Topics

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General Discussion / Novice cyclist's math

« on: March 20, 2010, 06:30:33 pm »

1,000  miles minus going down hill minus the straight-a-ways = 500 miles real time biking?






Ps. "real" is not the word I wanted to use, but, I cant think of another word right now that would be better.
Just a thought that goes through a newbies mind. 

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General Discussion / Artificial knees

« on: March 18, 2010, 09:55:54 pm »

Recently went shopping around for a bike for a person with artificial knee's.  We tried our best to hold off
as long as we could in order to do a good search of all possibilities. Sunshine and warm weather did not help the situation (of holding off)

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General Discussion / Untitled

« on: March 12, 2010, 10:38:29 pm »

I am not sure where to put this, or, even what to say... or even how to say it  but...

The more I read on here (and forgive me for going at a slow pace)
Biking seems to encompass every part of ones being.
When you are out there, you are out there...

Facing the world, the weather, your mind, your body, your spirit.

your alone, yet, at other times, with people.

Daytime, night-time, sunshine, rain, wind, cold, heat, snow.

Camping, cooking, eating...

Pressing forward, learning limits...

Living in such a way...that makes you feel like you are really living.

Your are forced to deal with every aspect of life in the real.

If you do not eat right, you suffer...and you could be miles from no-where when that happens.

You learn right there and then, to live with your mistake. One that you do not want to repeat...
because in some instances, it could cost you your life.

I just stand amazed... its sort of like stepping back in time and experiencing life the way it should be.

If that makes any sense at all. 

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General Discussion / A Riding Partner Can Be...

« on: March 12, 2010, 08:24:15 am »

A gift straight from heaven.

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General Discussion / speeding tickets

« on: March 11, 2010, 07:37:10 pm »

The person who instilled in me, the inspiration to bike (long distances), that it can be done, and that it is done (prior to my knowledge of ACA and the like) has been riding a bike most of his life.

I am not sure if I was horrified, surprised, or in disbelief that anybody on a bike could get a speeding ticket. But, he did at one time. I doubt this is common. I hardly know this person, yet I respect him, not because he acquired a speeding ticket, but because he did something that (nobody I ever knew) ever did! (Until of course I ended up here) Biking is a way of life for him.

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General Discussion / The Cyclist Food Guide

« on: March 03, 2010, 10:22:51 am »

Have the cyclist food guide book here and have read that lots of cyclist have tummy troubles. Sometimes its a matter of eating the wrong foods at the wrong time. ie:heavy meals pre-climb. It sounds as though most of you have already become your own nutritionist (out of necessity) I am sure everyone has their own peculiarities concerning diet on the road.

I have an up coming visit with a gastroenterologist. One of the dr.s there is a cyclist. It would be to my advantage to be able to speak with him. Perhaps he would be "up" on his nutrition. (I personally do not consider en*sure as something viable for me to take.)

Right now my juicer has a crack in it and I am out of veggies to juice. So, I was not able to juice this morning. But, I do have at least 10 quarts of dried veggies. (juicer left overs) I have powdered some of the dehydrated veggies. Unbelievable stuff! TANGY!!! (Ginger)

It seems that I run into problems if I do not juice on a daily basis. I need the liquids as well as the minerals/electrolytes in this form on a daily basis.

Recently I acquired some kefir grains. At this time I am stirring the veg. powder in to the kefir. Sometimes I can handle dairy, and sometimes I cannot. For the time being, I am able to handle the kefir. I am thinking that kefir might be the way to go for me on a bike trip. I still have to figure out if this would be enough protein.

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General Discussion / Thank you! ("sleep" poll)

« on: February 12, 2010, 09:09:11 pm »

Thank you so very much!

I just recently found something out accidentally.  I have been made acutely aware of the fact that by digesting food better:

Sleep comes 90% faster then before
There are no night leg cramps
Sleeping on a too hard or too soft a mattress didn't matter (neither was noticed)
The night seems to go by swiftly. (I am not sure this is good or bad)

I hope whatever your situation is when you are biking that you awake refreshed every day that you bike.
If I could have a string of hostels between Maine and Wisconsin... My goal would be to make sure everyone had a good nights sleep. It would be neat to offer juicing as an option. Along with another idea which would make sure no body was in any form of pain. Enjoy your travels. Enjoy your life.

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General Discussion / Health Issue(s)

« on: February 08, 2010, 01:47:35 pm »

 In trying to prepare for my "life with bike"

 I went on a macrobiotic diet recently to heal gut problems and ended up with a kidney stone from too many oxalic acid foods. After fasting on watermelon and apple juice for several days to pass the kidney stone...  a couple of days later another problem presented itself (possible intestinal obstruction?) So, back on liquid fasting again to keep me in the safety zone.

Anyway, I just wanted to update everyone on where I am at with my planned trip. Being able to eat has been a hurdle for a long time.

Having a goal to be able to bike long distance forces one to reach for the stars.
Even if I end up only reaching the tree tops... I will be happy.

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General Discussion / Biker vs World

« on: December 29, 2009, 10:42:40 am »

This might have already been covered before, or it maybe a dumb question, but, if you were in a vehicle as a passenger or you were the driver and you came upon a bicyclist that was having a difficult time. If you wanted to help them out. What is the best way to go about approaching someone in need? Sounds like the answer would be obvious...but, in today's world...one never knows. How would you as a biker want to be approached? Thank you in advance.

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General Discussion / Your first long distance tour...

« on: December 28, 2009, 08:06:41 pm »

What was going through your mind upon commencing your very first long distance tour?
What was going through your mind as you finished, or were about to finish your first long distance tour?

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Routes / Northern Tier-ish

« on: December 28, 2009, 06:11:46 pm »

Goal is to avoid high vehicle exhaust areas.

Northern Tier-ish -Late Spring/Early Summer

Bar Harbor
Brunswick
North Haverhill
Ticonderoga
Fort Erie (I am thinking this is going to be the busiest area?)
Lake Erie Connector

Then either:
Luther to Mackinaw City to Escanaba to Ashland Wis.
or
Luther to Luddington to Ferry to Manitowoc Wis.

Once in Wis. I should be able to connect these two destinations easily.
I still have to study the "Lake Erie connector" in detail as advised by a MIBIKER  (WWW.LMB.org)

Would these be the only maps that I would need?  11, 10, Lake Erie Connector, North Lake.

I have no idea how long this will take me, nor how long I will stay before I go back the same way I came.

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General Discussion / Wow...This place is great!

« on: December 24, 2009, 07:59:59 am »

Thank you SO much! Destination

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General Discussion / From Maine to Wisconsin

« on: December 18, 2009, 09:29:46 am »

Hi,
I would like to bike from Me. to Wis. I know nothing about cross country travel. Have never biked long distance.
Can you help me brainstorm a plan out. Just type out words that come to your head. Can be anything from type of bike to favorite bed and breakfast's to favorite towns to what shoes to wear.

I cant fly due to ear problems.

I can train, but, not near any major cities due to getting carbon monoxide poisoning easily. IE: Cannot handle Chicago.

Driving causes me to become very drowsy.

I am working on getting into shape. Hey, if I have to walk, I will walk. But, seems to me that going down a hill on two wheels beats walking any day. Its been way "over" 5 years since I have seen my family.

I get too sick to travel.(MCS=multiple chemical sensitivity) Biking has to be, or might be my best option. I never considered this until I met a friend who says that her son travels everywhere by bike. He went from Me. to Oregon no problem. This planted a seed in my mind and made me look back to when I was young...I use to bike everywhere. I never wanted to get my drivers license. Hated driving. Always did, always will. I do not want a vehicle.

I want to get back the life I use to have/live. Even though I am kind of old and rotting. :-) Sometimes it takes a life time to realize who we are and what we really want out of life. When first married, we bought bikes and biked a 100 miles in one day. Got sun burnt too. That was dumb. But, we were young.

Still have the fugi 10 speed minus the hard seat. But, about three years ago, I did buy a mountain bike. Was
hoping to start biking then but couldnt at that point in time. So, thats what I have right now to start with.

If I could, I would franchise "chemical free" bed and breakfast's Inns across the country just so people with MCS could travel more comfortably.

Thank you in advance for your input.
~Destination~