Messages

406

General Discussion / The Ditty Bops...

« on: October 02, 2006, 03:51:37 pm »

Just spreading the word.... On a (somewhat) completly unrelated word... I heard this duet on internet radio and while checking out their website, it seems there is an ACA connection (even a link to ACA from their website) on two talented muscians who did a recent tour of the US by bike, using the ACA maps.

http://www.thedittybops.com/shows.htm

I thought it was way cool, not the first musical group to do so but certainly something more should do...  Just thought I'd pass it on. Their music is very good also!

Jay

407

General Discussion / Seeking advice on bringing a bike from Europe to U

« on: September 28, 2006, 12:18:29 pm »

If I lived on the west coast, I'd be glad to help ya out, but I think a bike shop would be willing to take shipment, I know many of them do and possibly for a fee would even put your bike back together if you want. The ACA maps will list nearby bike shops on the back of the maps, it would be a good start to look there or the Yellow Pages too.

Jay

408

General Discussion / Dalton Boys

« on: September 28, 2006, 12:19:37 pm »

"was out couple of days in a Dentists chair"

Wow, how fast do they go, did it have built in racks?  Campy or Shimano?

:-)

Jay

409

General Discussion / Loaded Weight

« on: September 15, 2006, 11:26:01 am »

Excellent advice all...

One thing that I use is I don't even bring 1 fork, spoon, or knife. For the knife, I have one in my multitool and I use a Snow Peak ti Spork so no separate fork and spoon and the Ti wont rust.

Jay

410

General Discussion / to late to ride?

« on: August 30, 2006, 04:02:52 pm »

I would imagine in the anywhere in the higher elevations can certainly get snow in October on.  Not sure the route the northern Tier goes through though...

Jay

411

General Discussion / Camping on private land

« on: August 30, 2006, 09:23:40 am »

Your wish is my command:

http://www.warmshowers.org/welcome?PHPSESSID=d3f19761fb5d715ec9be22cd8cf74016

It's the Warm Shower's List.. I'm on it but haven't been for long and no takers yet.

I didn't find Maine too particularly hilly. I thought Dutchess County in NY going east west fairly hilly. ME has logging trucks that go at all hours of the morning which is good and bad, bad that they fly, good that they kind of suck you along.

Jay

412

General Discussion / Lots of hurting bikers out there

« on: August 08, 2006, 12:14:50 pm »

That's great guys. As a lifelong upright rider who has no problem doing long 90+ days on my MTB tourer, I think it is unfortunate that most bike shops don't carry 'bents and then you need even the right salesperson to mention that option to riders these days. It is hard for the average cyclist to try one out if their LBS doesn't carry them and not everybody is as online savvy as those who read these and other bike forums.  I know many folks who think upright bikes are uncomfortable and when I tell them about 'bents, it's like a day of discovery.  

My favorite bike shop that I go to always had a Rans 'bent on the ceiling and he was a guy who sold many bikes, road and mtb, sold everything from Rocky Mountain, to Trek, to Seven.  He is even in a pretty small shop in a small part of the woods too, not in the "big city", so to speak.

Jay

413

General Discussion / Touring w/Non-Cycling Spouse

« on: June 23, 2006, 09:22:19 am »

Well, if your husband can plan in advance, various stuff in the CA/OR area that he does like to visit, he can certainly drive out there, do the sightseeing or whatever and then meet you at camp. If you plan well, you can even figure out how long it take to get to the spot and meet him there.  Its definitely doable with some legwork.

There are many bicycle tours where they have different itineraries for cyclists and non-cyclists or for different level of cyclists so it is common for them to have different trips on the same day, but each night meeting up for dinner and after dinner events.

Jay

414

General Discussion / Motel bike touring

« on: June 21, 2006, 11:55:26 am »

You kind of want to have heavier things low. A lower center of gravity will help the bike's handling.

You might want to make a practice run, if not with real gear, perhaps using deadweight just so you can get the feel of touring with a loaded bike. Don't think you'll notice too much difference, 15lbs isn't that much, you'll notice it more at slow speeds than normal speeds though so get the hang of it in a empty parking lot.

Jay

415

General Discussion / Atlantic coast, nothern area

« on: July 03, 2006, 09:10:33 am »

Although fred is right in say that the atlantic coastal is a coastal route, you might also want to be aware that august-september is a big month for hurricanes (such as Hurricane Floyd in '96 (?) and Hurrican Ivan in 2004.  So, they also tend to sometimes hug the coast too. Just be aware of it and take the usual precautions, nothing to stop a trip or anything but just be aware of it.

Jay

416

General Discussion / bike & gear safety (and other) questions...

« on: June 23, 2006, 02:04:58 pm »

I've only ever taken a simple combination lock with me during tours, and even then only using it on occasion in larger cities I go touring in. If I'm alone, I'll typically find a place where I can get food "to go" and eat by my bike. I like to enjoy the scenery and be in the outdoors anyway.  For easily removable stuff, (light, computer, GPS) you can always take them with you...

Jay

417

General Discussion / Is there anything such as cycling sunglasses?

« on: May 15, 2006, 12:42:53 pm »

Any of the usual AV A/B blocking sports sunglasses would work fine. They make lens that are more shatter resistant than others (road debris) and if you use a mirror for your eyeglass, that might be another thing to look at but  most of the name-brand wrap sunglasses are fine these days, whatever style you like...  I would though stick with a lighter tint than most of the really dark ones, cause then you can still use the lens in evenings and under cloud cover. I have a lens with only like 85% transmission that I use for commuting and touring.

Jay

418

General Discussion / Hygiene on tour

« on: May 11, 2006, 04:10:04 pm »

I'm wondering about the advisability of using unscented. Maybe if I find the right scent, the ladies will overlook my sagging belly and wrinkled skin and find me adorable: wad-a-u think?

Do you think that they make enough scented wetnaps in the world to cover the stench of a long distance summer tour?  :-)

But then, perhaps you might run into a lady who likes such stench...Can't win!

Jay

419

General Discussion / Hygiene on tour

« on: May 08, 2006, 04:27:31 pm »

In addition to the campgrounds with perhaps hot water (in season), there is the option to do quick jumps in public lakes/beaches. In addition to the aforementioned baby wipes, you can tend to hit up the local Chinese restaurants for wetwipes, usually with pictures of cute pandas on them. :-)

Jay

420

General Discussion / Be careful out there

« on: April 26, 2006, 03:22:18 pm »

Glad you came out somewhat OK if a little jaded.  On my bike commute, I always will slow down at intersections since I'm never in any real hurry to get to work (enjoying the ride, etc. etc.). But a couple times I've been surprised more from drivers on the road passing me and then doing the right hook which is why I instinctively check my mirror for passing cagers as I approach intersections.  Can't avoid all of them though unfortunately.

Hoping for a quick recovery,
Jay