Topics

1

Classifieds / Trek 520 frame & all the little pieces that hang on it.

« on: March 03, 2014, 12:15:48 pm »

Hi, I took apart this vintage 1984 Trek 520 some time ago, intending to rebuild it back up, but it's sitting in the basement and all the little parts are in a box.  It's 56 cm.  Includes wheels.  Hey, I even bought a Helicomatic tool I'll throw in with the deal.  If anyone is interested in it, make an offer including shipping, and we'll see if I can get it to you.  No sense in it sitting downstairs unused when someone could use it.  I'm thinking $450 or so would do.

~~ kate

2

GPS & Digital Data Discussion / Really Idiot Question about whether all the maps are actually on my Etrex HCX.

« on: September 08, 2010, 11:26:41 am »

OK this is like old dogs and new tricks here.  The first time I uploaded some of the maps from City Navigator onto my Etrex HCX, it took forever.  Then someone said that you should upload all of them at once.  So today I clicked all of the maps in North America and told my PC to send them to my Etrex.  Now I'm about to leave for Missouri to do the Katy Trail and I'm wondering if those blinking maps are actually in the Etrex.  I can't figure out how to tell.  I tried to find something, for example.  My PC will let me find a POI on the Katy trail, but the Etrex will only let me find stuff where I currently am (which, unfortunately, is in downtown Cleveland).   

So is there any way to tell if all the maps have uploaded properly in the Etrex before I actually get out in the middle of nowhere?

I know this is kindergarden for youse technogeek guys, so have mercy on the lowest common denominator.  And please don't tell me to go read something unless it's written for old decrepit peeps, because I've already read the stuff you say to read and it's like reading a foreign language.   

Thanks ~~ really!
Kate

3

General Discussion / Birmingham Hip Resurfacing

« on: September 02, 2010, 09:28:05 am »

Relatively new procedure, approved a few years ago in the U.S.  Wondering if anyone's had this procedure, as opposed to a total hip replacement, and how you're faring with touring after the resurfacing.  Thanks, guys.

4

Classifieds / WTB recumbent tricycle

« on: July 25, 2010, 11:02:12 am »

Disabled Marine veteran, 65, looking to buy a used, solid, reasonably-priced recumbent trike for long-distance touring with the family.  Husband is 6'4" and 270 lbs.  Thanks!

5

Gear Talk / Touring (Ageing?) Compromises

« on: November 01, 2009, 08:19:58 am »

I've been thinking some lately about trade-offs which one might make for becoming a happily fully-loaded elder tourist.  (Well ... eldering, not quite elder yet.)  I've made quite a few.  I've traded 700C for 26-inch, skinny slick tires for wider knobbier ones, aerobars for butterfly bars, speedplays for MKS touring pedals, carbon fiber for steel lugged, tob tube for step-through (this to accommodate a hip replacement issue), and added racks, panniers, lights, bells, front suspension, a heavier leather saddle ... you get the idea.  The relatively fast biker is officially leaving the room.  The initial observation is that the touring bike is waaaaaay slower but by far more stable ~~ a mule as opposed to a thoroughbred.  I enjoy smelling the roses at my snail's pace.

I'm wondering about group rides ~~ do you guys still haul out your fast bikes on group rides, or do you stick with the pack mule?  I'm pedalling and puffing and sweeping on my dinky little 20-mile group rides whilst riding my pack mule, but I think it's still a good idea to get used to the bike in traffic and around other bikers in a touring mode.  Whatcha think?

Bike strong ~~
Kate

6

General Discussion / ACA Maps are Way Small.

« on: August 30, 2009, 12:41:00 pm »

I just received the first three ACA maps west to east.  I must say, I am really disappointed with the teeny weeny little typeface and overall size of each section.  I simply can't read them without reading glasses and obviously am not going to man a fully loaded tourer with my reading glasses on.  The print must be what ... three point?  They look to me to be pretty much worthless on the handlebars.  Did they used to be bigger?  I guess the option is to go to Kinkos or something and have them blow up each map on a color printer to a readable typeface.  Anyway, just wanted to express my disappointment.  Maybe GPS will provide an alternative ... anyone else encounter this issue?

7

Gear Talk / Knobbier Wider Tire for 1984 Trek 520

« on: July 25, 2009, 07:52:02 am »

I feel kinda dumb asking this question, but would this tire

http://www.treefortbikes.com/421_333222343221__Cross-Terra-27x1-3-8-Blackwall.html

be appropriate for a three day solo tour on a crushed limestone trail on a 1984 Trek 520?  1-3/8 works out to 35 mm on a 27" rim.  I'm looking for something a little more heavy-duty for the non-asphalt trail (Great Allegheny Passage out of Pittsburgh) when the weather may be cool and/or sloppy.

Thanks for your thoughts.
Kate

8

Gear Talk / Head Lamps at Campsite ~~ Annoying?

« on: July 18, 2009, 08:06:06 am »

So my husband and I are admittedly two old cooters.  We were tent camping in the Shawme-Cromwell State Park on Cape Cod for 8 days last week.  It's entirely non-electric.  Two of the campers on a site fairly proximate to ours were wearing headlamps at night.  They were majorly annoying.  Strong, translucent double beams of light right into our eyes all night long, back and forth.  Looked like Captain Eo and the Space Cadet.  I have a Petzl headlamp which I wear on the bike at night, but watching these two aliens move around their campsite is making me rethink the propriety of actually putting the things on your head at site.  Like my daddy told me when I was a girl, always carry your rifle and flashlight one way only ... pointed at the ground.  Thoughts?

Bike strong!
Kate

9

Classifieds / WTB 56/57 cm Sakkit or Bruce Gordon

« on: June 20, 2009, 08:30:43 am »

Hi, there.  Looking to buy decent Bob Beckman or Bruce Gordon steed for Transam tour.  Equipped would be welcome.  Thanks to all.