Topics

1

General Discussion / Laundry

« on: July 30, 2021, 01:52:19 pm »

In John Steinbeck's book, "Travels with Charlie" he mentions doing his laundry by using a bucket, fitted with a lid, which he part filled with water and detergent before putting in his laundry.   He kept this, tied down, in the back of his truck and the movement of the truck effectively served to wash his clothes.

It occurred to me that using a well sealed drybag, or similar, could achieve the same thing on a bike.   The disadvantage, of course, is the extra weight but has anyone tried something like this or got any suggestions for laundry on the go?

2

Routes / Traffic Free Trails

« on: February 12, 2018, 02:02:19 pm »

I recently came across The Cowboy Trail, a traffic free trail in Nebraska.   It looks very attractive.   Are there any other lengthy traffic free trails in the USA?   I'm hoping to have another trip to the States, probably next year, and would appreciate any advice on this or similar routes.

Thank you.

3

General Discussion / Place names

« on: February 28, 2011, 08:17:20 am »

One of the small pleasures of touring for me is coming across interesting place names.   Here are some of my favourites.   What are yours?

Mavis Enderby.   No, not a woman, a small village in Lincolnshire

Skirl Naked.   In the Cheviots where a group of rievers stopped to dry their plaids after crossing a river on a cattle raid into England and had their piper play reels so they danced to keep warm while their clothes dried.

Bloody Bush Edge.   Where the locals caught up with another rieving clan.

Beer.   A village in Devon

Christmas Pie.   A village in Surrey

Ysbyty Ystwyth.   A village that vowels forgot.  In Wales

Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.   Longest place name I've ever visited.

Toller Porcorum.    A village in Dorset, Latin for Valley of the Pigs.   I suspect medieval realtors

What Cheer.   Iowa.   Must have been founded by a Geordie

Buggers Hollow.   Arkansas, istr.   Didn't stop.

4

General Discussion / Luxuries

« on: February 07, 2011, 06:52:02 am »

I read in an article on touring, many years ago, that one of the keys to a successful trip was having a luxury.   I've always subscribed to that.   By a luxury I mean something non-essential but more something you carry with you which makes the trip more enjoyable.

In recent years I've carried an MP3 player but my big luxury has always been a book or two.   I've recently treated myself to a Kindle and that has just popped to the top of my luxury list.

What do you take?

5

General Discussion / I've been there!

« on: May 10, 2010, 03:40:37 pm »

Been watching the Giro d'Italia on the TV and suddenly recognised the road they were riding on today's stage into Middleburg.   

Does anyone else get excited when you recognise a road you've ridden?

If anyone's interested it was part of the North Sea Coastal Cycle Route in the Netherlands and great fun it was too, particularly as I had a 20mph tail wind 

6

Gear Talk / Salsa Fargo - Lemon of the year!

« on: April 08, 2010, 08:48:32 am »

I recently bought a Salsa Fargo for use on an extended tour.   What a big mistake!   The bike was fine unloaded but as soon as I loaded it up it turned into a dangerously unstable bike, with the front wheel shimmying violently.   With the guys from the bike shop, I tried every trick in the book, changing the handlebar height, varying the front to rear weight ratio, changing the load.   Nothing made any difference, it was too dangerous to ride.   Eventually I gave up and swapped it for a Surly LHT which was a joy to ride.   The Surly, my Dawes Karakum and an elderly Claud Butler all handled the same load with ease which had the Salsa wobbling all over the road.

My advice to anyone considering buying a Salsa Fargo for full on touring is: Don't!   Oh!   And don't expect any response from Salsa if you do tell them of the problem.

7

Routes / Mexican excursion from Southern Tier

« on: January 11, 2010, 06:19:21 pm »

I'm planning on riding the Southern Tier west to east in the near future.   Looking at the map, there seem to be one or two roads in Mexico that parallell parts of the Southern Tier.

That started me wondering about doing a loop down into Mexico (as I have never visited that country).   Has anyone got any suggestions about possible routes and advice on cycling there?

Thanks

8

Gear Talk / Bring or buy?

« on: December 08, 2009, 08:08:34 am »

I'm planning a cross country trip early next year and my original thought was to bring my bike over from the UK.   I'm now pondering that and thinking about buying a bike in L.A.   Price is a consideration of course but I figure it will cost me about $400 to ship my own bike to and fro. 

I'll need good luggage capacity so must have something that will take panniers front and rear.   The Specialized Sienna has fittings for this as does the Comp version of their cyclocross bike.   Does anyone have any views on these bikes, I've never ridden either model.   

If you have a view on any alternatives, please jump in.  I think I would have to have a limit of $1000 but would like to save on that if it's possible.   All advice gratefully received.

Cheers

Peter

9

Routes / Southern Tier weather

« on: November 30, 2009, 07:35:41 am »

Greetings from a wet and rainy England.   I'm going to ride a mix of Southern Tier, Great Rivers and Transam early next year.   The plan is to take the Southern Tier from San Diego as far as Louisiana, then head north up the Great River route before picking up the Transam and heading for the east coast.

I'm thinking of starting from San Diego in early February.   The site advises fall to late spring, am I going too early?   What sort of weather can I expect at the start?

Any advice will be much appreciated.

Cheers

Peter