Messages

61

Gear Talk / Re: Racks

« on: April 02, 2013, 10:59:59 am »

Certainly looks pretty but not sure if I would want anything close to 77lbs on it. One weld and the thing would fail. 

Having said that, depending on your needs, tubus, Old Man Mountain, certainly would make more/better functional racks I think.

Jay

62

GPS & Digital Data Discussion / Re: Announcement about Fred Hiltz

« on: March 31, 2013, 07:08:13 pm »

Very sorry to hear about this. My thoughts are certainly with Fred and his family and friends. I certainly enjoyed reading Fred's insightful posts and recommendations here on this forums.  He was certainly a real asset to the members here and for bike touring in general. I will certainly miss reading his posts. 

Jay

63

General Discussion / Re: Campsites and bike theives!

« on: March 01, 2013, 08:18:12 am »

The main advantages touring cyclists have is our strangeness (to most people) and the fact that most people probably assume that we really don't have much worth stealing. And we really don't. Most thieves are looking for jewelry, pricey electronics or guns.

or alcohol..   Just a matter of opportunity for some folks.   A friend of mine had some scotch lifted from a daybag on his kayak when he and I were down in a town getting food while paddling on a multiday trip on the CT river in VT.  Somebody went through his bag on the deck and lifted the bottle.  We did lock the kayaks together and the thief didn't appear to go through the hatches... but the bag on top of the deck was easy to get to and available and the boat launch was right off downtown..

Jay

64

Routes / Re: Tour Divide 2013

« on: February 06, 2013, 09:47:57 am »

Trying to get up to speed on this tour so bear with me if I sound ignorant.  Would a Salsa Vaya be able to handle the Tour Divide route?
I have a 3ish year old Salsa Vaya (compact double that I'd probably switch to a true triple) with 26" wheels, road drop bars, Avid disc brakes..
or would a Fargo be a much better fit for the tour. Not intending on racing but just wondering about the route for those that have done it.

Going to check out bikepacking.net too as well...

Jay

65

General Discussion / Re: Looking to join others in July to Ride the Divide

« on: February 02, 2013, 08:47:32 am »

Tim, sent ya a pm..

Jay

66

Gear Talk / Re: Front Quick Release Skewers Too Short with Rack Fitting

« on: January 16, 2013, 08:31:50 am »

Ditto what Russ posts, I bought an OMM front rack which was a QR rack because it was used on a hardtail MTB with no
eyelets for a front rack so I had to use the QR system. OMM sends you a longer QR for such a system. You may be able to just
buy the QR for your needs from them.   

Jay

67

New England / Re: Portland ME to Baxter State Park round trip

« on: January 13, 2013, 05:36:13 pm »

check BSP for the latest bike regulations. I know you can ride along the tote road, but you cannot bike to roaring brook if that is your goal...   

Jay

68

Gear Talk / Re: Cheap Breathable Rain Gear and Shelter

« on: December 18, 2012, 12:48:43 pm »

I made a footprint for a Kelty tent once, I believe a place like Campmor sells it that you can cut to size. I don't remember if they sell it by the yard or in
 some kind of packaged length but you can always call and ask.  Do be aware that Campmor sells some stuff in their retail store not available via mail
order.

Jay

69

Mid-Atlantic / Re: New Jersey Wolf Preserve & Campground

« on: December 12, 2012, 03:49:24 pm »

The Lakota Wolf Preserve is a great place!  If you are a hiker, you can take the red trail up Mt Tammany from the trailhead and hike up to
the ridge right above the Wolf Preserve and howl.  The Wolves will howl back if you're good/loud enough!!! I've done it before when I was in NJ.

Jay

70

Gear Talk / Re: Bike Rack Advice

« on: November 21, 2012, 02:15:50 pm »

I second the advise of a hitch mounted rack if you have a hitch.

I use a roof rack because I also am a sea kayaker...

jay

71

Gear Talk / Re: Salsa Vaya rack advice

« on: November 17, 2012, 12:36:09 pm »

Yes, I bought the front rack from Salsa and use it on my Vaya, I find it works nicely with the fork (it better!) and with my set of Carradice panniers...  I have gone on a few short tours with it.

Jay

72

Routes / Re: Emergencies on paved rail-trails??

« on: September 24, 2012, 07:12:14 pm »

I've been on some newer railtrails here in the northeast that have barriers to prevent cars from going down the path (which is wide enough for a car) but the barriers obviously can be lowered so it is certainly feasibly for an ambulance to get through in an emergency.  Some rail trails though have permanent structures so there would be no way for a car to get through.

Jay

73

Routes / Re: Here's some Green Mountain Loop tips

« on: September 10, 2012, 07:28:20 pm »

Speaking of the Green mtn loop, might also check out the Cross VT trail, which I think is informally known as the Rivendell trail, but it runs from Burlington to NH, around St Johnsbury (VT) area...   It's still I think a work in progress and a bit of it is still on roads but some of it is on MUPs, etc... and they have maps of the current CVT on their website...

http://www.crossvermont.org/

Jay

74

Routes / Re: Here's some Green Mountain Loop tips

« on: September 10, 2012, 09:58:22 am »

Regarding Kingdom Trails, you can also camp at Burke mtn itself, which has tentsites and leantos and is very popular on the weekends... However, most of the trails right from the campground are more downhill related, but it still is possible to ride to where most of the X-C trails are (Darling Hill).    I got cell coverage at the campground (AT&T), YMMV.

Good stop at the ice cream place right on the road that goes up to Darling Hill, which has Giffords.. 

Jay

75

Routes / Re: NYC to Baltimore?

« on: September 04, 2012, 11:30:42 am »

I believe there was also a MS tour that used to ride (over 2 days) from Sandy Hook to Cape May and back so poking around the MS folks might be an option...

Jay