Topics

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Cycling Events / Trek Across Maine

« on: April 02, 2007, 04:16:23 pm »

The Trek Across Maine will be held June 15-17, 2007. This event has been run by The American Lung Association-Maine since 1985. It is an exceptionally well organized Charity Ride. This year is looking at about 2000 participants. Check it out at Mainelung.org

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Bike Clubs / Belfast Bicycle Club

« on: March 13, 2007, 12:07:14 pm »

The Belfast Bicycle Club in Belfast, ME. is a club for all levels of riders. Club members and the two bike shops ( Belfast Bicycles, and Birgfeld`s in Searsport ) are knowledgeable and a good resource for tourists. Individual members are also available. Contact Belfastbicycleclub.org It is a good website for repair tips as well.

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Gear Talk / Question about Scansium 7000

« on: May 15, 2007, 03:40:17 pm »

I recently found a 57cm Easton frame made of Scandium 7000. It is a racing frame that was never set up--exceptionally light--2 1/2Lbs. I stripped down my Fuji and put the 105 Grouppo on the Easton along with Ritchey DS-Pro wheels, Salsa drop bars, Ritchey seatpost, and a Truvativ Elita Triple ISIS with an FSA Platinum Pro BB. I also got an Easton EC-90 carbon fork and a Cane Creek Solo headset. I am currently shaking the bike down making minor adjustments. I have been researching Easton and Scandium on the internet and have gotten some answers albeit vague ones. The frame was appearently built for some labor union team, since it has decals that say Labor Power and some sort of reference to asbestoes lung disease. There is no serial number anywhere on the frame except for a stamping that says "JOHN-E". I am very happy with the bike. It is exceptionally smooth, does not have the harsh and twitchy ride the aluminum Fuji had, and handles much better. The oversteer the Fuji had is gone and I feel much safer cornering. I was just wondering if anyone on this forum might know something about this bike. It is Italian Racing Red with "Easton" decal on the downtube in 2" black letters, and other assorted Easton decals elsewhere on the frame. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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Gear Talk / Possible solution for rust problems

« on: October 25, 2006, 09:16:07 pm »

Thought I would put this out for what it is worth. About five years ago while we were still cruising aboard our sailboat full time, we saw a diver in Beaufort S.C. doing some bottomn work on a boat using some expensive tools that looked in mint condition. He was working in salt water. He told me that the tools were a year old. Technically these tools should have been a rusted mess--but where not.  He treated the tools with a substance called Ballistol. I went out and bought some and started to use the stuff on exposed steel and, guess what? No more rust. I now live on the Maine Coast close enough to the ocean to be concerned about salt air. For the past two years I have treated my casettes, chains, cables, and any other rustable metal with Ballistol. I use the brand of my choice for chain lube, etc. but have had no rust problems whatsoever. The stuff is available in some gun stores, and also on the internet. Thought some people with rust problems could use the info. It does remove existing rust in the beginning stages. Best Regards,  Alex

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Gear Talk / Cross bikes for touring

« on: October 13, 2006, 05:23:08 pm »

I see a lot of discussions on touring with mountain bikes pulling trailers, Touring bikes with mountain gearing,etc. Am quite new to biking in general and read a lot and research a lot. Seems to me that a cross bike with 700x36 tyres wuld go quite well if one were to tweak the gears a bit. Has anyone had any experience setting up such a machine?

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Gear Talk / A recumbant for centuries and possible touring

« on: September 20, 2006, 10:44:03 pm »

Am a newbie (2 years) and ride a Fuji road racer, and a somewhat large Miyata Cross converted for touring. The M is also my commuter. I know ZERO about recumbents but have seen some really positive stuff in this forum. Can someone steer me to some literature, web sites, or some simple down home info. It would be greatly appreciated.

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Routes / Update on Route 52 from Camden, ME to Belfast, ME

« on: October 30, 2008, 10:45:44 am »

The stretch of Route 52 from Camden to Belfast has been totally repaved. Unfortunately there is no repair lane. The road is narrow and winds a great deal. It is a very scenic route. Coastal Route 1 is far safer, and except for a short stretch from Lincolnville Beach to Northport which has no repair lane, is smooth, new, and offers a wide repair lane. Route 1 from Belfast ME to Searsport has also been repaved and offers smooth safe riding.

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Routes / Rest stop.

« on: May 11, 2008, 01:16:16 am »

We live on your route across Maine. If you look at your map there is an "H" formed between Route #! and Rte#3 by Rte 52 in Belfast We live in that 'H'. Touring cyclists are most welcome to visit, pitch a tent, grab a shower,etc. The adress is 45A Lincolnville Ave,Belfast, Maine 04915. Phone (207)338-3105. Diane and I will be more than happy to provide comfort, local knowledge, etc. Pitching a tent in our secluded yard is no problem. I also have an extensive cycle shop with all the necessary tools should a tune up or repair be necessary,  Diane and Alex Allmayer-Beck

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Routes / Maine Routes--Local knowledge

« on: May 03, 2008, 11:23:18 am »

Coastal Rote #1 from Belfast to Searsport will be completely repaved and will have a nice and wide repair lane. Rte 52 between Camden and Belfast is scheduled for some patchwork. I still won`t ride 52. It is really too rough for a road bike.

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Routes / Camden, Maine to Belfast, Maine

« on: March 05, 2008, 03:48:05 pm »

Last year I mentioned that Route 52 between Camden and Belfast, Maine was in extremely poor repair and quite dangerous. Maine DOT currently has plans to "spot patch"--which will not solve the problem. My recommendation is to use Route 1, which is in good repair and has a breakdown lane in most places. There is no breakdown lane from Lincolnville Beach East for three miles. Right now I would be hesitant to negotiate Rte.52 with a Hummer.

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Routes / Planning time again

« on: November 01, 2007, 09:50:31 pm »

For all you folks planning to tour Maine, we again extend our hospitality to you. If you plan to go through Belfast,ME. We have a nice private back yard to camp in. We have a nice shower, and a very complete bike shop on site should you need repairs or a tune up at no cost. We have spent 14 years cruising aboard a sailboat and have found touring cyclists to be kindered spirits.When in the area, call Diane and Alex at (207)338-3105.

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Routes / Rte 52 between Camden,Maine and Belfast, Maine

« on: August 12, 2007, 04:22:19 pm »

I still see quite a few Touring bikes using Rte 52--goes past our house. I drove that route the other day and it is downright dangerous for cyclists. It is narrow with no shoulder. The road is badly broken up with cracks in the road that would be paralell with your direction of travel. Those cracks can and will tear your sidwall. Route 1 has more traffic but has recently been repaved. There is a smooth and wide repair lane from Camden to Lincolnville Beach. From there you have no shoulder for about 2 miles but very smooth road. At Northport you get your wide and smooth repair lane back. The repair lane through Searsport is a bit rough but very rideable. Enjoy Maine. Any questions, call Alex at 207-338-3105.

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Routes / Adventure Cycling Flag

« on: December 21, 2006, 07:09:12 pm »

Has Adventure Cycling thought of making a flag? I would certainly buy one and fly it in front of our house to show that tourists are welcome. Just an idea....

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Routes / Camden,Maine to Belfast, Maine

« on: December 19, 2006, 04:07:16 pm »

I have been looking at the Adventure Cycling map of Maine. The recommended route from Camden to Belfast is Rte 52. Route 52 is winding, narrow, rough, and without a shoulder in most places. I won`t ride it. Route 1, on the other hand, is smooth in most places, and is getting better with maintenance. There is a good repair lane in most places. There is more traffic than route 52, but the road is safer. Route 52 has better scenery--sort of hard to appreciate when you are dodging pot holes and frost heaves. 52 is also a touch hillier.

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General Discussion / Similarities

« on: August 17, 2007, 04:16:18 pm »

My wife and I have spent 14 years logging 80,000 miles on our sailboat. We still have the boat and are now caring for our elderly parents--and have moved ashore. Our home just so happens to be on the northern route to Bar Harbor, Maine, so we have had a chance to extend our hospitality to cruisers of the two wheeled variety. It is amazing how much we have in common and how much information we are able to share. It is a lifestyle and a mindset that all of us voyagers have in common. We not only plan to resume cruising Ariel III at some future date, but we plan to explore this great country by bike. Our Adventure Cycling Club visitors--always welcome, have been a great source of inspiration. We look forward to each visit.