Topics

1

Pacific Northwest / Spokane to Kennewick

« on: January 01, 2010, 10:35:32 pm »

I would like to plan a trip down to my dads, who lives in Kennewick. I have looked at the Wa map and there is several route options I see available. Obviously 90 down to 395 being the "regular way" but it is high traffic. So does anyone know of a "bike friendly route to get down there. I was thinking maybe 27 down to Colfax, then 26 over to 263 and on into Kennewick. But there is a more side/diagonal route from Cheney to Kennwick also.
I know 27 has alot of traffic because of the University and the Casino but I think it has a good size shoulder as well. I have had some bad run-ins with local farm kids (got a slushy thrown at me on time on a ride) on 27, so there is that concern as well.
Any advise would be great.
Thanks.

2

General Discussion / Greetings

« on: January 01, 2010, 09:40:19 pm »

Hello everyone.
This post did not get much response in the PNW section so I am posting it here in hopes for more response.
Also I have done several google searches to find other touring forums out there (this one is a bit too sterile and dead for me) and have not really come up with anyting that is "grabbing" there were a few that were bike forums but they included all froms of biking. I am looking for just touring specific forums to be able to join/lurk about and learn info on, share passions with etc. So if any one knows of any other forums out there that would be great.

So here is the original post.

I am a touring newb but not a bike newb. I have been on the local racing circuit (Spokane Rocket Velo) for a few years and been an avid cyclist for 30 years now. I have been trying/wanting to a northern tier ride across America for about 22 years now (since I was 15 and read about it in one of my bike magizines)
I go by "mugs" because that is my trail name from backpacking and so I just use it on all my other backpacking and car forums. I am one of those crazy Ultralighter backpackers. My base weight (everything except food, fuel and water) is slightly less then 5 lbs. Yes you have read correctly  And yes I am more then comfortable and stay nice and warm so don't flame me and trell me I am going to die and that it can't be done.
I plan on applying the same philosophy to my touring, expcept I will obviously augment some things out for more heavier items. I.E. leave my 4 ounce tarp at home and take the 23 ounce fully enclosed tent, etc.
The one thing I have noticed is that the weights are heavy staring out...racks and panniers can weigh up to 8-10 ten pounds empty so I will be working on getting that one figured out a bit more.
I have my next installment of vacation in the middle of march and would like to make that my first virgin run of touring. So if anybody nows of a decent 2-3 day ride from the Spokane area heading south (snow will still be north) please let me know.
In the mean time I am glad to have joined and will be lurking and absorbing all the info I can that way I don't post so many annoying newb questions..I know they get old on the forums I am on so I will try to be curtious to you all here as well.
Looking forward to "meeting" you all out there in touring land.
Have a great day
Mugs (Doug)

3

Pacific Northwest / Greetings

« on: December 21, 2009, 07:26:20 pm »

Hello everyone.
I am a touring newb but not a bike newb. I have been on the local racing circuit (Spokane Rocket Velo) for a few years and been an avid cyclist for 30 years now. I have been trying/wanting to a northern tier ride across America for about 22 years now (since I was 15 and read about it in one of my bike magizines)
I go by "mugs" because that is my trail name from backpacking and so I just use it on all my other backpacking and car forums. I am one of those crazy Ultralighter backpackers. My base weight (everything except food, fuel and water) is slightly less then 5 lbs. Yes you have read correctly And yes I am more then comfortable and stay nice and warm so don't flame me and trell me I am going to die and that it can't be done.
I plan on applying the same philosophy to my touring, expcept I will obviously augment some things out for more heavier items. Like my 4 ounce tarp for my 23 ounce fully enclosed tent, etc.
The one thing I have noticed is that the weights are heavy staring out...racks and panniers can weigh up to 8-10 ten pound empty so I will be working on getting that one figured out a bit more.
I have my next installment of vacation in the middle of march and would like to make that my first virgin run of touring. So if anybody nows of a decent 2-3 day ride from the Spokane area heading south (snow will still be north) please let me know.
In the mean time I am glad to have joined and will be lurking and absorbing all the info I can that way I don't post so many annoying newb questions..I know they get old on the forums I am on so I will try to be curtious to you all here as well.
Looking forward to "meeting" you all out there in touring land.