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Messages - JayH

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31
Connecting ACA Routes / Re: Connecting Buffalo to Poughkeepsie and a B-Line across WI
« on: September 06, 2013, 08:00:09 am »
You should be able to utilize a lot of the Erie canal bikeway....  look into that..

For Albany south, you can look into Rt 9 or any road east of the hudson, The ACA's atlantic coast can take you from Rhinebeck to Poughkeepsie...  Rt 9 itself is busy but generally not too bad of a shoulder once you get outside Poughkeepsie, otherwise, I'm sure you can go east if you want some more relaxed riding and avoid the small downtown areas around places like red hook etc

Jay

32
General Discussion / Re: Maiden Voyage...here I come :)
« on: September 06, 2013, 07:06:38 am »
Let the adventure begin is right, stay safe and have a great trip!!

Jay ;D

33
Routes / Re: across USA from NY to San Francisco: ROUTES HELP!
« on: August 31, 2013, 03:00:42 pm »
NY is a big state, you might want to narrow your location....

Jay

34
Gear Talk / Re: Recommended Long-Sleeve Touring Shirts?
« on: August 27, 2013, 10:34:30 am »
there are some inexpensive UV blocking arm sleeves specifically made to block the sun, so you could use any short sleeve jersey.  Sugoi makes a pair that I've seen but there are cheaper ones found online... Most of them are white (for obvious reasons) and generally they breathe fairly well.  They are not the same as arm warmers which are thicker and meant to provide warmth.

Jay

35
General Discussion / Re: Best frame for riding and light tours on mixed gravel & pavement
« on: August 27, 2013, 08:39:46 am »
You mentioned a frame...  You can replace the parts with a triple, etc.  I have an older Vaya with the compact double that I use for commuting and touring. It is a very good bike on dirt/gravel and I enjoy it immensely for where I ride.   It has the eyelets for running fenders and a low rider rack.    I have the vaya with the 26" wheels and I have Avid BB7 mechanicals on them.

On disc brakes, I am annoyed at how often you need to tweak and adjust them, but then adjusting them is pretty simple.  Ignoring them leads to major squeeking issues but I've found automotive brake squeel compound works well for bikes too, as well as using isopropryl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) to clean the rotors and pads occasionally.. 

Jay

36
Routes / Re: New York to Chicago routes?
« on: August 26, 2013, 12:49:04 pm »
You could also use part of the ACA's Atlantic Coast route to get you through NJ into PA as opposed to the Northern Tier which crosses a bit further north of NYC... or you could also sort of pick up the northern tier by riding from NYC towards new paltz, NY and then make your way NW, or you could go straight north and utilize parts (most?) of the Erie Canal bikeroute...

Jay

37
General Discussion / Re: complete newb, GDMBR in 2014
« on: August 26, 2013, 07:19:12 am »
Agree with the others, no issue with the Specialized or a 26" wheeled bike in my opinion. take that $1000 and spend it on a new drivetrain, brake pads, tires, etc before the trip but enough to break them in and you'll be fine. 

As far as being a touring newbie. If you are skilled in bike mechanics and know your MTB in and out, don't see this as an issue but if you're somewhat a newbie to mountain bikes in general, you might want to learn about field repairs and things like tires and tubes and derailleurs and shifting and how to fix things, etc. 

Jay

38
Routes / Re: Routes from Great Barrington, Massachusetts to Rhinebeck area, New York
« on: August 21, 2013, 01:48:37 pm »
Check out the Atlantic Coastal Route, which goes across the new "Walkway on the Hudson" bridge but used to go across the Mid-Hudson Bridge, between Lloyd, NY and Poughkeepsie. Then moseyed north towards Rhinebeck before turning east towards Millerton, NY.    You could certainly use the Atlantic Coastal Route to get from Red Hook which isn't far from Rhinebeck towards Great Barrington.   If you don't want to go south and then east, you could certainly use google to find a good route east, the roads once you get north of Poughkeepsie will get a lot more quieter...    You could simply take 44/55 towards Amenia, NY and hop on the Harlem Valley Railtrail north to Millerton and then use SR22 towards Hillsdale since there is a section on unfinished trail between Copake and Millerton (I think, unless this has changed).   From Hillsdale, you can simply take SR23 past Catamount Ski area into GB.   There is a nice hill to climb but its certainly doable and it's easier than trying to cut through Bash Bish Falls into Mass.   

Going across Dutchess County will be hilly but doable and nice.    Great Barrington downtown, you will find parked cars and 2 lanes in each direction which might have moving traffic at rush hour, but there are backroads to use.   If you have time in GB, check out Soco Creamery for some good ice cream and the big candy store, as well as Baba Louies for good sourdough pizza.  Lots of good places to eat in GB too... 

Jay

39
General Discussion / Re: Road bike for touring??
« on: August 15, 2013, 08:49:40 am »
If you plan on using panniers, need to check if there are eyelets on the road bike and also feet clearance on the rear panniers...  There are options if you don't have eyelets but you need to do an inventory first...

I agree that double sided MTB pedals and MTB shoes are generally the way to go, but how comfy are you walking around in road shoes is the issue here...

Jay

40
New England / Re: Maps of Central and Western Mass.
« on: August 11, 2013, 03:38:17 pm »
I've ridden to Great Barrington from NJ before (when I lived in NJ) and rode through hillsdale. We simply took Rt 22 and then Rt 23 to get to great barrington. you could go through Bash Bish falls but it is steep and parts are dirt.....


It would be uphill to Great Barrington as you will pass Catamount ski area but certainly doable on a touring bike with low gearing...


Jay

41
Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / Re: Great Divide, Canada Section - Flooding - June 2013
« on: July 03, 2013, 03:23:03 pm »
You might not be allowed to bike to Banff on TCH1 but the shuttle companies will be able to shuttle you and your bike there so if you are dead set on starting in Banff, you still will be able to... 

Jay

42
Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / Re: Great Divide, Canada Section - Flooding - June 2013
« on: July 01, 2013, 05:30:38 pm »
Take a look at your map and as of 7/1/2013 I have word that you can take the Legacy trail (aka vermillion Lakes road) from banff to get to the Bow valley parkway (Rt 1A) to 93SOUTH  (before you get to Lake Louise) and you can literally take 93 all the way to Roosville. This is most of what is on the map as the "Fernie Alternative" although you pick up the Fernie Alternative in Elko BC.  So perhaps this is the "Elko Alternative" :-) 

All those routes are open.   As bikerevolves mentions, there are some spurs to 93 on the Eklo Alternative but you can skip them or not. One of them goes by a campsite as you can see on your map however.   

Jay

43
General Discussion / Re: Tips & Tricks for my First 15-day Bike Tour NYC -> Vermont
« on: July 01, 2013, 09:44:54 am »
I would say that following Rt 7 to Rutland is perfectly suitable.  Rutland itself is another story but there may be ways around the downtown area and there is a sidewalk but a lot of downtown where Rts 4 and 7 merge is like 4 lanes (2N and 2S) that are heavily trafficed (for VT) and no shoulder with lots of lights and traffic coming in and exiting.   However, there are roads east of it that I think you could ride to avoid a lot of it and there is a sidewalk if you have to.   (or you can go through it at off hours).

Also Rt 7 is kind of iffy between Lenox and Pittsfield, but there is definitely ways around that east of Rt 7.

You could ride 7 through bennington, VT as that is not bad but there are also ways to avoid that too if you want to. 

Jay

44
General Discussion / Re: Is Long Distance Touring Really a Healthy Endevour?
« on: June 28, 2013, 08:23:11 am »
nothing is really good for you, including breathing so might as well enjoy it :D  I sure enjoy long distance touring...

Jay

45
Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / Re: Great Divide, Canada Section - Flooding - June 2013
« on: June 28, 2013, 07:17:35 am »
Yes, that is what the map indicates, it does have some odd looking spurs that go off 93... 

http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/ab/banff/ne/neuf-news.aspx

It looks like we should be able to take the Liberty Trail to Rt 1A all the way to Castle Junction to get to 93S rather than TCH1, as the above link to the google maps shows that section open.

Jay

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