Messages

1

Routes / Pony Express Route?

« on: October 07, 2019, 04:13:18 pm »

The recent Bike Bits had a link to an interesting article about a woman who researched, mapped and rode a route along the original Pony Express Route.  Wonder if it would be possible for ACA to create a mostly gravel/dirt route along the route she created?

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Gear Talk / Re: Schwalbe Marathon Plus Selection

« on: September 10, 2019, 07:57:39 pm »

Schwalbe Marathon Plus 700c (HS 440)

3

Routes / Re: Los Angeles to Las Vegas

« on: August 28, 2019, 11:03:16 pm »

It should be 100% paved.

4

Routes / Re: Ferry from Ft. Meyers to Key West

« on: August 24, 2019, 11:42:28 pm »

Unfortunately it is a passenger only ferry.  It is designed to carry as many day trip passengers as possible.  If they took vehicles I am sure it would be no problem.  From the website and the staff it’s lucky they take bicycles.

5

Routes / Re: Los Angeles to Las Vegas

« on: August 20, 2019, 10:25:31 am »

It looks like a nice route.  The weather at higher elevations will most likely be cold.  This is also the wet season.  It is possible to run into snow.  Once you are out of the mountains it should be mild during the day but cold at night and in the morning.  Highs in the 50’s - 60’s.  Lows in the 20’s - 40’s. 

Good luck.

6

Routes / Re: Los Angeles to Las Vegas

« on: August 19, 2019, 07:56:29 pm »

It depends on how much time you have and hoe many miles you want to ride.  If you have the time you could start in Phoenix/Tempe, AZ.  Use ACA’s Grand Canyon Connector Route.  This will take you up to Flagstaff.  If you have time ride upto the Grand Canyon.  From Flagstaff take the Bicycle Route 66 to Kingman.  At Kingman take Hwy 93 north.  You will cross over the fairly new bridge that offers a spectacular view of the Hoover Dam (have to use the specifically designed viewing area) or you could ride over the dam.  Just past the dam you turn right to enter Lake Mead NRA and follow the road along the lake.  Then you take the road up that leads you into Vegas. 

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Routes / Re: Los Angeles to Las Vegas

« on: August 19, 2019, 03:34:59 pm »

Not sure there is best cycling experience going from LA to Vegas.  You do have a couple of options. 

1.  Take ACA Bicycle Route 66 from LA to Hwy 95 and follow that north to Vegas.

2.  Take Route 66 to Barstow then follow I-15 to Vegas.  You then gave the option of adding miles by going through Death Valley NP and then over to Pahrump/Vegas. 

3.  From LA head up Lancaster and Mojave.  Take Hwy 14 to near Ridgecrest.  You could then either Hwy 395 north to Olancha then over to Death Valley or take Hwy 178 to Panamint Springs then through Death Valley.

Any way you go will have miles of high desert with few services.  I would opt for 2 or 3 but 1 is the most direct.

Good luck.

8

General Discussion / Re: Lyme Disease Tick Spray Inquiry....

« on: August 16, 2019, 10:57:29 am »

Staephi1 makes a good point about ticks in general.  Ticks generally find a host by hanging out on tall vegetation waiting for a host to pass by so they can latch on.  If you only stay in maintained campgrounds and don't go exploring in the brush the chances of picking up a tick are pretty small.  One of the chief characteristics of the black-legged/deer tick is it has multiple hosts.  Rodents are one of the primary hosts for the larval/nymphal stage and the carrier for Lyme disease.  In the north-east field mice are very common along the old rock walls that were used to mark the edges of fields and can have many larval/nymphal ticks.

9

General Discussion / Re: Lyme Disease Tick Spray Inquiry....

« on: August 15, 2019, 10:54:28 am »

Years ago I worked on a Lyme disease project to see if our company’s product would kill ticks on an intermediate host without harming the host.  We were definitely in areas with ticks that carried Lyme disease.  Before we walked around we sprayed a permethrin product approved for clothing on our pants and socks.  We then taped the bottom of our pants closed.  No one had any ticks on them at the end of the day.

By the way, the product we tested was effective in reducing/eliminating ticks in “treated areas” without exposing anyone to high pesticide levels.  Unfortunately the product was a little pricey and was eventually withdrawn from the market. 

10

Routes / Re: Ferry from Ft. Meyers to Key West

« on: August 14, 2019, 10:30:13 am »

Not sure if that is still the case.  However even if I put the trailer in a duffel bag it still slightly exceeds the maximum dimensions they allow for baggage.  The ferry seems to cater to tourists going to Key West for a day or two and they have little carrying capacity for anything larger than a small suitcase.  They will take bicycles with racks but they want you to remove any panniers and carry those onboard.  The ACA map - Florida Connector - does say the ferry’s website indicates they don’t take trailers.  That is still accurate.  Since few touring cyclists use trailers the ferry company doesn’t lose much business so they have little incentive to change.  Anyway I will just continue on Hwy 98 to the coast then travel north to Jacksonville.

11

Routes / Re: Ferry from Ft. Meyers to Key West

« on: August 13, 2019, 11:30:21 am »

Update.

I contacted the ferry company and they said I could not bring a trailer even I have a duffel bag to carry it.  They said I could remove any panniers and carry those onboard as carry on luggage.  So if anyone wants to do the Florida Connector they can’t use a trailer. 

Looks like I won’t be going to Key West. 

12

Classifieds / Re: Cycle Tourist Needing A Ride Please - Kansas City to Denver! (with bike)

« on: August 12, 2019, 06:47:21 pm »

On the Southwest Chief bikes can only be loaded or unloaded at stations that can handle baggage.  Unfortunately it looks like Amtrak discontinued the baggage service at La Junta, CO.  The next baggage stop is Lamy, NM which is near Santa Fe, NM.  From there you could ride north to Colorado.  It is a it out of the way.  Not sure of the cost but another way is to rent a small U Haul truck to Pueblo or Denver.  I've used this option instead of renting a car.  You only need to secure that bike in the truck.  You should be able to get the cheapest rate online before going to the rental location.  At one rental location that had both cars and trucks (Budget) they changed my reservation and gave me a small SUV for the same price.  It was a better option than the truck.  Might be worth a try.  Good luck.

13

Routes / Re: Southern Tier, Heading West, Novemberish...

« on: August 11, 2019, 11:16:17 pm »

November to December is the start of the rain “season” in the west.  Last year was a wet one although this year could be relatively dry.  Be prepared for rain and a day or two delay due to snow.  Temps through AZ should be moderate during the day with cold nights.  Prevailing winds tend to be west to east.

14

Routes / Re: Ferry from Ft. Meyers to Key West

« on: August 05, 2019, 12:29:19 pm »

I will post an update if I decide to use the ferry.  Not sure yet if I will use panniers or a trailer (prefer trailer).  It will definitely be off season.

15

Routes / Ferry from Ft. Meyers to Key West

« on: August 04, 2019, 06:10:41 pm »

Has anyone taken the  Key West ferry recently?  I was thinking to taking the ferry to Key West and then riding up the coast however the website for the ferry makes it seem like a touring equipped bicycle won't be permitted.  This is from the website  Bicycles must be single, standard size with absolutely no attachments, luggage racks, trailers, etc..  It appears a trailer is a definite no-go along with recumbents and tandems but it also seems as if racks are also not permitted.