Topics

1

Gear Talk / Bar talk

« on: May 12, 2022, 08:31:39 am »

I'd like to hear from anyone who has ditched traditional drop bars and installed alternatives such as VO Crazy Bars or Surly Molokos. Looking for more upright riding with a variety of hand positions. What sort of a project is this. I'm anticipating new brake levers (I have a Surly Disc trucker, 10-speeds, with bar-end shifters.) Am I also looking at new derailleurs etc? It's never as easy as just swapping one thing for another, is it? Thanks

2

Routes / South of Buffalo

« on: March 28, 2022, 08:40:02 am »

Anybody out there familiar with the southern part of Buffalo and its suburbs - specifically Hamburg, Orchard Park and Lackawanna? I want to get from Route 5 on Lake Erie to the Peace Bridge. AC has a well-mapped route that goes quite a bit east to avoid Lackawanna traffic, but I'm wondering if there's a safe way through Lackawanna and into the waterfront area. Thanks.

3

Gear Talk / Suspension seat post

« on: March 25, 2022, 09:27:04 am »

Anybody have thoughts about or experience with these? Just like to know if they're of any value for touring.

4

Routes / Greater Niagara Circle Route

« on: February 02, 2022, 08:59:15 am »

Part of a route I'm planning for the summer would take me into Canada at the Buffalo Peace Bridge on the way to Niagara-on-the-Lake.  I see there is a Niagara Circle Route that has a leg running north through Niagara Falls along the river and another northbound leg further west. My question: Does anyone have experience with this route, especially as it negotiates the Niagara Falls area. Is it a zoo, or is it OK? I'm wondering if it would pay to take the more westward leg.Thanks.

5

Gear Talk / PedalCell

« on: January 29, 2022, 04:30:04 pm »

Anyone have experience with PedalCell, a rim dynamo setup, which is apparently more efficient and less expensive than a hub dynamo? All I read is glowing reviews. Any discouraging words out there?

6

Routes / Sharpsburg-Gettysburg

« on: January 12, 2022, 02:14:24 pm »

Hi,

I want to ride from Washington DC to Gettysburg, taking in Harpers Ferry and Antietam. C&O Canal path seems like the best option for that. Any suggestions on best ways from Sharpsburg/Antietam to Gettysburg? Thanks!

7

Gear Talk / Sleeping pads

« on: December 18, 2021, 10:54:37 am »

Thought I'd beat this dead horse again ...On a recent trip I was trying out an ultralight Klymit (sp?) pad. As soon as I put my weight on it (215 lb) it went flat and, being too tired to mess with it, I left it that way. I'm looking for a DURABLE, lightweight and packable pad. It doesn't have to be full length (I'm 6'1"). Just looking for a good night's sleep. Won't buy Klymit again. Any ideas?

8

General Discussion / Senior comeback

« on: June 28, 2018, 09:38:22 am »

I'm a 68-year-old, reasonably fit male who is making a return to cycling after a layoff of about 15 years. Health factors and other things I won't elaborate on here forced me to give up cycling, which had included touring in Europe and U.S., mountain biking in Vermont and out West and general, frequent riding of between 30 and 60 miles with 2 or 3 centuries thrown in. So I was doing OK. But now I find I have lost a lot of strength and endurance and want desperately to regain as much as I can. Where I used to look at 70 or 80 miles as a good challenge, 25 to 30 miles is now my ceiling. Are there any others out there with similar circumstances? I would appreciate any advice on how to go about rebuilding strength and endurance (ride, ride, ride, I know) especially for a guy pushing 70. I'd like to get to a  point where I could handle a week-long Erie Canal trip or GAP/C&O ride. Thanks in advance.