Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: Neck and shoulder pain

« on: September 20, 2009, 08:27:34 pm »

As everone else has suggested, get a professional bike fit. But be aware that touring fit is not the same as the fit for the typical roadie.

I have found that the top of the handlebars need to be above the top of the saddle. For the neck and shoulder pain, I try to squeeze my shoulder blades together every mile or so and look down at the cranks for a couple seconds. You will feel a pulling in the neck muscles but these two movements bring me great relief.

Don't give up - very small changes in handlebar height and reach make a big difference and even a couple day's tour is a wonderful experience. With a few minor adjustments you will soon be there.

2

General Discussion / Re: older riders

« on: September 10, 2009, 12:28:15 pm »

Congratulations, George!  Your first tour must have been a blast.  Seems to me that your first tour was at the "right" age, since it's the age you are.  I can relate to "feel like a child again", as I almost feel giddy while complete the preparation to set out on the 15th.

What part of the UGGR did you do? Any problems?  Thanks for inspiring the rest of us!

I live in the north end of Columbus and only 1.6 miles from a bike path that will take me 14 miles north without any road riding. From there I rode on local roads to Delaware and then to the state park campgrounds for a total of 40 miles on Thursday. Friday, I rode back to Delaware and followed the UGRR route to Fredericktown and on to the Kokosing Camp for 50+ miles. Saturday, I rode back home on the UGRR to Kilbourne and then local roads the rest of the way for a total of 56+ miles. Problems? None. It was a great time and a great experience.

3

General Discussion / Re: Any experience with Surly LHT forks

« on: September 06, 2009, 08:56:32 am »

Hi Ed,

I don't know how the LHT fork will work on your Cannondale, but they work great on a Surly LHT. I just got home from a three day ride and the bike (and fork) were very, very comfortable. I have a bad wrist and about this time of year, it is usually starting to be sore from the miles riding on the brake hoods. Not now, after 150 miles, I feel great. Ready to go again. Good luck,

GeorgeC

4

General Discussion / Re: ACA Maps are Way Small.

« on: September 05, 2009, 06:27:33 pm »

If I may offer another possibility to the small print on the maps:

I like to sit down the night before a ride and copy down the road names of each turn on a piece of 3.5x5.5 paper which I then insert in the map pocket over the directions on the ACA maps. If the route would be really complicated, I could include the mileage also.

My printing can be as large as my old eyes need it to be.

5

General Discussion / Re: older riders

« on: September 05, 2009, 06:18:05 pm »

I just wanted to add to a previous post I made on this topic.

I just got home from a three day "short" tour, one day of which was on the UGRR. This was my first fully loaded ride and it took a few miles to become comfortable with the way the bike handled, but after that the rest of the ride was a wonderful experience.

All the months of looking at the pictures in the Adventure Cyclist magazine, reading about other peoples experiences, and dreaming about what it would be like and now I have experienced the thrill of being on the road for myself. It almost makes you feel like a kid again and that is worth a million bucks right there.

71 is not too late to start, but oh how I wish I had tried this 20 years ago.

6

Great Lakes / Anyone interested in Touring living in Central Ohio?

« on: August 23, 2009, 10:07:03 am »

I wonder if there are folks living in the Columbus area who would be interested in taking a ride, long or short -or- just corresponding.

I'm 71, male, married (the wife does not ride), have never toured, but am eager to give it a try. So I thought I'd start this thread and see if anyone responds.

GeorgeC

7

General Discussion / Re: Front racks, suspension forks

« on: August 18, 2009, 08:55:12 pm »

I have used an Old Man Mountain front rack on my Specialized Rockhopper for four week long bike tours very successfully. This old bike has a support between the two front forks so I didn't even need to use the brake bosses.

8

General Discussion / Re: Where To Park

« on: August 18, 2009, 08:47:26 pm »

I got this piece of advice talking to someone who had toured. Try a local storage location. They almost always have vehicles sitting inside the fenced area. I have not tried this idea but it sounds like a good possibility.

9

General Discussion / Re: older riders

« on: August 17, 2009, 05:19:53 pm »

Hello to all you "mature" riders in this thread.

I'm 71, live in Columbus, Oh; have done 14 week long supported rides around the state over the years and now am ready to try touring self contained. In July, I rode the Across Ohio Bicycle Adventure (XOBA) and talked to so many people who have toured self contained that I am really excited to give it a try.

I hope to start by doing a couple days riding up the UGRR since I can be on the route riding out of my garage. Then I would like to follow that up with 4 or 5 days riding the Northern Tier west from Vermilion to Indiana and back in September.

I'm not fast on organized day rides but am seldom the last rider returning to the parking lot since like the Energizer Bunny, I just keep going.

I think it would be great to chat with other riders in the area about issues related to touring.

GeorgeC

10

General Discussion / Car parking along ACA routes

« on: March 18, 2008, 05:59:43 pm »

I've never done any self contained touring, but the idea appeals to me. Rather than traveling the entire length of the UGRR, for instance, I would like to do it in sections of four or five days out and then turn around and ride back.

My question is, if others have done these kinds of short tours, where do you park your car for a period of eight to ten days?