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Topics - fastrog

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General Discussion / map help
« on: March 09, 2021, 09:40:17 pm »
HELP? Anyone have a full or partial set of the ACA Atlantic Coast route they would sell or rent for the spring/early summer? I tried to buy from ACA, but many not available. thanks.

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General Discussion / transam june 20
« on: April 03, 2020, 12:14:39 am »
i am still hoping to do the third leg of my transam ride this summer, starting from missoula around june 20, westbound. i realize it is too early for a definitive answer, but what is the general feeling about whether services will be available west of missoula? my thought is that the  light population on most of the route would make it safer than staying in florida. of course if stores and campgrounds are closed, life might be a bit harsh in idaho and eastern oregon.

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Gear Talk / light tour bike
« on: February 23, 2020, 10:26:23 pm »
i tour supported, and a few years ago i bought a surly frame and worked with my LBS on the build. it is a great bike, but after two partial summers making my way from yorktown to missoula, i'm training to reseume the transam to astoria. the surly is comfortable, but i really felt the weight in the mountains. does anyone have a recommendation for a lighter bike that would still be comfortable for a 220-pound man? thanks

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as noted by another here, the bridge over the mississippi at chester, ill, is closed.  the mississippi levee alternative is under 15 feet of water in places. luckily, stopped at the sheriff's office and PD in murphysboro before heading to chester. also luckily i am riding supported, so put the bike on the back and started looking for a way around. very hard with the flooding. finally just went south and crossod the mississippi at cape girardeau, mo. plotting a course to farmington tomorrow and try to backtrack from there. adventure cycling have any ideas?

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General Discussion / hack hack
« on: June 01, 2019, 02:00:02 am »
anybody having breathing/severe allergy issues on the transam in western kentucky? i had red eyes, scratchy throat after resuming my tour this year. coughed all night, breathing not right on the climbs, etc. went to an urgent care in owensboro and was diagnosed with severe upper respiratory infection, given an antibiotic and a steroid and told not to ride for two days. the doctor says it is "going around" and a fried with a business 100 miles away says many of his employees have had it. anyone ride with one of those neck/face covers or with a medical mask?

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General Discussion / fordstown, ky
« on: May 29, 2019, 12:58:06 am »
after resuming my crash-stalled transam from last year, found some gems in the first couple of days. spending the night at the fire station. could not have been nicer, and hot water, laundry, etc. also in this town: "the diner" no other name. excellent, cheap food.

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Routes / outdated maps
« on: March 03, 2019, 09:50:04 pm »
how often does aca update maps? i bought the full set of transam maps a few years ago while prepping for the trip, and a digital version about a year ago. made it 800 miles before  breaking some bones, but going back in may to do the rest. if i can find a year on my maps, is it possible to get an idea -- at least a ballpark -- on whether  i should replace any or all?

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Routes / TABR route
« on: February 28, 2019, 08:47:27 pm »
I understand the TABR is adding an optional route through Nebraksa. Is ACA going to sanction it as a Transam alternative? What are the advantages of Nebraska? Maps coming?



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General Discussion / april weather transam
« on: September 25, 2018, 01:48:07 am »
After my fall and broken bones in July, I'm planning to resume my Transam effort in April, where i fell in Kentucky, 700-800 miles in. Wet spring, I suppose, but what's the coldest I'm likely to find?

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Gear Talk / mixte
« on: August 13, 2018, 09:23:27 pm »
hope someone can help. i've got mild balance issues and some arthritis. it is getting harder to get my leg over the bar of the surly. i have to lean on a wall or a post to get the job done. i'm wondering about a mixte frame, like the soma. would it flex so much as to be squirrely? any other ideas? thanks.

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General Discussion / job or pharoah?
« on: June 29, 2018, 09:14:18 pm »
Somebody tell me it gets easier. Started  the Transam east to west recently and so far have had 102 degree day, the route barricaded by flooding, what some tell me is the most severe single climb -- steep switchbacks to Afton/Rockfish Gap and the scariest downhill I have ever done -- steep, sharp slalom Blue Ridge Parkway to Vesuvius, Va. with some seriously useless disc brakes by the bottom.  Unavoidably, I started late and trained in flat Florida, but i still feel some plagues are falling on me. Not giving up, but seriously hope better days are ahead.

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General Discussion / e-thical issue
« on: February 05, 2018, 04:35:46 am »
Background: Have done marathons, ultras, mountain climbing, moderate bike tours (up to 129 mile day on Oregon coast). planned for years to do the Transamerica this summer. "Silent" heart attack in 2017 (at age 68), with some heart muscle loss and two MD scripts and a couple of naturopathic doc tablets. Planning 60 miles per day, supported. Upping the training and still believe I can do it. leaving mid-June. The dilemma: What if mid-May arrives and I see i cannot average 60? Time is not an issue, but snow is. To save my dream, I'm wondering about electric. I know that when I'm puffing along at 12 MPH and an electric bike flies by it bothers me a little. I certainly can't find too many bike-club and speedier riders who feel anything but disdain for e-bikes. But then some roadies and MTB types are hopeless snobs. I have found fellow Adventure Cycling folks to be much less so. Finally, the questions: Part of the reason I want to ride Transamerica is for the camraderie along the road, lunch picnics, campground beers, flat tires, etc. So, first question: On an e-bike, would I be a pariah along the route? Second question: Any recommendations for an e-bike with minimal weight as well as minimal assist? I do not want to ride a motorcycle, just maybe get a little boost with the headwinds and the steeper climbs. See you out there. And thanks.

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General Discussion / Heart for TransAmerica?
« on: November 26, 2017, 10:10:16 pm »
I've been planning for years to ride the TransAmerica next summer. But this summer, was diagnosed with congestive heart disease. I'm still planning to go. Any advice from other heart patients who have done it? My wife is driving support, so will have a minimal load. Related topic:  If you have the time, or think maybe you don't want to ride all the way, we might take you on as a companion. You could jump in the van as you wish. East-west, leaving first week in June and taking as long as it takes. To discuss details, answer here or fastrog@yahoo.com

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Gear Talk / front gears
« on: August 06, 2017, 02:15:36 am »
I'm thinking about having a Surly frame built up locally because I do not like the stock bar-end shifters. My mech thinks I would do well with an electronic 11 or 12 in the rear and zippo in the front, partly because I have never been one to be a stickler and use all  my gears. Have done tours in Oregon, Washington, Montana and other hilly places. Plan to do Transamerica next year. Can I survive with such a gear setup? 68 years old and in moderate shape. Hope to be better by next year's ride -- well, better condition but not younger. Supported, by the way.

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General Discussion / have a heart
« on: July 27, 2017, 05:10:55 am »
Just found out I had a "silent" heart attack with some muscle damage. Some tests still to be done. Was planning to do Transamerica next summer. Hoping not to give it up. Any heart patient/tour riders out there with advice/encouragement? Thanks.

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