Messages

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Gear Talk / Re: Timberline SQ 4XT comfortable for three?

« on: April 28, 2011, 02:23:05 am »

Thanks, everyone.. The tent actually has a spreader pole that gives it more vertical walls.. So.. I guess we'll just have to test it out. I'll get back here with a review after it's done.

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Gear Talk / Timberline SQ 4XT comfortable for three?

« on: April 21, 2011, 10:27:48 pm »

Hey, guys.. Quick question here.. I recently purchased a Timberline SQ 4XT tent that I am taking along on a bicycle tour. There will be three of us riding, and the trip is going to take close to three weeks.

Now, I've read that if you want to gauge your tent's comfortable capacity, you take the number of people it's designed to sleep, and subtract one. I've also read that you take that number and divide it by two.. So, I guess the jury is still out. Just about every personal review of the tent I'd read mentions that the reviewer shared the tent with one other person, and everything was peachy, while using it as anything more than a two person tent would be pushing it.

I was wondering if any of you have experience with the SQ 4XT sleeping three adults comfortably? My concern is that three weeks straight riding during the day, then piling into the tent night after night will start to get very cramped at some point. Cabin fever is the last think anybody would want to develop on a bicycle tour.

Thank you in advance

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Routes / Re: Advice on leaving NYC, and cycling through the Carolinas

« on: April 04, 2011, 10:28:32 pm »

The time frame for the whole trip is 21 days.. Heavy gear, and a finicky left knee, so, trying to bank enough time. My plan originally was to take the route down to Savannah, then cut up to Athens. I guess this will have to be more of an on the go decision.. My north Carolina cycling maps came today. Another option.. Thank you, Jason.

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Gear Talk / Re: Are you happy with your disc brakes?

« on: April 03, 2011, 08:42:31 pm »

I have Disk Brakes on my mountain bike.. It's a heavy bike, and picks up momentum like nobody's business.. Never had trouble stopping it. Very responsive, very grippy. Perfect for rain/snow/mud, because they keep the braking surface away from the elements. I am extremely happy with the way they perform. Having said that, disk brakes are definitely more complex and expensive to maintain. They can be cable-pull or hydraulic. I prefer cable for ease of maintenance. Disk brakes require a stronger (heavier) fork and wheel. They can wear the hub more quickly than a rim brake. Oh, wait.. I'm listing merits. I'm very happy with my disk brakes. I would not use them on a tourer.

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Routes / Re: Advice on leaving NYC, and cycling through the Carolinas

« on: April 03, 2011, 07:05:43 pm »

Yup.. Atlantic Coast route for a good chunk of the way. And what a place to call home, by the way, Athens! I have a friend who's a student at UGA.. Visit her regularly. She'll actually be meeting up with us in DC for the remainder of the tour. I was thinking of following the Atlantic Coast route into Georgia, and then heading up to Athens, but.. That makes for a substantial loop. The whole trip should take no longer than 3 Weeks, and taking a couple of days to camp out by a lake somewhere along the way sounds pretty sweet. Plus, a rest day here and there.. So, trying to balance out distance and time.. That's why I was thinking of a more direct route once we get through Virginia. When you say free camping in rural areas, do you mean that we can just pick a field and pitch our tent somewhere out of sight? I appreciate the help..

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Routes / Advice on leaving NYC, and cycling through the Carolinas

« on: April 03, 2011, 03:23:15 pm »

Hey guys, posted a thread yesterday, might have been a tad convoluted. I'll strip it down to the bare essentials, would really appreciate some help.

Setting out south from NYC.. Would like to link up with the Adventure Cycling AC route.. Trying to decide between Crossing the George Washington Bridge, and hooking up with the trail in Pennsylvania, or taking the Battery - Sandy Hook, NJ ferry, then meeting the trail in Maryland. Would love to hear some experiences of folks who'd done Either one.. Which route would have better camping opportunities?

My other question was.. We'll be following AC route down to Richmond, then splitting off on the Greenway towards Durham, NC.. The final destination is Athens, GA

http://www.idcide.com/i/mc2/ga/athens.gif

If any Carolina friends could suggest a good route with camping opportunities to take to our destination, I would really appreciate it.

Thank You