Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: The free-ranging dogs on long tours. Temporary annoyances, possible dangers.

« on: May 05, 2023, 03:00:39 pm »

I actually worry more about dogs than automobiles while on tour. Have been chased more times than I remember and have used my bear spray more than once on a pack of dogs.

Oddly enough my most terrifying moment ended up not being one at all. Last year in Delaware I came around the corner with a long uphill ahead on a narrow two-lane country road to three pit bulls in the middle of the road in front of their house. I thought for sure I was SOL. Pulled out my bear spray but as I approached they excitedly wagged their tails and came over to smell me. I was still annoyed that the owner had let them loose on a known bicycling route but perhaps they had escaped.

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General Discussion / Re: Cycling in the hurricane.

« on: October 23, 2022, 07:41:14 am »

Fall of 2020 I was in Gulf Shores, Alabama when Hurricane Sally made landfall. It was supposed to make landfall near New Orleans but turned east extremely late and took everyone by surprise. All of the campgrounds in the Florida panhandle that I’d booked rightfully evacuated and closed. The hotels in Gulf Shores were either closed or booked.

Ended up biking 30 miles to Pensacola as the hurricane pounded the area. Tried to find a ride but didn’t have any luck. Took about 8 hours for me to get into Pensacola and find a hotel that was open.

When the hurricane made landfall that evening the hotel was damaged pretty heavily and we had to leave the next day.

Thankfully a WarmShowers host in Pensacola let me stay at his place that night and the next day gave me a ride out of the hurricane damage a few hours east to Marianna.

At the end of the day there’s nothing I would have done differently as the hurricane wasn’t forecasted to make landfall where I was.

This past spring I rode down the eastern shore as a bad Nor’easter slammed the area. Parts of Virginia Beach were flooded. But the wind was 30-40mph at my back and, except for the rain, it wasn’t bad. Riding was effortless. Unfortunately the ferries I needed to reach the Outer Banks were shutdown and I had to end the ride early. Caught an Amtrak out of Norfolk to my intended end point of Charlotte.

Such is life.

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Gear Talk / Re: Click-Stand

« on: August 20, 2022, 07:02:59 am »

The elastic brake bands do wear over time and should be refreshed periodically.

Good to know, thanks! I do spend most of my time in Colorado where anything elastic dries out pretty quick.

I do lean my bike up against walls etc unless I need to get into both of my panniers. As John said it’s nice having access to them at the same time.

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General Discussion / Re: GAP and C and O Toe path

« on: August 19, 2022, 07:48:32 pm »

FYI:

Beginning August 24th there will be a shuttle for bicyclist around the Paw Paw detour Monday to Friday from 7am to 5pm. The construction company doing the work on Paw Paw will be handling this. Unsure if it’s free. Bicyclist will be on their own on weekends and before 7am and after 5pm. Shuttle will be in place during these times until construction is finished. The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park posted about this on Facebook earlier this afternoon.

Will update as more information becomes available.

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Routes / Re: North Dakota State Highway 46 (Northern Tier)

« on: August 19, 2022, 07:41:50 pm »

I rode that stretch last year while doing the Northern Tier E to W.  I agree it's not a good design.  It's not the worst stretch of road I've ever ridden, but it's definitely not the best for cycling.  I have video that includes some commentary about the road here at the end of this day's journal entry; https://www.cycleblaze.com/journals/warriordeath1/day-48-fargo-nd-to-enderlin-nd/ . It sounds like I had better traffic conditions than you experienced - I would recommend anyone riding it to leave very early to get ahead of the traffic.

I was wondering if the eastbound side had a better shoulder than the westbound side.

Do you remember any issues with 94 east of Glen Ullin? Also curious if the eastbound side was better than the westbound side.

6

General Discussion / Re: GAP and C and O Toe path

« on: August 19, 2022, 12:05:46 pm »

We rode gravel roads from Bill's Place to past the Paw Paw Tunnel. The climbs were 17% grades at one point. It was steep and long but one of our group was towing a BOB Trailer. I thought the detour was awful (and I planned it) but the guy with the trailer thought it was far superior to the trail over the top of the tunnel. When he spoke to folks who took the trail it was decided that he would have had to unload his trailer and carry the bag up and them haul the bike and trailer up. I think you will suffer either way if you have a big load. Weekenders do not seem to mind the trail, but this was the start of a cross-country trip for us. I thought I was pioneering the detour but other people took it and someone said it was a published alternative route. I can send you and RWGPS file if you want it.

Would love this file before I leave on 8/29! I sent my personal email to your inbox on here Thanks!

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Routes / Re: Newly Discovered ACA Routes

« on: August 19, 2022, 12:03:50 pm »

One interesting one is the Washington DC: C&O and W&OD Loop, however it relies on White's Ferry which is sadly closed, perhaps permanently.  The route shows it was updated in June of 2022 but the ferry has already been closed a few years. https://www.whites-ferry.com/

We used White’s Ferry in 2018 to cross and ride the W&OD Trail from Leesburg to DC due to the C&O being flooded. Was bummed to hear it closed. The new owners have been trying in vain to have it reopened but they’re having issues obtaining land rights on the Virginia side. They offered a sustainable amount of money for the use and have been turned down. Even offered to buy the land for way above market value. It’s frustrating because the land is basically worthless to the farm as it sits on the river bank and it only suitable for the ferry landing. Seems to me the folks in Virginia are exercising an extreme power trip.

As to John’s OP: I was unaware of these short routes. Will have to check them out. Thanks!

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Gear Talk / Re: Click-Stand

« on: August 16, 2022, 07:50:45 pm »

It did take some getting use to! I use a single Velcro strap and have it attached to the bottom of my top tube. I’ve found that a single brake loop on the front brakes stops the bike from going anywhere.

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Gear Talk / Click-Stand

« on: August 16, 2022, 06:30:06 pm »

Earlier this year I became the owner of a Click-Stand. I’d seen a lot of post about them on various forums but was hesitant. Had always used a road sign, tree, fence post etc to lean my bike up. One day my bike slid down a road sign and tore a nasty gash in the paint.

I have to say that the Click-Stand is one of my favorite bike gadgets now! I wouldn’t leave home without it. Click-Stand is a “one man show” as owner Tom Norstant states on his website. We chatted a bit over email and am happy to support his small business and recommend him to others.

http://www.click-stand.com/

Also, if you’re in the USA, they’re made and shipped from Aberdeen, Washington. Had mine in less than a week.

(I’m not affiliated with nor did I receive any kickbacks for this or any other review)

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Classifieds / Re: Wanted: Camping chair - packable

« on: August 16, 2022, 06:14:17 pm »

My latest bike tour begins today by way of a train to California.  After a few days in the desert during the present heat wave, I will send you an update.  Had no idea that I might become an influencer.

Hope you found the perfect chair. I’m a pretty light tourer and one of the luxuries I carry is the Helinox Chair Zero. I much prefer it over the picnic tables at most camps. Also nice to have to get out of the sun on hot days.

11

General Discussion / Re: Average Weight Loss/Gain on Cross Country Tour

« on: August 16, 2022, 06:10:00 pm »

I always gain weight on my trips. Doesn’t matter if I’m on the road for 3.5 months or 10 days. I’ll gain 5-10lbs guaranteed.

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General Discussion / Re: GAP and C and O Toe path

« on: August 12, 2022, 02:03:47 pm »

Just did both on May 15th with no issues. Paw Paw Tunnel is a painful detour. We took the roads around and it was a tough ride. Those that climbed over the trail bypass said it was horrible with a loaded bike.

How long was the road detour? Would rather do that than walk my bike up the trail. Will the road detour be clearly marked? If not would love to see your route!

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General Discussion / Re: GAP and C and O Toe path

« on: August 12, 2022, 02:02:28 pm »

We’ll also be riding around the same time.

Arriving into Pittsburgh on 8/31 and departing DC on 9/6. We didn’t want to pay for any hotels on the trip so we have a few short days to avoid that. It works out perfectly because we arrive into Pittsburgh at 5am and depart DC at 4pm so we can ride on our arrival and departure days.

8/31 Connellsville - Hiker/Biker Camp
9/1 Confluence - Outflow Camp
9/2 Cumberland - YMCA
9/3 Hancock - C&O Bicycle
9/4 Harpers Ferry - Huckleberry Hiker/Biker Camp (Side tour of Antietam National Battlefield)
9/5 Swains Lock Hiker/Biker Camp
9/6 DC (Amtrak at 410)

Unsure if we’ll take the roads or trail around the Paw Paw Tunnel detour.

14

Routes / Re: Camping on the outer banks?

« on: August 11, 2022, 06:01:12 pm »

When I attempted to cycle down the Outer Banks in October 2019 my plans were disrupted by a hurricane, or rather the damage remaining after a hurricane. Something to bear in mind.
My experience (further inland) was that campgrounds closed at Halloween.

I'd suggest contacting campgrounds individually, in advance, if you're depending on them.

Good luck!

Same. I had planned to camp along the coast from Philadelphia to Kill Devil Hills this past May but the Nor’easter that passed through pushed me further inland and eventually was so bad I had to get hotels.

As someone else pointed out, most campgrounds along the route will close for the season before the OP is in the area.

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General Discussion / Re: Florida State Parks

« on: August 11, 2022, 05:57:31 pm »

I am curious as to why at least a tent is normally required.  Perhaps for protection from things like snakes and other potentially bitey things?

Tents are required because they forbid folks from sleeping in their automobiles, meaning non-campers. Tents aren’t required for hikers/bikers.

“Normally, a tent is required, but in this case, is waived, as long as the long-distance traveler has a sleeping bag.”