Topics

1

General Discussion / Link to this forum is buried, why???

« on: January 22, 2014, 04:37:05 pm »

I don't understand why a direct button link to this forum does not exist at the top of the newly designed main page, as there was previously. Seems ACA would want to make it prominent to internet users there is a discussion forum, instead of "hiding" the link down at the bottom of the page.

2

General Discussion / Best to ACA on new home, hope you add camping!

« on: April 14, 2012, 06:29:47 pm »

Exciting to read about A.C.A.'s new construction on the home headquarters. Here's hoping they add camping space for bike tourists making the pilgrimage to/through the home base. During our cross country ride we made sure to stop in and get the grand tour. It is a delightful experience to see where it all comes together, to get some free refreshments, to get your photo taken, to buy items in the store, and to meet the folks that answer the phones and make the maps. But...

It would complete the experience if they offered a place to pitch your tent in a courtyard, or throw down your sleeping bag in a common room. As it is, the only campground in Missoula is a KOA on the west-side of town. Even if A.C.A. charged a minimal fee, it would be great if they offered something.

3

Classifieds / Rans Stratus Recumbent Bikes

« on: March 02, 2012, 12:16:38 pm »

I have 2 Rans Stratus bicycles for sale. $800 each or $1500 for both. PM for details.

4

General Discussion / Blatant Anti-Cyclist Comic in Today's Paper

« on: February 08, 2012, 03:46:18 pm »

http://www.gocomics.com/pearlsbeforeswine/2012/02/08

"And that's why I try to run them over."

5

Cycling Events / Live in SoCal? Ever considered a Recumbent for touring?

« on: September 21, 2011, 05:33:08 pm »

I toured for years on a Trek 720. I grew tired of the butt/neck/wrist/hand pain experienced on it (yes, I added a Brooks saddle and padded handlebar tape). I tried a recumbent and found it to be the ultimate pain-free touring machine. Last summer/fall my wife, son, and I rode from Boston to Seattle on recumbents and loved every mile.

If you have ever considered trying a recumbent and live in the southern California area (or are willing to travel there), there is a Recumbent Convention taking place in October. The third day of the show is open to the general public for folks to look and demo ride 'bents.

Recumbent & Tandem Rider Magazine is producing the first annual Recumbent Cycle-Con Convention & Trade Show, an exciting, all-new event designed specifically for the recumbent bicycle industry and recumbent bicycle enthusiasts. The Recumbent Cycle-Con Convention & Trade Show will be held October 21 - 23, 2011, in Southern California at the Pomona Fairplex, near Los Angeles.

Sunday’s Public Hours will provide the opportunity for excited recumbent enthusiasts and the interested public to see and test-ride bikes right on the grounds of the Pomona Fairplex.

http://recumbentcyclecon.blogspot.com/

6

General Discussion / I wish my Congressperson followed this guy's lead

« on: March 08, 2011, 03:21:06 pm »

The Bicycling Representative:
http://www.grist.org/article/2011-03-08-rep.-earl-blumenauer-burns-calories-instead-of-fossil-fuel-and-l

7

General Discussion / 2/11 Adventure Cyclist Mag Letters from Readers

« on: February 10, 2011, 12:10:40 pm »

The 2/11 edition of Adventure Cyclist Magazine just arrived in today's mail (you get it if you are a member of ACA, sponsor of this forum).

Here's one of the "Letters from our Readers":

E-Adventure Cyclist
   I would like to be able to download a pdf file of the magazine each month and not receive a mail hard copy. Will this be possible?
Editor: Coming soon!

While I enjoy some of the advantages of the digital age, such as this forum, I fear that this could be my letter 10 years from now (if not sooner):

Old School-Adventure Cyclist
   I would like to be able to receive a hard copy of your magazine printed on paper so that I can hold it in my hands. Will this be possible?
Editor: Dream On, Ya Dinosaur!

8

Cycling Events / MassBikePike, an organized ride in W. MA

« on: February 10, 2011, 11:09:07 am »

Here's an organized ride in Western Mass in August:

http://massbikepike.org/index.html

9

Routes / Help across Wyoming

« on: August 22, 2010, 03:18:08 pm »

My wife, son and I are riding from Boston to Seattle to SoCal. I know a lot of folks cross WY going through Gillette/Buffalo/Sheridan/Cody, but when we hit the Black Hills in SD we went south on the Michelson Rail Trail and are near Edgemont, SD. We are looking at crossing WY through Lance Creek or Lusk to Douglas or Glenrock to Casper to Shoshoni/Riverton to Dubois then to Jenny Lake. We'll then head north through Yellowstone to get back on the Northern Tier.

Anyone have advice on the roads through WY this way and where we might camp? (Our main concern is the first leg from 20 miles north of Edgement to Douglas, which is about 80+ miles of not much. I know not a big distance for most riders, but it is when you are riding with an 11 year old on his own bike.) Any other advice/suggestions appreciated!

Thanks, Erik/Debbie/Tyler

10

Routes / Getting through Syracuse, NY on Erie Canal Trail

« on: July 03, 2010, 10:51:27 am »

Just started Albany to Seattle bike trip. We are crossing NY on Erie Canal Trail using ptny guidebook and Rte 5 bike map. Guide says travel through Syracuse is iffy. Wondering if we should follow book path through city or go around to the north on Rte 5. We were planning on camping at Green Lakes campground east of Syracuse, but they (and every campground are full up cuz of 4th of july weekend.
Suggestions? Thanks!
Erik

11

General Discussion / June Adv. Cycling Mag issue covers recumbents!!!

« on: June 04, 2010, 12:46:07 pm »

My June issue of Adventure Cycling Mag just arrived in the mail and I was delighted to finally see a recumbent on the cover. I was even more pleased to see several positive articles on 'bents w/in the issue. One article is titled: "Getting Bent or How I Learned to Love Riding a Recumbent". Another is by John Schubert on a history of bents: "Testing, Testing, Testing, These comfortable bikes have been actively sold to the public for 30 years now". And their Open Road Gallery photo is of a rider touring on a delta trike.

My one disapointment with ACA membership has been the nearly complete lack of bent photos/coverage in the AC magazine, the Cyclosource catalog, and the new member materials sent out when new members join. (Yes, there was a separate small section in the touring bike buyers guide a while back, but there are rarely any shots of recumbents on tour.)  I applaud ACA for finally providing this kind of coverage.

Recumbents aren't for everybody, but for many folks they provide a way to tour with little or no butt/genital, back, neck, wrist, or hand pain. They also put you in a forward facing position rather than downward. After riding all day, I still feel it comfortable to sit on the bike. For me and others, recumbents are the ultimate touring bicycle.

Thanks again, ACA, and I'll close with the last paragraph from John Schubert's article:

[COLOR="Blue"]None of this matters if you feel free to set your own trends in life, and there's little doubt the recumbent's superior comfort makes it an excellent choice for those willing to think differently.[/COLOR]

12

Routes / Boston to Albany, NY advice

« on: May 08, 2010, 02:12:31 pm »

We are riding Boston to Seattle to SoCal this summer/fall. I have most of it planned except for Boston to Albany (where we will pick up the Erie Canal trail). Gonna take Minuteman rail trail out of Boston to Concord, MA. Wondering which (safe/quiet) roads to take to get over to Albany, NY. Rte 2 is a death trap. Any advice??? (Thinking of riding Norwottuck Rail Trail from east of Amherst to west of Northampton) Is it worth going south through CT?
Thanks!

13

Youth Bicyle Travel / Nancy Vogel on NBC re Pan American trip w/family

« on: April 21, 2010, 04:05:17 pm »

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/station/as-seen-on/Family_Bike_Ride___Across_the_Pan-American_Highway_New_York.html

14

Classifieds / For Sale: Cannondale Touring Bike

« on: March 22, 2010, 11:09:42 am »

Sold, thanks
(mod, please delete)

15

General Discussion / Invitation to join warmshowers.org

« on: February 26, 2010, 09:07:06 pm »

Since a search for the term warmshowers.org turned up nothing on this forum, I'll post this for those that don't know about warmshowers.

If you are a bicycle tourist and aren't aware of warmshowers.org, I'd like to introduce you to it and invite you to sign up. It is a place for bicycle tourists to find like-minded folks willing to share their yard, floor, or extra bedroom space while on tour. It is also a place for empathetic home owners to add their house as a place to host touring cyclists. Registration is free and it is a non-profit operation. (I've never received any spam after signing up.)

http://warmshowers.org/

My motivation for posting this is two-fold. One is to spread the word for other tourists, the other is that it'd be great if more people would sign up as hosts. We are planning out our 6000 mile ride across the US starting this summer. We will camp plenty, but it will be nice to occasionally stay in yards or homes and get a shower. Unfortunately, there are large sections of the US where warmshower hosts are few and far between (as shown on their online map). I signed up to host, figuring if I'm gonna use the service to find hosts then I better volunteer as one, but so far haven't hosted.

There is another site called couchsurfing.com, but I like that warmshowers is dedicated to bicycle touring.

Erik