Topics

1

Routes / Routes in Baja California Sur

« on: May 12, 2021, 07:37:40 pm »

I am planning a trip for next summer from Prudhoe Bay to Cabo San Lucas.  I have most of the route planned.  However, for my last segment, La Paz to Cabo I have two options.  I can take Mex 1 or Mex 19. 

Mex 1 is two lane and hillier but has little shoulder but mostly has little traffic until you get near the end.  However, when traffic picks, that won't make the last 30km not all that fun.  Mex 19 is a divided 4-lane with shoulder and is flatter but has a lot more traffic. 

For those that have ridden to Cabo San Lucas, which route did you take, why did you take that route, and what are your thoughts on the routes above?

Tailwinds, John

Tailwinds, John

2

Routes / New ACA Route coming

« on: February 06, 2021, 04:33:02 pm »

According to the map page on the Spring 2021 Cyclosource, it appears a new "Delmarva" route is going to be available in "Summer" 2021, thus offering routes in all of the lower-48 states.

It appears it will start in Philadelphia but split immediately into a New Jersey or Delaware option before reconnecting in I assume Lewes, DE, from which it hugs the coast before ending in Currituck, NC, where it connects to the Atlantic Coast Route.  It should make for a nice Atlantic Coast alternative.

It does not connect to the TransAm route (somewhat understandable due to metro road layout) nor does not it appear to have a spur to connect to the Potomoc Tidelands Route which is a shame as it would be very easy and would allow a coast to coast option for those wanting to use Eastern Express TransAm Route (non-ACA) and desiring maps the entire way.

Somewhat interestingly, the discontinued routes still show up and are presumably counted in their "network mile count" though that is a bit misleading. 

Perhaps ACA will officially announce this route soon.

Tailwinds, John

3

General Discussion / Best Tips for Cooking on the Road

« on: December 01, 2020, 10:57:43 am »

After being motivated by this thread https://forums.adventurecycling.org/index.php?topic=16690.0 , I wanted to know what everyone's best tip is for when you are cooking on the road while bicycle touring. I will start. 

1) Use a paper grocery sack as a clean and disposable "food preparation" mat or place mat. 
2) Add dried WHOLE milk (found in Mexican grocery stores) to Knor Pasta Sides which really improves the flavor.  Dried whole milk is much better than the usual low-fat or fat-free dried milk. 
3) Use an egg protector and carry fresh eggs.  The raw eggs will stay fresh at least a week if you coat the shell with a thin layer of coconut oil (mineral oil will work too).

What tips can you share?
Bon Appetite, John

4

Routes / ACA Discontinuing some Paper Maps

« on: November 11, 2020, 03:56:06 pm »

This came in the Adventure Cycling Association's November Newsletter:

"Our mapping department is discontinuing some paper maps, since in the past five years demand has increased for our digital maps and decreased for paper copies. We’ve decided to stop reprinting the paper maps on 15 of our lowest-selling map sections. These are the Detroit Alternate Route, the Underground Railroad, the Pittsburgh Spur, the Great Parks South Route, the Tidewater Potomac Heritage Route, the Green Mountains Loop, the Utah Cliffs Loop, the Allegheny Mountains Loop and the Adirondack Park Loop. Once sold out, these paper map sections will no longer be available. All of these will still be available digitally, and continually updated."

I personally think this is a major dis-service.  Unless you are doing a re-route, just print less maps or at the very least, offer them in a pdf format which should be fairly easy I would think.  Some of us old school folks strongly prefer paper.

What do others think and be sure to fill out the poll above?

5

General Discussion / Website Error???

« on: April 11, 2019, 09:30:39 am »

Hello all,

I was wondering if anyone else has an issue with double spacing?  I don't know if you too have had issues when posting here that the paragraph spacing is sometimes missing even though you know you put it there.
By that I mean you have a sentence like this.  Then you hit "return" twice so there should be space between the two paragraphs.
But then there is no space in the paragraphs like this. Believe it or not, when I wrote these first three paragraphs there WAS a space between this paragraph and the one above when I type it out it but it doesn't show for some reason when posted.
I have discovered that if you put a space at the end of the paragraph before you hit hit return, it will show the spacing.  For instance, here I added a space after this >>> period.

And (black) magically, the paragraph spacing occurs.

Anyway, thought I would mention until ACA is able (hopefully) to get this fixed.

Tailwinds, John

6

Midwest / New Bicycle Touring Group for Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma

« on: February 07, 2019, 05:53:52 pm »

A new informal group has been started for all self-contained touring cyclists who live in Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.  It is called the KAMO Bicycle Touring Group.  The goal of KAMO is to bring members together for at least an annual tour in the region so we can meet other touring cyclists and maybe ride in a new area.

If you live in one of the member states, feel free to check out the KAMO Facebook page and request to join.  It is a closed group (to reduce spam) but as long as you tour (or plan to tour) you are welcome to join.

The KAMO Facebook page can be found here https://www.facebook.com/groups/347810902453909/

Tailwinds, John

7

Southwest / New Self-Contained Touring Group for Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma

« on: February 07, 2019, 05:46:11 pm »

A new informal group has been started for all self-contained touring cyclists who live in Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.  It is called the KAMO Bicycle Touring Group.  The goal of KAMO is to bring members together for at least an annual tour in the region so we can meet other touring cyclists and maybe ride in a new area.

If you live in one of the member states, feel free to check out the KAMO Facebook page and request to join.  It is a closed group (to reduce spam) but as long as you tour (or plan to tour) you are welcome to join.

The KAMO Facebook page can be found here https://www.facebook.com/groups/347810902453909/

Tailwinds, John

8

Routes / New ACA Arkansas Highlands Route

« on: November 08, 2018, 11:01:51 pm »

Out of curiosity, is the upcoming Arkansas Highlands route most unpaved, paved, or what? Thanks, John

9

Routes / Curiosity: Why was the ST re-rounted via Lordsburg between Safford?

« on: October 14, 2017, 08:40:35 am »

Hey ACA, gotta question for you?

I had a WarmShowers guest recently who was doing BR66 late in the season (E-W) and was considering jumping to the ST due to the expected cold lows in northern New Mexico.  As I was showing him the ST on the ACA website, I noticed it had been rerouted onto NM-90 down to Lordsburg, NM from Silver City, then up on US-70 to Safford, AZ.  The old route went NW on US-160 from Silver City then left onto NM-78/AZ-78 then onto US-191 before connecting with US-70 east of Safford.

Just curious as to why it re-routed that way?  More services, less remote, easier, high quality roads, transportation,   There are definite pros and cons to each route so just trying to read your mind. 

Thanks for all you do!  John

10

Routes / Sticky

« on: May 11, 2017, 10:00:42 pm »

The forums frequently get requests for route suggestions.  However, frequently the poster may not know it is very helpful if additional information is provided.

Is it possible to have someone develop and post a "sticky" that tells potential route requesting posters to provide basic information such as specific dates (at least start & ending months), preferences & aversions (scenery, hills, traffic, fastest, historical/cultural, etc.),  lodging preferences (tent or hotel), cooking preferences (cooking or eating out solely), number of average miles per RIDING day, etc.?

This would greatly help out those of us that try to be helpful to others.

Thanks for considering this suggestion!

John

11

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / TransAm Sec 9: SR 51 Bridge Closed at Chester, IL & SR 3 on Levee Alt - May 2017

« on: May 05, 2017, 05:04:00 pm »

Just read that the bridge across the Mississippi by Chester, IL is closed due to flooding.  This is on the TA route.  Hopefully, the water/damage will subside soon.  Here is a link: 
http://www.wsiltv.com/story/35325576/flooding-prompts-closure-of-chester-bridge

12

Routes / New ACA Chicago to NYC Mapped Route

« on: January 22, 2017, 04:53:38 pm »

Carla/ACA,

The Feb 2017 issue of Adventure Cyclist implies there is a new mapped route coming out, Chicago to New York City.  Can you let us know when the maps will be ready?  I "assume" it will be before the ACA van-supported Tour following the same route beginning in early June. 

Thanks for all you do, John

13

GPS & Digital Data Discussion / BR66 GPS Data

« on: March 05, 2015, 11:47:32 pm »

Out of curiosity, when will the BR66 GPS data be made available?  The riding season is rapidly approaching and some of us like to bring a GPS.  Thanks!

14

General Discussion / Donate to ACA through Amazon (no cost to you)

« on: March 02, 2015, 10:49:59 am »

Normally, I hate fundraisers but I enjoy both Amazon and ACA so I thought I would let you know about this.

Today, I had the option to use "AmazonSmile" http://smile.amazon.com/gp/charity/about.html/ref=pe_830720_114782360_smi_em_wel_ft_abt so I could donate to ACA.

From what I gather, if ACA decides to signup, they will get 0.5% of my purchases as a donation.  No additional cost is added to my bill, no special codes to enter every time*, etc.

If ACA chooses not to accept the donations or you prefer a different charity you can change at anytime.  There are a surprising number of local small charities also.

This is what AmazonSmile is:
"AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization. You can choose from nearly one million organizations to support."

*=The big caveat is that you have to begin the Amazon purchase (after you have signed up with AmazonSmile) with the smile.amazon.com website (as opposed to the regular amazon.com website).  I just changed my bookmark so it is no big deal.

Also, be sure to search for "adventure cycling" on the link as there are a few "primary" organizations so you have to search for ACA and select it instead.

Please note, I am not affiliated with Amazon or ACA other than a heavy user of Amazon and an avid touring cyclist who has been with Bikecentennial/ACA since the magazine was printed on newspaper-type paper (way back in the 70s which would be a really cool way to celebrate the 50th year by printing that issue in newspaper stock but I digress).

I hope ACA signs up (ACA, please let us know if you decide NOT to and why) and that you consider ACA if you use Amazon.

15

Routes / Florida Connector Hotel recommendations

« on: March 20, 2009, 02:43:43 pm »

We are getting ready to depart on a hotel-based (wife doesn't want to camp!) Florida Connector tour.  I have read about some conflicting hotel reports in a few towns and was wondering if anyone happened to have recommendation based on first hand knowledge (at least seen if they look okay as riding by) of motels/hotels/B&Bs in Port Charlotte, Wachula, Haines City, and Deland, Florida.

We don't need a Ritz-Carlton but don't want a dump either.

Thanks!