1
General Discussion / Re: Bike 'friendliness' of US hotels?
« on: November 05, 2024, 09:55:53 am »
Googling "hotel Patel USA", I see numerous sources claiming that Patels own about half of all US motels. I had no idea.
News:
Your username and password for these discussion forums are unique to the forums. Your forum login information is separate from your My Adventure Cycling login information. Also, please note that your login information for the forums is not connected to your Adventure Cycling membership number. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
We have blocked registrations from several countries because of the large quantities of spam that originate there. If the forum denies your legitimate registration, please ask our administrator for an exception. Send an email to webmaster@adventurecycling.org and we will follow up with you.
Show Posts
This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.
2
Gear Talk / Re: EBike cross-country experience
« on: October 09, 2024, 06:32:28 am »
Thanks, Maverick. She never would have tried on an "acoustic" (non-electric) bike. She is justifiably proud and amazed to have ridden 4400 miles cross country now, including the usual, numerous mountain passes. It was a great experience for both of us.
3
General Discussion / Re: Bike 'friendliness' of US hotels?
« on: September 05, 2024, 10:57:43 am »
I've only had issues on rare occasions (2/150??), despite letting them know we have bikes. If it was a rainy day, I ask for old towels and dry off outside first. Chain hotels often keep towels at registration for this if on a bike route.
OTOH, many times (esp Best Western), we were initially assigned the pet-friendly room which smells like urine, or the room that was used by smokers, and then we insist on a new room. With one exception, all sheepishly give us a different room.
OTOH, many times (esp Best Western), we were initially assigned the pet-friendly room which smells like urine, or the room that was used by smokers, and then we insist on a new room. With one exception, all sheepishly give us a different room.
4
General Discussion / Re: Most dangerous roads
« on: September 05, 2024, 10:48:06 am »
I did not like sections of US 56 in Kansas that had no shoulders. Commercial truckers we're cautious and gave us room, but cattle trucks were inches away - very hard to hold a line when cross wind from the right.
US101 in Oregon was not as bad as I was told, except lots of bridges (and one tunnel) with little to no shoulder, all on curvy sections. This was weekdays, and I'm told weekends are far worse on 101.
Rt 9 North of Hartsel CO was bad. 191 South of Old Faithful was scary in the afternoon, especially on descents.
In all cases, volume of traffic is big part of the equation. If we rode "off" hours (eg, very early on weekends), no big deal usually.
I don't think we rode any of these in the rain, and going west bound avoided sun in the eyes of drivers, so it could have been worse.
US101 in Oregon was not as bad as I was told, except lots of bridges (and one tunnel) with little to no shoulder, all on curvy sections. This was weekdays, and I'm told weekends are far worse on 101.
Rt 9 North of Hartsel CO was bad. 191 South of Old Faithful was scary in the afternoon, especially on descents.
In all cases, volume of traffic is big part of the equation. If we rode "off" hours (eg, very early on weekends), no big deal usually.
I don't think we rode any of these in the rain, and going west bound avoided sun in the eyes of drivers, so it could have been worse.
5
Routes / Re: Lewis and Clark "Mainline" versus road - TA
« on: August 29, 2024, 07:46:57 pm »
Mainline is largely inaccessible and rough gravel, so NOT a good idea
6
Routes / Lewis and Clark "Mainline" versus road - TA
« on: August 28, 2024, 03:56:16 pm »
Riding up from Cannon Beach to drop our bikes off for shipping in Astoria, tomorrow, and wondered why the TA avoids the paved bike trail labeled Lewis & Clark Mainline (looking at RWGPS with the Streets background layer). Looking at google streets view, I see barriers set to stop cars and signs warning about no motorized vehicles, but it looks ok for bikes. Turning on heat maps, more people bike on the road than the trail, but some ride the trail.
Not sure if anyone had more intel or not. Not very important, but I am inclined to try the trail.
Matt
Not sure if anyone had more intel or not. Not very important, but I am inclined to try the trail.
Matt
7
Routes / Re: Willamette Valley short cut on old TA route?
« on: August 24, 2024, 10:38:18 pm »
Thanks, and you're right, Peoria Rd and Coburg Rd were both quite pleasant.
Not remarkable, but traffic was not bad and there was a modest shoulder.
North of Corvallis, 99W was very busy and unpleasant. There is a very generous shoulder on 99W, which narrows to 12" to 18" at bridges, which was scary in heavy traffic since some idiots drive partly on the shoulder. We bailed off 99W eventually to Helmick Rd which has no shoulder but no real traffic either, so wayyyyyy nicer, IMO.
Not remarkable, but traffic was not bad and there was a modest shoulder.
North of Corvallis, 99W was very busy and unpleasant. There is a very generous shoulder on 99W, which narrows to 12" to 18" at bridges, which was scary in heavy traffic since some idiots drive partly on the shoulder. We bailed off 99W eventually to Helmick Rd which has no shoulder but no real traffic either, so wayyyyyy nicer, IMO.
8
Routes / Re: Willamette Valley short cut on old TA route?
« on: August 23, 2024, 01:53:44 pm »
Thanks, John, we'll likely try it and report back when possible.
9
Routes / Willamette Valley short cut on old TA route?
« on: August 23, 2024, 11:55:08 am »
Thinking of cutting 11 miles off tomorrow on tour from Eugene to Monmouth OR by taking what may be the old TransAm route if I understand OSM maps. Following official TA route to Coburg, then staying on Coburg Rd to Harrisburg OR, and then taking Peoria Rd to Peoria OR. Not a lot of services, but some in Harrisburg. Seems to be paved per google street view with small shoulders, and should be reasonably low traffic as it is not a state highway.
Any issues with this?
Matt
Any issues with this?
Matt
10
Routes / Re: Sisters to Salem?
« on: August 08, 2024, 09:24:46 am »
Excellent summary of options, jamawani, thanks
11
Routes / Re: Sisters to Salem?
« on: August 06, 2024, 10:22:30 am »
Good info, thanks.
I love descents, but gravel in the shoulder of corners seems to be common and does make me nervous. Once upon a time, I wiped out in Afton, VA - just road rash but the cookie lady was unnerved by all my bleeding.
I love descents, but gravel in the shoulder of corners seems to be common and does make me nervous. Once upon a time, I wiped out in Afton, VA - just road rash but the cookie lady was unnerved by all my bleeding.
12
Routes / Re: Montana 43 construction
« on: August 06, 2024, 10:13:26 am »
Ah, my wife want hotels which is best with her ebike anyway, so inside only for us.
13
Routes / Sisters to Salem?
« on: August 04, 2024, 01:11:55 pm »
Probably not taking this route, but wondered if anyone has taken US 20 and OR 22 from Sisters, Oregon to Salem, Oregon.
Thanks, Matt
Thanks, Matt
14
Routes / Re: Montana 43 construction
« on: August 02, 2024, 04:11:22 pm »
Yes, we took that dirt road. Scenic and quiet, but all washboard. We saw some bald eagles and a herd of pronghorns.
Nice but washboard got old. 37c tubeless worked but wished I had 2.3"instead
Nice but washboard got old. 37c tubeless worked but wished I had 2.3"instead
15
Routes / Re: TransAm Alternate Routes You Would Recommend
« on: July 31, 2024, 09:09:46 pm »
Thanks, we did that section but stayed in Virginia City. We wound up taking the usual route instead of testing the dirt roads.
Not sure there is an active Warmshowers host in Ennis at this point, but hosts do go inactive at times.
We got caught in an horrific but short rain storm going over that mountain before Virginia City. I thought it was hailing at first because the horizontal rain hurt so much. The head winds were stunning. At the end of the day, my wife said "well, we have a new worst touring day ever, anyway".
.
....I knew you'd like it dear
Not sure there is an active Warmshowers host in Ennis at this point, but hosts do go inactive at times.
We got caught in an horrific but short rain storm going over that mountain before Virginia City. I thought it was hailing at first because the horizontal rain hurt so much. The head winds were stunning. At the end of the day, my wife said "well, we have a new worst touring day ever, anyway".
. ....I knew you'd like it dear