Messages

16

Gear Talk / Re: Portable Shower

« on: May 22, 2012, 04:15:30 pm »

I just finished the GAP/C&O towpath and I carried a walmart camp shower with me. It worked out great. End of the day I just filled it up, hung it up in the sun for a while then a nice warm shower where there otherwise was none. I will always take it with me on an extended tour. They weigh almost nothing.

17

General Discussion / texting

« on: December 15, 2011, 10:38:44 am »

As I mostly bicycle secondary roads and rails to trails I dont have to worry about it so much but Im really becoming concerned about how much the risk of riding the roads has increased due to people texting while driving. Im aware that bicycling roads is inherently a risk but with more news all the time that texting was going on and was a major factor in an accident it sure has me thinking.I will not quit riding but Im hoping maybe some laws will be in place to limit or prevent this texting and driving issue. In the meantime I guess a person just has to stay aware and alert while bicycling popular roads.

18

General Discussion / Re: Cycling across Australia to highlight the dangers of Heartburn

« on: September 01, 2011, 07:53:04 am »

Always good to know your body and if you sense something isnt right, have it checked out regardless of what it is. Ive fought that reflux thing for a long time and it takes some time to rule out the exact cause because the symptoms cross over to other problems such as galbladder, gastritis, ulcer. I believe the main thing is go to the best physician and pathologist you can find because my pathologist said it was Barrets and my Doc who did the EGD disagreed. have a great ride and stay healthy.

19

General Discussion / Re: Bicyle on bus from St.George (UT) to Las Vegas (NV)??

« on: August 18, 2011, 07:53:29 am »

Hey Dennis, I have the same trip planned except that its a hiking trip via auto starting from Vegas and ending there.I will be hiking Havasu falls, south rim Grand Canyon, Lees Ferry, Sedona, North rim, ,on over to St. George area. Looks like a great loop whether its bicycle or foot travel. I will keep an eye out for you . My trip starts oct. 1st , ending in Vegas the 10th. Be Safe, have fun.

20

Gear Talk / Re: Front rack

« on: August 10, 2011, 01:16:56 pm »

Then P-clamps it is. Thanks

21

Gear Talk / Re: Front rack

« on: August 05, 2011, 05:11:26 pm »

Can I add a rack question? my old cannondale mt. bike only has the eyelets at the dropout in front with no braze ons up the fork for securing the rack. I know it had a front rack back in 86 but cannot remember how it was set up. Anyone know of a rack for this type of front fork? thanks.

22

General Discussion / Re: Critters inside your tent?

« on: July 11, 2011, 09:06:31 am »

I was camped at Acadia National Park and was too lazy to throw some food trash away so I put it outside the entrance of my tent, under the rainfly and that night I woke up to the most horrific sound of 2 racoons fighting over it. It scared the beejeesus out of me! I thought they were coming through my tent any second. lesson learned. Put your trash in a trash container!

23

General Discussion / Re: Just the Bear essentials

« on: July 07, 2011, 06:55:35 pm »

Excellent advice, however I just read that a man was killed this past wednesday by a mother grizzly on the Wapiti Lake trailhead in Yellowstone near Cody. I believe that area has since been closed off until further review. The bear was not considered a predatory bear and therefore is roaming free. Apparently the couple were 100 yards away when they encountered the bear, began walking away but she spotted them as a threat to her cubs and chased them down. As horrific as this is you still have to remember this is the first fatality since 1986 if I recall. Just use caution and take the advice of people on the blog. Dont over react, just be cautious in bear country.

24

Routes / C&O Canal

« on: July 03, 2011, 08:52:43 am »

I want to do the C&O Towpath/GAP starting in D.C. I would be driving in to be dropped off. Is it difficult to find? Thanks.

25

Routes / Re: Pacific coast route (from SF to Seattle) : too dangerous in July/August?

« on: April 28, 2011, 10:26:51 am »

I think the safety will depend on the bicycle awareness of the drivers you encounter. My friend and I drove a car up the coast from San Fran a few years ago and after a short bit I was all over him about driving too fast and too close to the blind side turns. Himself not being a cyclist was totally ignorant of the space needed to safely pass a cyclist without causing a mishap. Having said that I say just be aware of the traffic as you ride just like anywhere else.

26

Routes / Re: From St Louis to Kentucky? Crossing Kentucky??

« on: February 23, 2011, 10:25:13 am »

I hope someone can find you a route through southern Indiana into Kentucky as Im from Vincennes and if you do go through there please stop in and visit the George Rogers Clark Memorial. You will find the history in that area quite interesting.Its just as you cross the Wabash River going into Indiana from Illinois.I could be wrong but I believe if you can find your way south from Indiana into Kentucky you may be able to pick up the Trans Am and continue east which will eventually put you on the blueridge parkway.Ive bicyled the entire parkway. Its wonderful.

27

General Discussion / Re: Motorbike riders out there?

« on: February 12, 2011, 09:22:09 am »

Like all of us on this forum I loved bicycling. 9 years ago I had to quit riding becuase of a heart condition called atrial fib and because of that I switched to riding a Harley Davidson Electraglide. I guess I just needed to be on two wheels to feel more alive. I have the fib. under control with meds and was able to switch back to bicycling. The purest form of enjoyment for me is the relaxed freedom I feel while riding a bicycle but I cant ride everyday so thats when the HOG comes out of the garage. Its the best of both worlds.

28

General Discussion / finishing

« on: February 04, 2011, 11:00:13 am »

I know its the journey and not the destination and Im not using this as a mile marker gauge but Im curious at what point in the east to west trans am did it suddenly sink in that you actually realized you were going to finish the entire ride, coast to coast. How did it feel?

29

General Discussion / Re: Camp Shoe ideas????

« on: January 07, 2011, 11:03:28 am »

TEVA sandals all the way. Ive been using them since the 80s. Ive tried KEEN, they are ok but not as good overall.

30

General Discussion / Re: Birmingham Hip Resurfacing

« on: September 03, 2010, 03:03:07 pm »

IVe heard of this procedure from watching PRIMAL QUEST and ECO CHALLENGE on the discovery channel. One of the top women in this gruelinlg race that includes bicycling,runnning,kayaking etc., Robyn Benincasa had this procedure done and I believe has done quite well. Look her up on the net, I beileive she has some pretty interesting information and interviews about this procedure. good luck.