Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: "Protection" necessary?

« on: February 18, 2014, 01:04:29 pm »

I live in California and have toured in various parts of both Oregon and California. I have never needed any sort of "protection". There has been a few camp sites that no longer have hiker-biker sites due to the homeless problem. I've run into two, one in Pismo Beach, Ca. and the other in Carlsbad, Ca.

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Gear Talk / Re: Collapsible water carriers

« on: April 01, 2012, 07:38:55 pm »

http://cascadedesigns.com/platypus/filtration-and-storage/platy-water-tank/product

I own an older version of this and have used it for years. It folds up flat so it doesn't take much space or weight. I have the 4 lt. version.

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General Discussion / Re: Recumbent trike travel

« on: March 12, 2012, 01:05:43 pm »

Here a link http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/

They have touring journals listed by category, click on trike, there are tons of interesting journals.

4

Routes / Re: Pacific Coast Route with a British Columbia twist in the spring

« on: January 30, 2012, 01:42:00 pm »

Might I suggest a book, “Bicycling the Pacific Coast” by Vicky Spring and Tom Kirkendall.

You will find the route you described and the book's are very close. I did the PCH in 2010 and found the book very helpful. As I rode down the coast at least 30-40% of the other tourers were also using the book as a guide. I think that you will also find that at 50 miles a day you should be able to finish the tour in a much shorter time unless of course you plan on long layovers.

5

Routes / Re: San Fran to LA along Pacific Coast in February

« on: December 07, 2011, 01:22:53 pm »

I've toured that route in Feb., but I lived in California and was able to wait for a break in the weather. My buddy was so confident of the projected weather report that he decided to defy the Cycle Touring Gods and not bring rain gear. It was a great trip with low traffic, empty campsites, and clear blue sky's. However the days were cool around 40's F and the nights were in the 20's F. Give yourself a big window to make the week long trip, then take it in pieces if you have to. Cities along the way to wait out a storm and still hold your interest are, Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbra.

Good luck

6

Routes / Re: Best way (cheapest) to get bike and gear to the route start

« on: November 16, 2011, 12:54:41 pm »

The cheapest way is a bus ticket, it should cost you about $90 bucks if you buy it in advance. Of course you'll be sitting on a bus for a day and a half. Check out the luggage restrictions. If you pack it right you could probably get away with less than $10-$20 extra. You have to load the luggage yourself, but as far as I'm concerned that's a good thing.

If you are touring with other people from RI. Then renting a passenger van might work out to be less. Most rental places will let you pick up in one state and drop off in another, if done at airports. Depending on how many people and how good you are a stuffing things in small spaces it could work out cheaper, faster, and more fun than a bus.

7

Gear Talk / Re: Your Portable Repair Kit - What's Inside?!

« on: August 09, 2011, 11:10:48 am »

How about duct tape and zip ties? Never leave home without them.

8

General Discussion / Re: Your top 5 things to take on tour

« on: July 10, 2011, 10:52:54 pm »

My equipment list is good, and I've been lucky enough not to have forgotten anything important to start my tour (knock on wood).

I have lost two things for a short time that made the tour harder. First was my riding partner, I yinged when I should of yanged. It took half the day and some little worry to meet back up. The second was my attitude. I was very tired, very wet, and getting hungry. every turn in direction was irritating, every hill was put there just to spite me. I found an overhang along the road, brewed up some hot tea and ate a Snickers bar. The truth was I was in a nice area that was pretty, even in the rain. I found my attitude again.

9

General Discussion / Re: Map Case = No Confidence??

« on: July 10, 2011, 10:33:48 pm »

Just because you have never been where you are going, does not mean you aren't capable of getting there.

10

Routes / Re: San Francisco to San Luis Obispo

« on: July 05, 2011, 11:23:08 am »

An ACA map is a great resource, but I would also suggest picking up the book "Bicycling the Pacific Coast" by Vicky Spring and Tom Kirkendall. I've have done that route many times over the last 25 years and always bring that book with me. I've found that 30 to 40 percent of the riders I've met along the route also have the book with them.

11

Gear Talk / Re: Sandles?

« on: April 26, 2011, 12:44:33 pm »

Love them for touring! On sunny days I wear them with no socks. Worried about tan lines then I wear them with thin socks. On cold days layer a thick wool sock. Rain or really cold days I used the Sealskinz.

I have used 3 different pairs over the years. The two strap sandals offer a lot of versatility, but I found them a little awkward to walk and hike in. The Keen version looks much better and I can hike around in and wear socks without looking like a total dork. Much to my surprise they fit a little narrow, so I switched to Lake I/O sandals. They look like Keens but have a much larger toe box.

Sandals are so versatile that I do not bring any other footwear with me on tour.

12

General Discussion / Re: Touring

« on: April 11, 2011, 11:21:57 am »

+1 for what Patco said

I would add that riding together should be practiced. The faster rider needs to learn to be comfortable and happy with the slower pace. The slower rider needs to learn not to push to hard out of guilt for slowing up the pace.

13

Gear Talk / Re: Raingear

« on: March 26, 2011, 01:20:09 pm »

     What ever brand of rain gear you decide on getting I would consider making sure that it fits a little oversized. It has been my experience that on warmer days that rain, a jkt that has extra room ventilates better. On colder days you would want to have room for an insulating layer like a sweater or fleece.

14

Routes / Re: Best Pacific Route

« on: March 12, 2011, 05:13:27 pm »

How about Seattle to San Francisco!
I do not know your abilities or where you live, but, at around 50 to 55 miles per day you should be able to complete that route in 22 days. That would give you extra time for flying in and out of the cities as well as rest and or shorter mileage days during the trip.

15

General Discussion / Re: Iso butane canister availability on Pacific coast

« on: March 07, 2011, 12:28:28 pm »

I just toured the coast from Vancouver to San Diego last summer and was suprised to find Fred Meyer dept. stores carried them.