Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: Custom touring bkie vs. mass produced

« on: March 17, 2019, 03:12:32 am »

And lastly, let me put in a plug for United Bicycle Institute in Oregon.  (https://www.bikeschool.com/index.php/classes/frame-building). You can go to one of their classes and build your own frame in either steel or titanium.  I built a Ti frame (having never welded anything in my life) that weighs 3.5 pounds, has a super low BB and loooooong chainstays and slack head angle and steep seat angle (all my preferences).  The Ti class costs about $3k and takes 2 weeks.  If you paid a custom Ti builder that same amount of money, you might get a little lighter bike (the Ti tubes I used arent butted) but I think you'd probably have to spend a lot more.

Wow, considering the extensive training that competent commercial Ti welders go through, I'd be very leery of trusting a bike frame welded by a complete neophyte.  I'd watch and inspect those welds carefully and frequently.

I have now ridden said neophyte welded bike about 2000 miles of mountain biking.  So far so good.  The UBI class teachers are super involved in the build process.  And you learn lots of tech savvy sayings.  The one that stuck with me the most is this:   a good titanium weld will last forever.  One that is too cold will fail catastrophically.  One that is too hot will fail gradually. 


It is just so satisfying to ride a bike you welded together.  Insert plug for UBI here again!  (https://bikeschool.com)

2

Routes / What is the best 100 miles of the Great Divide Route in Colorado?

« on: March 17, 2019, 02:55:21 am »

My sons and I are going to do the entire Great divide route starting in Mid to late July.  I wanted to do a 2-3 day "shake-out" trip to make sure that all of our bikes/gear/Garmin trackers/left handed bacon stretchers/etc work properly before we head to Canada.  It turns out we can all 3 be in Colorado for 3 days June 1-3. 

So Im asking for advice on the what specific roughly 100 mile portion of the GReat Divide trail should we tackle to test out our legs/lungs/butts. 

Thanks in advance.

3

General Discussion / Re: Custom touring bkie vs. mass produced

« on: April 01, 2018, 01:21:05 am »

The biggest advantage a custom frame gives you is getting a bike that absolutely fits you perfectly.  If you have certain physical features (under 5 foot 5, over 6 foot 4, very long/short legs or torso or arms, super light(less than 90#'s), Large (>250#'s)) then a custom bike may be your only hope of getting a truly well-fit bike.  People of average dimensions can usually get a really good fit from a production bike and possibly the use of a professional bike fitter. 

Another feature of a custom bike is that you can get exactly the goodies you want (3-4-5! water bottles, S&S frame couplers, rack mounts, fender mounts, go pro mounts, etc)

And dont underestimate a cool paint job. 

And lastly, let me put in a plug for United Bicycle Institute in Oregon.  (https://www.bikeschool.com/index.php/classes/frame-building). You can go to one of their classes and build your own frame in either steel or titanium.  I built a Ti frame (having never welded anything in my life) that weighs 3.5 pounds, has a super low BB and loooooong chainstays and slack head angle and steep seat angle (all my preferences).  The Ti class costs about $3k and takes 2 weeks.  If you paid a custom Ti builder that same amount of money, you might get a little lighter bike (the Ti tubes I used arent butted) but I think you'd probably have to spend a lot more.

Just my 2 cents.

4

Routes / Re: Advice for Great Divide daily mileage planning

« on: March 31, 2018, 09:49:15 am »

Thanks for the advice -

I appreciate it.

Greg

5

Routes / Advice for Great Divide daily mileage planning

« on: March 29, 2018, 08:42:26 pm »

I would truly appreciate some input here.  Especially from people who have done the Great Divide Route.

I am planning for summer 2019 to do the Great Divide with my 2 sons.  They will be 22 and 26 and are in excellent condition but are not cyclists.  They are training now to get ready. They are meatheads and love a challenge  - they are not interested in dawdling along smelling the flowers.


I will be 55, and have been a lifelong cyclist.  I did the TransAm route 2 years ago averaging 575-600 mile weeks (with about 1 day off per week). 

Im wondering about what to expect to be able to do mileage wise.  I have a hard time converting "6 centuries in a row on the Transam Route" to "Great Divide mileage."

I dont have unlimited time off of work, so I cant just start and see how it goes. I will have about 9 weeks at the absolute maximum to complete the route. I also havent scoured the elevation route maps yet - but it seems to me that the last half of new mexico is probably easier to get more miles in than the Canadian Rockies.

So what do yall suggest as what kind of mileage I should plan for.  ?Start off with shooting for 30 miles a day and ramp up over the first few weeks to averaging mid 60's?  Try for closer to 40 miles/day initially?  Or would starting slower (25 miles/ day and ramp up to closer to 75miles/day toward the end) be a better plan?

 I really appreciate any and all advice - especially from people with experience on the route.

Greg

6

Gear Talk / Can I use only a Hammock on Great Divide route?

« on: December 03, 2017, 05:08:32 pm »

Im gearing up from scratch for a summer 2019 trip from North to South on the Great Divide Route from Banff to Mexico.  Im wondering if a hammock will leave me stranded above the treeline or in the New Mexico Desert?  Any advice from anyone who has used a hammock on this route, or if you have done the route and have first hand knowledge of whether is will work or not?

Thanks

7

Routes / Re: Should/could I take my dog on the Great Divide Route?

« on: October 31, 2017, 11:44:52 am »

Thanks for everyone's input.  It certainly seems like the yay's are outweighed by the nay's. 


Greg

8

Routes / Re: Should/could I take my dog on the Great Divide Route?

« on: October 26, 2017, 05:50:19 pm »

No.

First, mountain bikes are not permitted in wilderness areas.
So, it appears that you are not aware of wilderness areas or regulations.


----------------------------Not sure I understand this response - Im planning on riding the Great Divide Route which I assume has been ridden many times

Second, although dogs are not prohibited in wilderness areas, they can be problematic.
Spooking horses, chasing wildlife that have a very short summer feeding season.
And they can attract bears, wolves, and mountain lions who see them as dinner.

http://missoulian.com/news/local/mountain-lion-reportedly-kills-dog-in-grant-creek-area-fwp/article_add3439c-bce7-5f46-943d-0f7b375c9015.html


---------------------------This point makes perfect sense.

Third, most national parks and wildlife areas have strict leash requirements.
You may be ticketed and removed from the premises if riding with an unleashed dog.
Some wildlife areas ban dogs altogether except for service animals.


--------------------------As does this point

Fourth, ranchers shoot dogs that chase their livestock. No questions asked.
Dogs that separate calves from cows and chase livestock are seen as pests.
The law is on the ranchers' side.

--------------------------------------I hadnt thought of this at all - which is a great point.


I've lived, hiked, biked Wyoming & Montana for 30 years.

Most dogs can't run 50 to 75 miles per day. 25 is the experience of one couple with their dogs.
If you did bring your dog, you would need a dog trailer for the downhills and the flats.
I've ridden the backcountry with folks who have dogs. Cut your mileage 25%.

------------------------------------She is a Blue Heeler (Australian Cattle Dog).  She has gone (according to the Garmin Alpha 100 that I put around her neck) 104 miles in 8 hours. And still wanted more.

Just leave Fido with Aunt Sarah.

-------------------------------------I probably will - I would hate for her to get killed by a rancher or a bear.

PS - 75 miles is really pushing it on the GDMBR even without a dog.


------------------------------------I know - I like challenges.

9

Routes / Should/could I take my dog on the Great Divide Route?

« on: October 26, 2017, 01:43:50 pm »

I have a dog that could easily run the 50-75 miles Im planning on riding a day for the Great Divide route. 

Two questions:

Could I? 


Should I?


Im thinking that the wilderness parts would be fine.  The dog is well trained and obedient.

 Off the top of my head the following issues come to mind
 - traffic in towns that are on the route
- are dogs allowed in the National Parks along the route?

(Any advice from people who have done it would be greatly appreciated.)

Thanks

Greg

10

Gear Talk / Re: Advice for Great Divide bike set up

« on: October 08, 2017, 08:12:17 pm »

Thanks for the advice so far. 

Regarding the greater jumps in 1X gearing - understood and appreciate and probably still more interested in the reliability of 1X. 

And I guess I should have said a bit about me - Im 54 years old.  I rode the TransAm route last summer with a super light road bike with RV support in 7 weeks.  Average daily distance toward the end of the ride was about 115-125 miles per day. 

Im planning on doing this ride with a combination of lightweight bikepacking combined with meeting my better half at convenient locations along the way.


Lastly - I think the Eagle 12 cog cassettes are the way to go - (10 to 50) and then fine tune it with chainring choice.  Since I prefer drop bars, I d probably have to mount the eagle shifter near the stem on the top of the bars and use regular (non shifter) brake levers - eh?

11

Gear Talk / Advice for Great Divide bike set up

« on: October 08, 2017, 01:10:44 pm »

Hi Everyone

Im building up a bike to do an awesome Canada to Mexico trip along the Great Divide route.  Im leaning toward a 1X setup for durability and ease of maintenance en route. 

Id like your advice on set up

Given that the  route will be 80% dirt roads/10% singletrack/10% paved roads - Im leaning towards drop bars and mechanical disk brakes (again due to ease of maintence).

I prefer SRAM shifters on my current road bike, but I am not completely dead set on them.  I am a spinner, not a masher, so I would like to set the bike up with plenty of low end gearing and would be happy to spin out above 25 mph


So - if you could start from scratch - what would you suggest? 

Thanks

Greg