Messages

1

Gear Talk / Re: Anyone know what this Arkel accessory is? (Photo attached)

« on: January 22, 2024, 10:19:01 am »

Yes, sent them an e-mail too, but figured I'd ask here too since it was over the weekend and they weren't open...

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Gear Talk / Anyone know what this Arkel accessory is? (Photo attached)

« on: January 21, 2024, 12:59:56 pm »

I'm helping a friend sort and sell some of her late husband's bike touring gear, and I can't figure out what this Arkel Designs product is/does? Some sort of seat bag/wrap? I have no idea, and I haven't had any luck with Google reverse image searches, etc. Any help would be most appreciated. Thanks! :-)

3

Classifieds / Neckar Valley Germany Bike Route Guides & Maps Bikeline and Kompass

« on: August 10, 2023, 04:07:07 pm »

Two current maps / guidebooks to the Neckar River Valley Bike Route (Neckartalradweg) in Germany. Purchased this June 2023 in Germany; like new and newest versions. Selling as a set for one price. We rode this in June this year and really enjoyed the route! BikeLine guide is their typically excellent route book, complete with detailed narrative descriptions (in German, but easily translated with Google Translate camera app). Kompass map is more streamlined and mostly just maps. Both are 1:50,000 scale. I got both because while I like the BikeLine for handlebar bag map case use, I like the map overview that the Kompass has for overall route planning and visibility. $30 for both. Shipping is available at  your cost. Paypal or Venmo ok. Or pick up in Philadelphia, Pa., area.

4

Classifieds / Re: FOR SALE: Co-Motion Pangea S&S coupled bike small size $1750 Philly, Pa., area

« on: April 02, 2018, 10:32:55 pm »

Sorry, long-since sold.

5

General Discussion / Re: GPS Tracker

« on: August 19, 2017, 09:57:48 am »

Out of curiosity, how much data does something like the "Find Friends" app use on a day and/or week?

I don't know, although the real issue with battery life when in remote areas is your phone ramping up power to try and find/keep a signal. In areas with strong signals and lots of towers it can run at lower power levels because it doesn't have to hunt for signals as much. My guess with Find Friends is that it's not really drawing any additional power like a GPS/map app would, but I haven't researched it.

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General Discussion / Re: GPS Tracker

« on: August 13, 2017, 08:11:51 am »

If you have an iOS device, the included "Find Friends" app works pretty well for letting people track you in near real time  (assuming you have cell service).

7

Gear Talk / Re: Rigidity of S&S Couplers?

« on: July 27, 2017, 10:52:34 pm »

Yes. Stronger than the original tunes usually. We have them on our triplet, which we tour on. Full bike weight with three people and front - rear panniers is probably 550-600 pounds rolling, with one long frame on just two wheels (10 feet +/-).

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Routes / Re: Border crossings on Northern Tier (Buffalo, Niagara Falls)

« on: April 26, 2017, 11:30:36 am »

Even better than the passcard is the Enhanced Drivers License, If your state has them.

I think only a few states that border Canada offer them, though (like NY).

9

Routes / Border crossings on Northern Tier (Buffalo, Niagara Falls)

« on: April 20, 2017, 10:47:11 pm »

If you are a US citizen looking to cross the Canadian or Mexican land border on a bike trip, you should definitely look into the "passport card" option. This is a credit-card size passport equivalent that is durable and easy to carry on tour. If you get it the same time as you get/renew a passport it's about $30 extra. If you get it a la carte it costs a bit more. Still a lot nicer than lugging around a full passport while on tour. Note it is only valid for LAND (or sea) border crossings from Canada or Mexico (and some islands).

10

General Discussion / Re: Is touring the Pacific Coast in July safe?

« on: April 16, 2017, 01:42:57 pm »

The challenge with traffic on the Pacific Coast in the summer is that quite a lot of it tourists who are busier looking at the amazing scenery than piloting their vehicles. Couple that with rental RVs or unfamiliar cars and you just need an extra dose of caution. I always ride with a mirror and the couple of times I've biked along Calif Hwy 1 in the Carmel-Big Sur area I've been happy to have my rear blinkie light and bright top along.

11

Gear Talk / Re: 48 tooth gear on a triple chainring?

« on: April 02, 2017, 09:34:09 pm »

Shimano's "Mega9" drivetrain supports a 48 tooth large chainring. So an MTB FD that's marked with that will work on a 48t ring and can be readily found on eBay in both XT and XTR trims. XTR cranksets from that era often came with 48-36-26 rings. Shimano's modern trekking series cranks come with that setup too, I believe.

12

Routes / Re: Pfeiffer Bridge at Big Sur work around

« on: March 19, 2017, 04:02:43 pm »

If you have a bike that's ok on dirt roads, look up the "old coast road" to Big Sur. I believe that's still open, although that area was impacted by the fires last year. It's a really cool road that winds back through the hills and old growth redwood stands. Starts at the Bixby Bridge south of Carmel and ends near Molera State Park. It's about 10 miles.

13

Routes / Re: European touring advice

« on: March 13, 2017, 06:06:08 pm »

I've seen people stealth camping on various routes in Austria, and in parts of Italy and France too (where they generally seem to be more relaxed about these things). In Germany it can be hard to find a place that is truly stealth, as there seem to paths through even the smallest wooded area and the local population loves to get out and walk/hike at all hours.

14

General Discussion / Re: Cycling around the Grand Canyon Area

« on: March 02, 2017, 11:21:23 pm »

You could always just rent a bike in GC Village on the South Rim and bike the road along the rim. Makes for a very nice day ride, and the road is closed to cars (park buses only) for a good portion heading out to Hermits Rest. Be aware that the South Rim is high altitude and it can get hot, too, so don't assume that you can do as many miles as you do at home. Thankfully the free park shuttles have bike racks on the front if you tire out.

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General Discussion / Re: Aussies cycling SF to LA re Big Sur

« on: February 18, 2017, 10:30:44 pm »

Note that one of the Hwy 1 bridges in Big Sur is closed at the moment due to structural damage from a recent mudslide. Keep an eye on the CalTrans website to see status when you are traveling. Right now it's closed to vehicles AND pedestrians, and there is no alternate paved route, so you'd have to go inland a good bit to bypass it, and miss one of the most scenic stretches of the California coast :-(