, 2007, 03:38:51 pm »

What is the procedure for crossing the Mackinaw Bridge from Michigan's UP to the LP? I'll be coming back from out west in early August, and I'm not sure what the deal is in getting over the bridge. Thanks!

Daryl Bernard

4

Routes / Plotting my own course

« on: February 27, 2007, 11:28:30 am »

I'm taking my first tour this summer, a 60 day trip out to Wyoming from Michigan. Due to logistics, I won't be following any of the established ACA routes until the very end of my trip through Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Instead, I'm plotting my own course using state highway maps. I'm choosing what appear to be minor roads/state highways, etc., with small towns interspersed throughout.

Just wondering what your experience has been with this type of route planning (as opposed to the organized, detailed maps for ACA showing bike shops, camping spots, stores, etc). Thanks!

This message was edited by ride29 on 2-27-07 @ 9:48 AM

5

General Discussion / convenient places to lock bike

« on: April 29, 2007, 09:33:30 pm »

As I tour through the west, just wondering if there are convenient places in small towns to lock up my bike while I go hiking or exploring on foot. For example, when in Jackson, Wyoming, I plan on taking in a concert and enjoying the fireworks celebration on July 4...where might I lock my bike & bags for safekeeping for hours at a time? Would the local police station be a good place? How about in Grand Teton and Yellowstone NPs? The ranger stations, I presume? Just wondering what others have done.

Daryl Bernard

6

General Discussion / First timer -tough decision

« on: February 19, 2007, 09:47:59 pm »

I'm in the early planning stages of my first tour. I am an experienced mountain and road biker, with several centuries under my belt, as well as camping, but no overnight touring (although I'm very confident). I'm going solo, I plan to rough camp, and prepare my own food. I can live cheap!

As for bike choice, I'm planning on riding my Gary Fisher Paragon 29er - very comfortable ride, can handle all road conditions, great gearing, tough tires with low rolling resistance (for a mountain bike) WTB Nanoraptors.

I want to do a loop to Glacier NP, then Yellowstone/Grand Tetons. The route I am planning takes me from my home in mid-Michigan, through the Upper Peninsula, Wisconsin, Minnesota, ND, and into Montana. The south to Wyoming, and back home through SD, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and then ferry across Lake Michigan to home. Mileage is ~4500, and I have roughly 60 days. This comes out to 75 miles per day average.

My problem is I don't want to rush the trip, but I definitely want to get to the Rockies. I don't want to do an out and back, I prefer a loop. I would like to have time for side-trips, cool towns, meeting locals, etc. Am I asking for too much? Am I comprimising the experience for the destination?

Thanks!