Messages

1

Gear Talk / Re: Feedback on this bike please...

« on: May 27, 2012, 04:57:08 am »

Thanks a lot, very helpful!

2

Gear Talk / Feedback on this bike please...

« on: May 26, 2012, 02:04:20 pm »

So, me and a friend are planning a tour of the Pacific Coast.  It will be for about 4 weeks and involve camping and motels.  Travelling as light as we can but still bringing a tent and the other necessaries for that...

We need bikes on a budget really and are considering the below modesl which are really the top of our budget I'm afraid.  As we are not cyclists any feedback appreciated!

We are in the UK as well, so any other suggestions welcome, but ideally in the same price bracket and from the uk... obviously looking something within budget that will take panniers, mudguards etc.

http://www.bikedock.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage-bd.tpl&product_id=15740&category_id=21&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1#fulldesc

http://www.merida-bikes.com/en_gb/bike/2012/41/Fitness+/Speeder+T2

Thanks a lot!

3

Routes / Re: USA touring routes - September?

« on: May 20, 2012, 02:31:30 pm »

Thanks folks, very, very, helpful.

The East appeals to me but my friend has his heart set on West Coast for his first trip to the States.

I know exactly where to start researching now tho - flying into Seattle as a starting point, ferry sounds good, and then aiming for a coastal route and the 101 towards Astoria and beyond...

Sounds simple, right?!  Now to look into flights, maps, accomodation and all that other necessary business! 

I'm sure I'll be back with more questions...

4

Routes / Re: USA touring routes - September?

« on: May 16, 2012, 03:33:36 am »

Thanks Guys for the input so far.

I guess I should have said, I am in Ireland and will fly into a major city to start the trip - ideally not too much travel from there to get going.  Not sure I could handle trying to get the bikes onto multiple flights, it proved difficult before! 

I think we would like to end the trip in a big city to do some of the normal touristy things during the trip as well.

I am glad you both mention the North anyway for this time of year as a good option - I wasn't sure the weather would be OK, though obviously hard to predict...

I will look at both your suggestions tho, I loved New England when I was there years ago and always liked the open, sparse, empty nature of the US Russ! So different from home.

5

Routes / USA touring routes - September?

« on: May 15, 2012, 04:09:02 pm »

Folks,
 
I'm looking for some advice on the best options for a 4-6 week cycle tour in the USA in September?
 
Just some pointers in the right direction before I start researching proper...
 
We will probably use modified MTB's and look to camp.
 
I have done San Francisco to LA before and would repeat this as my friend is keen to do it... but perhaps a longer stretch of the Pacific coast (all of it??) starting as far as Seattle this time of year? Or a loop involving Vegas/The Canyon??
 
Any ideas or other options very welcome!
 
Thanks

6

Gear Talk / Re: Which touring bike?

« on: September 16, 2010, 07:09:09 am »

People from our side of the pond would pay good money to go to Ireland and tour.

I guess that the grass really is greener over some one elses septic tank.   

   Ha, a good point, and a lap of my island is also on the cards at some stage but I could do that anytime I guess, with a week or two off.

 I want to do something bigger with the 3 months I have, while I have the chance...

7

Gear Talk / Re: Which touring bike?

« on: September 03, 2010, 07:38:29 pm »

Thanks folks, all very helpful and appreciated.

I see I haven't given you all the facts!  I don't consider myself a cyclist as I don't cycle regularly, if at all, I generally run or circuit train for fitness....

However, I have previously cycled San Francisco to LA on a road bike in 2009, averaging 80 miles a day.  I just got the bike, trained for the trip, did the trip, loved it, but never really continued with the cycling once I got home for various reasons.

Obviously, once I got to Big Sur, I realised that a road bike was not ideal for touring!  And so I want to get the right bike for the job this time around where I'm planning something like the Southern Tier Feb-May 2011 (not confirmed yet, just one option I'm looking into).  I would hope to do more touring in the future also.

I think I will steer clear of the options posted above, the consensus seems to be that they aren't ideal, and seek something else in the UK/Ireland - and try some UK forums as suggested.

I think I will take the time and effort to visit a shop with knowledge of tourers (if I can find a place in Northern Ireland) and get properly fitted etc, as suggested.

Thanks all.

8

Gear Talk / Which touring bike?

« on: September 03, 2010, 07:47:18 am »

I'm not a year round cyclist so all the bike specs etc really mean nothing to me.

I'm looking to get a touring bike for a 2-3 month trip, location as yet undecided, but probably in New Zealand or the USA, and I'm considering one of the following Ridgeback tourers. The Ridgeback Horizon, Voyage or Panorama.

http://www.bikedock.com/home?page=shop.product_details&product_id=4296&category_id=21&flypage=flypage-bd.tpl

http://www.bikedock.com/home?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage-bd.tpl&product_id=4416&category_id=21&keyword=ridgeback+voyage

http://www.bikedock.com/home?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage-bd.tpl&product_id=4379&category_id=21&keyword=ridgeback+panorama

Any input appreciated, as I don't really have a clue what I'm looking for!

I know that one of the models comes complete with panniers, I believe it is one of the cheaper models, but I can't remember which one and the website doesn't say. I mention this in case this is a factor to consider in any decision.

The more expensive one is probably out of my price range but I COULD stretch to it if i'm going to get significantly more for the money...

Thanks!

9

Routes / Re: What route to take feb-may 2011?

« on: August 31, 2010, 11:03:28 am »

Thanks for the info.

All very helpful and gives me plenty to think about.

I suspect i'll go will the Southern Tier, East - West, possibly with a few northern diversions along the way, since I have plenty of time available.  Now to look into bikes, flights, maps and all the other prep!!   

10

Routes / What route to take feb-may 2011?

« on: August 29, 2010, 11:58:33 am »

Hi folks,

I'm an Irish guy, looking to do his first big tour of the USA.  However, this has to be over the period of Feb, March, April 2011, as that is the only 3 month block of holidays that work would grant me.

Basically, I'm looking for any suggestions or advice on the options available to me during this time period?

Ideally, I would have liked to have done the TransAm or the Northern Tier but I'm sure that it would be the wrong time of year for either of these, unfortunately. 

Is the Southern Tier the only viable option to cross the States from February-April?  And is West - East best?

I don't know why, but this route never really appealed to me like the TransAm or the Northern Tier. Or can anyone suggest a good alternative?  A south-north route perhaps?

I have previously cycled from San Francisco to LA, averaging about 80 miles a day.  That involved hotels/motels but this time I plan to get a touring bike and panniers and camp most of the trip... 

Any help or advice is greatly appreciated, thanks.