Messages

31

Gear Talk / Re: 2009 Bike Friday New World Tourist vs Dahon Speed TR

« on: December 28, 2009, 06:58:53 pm »

i have a bike friday llama and a dahon muxl. i took the friday to japan last year for a fully loaded 3 month tour. as i ended up using public transportation frequently, it became obvious that the BF is really only an in and out of the suitcase bike, not a fold/unfold commuter (their tikit is, but it has 16" wheels). i saw many dahons over there, and purchased one upon my return to the US. it folds in under 10 seconds w/o the chain ring gouging you, chain coming off, or any parts at all needing to be removed. it has a slip cover for train use and i use my massage table bag for air transport (padded with bubble wrap & using the BF crush protector).
the friday is now my bike for long tours with big loads. it is well made and i expect many years use. it goes easily in to the suitcase, which is great until you get to your destination and don't want to haul it as a trailer. we used some $6 salvation army suitcases for our last trip, which we discarded. the soft bag sold by BF is pretty useless for transport-awkward for carrying and too big.
the dahon is my urban machine. it folds and goes in and out of the car, on the train and in to the hotel room w/o a problem. i feel comfortable putting on two panniers with a rear rack, but this bike is for more B & B type touring. i'm not sure how it will hold up, but i am a small woman and don't ride in an aggressive manner.
with proper planning and a clear itinerary i believe there is a place for both bicycles in this world. i have never paid a bicycle fee with either bike when using the original BF suitcase or any of my make shift containers.
regards-janet

32

Gear Talk / Re: Trailers Vs. Panniers - Prudhoe Bay to Tierra Del Puergo

« on: April 12, 2009, 07:32:44 pm »

i live in fairbanks and have spent a lot of time on the dalton highway. i have toured with a BOB in the past, and wouldn't dream of taking a trailer on this part of your route. i have an FAQ at: www.crazyguyonabike.com/janetanorth with a page on my dalton trips.
and i would be happy to send you more photos of the road conditions you will encounter here. after fairbanks a trailer is fine.
regards-janet

33

General Discussion / Re: Bicycling Australia

« on: February 07, 2009, 01:24:27 pm »

i agree with alfonso-train up to katoomba in blue mtns, and tour vicinity. great wild camping in parks, breath-taking scenery, wonderful wildlife. prepare for intense sun and hungry bugs.

34

Gear Talk / Women's touring saddle

« on: February 11, 2008, 01:27:14 am »

i had a sella gel saddle when i first started touring, but over time and as i became a better rider it began to work against me. it became so painful that my one desire was to set it on fire.
i have used a terry liberator which was comfortable from the onset. it has held up well over 8 years. i can wear any type of clothing and remain comfortable.
i feel that if you go for a more serious saddle, such as a brooks, or terry damselfly, you will have to be consistant with your use of padded cycling shorts until it is "broken in". i have the damselfly due to it's very narrow profile to relieve inner thigh chafing, but i wouldn't ride far on it without a chamois.
you didn't mention if you had any problems or concerns with previous seats. try:
http://terrybikes.forest.net/ftp/pub/2007_saddles.pdf
for a very helpful chart.
good luck-janet

35

Gear Talk / Touring bike for smaller person?

« on: February 11, 2008, 01:31:18 am »

i am a 5'3" female and my bike friday is the first bike i've had since childhood that i feel fits me well.
regards-janet

36

Gear Talk / tent and pad help

« on: December 08, 2004, 12:03:30 pm »

do you plan to spend every night in the tent? anticipate foul weather? have bug concerns? if yes-get a good quality 2 person 3/4 season tent with at least 3 support poles and a fly to the ground. 2 doors are a nice option(think zipper failure)and provide great ventilation. light weight tents can be flimsy and one person tents can be a coffin.
if you plan to stay frequently in motels or with friends then these concerns are less vital.
panniers or trailer? most poles won't fit in a pannier.
ditch the included tent stakes, buy tent nails, and some extras.
get or make a ground cloth. you can pack that and the fly up separately in bad weather, to keep the tent clean(and drier). i also bring a tarp and some bungies for serious weather protection.
i used a thermarest 1 1/2 inch thick X 20 inches wide pad for 7 months of touring. it also didn't fit in a pannier(we had a BOB). i wish it was wider. it would be worth it to get the wider and bigger version to fit your size, esp if you camp every night.
weather above 20 degrees or concerns with colder nights??? a down sleeping bag definitely if chilly, but synthetic if there will be warm, muggy eves. we've had good luck with the mtn hardwear 2nd dimension synthetic(comes in long, on sale currently at REI)and a sierra design down stretchy bag for below 20 degrees.
big agnes has great products, but many work with a pad attached to the bottom of the sleeping bag-not so comfortable if you flop around alot.
one thing i wished i had had on our long tour-a small pillow. there was alot fighting over bath towels and such, and midnight thievery of items we were using instead. i pack one every trip now.
hope this helps.

37

Gear Talk / Trailer for Dog?

« on: December 12, 2004, 04:50:09 pm »

check out: http://www.carryfreedom.com/
and view the "bArk" trailer. there is also a great training sheet on how to acclimatize a dog to a trailer.

38

Gear Talk / Sleeping bags

« on: December 08, 2004, 12:20:51 pm »

try: www.wiggys.com
if you don't see what you want, give him a call. he'll probably make you one up.

39

Gear Talk / Sun protective clothing

« on: December 08, 2004, 12:31:20 pm »

would the railriders eco-mesh pants work for you? you could get them tailored to be less flappy.
www.railrider.com
we cycled in the weatherpants with no problem.

40

Routes / denali adventure

« on: April 27, 2008, 03:30:07 pm »

warm sleeping bag-yes! i prefer down.
sleeping while light out-eyeshades and ear plugs.
don't hesitate to contact me off site if i can provide additional help.
bon voyage-janet

41

General Discussion / Contact lenses

« on: February 11, 2008, 01:14:22 am »

why not go for the disposables? use for two weeks, then throw them away. it takes the worry out of grimy build up, and the cleaning is practically nil.
i use a plain wet wipe or just a finger rinse with water to remove or put in lenses.
good luck-janet

42

General Discussion / Panniers VS. trailers, what do you prefer?

« on: December 12, 2004, 04:43:34 pm »

found two trailers to give BOB a run for the money:
http://www.weber-products.de/
http://www.carryfreedom.com

43

General Discussion / Panniers VS. trailers, what do you prefer?

« on: December 08, 2004, 06:28:24 pm »

see:
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/journal/?o=as&doc_id=195&v=a
for an excellent comparison.
we do BOB for trips lasting > one week, and panniers only for less.
unfortunately, panniers tend to creep into the longer trips, as well. it's nice to have BOB for the long length sleeping mats, tent, sleeping bags and goofy stuff. not heavy, but BIG.
if your trip has alot of hills, forget it. pushing bike & BOB up a firetrail is no fun.

44

General Discussion / folding bikes

« on: December 08, 2004, 01:18:39 pm »

upon returning home after 7 months of struggling with a full sized bike on trains, planes and buses-i went out and bought a bike friday. i do not, however, tow the suitcase as a trailer. they sell used bikes on their site. for fully loaded touring they will stand up year after year.
try this website for comparison help:
http://www.atob.org.uk/Buyers'_Guide.html
you might consider a dahon for lighter touring or more commuter-oriented travel.

45

General Discussion / Dogs on the Great Divide?

« on: December 08, 2004, 06:45:29 pm »

a few other thoughts-will the dog want to wander at night, or sleep in a tent or on a long lead?
dogs do get nervous-can yours handle being in a strange place every day? they do their best, but can get overwhelmed.