Messages

16

Routes / Just wondering about northwestern California

« on: June 01, 2010, 12:43:35 am »

Just wondering if anyone is familiar with highway 96 in N.W. California?  I was considering this as an option to head back to Bend, and points beyond after a tour of the Oregon coast and into northern CA.  Any other options that would be better?  Thanks for any help.

17

Routes / Is the highway from Vancouver B.C. to Whistler O.K. to ride?

« on: May 18, 2010, 01:37:53 pm »

I have been considering this route as part of a tour.  The last time I was on this road was 2003 and in a car.  It seemed busy, and had narrow spots with no shoulders.  I was wondering if anyone knows if they did some improvements to this road for the olympics?

18

Gear Talk / Is rain gear needed on the Sunshine coast of British Columbia?

« on: May 18, 2010, 01:10:18 pm »

Hi, I am planning a tour that will include the Vancouver B.C. area.  I will also catch the ferry to Prince Rupert, and ride the Yellowhead to Jasper.  Then down to Banf,  and Glacier Park MT.  It looks like I should be prepared for rain.  Some of the journals I have read indicated that (sometimes lots of rain).  Travel time will be about the middle of July to the middle of Sept.  My question is what works well?  Fenders, pants, shoe covers, etc?   

19

Routes / Re: Tour of the Hiawatha, northern Idaho

« on: April 20, 2009, 12:46:08 am »

If you enjoy beautiful views and smooth as a babys behind trails, you will love this trail.  One thing, May might be a little early, you could get more reliable weather if you could go a little later.

20

Routes / Re: Best route from Bend OR to Medford?

« on: April 09, 2009, 01:46:54 pm »

I understand that S.W. OR is very scenic and I am looking forward to riding it.  Thanks for the info, I will avoid HWY 97.

21

Routes / Best route from Bend OR to Medford?

« on: March 28, 2009, 02:08:39 pm »

I am going to ride Cycle Oregon this Sept. and thought it might be fun to take some additional time and ride to the start line instead of transporting my equipment by automobile.  I will start in Boise ID and would like to ride to Bend Oregon, then south to Medford.  The route to Bend is familiar to me, but I don't have a clue about roads south from there.  Does anyone have ideas for a good route from Bend to Medford?

22

General Discussion / Re: Is it worth installing a kick stand?

« on: March 09, 2009, 10:08:49 pm »

I guess I am in the minority here, but I prefer no kickstand.  It is simple, and I don't ever seem to be at a loss to find a good sturdy place to prop my bike up, or at the worst lay it gently on the ground.  Sure beats it toppling over unexpectedly.

23

Gear Talk / Where should the weight go?

« on: January 28, 2009, 01:08:19 am »

I am considering another cross country tour and am interested in trying racks vs my bob trailer.  Seems like, at one point,  I read some info that suggests that more weight should be placed in the front panniers. True or not? has anyone tried that, how did the bike handle. better?  If so why are rear bags so large compared to front?  Just wondering.

24

Gear Talk / Should I buy a bent?

« on: July 19, 2007, 08:47:10 pm »

I know that is a question that I have to answer myself, but I am intrigued and find myself wanting one every time I read an article (such as might be found in Adventure Cyclist) about recumbents.  I have several road bikes, a tandem and a mountain bike, and I love riding all of them, but wonder about the advantages and also disadvantages of a bent. I live in Boise and do not see very many here so don't have the opportunity to talk with owners.  I saw only two on my TransAm tour and both riders said they were more work in the hills, are there other disadvantages?  I like the idea of a bike I can do long rides on in relative comfort, but they seem expensive and I would like some idea of what to expect before I make the plunge.

25

Gear Talk / 29er for The Great Divide?

« on: June 17, 2007, 02:15:35 am »

Anyone have experience riding a 29 inch wheeled mountain bike.  I have done some touring on road bikes, and quite a bit of mountain bike riding, and now I have the itch to do some mountain bike touring.  I was considering building up a Surly Karate Monkey with drop bars and no suspension (basically a cross bike that I could put really wide tires on).  By the way I have a bob trailer, so rack fit is not an issue.  Any thoughts?

26

Gear Talk / Mirrors

« on: June 17, 2007, 01:48:17 am »

Just my opinion, any mirror takes some getting used to. I used one that replaced a handle bar plug on the end of my drop bars, it worked fine. I liked the advanced warning of approaching trucks it gave me on my trans-am tour.  One word of warning, as with other vehicles, mirrors have a blind spot. They are NOT a replacement for looking over your shoulder before pulling out into the middle of a lane to execute a turn.

27

Routes / Out in the sticks

« on: October 26, 2008, 12:25:40 am »

Hey friends, has anyone out there been over hwy 20 in British Columbia between Bella Coola and Williams Lake? I think I read that it was paved (or mostly paved).  How was it?

28

Routes / British Columbia Routes

« on: August 29, 2006, 12:59:35 am »

I am planning a ride in Canada summer 2007 but know little of some of the roads.  I think I would like to travel Banff to Kamloops to Jasper on the Yellowhead highway and back to Banff via the Icefields parkway.  I have seen the Parkway and think it is wonderfull, but how about the rest of my route?  Are the roads ok for riding or are there better choices?  Any info, or suggestions, would be appreciated.

29

General Discussion / Cycle Oregon vs ( MT or WA or ?)

« on: September 15, 2008, 09:22:49 pm »

Last weekend I and several family members were at Wallowa Lake to do a couple of day hikes, and guess what, much to our suprise, several thousand cyclist were also there.  Wow, it was Cycle Oregon.  It sure looked like fun, the food, the bands, the beer.
That gets me to my question, We would like to do this ride next year, but also want to consider AC supported events.  Any considerations on Cycle Oregon vs Adventure Cycling supported tours.   I would especially be interested in any info from anyone that has done both.  Some of our group have not toured (yet) so I think a supported tour would be best as I would like them to have a great time.

30

General Discussion / Toruing shoes

« on: June 01, 2007, 12:36:25 am »

I too, develop sore spots on my feet after several miles of riding.  I understand your concern, it turns a nice ride into a miserable one.  However, I have read a few articles on the subject of "hot foot" and most seem to suggest the cause is shoes that are too tight across the front of the foot.  I have been trying wider shoes, and it seems to help with the problem for me.  By the way my most comfortable shoes are an old pair of Nike road shoes that I purchased at a sale for $12.  They have been good friends for 17 years.  In my opinion, shoes are like saddles, very individual, find a pair that are comfortable.  The most miserable shoes I ever owned were also the most expensive.