Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: Best Airlines for Bikes: US to EU

« on: April 03, 2018, 05:18:12 pm »

All good inputs, thanks everyone!

Looking like my starting point city is Rome, I`ll be investigating airlines that serve Rome as a destination & checking websites for bike prices.

Cheers,

Gabe

2

Routes / Re: July & August to Cycle Europe: Where should I go?

« on: April 03, 2018, 04:53:27 pm »

Thanks, everybody, for the great insights here! To clarify my OP, by 'destination city' I meant starting point in Europe...apologies for the confusion.

 I`m getting closer and closer to my trip, and have settled on flying in to Rome to start my tour, in the first week of July. My plan is to ride north from Rome through the Dolomites, and play it by ear from there! If anyone has additional feedback on bike travel in the Balkan countries I`m strongly considering heading in that direction (something like Munich, Vienna, Budapest then south & west towards the Adriatic)

Before July, I`ll be biking around the USA, starting San Francisco to Los Angeles in California, then roughly following the ACA Underground Railroad route from St. Louis MO to Cincinnatti OH, then on to Philadelphia PA. If you want to follow along I`ll be posting updates on Instagram @funngabe

Thanks for all the suggestions & insights, hope to see you on the road!

3

Routes / July & August to Cycle Europe: Where should I go?

« on: February 20, 2018, 06:41:27 pm »

Hello fellow Adventurers,

Being an avid bike camper, I know most of a good journey is leaving things up to chance. That said, I know there is amazing collective experience in this community, and I`d love to hear from you!

I will be traveling in Europe this summer via bike, and have almost two months of time to kill. I don't have a starting point city (leaning towards Venice), though I will be flying to Tokyo with my bike at the end of the trip.

My plan is to arrive sometime in early July (4th-10th), and ride through early September. During that time, I`m an open book.

My priorities are old towns, mountains, and history/culture (think beer, food, and traditional events). I`m 30 years old, from the USA, will be traveling with my own self-sufficient camping gear, and speak only English & some Spanish. I am comfortable riding about 50-60 miles/day, but have done 240 (just once-and hopefully never again!)

Any suggestions on routes, locations or amazing segments (ie, Basel >> Lintz on Eurovelo #6) are appreciated. I also plan on taking the train from time to time, so no matter if they are proximate areas or not. Tips on cities with good resources for bike travel also would be helpful.

Thank you for your contributions to a more bike-centric world!

Cheers,

Gabe

4

General Discussion / Best Airlines for Bikes: US to EU

« on: February 20, 2018, 06:20:47 pm »

Planning my dream trip for July, flying from US to Europe, and looking to book my flight in part based on the airlines friendliest to bikes.

I know many discussions focus on price, but my concern is also the general friendliness of an airline to bikes and cyclists. This is important since I want the bike to arrive without being totally mangled, and I imagine support for cyclists may also be reflected in less-than-outrageous prices for flying with them.

So, grand community of global cyclists, which airlines have you had the best bike experience with? Not only cost, but customer service?
Also, any airlines to avoid or terrible experiences would be equally valuable.

Thanks for contributing your knowledge for the benefit of all.

5

General Discussion / Experience with Bikes on Greyhound Bus

« on: January 19, 2018, 07:58:20 pm »

I'm planning a tour for the spring but would like the option of taking Greyhound through less than ideal areas to save time and give me more options to visit interesting places off the ACA routes. I've read on the Greyhound website that the max size for luggage is 62inches (157cm), which MIGHT fit a bike box, but they also have a Greyhound luggage service that will transport larger items from some destinations. Not sure if they would take bikes, or have the capacity to do so in most places.

Does anyone here have experience mixing Greyhound into their route planning, and if so, what would be good to know/plan for?

Thanks for your input!

6

Routes / Best Cycling Routes in Arizona/New Mexico?

« on: January 19, 2018, 06:54:48 pm »

Hello Wisened Riders & Route Planners,

I`m planning a tour for the spring, ideally riding SF to LA in late March/Early April, then heading east into the southwest. My questions:

1) Are the miles from LA to Phoenix worth doing, or would it be permissible to take a train/bus? Was considering train from LA>>Flagstaff.

 2) I`m curious what routes others have taken that are worthwhile, not necessarily following the ACA routes. I`ll be riding a bike that likes mixed terrain, and will be self-reliant with camping gear etc for the whole trip. Stealth OK, also love warmshowers and campsites with hiker/biker last-minute arrival sites. Looking to maximize scenic routes, historic/geological landmarks, trail, and interesting towns.

Depending on when I get to LA, I`ll have about 14 days in mid-April exploring the best of Arizona & New Mexico (open to occasional bus/train to make it work from a timing perspective) before ultimately continuing east. I can handle up to 80miles/day with the weight I plan to carry, but prefer to ride no more than 60/day.

Any inputs on route ideas (or general feasibility of this plan!) are welcome- thanks for sharing your wisdom.

Cheers,

Gabe

7

California / Re: Highway 1 Road Closure: Mud Creek Slide (Gorda to Ragged Point)

« on: January 03, 2018, 01:23:31 pm »

Great stuff! Thanks everyone...

8

California / Highway 1 Road Closure: Mud Creek Slide (Gorda to Ragged Point)

« on: January 02, 2018, 08:31:22 pm »

Latest news is that the massive mud creek slide will have highway 1 closed until late summer 2018...I can't wait that long!

Has anyone found a safe-ish route around it that doesn't go all the way inland like this route (https://ridewithgps.com/routes/24385234) , but might not be quite as sketchy as this guy' attempt https://www.adventure-journal.com/2017/11/need-bike-california-highway-1-right-now/

Would love to hear any stories of attempts made to bypass the closure with a minimal detour, successful or otherwise!

Cheers,

Gabe