Topics

1

Classifieds / Wanted: Front and rear panniers

« on: June 01, 2013, 02:16:24 am »

Hey there! I'm searching for some panniers for a friend who'll be touring with me this summer. All brands and conditions considered, so long as they're reasonably waterproof and/or come with good raincovers.

Many thanks!

2

Routes / Great Rivers route or Mississippi River Trail?

« on: April 06, 2013, 11:44:58 am »

A friend and I are planning to set off from my home in New Orleans and head north towards Minnesota this summer, and we're wondering whether to take the ACA Great Rivers route or the Mississippi River Trail. I'm just in the initial planning stages and still don't know a great deal about either route. Anyone have any thoughts?

Many thanks!

3

Classifieds / WANTED: Bike for shorter rider + touring accessories

« on: April 04, 2013, 02:52:08 pm »

Hey there!

My friend and I are hoping to set off on a cross-country bike jaunt this summer, and she's looking for a suitable steed. She's about 5'1, so frame sizes 50cm and under would be ideal.

I'm also trying to round up some fenders, racks, panniers, mirrors and lights for her, so if anyone has these to sell please drop me a line!

Also looking to buy Great Rivers and Northern Tier map sets.

Thanks in advance!

4

Gear Talk / Touring novice seeking bike advice

« on: March 24, 2012, 01:03:24 am »

Evening all. I'm a touring novice looking for some advice -- although I've ridden a bike almost daily for many years now, I know woefully little about the technical aspects of cycling. I've pretty much always just gone for the cheapest thing I could find -- for over two years I commuted to and from work very happily on a kids' mountain bike I found abandoned in a drainage ditch (and it only had functioning brakes for one of those years…).
I currently ride an old Trek 720 Multitrack hybrid, which looks to be late '90s or early '00s. It performed surprisingly well when I loaded it up with panniers and camping gear for a few overnight jaunts a little while back. I guess my question is -- would it be completely daft to even consider taking this bike on a long-haul trip? I mean, it can't have been top-of-the-range even when new, and it's had a lot of owners since then. I've been looking around at purpose-built touring bikes, but the sheer number of options available for every little component (not to mention the prices) makes me feel a little out of my depth.

Any advice much appreciated -- thanks in advance!