Messages

46

General Discussion / Re: Motorbike riders out there?

« on: March 19, 2011, 07:49:56 pm »

What a great day!
Not a cloud in the sky.
Bit of a breeze, but not windy.
50 F .... guess 70 woulda been nicer.   
2 hrs on the pedalbike.
Get a change of clothes.
2 hrs on motorbike.
Yipppppeeeeee!!

47

General Discussion / Re: Cadence Question

« on: March 19, 2011, 07:16:44 pm »

I too use cadence of 85-105 when riding the go-fast bike.
Don't have cadence monitor on touring bike, but try to do same pedal rate. 

I'm prone to knee issues.  Maintaining 85+ is my way of assuring not using too high gear and, therefore, avoiding those knee issues.

Also, peddling @ 100+  (without bouncing on seat) during training rides is way of of developing smoother stroke which can then also be employed at lower cadences.  Smooth stroke reduces wasted effort/energy. 

48

Gear Talk / Re: Any advantage of using 4 vs 2 panniers?

« on: March 17, 2011, 10:01:12 pm »

Bike balance is a reason.  Bike will handle better with weight distributed front & rear.

Strain on your rear wheel is a reason.  Strain can lead to broken spokes and/or premature fatigue of your rim and/or wear of your tires.  These potential problems will be lessened with weight distributed front & rear.

49

Gear Talk / Re: GEAR - It's adding up! Where can I compromise?

« on: March 15, 2011, 06:49:46 pm »

I just created the journal blog on CGOAB.

Here it is:
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/adam2011

did you possibly forget to check the "publish" check box on the properties for the page?  It remains invisible to everyone but you until you do that.

Good sleuthing!

50

General Discussion / Re: Traveling This Year? ...me too

« on: March 11, 2011, 05:36:38 am »

Starting May 1st, ..... On the road this year and next.

wooooohooooooo!
:thumbsup:

51

Routes / Re: cycling from Portland Maine to Boston

« on: March 07, 2011, 08:04:32 pm »

Gordon,
I'll be riding from Portsmouth area down to Somerville.
THANKS for the route ideas!

52

Gear Talk / Re: GEAR - It's adding up! Where can I compromise?

« on: March 03, 2011, 09:58:28 pm »

Re the tights ..... often, on given day, you'll want to wear them for portion of the day.  Then temps go up & you'll want to take them off.  They are a pain to take off.  Leg warmers are so much more convenient/flexible.

Also, pair of arm warmers turn a short sleeve jersey into long sleeve.  That's good thing.

53

Gear Talk / Re: Touring weight

« on: March 03, 2011, 08:38:18 am »

Pete ... you have pm.

54

Gear Talk / Re: GEAR - It's adding up! Where can I compromise?

« on: March 03, 2011, 07:56:33 am »

Agree w/ previous poster.  So glad I got input here re gear list BEFORE getting on the road.
http://www.adventurecycling.org/forums/index.php?topic=8455.0
You may want to compare your list to mine before laying out $$$$.
Good luck!

55

Gear Talk / Re: Touring weight

« on: March 02, 2011, 10:18:40 pm »

Got list down to 42 lbs.

Thanks all!

56

Midwest / Re: Nice Midwest Town Desperately Seeks Bike Shop for Long-Term Relationship

« on: March 01, 2011, 10:51:56 am »

corner,
Hope ya get the info ya need and best of luck w/ business decision.

57

Gear Talk / Re: Touring weight

« on: February 28, 2011, 12:46:11 pm »

Here's the list ............. please comment away!


Left front pannier                                                                            7.3
Main compartment                        
   eee pc in sleeve & orange drybag                    2.2            
   street clothing in plastic bag            1.8      
   short sleeve polypro t                     
   long sleeve poly pullover t                     
   zip-off pants                     
   underwear                     
Side compartment                        
   Documents holder, in ziplock bag         0.9         
        extra maps                     
        passport/birthcertificate                     
        emergency contacts                     
        tickets                     
        calculator                                          
                        
Left rear pannier                                                                           7.8
Main compartment                              
   utensils/misc bag                                           0.4
        platypus water container                  
        misc in pill container                     
      ighter                  
      push pin                  
      can opener                  
        water purification tablets                     
        sugar                     
        spoon/fork                     
        soap                      
        silver jon-don multi tool                     
   plastic container bowl               0.4   
        heat barrier                     
        pot/lid                     
        sock cap cozy                  
        salt/pepper                  
        stoves w/support rings                  
      collapsible cup               
   opsak emergency food bag            0.9         
        5 oz. beef jerky in plastic bag                     
        bag of condiments & coffee/tea bags                     
        ramen noodle packet                     
        sandwich bag of trail mix                     
        2 instant oatmeal packets                     
        6 coffee filters (straining water)                     
        2 energy bars                     
        water purification tablets                     
   pringles container w/ cook equip         0.2         
        smal measuring cup                     
        4 oz fuel bottle                     
        pot support                     
        windscreen                     
Side compartment                        
   Toiletries                     1.3
   toothbrush/paste                     
   hair brush                     
   vitamins/cholesterolmeds/arthritismeds                     
   soap/shampoo                     
   deodorant                     
   desitin zinc/oxide                     
   razor & shaving cream                     
   sink stopper                     
   towel                     
   toenail clippers                     
Top compartment                        
Rear compartment                  0.5   
   spare plastic bags                     
   hammer                     
   tent stakes                     
Sandal attached to pannier               0.5      
                        
Handlebar bag                                                                           4.9
Main compartment                        
   ipod & earphones                  0.2
   cell phone in case                  0.2
   radio                             0.2
   wallet                      0.2
        $$$ & change for showers                     
        creditcards/healthcards/carinsurance                     
        drivers license                     
   camera in pack                  0.4
   business cards                  0.1
   small notebook                  0.2
   pen/highlighter/marker               0.2   
   this packing list                     
   voice recorder                  0.2
   extra cassettes                  0.1   
   eyeglass case w/ spare glasses/sunglasses   0.3                  
   bandana in ziplock bag               0.1   
   insect repellant                  0.1
   big blue knife                  0.3
   pain pills                     0.1
   spring clips                          0.1
   chapstick                     0.1
   sunblock lotion                  0.1
Front compartment                  0.3   
   energy food in OPSAK zip bag                     
   spoon                     
   big pc chalk                     
   scissors                     
   headlamp                     
   toilet paper & hand sanitizer                     
   small camera tripod                     
   rain cover for bike computer                     
   leg band                     
   water purification tablets                                          
Map compartment                     0.4
   maps                     
   itty bitty plastic compass/thermometer                     


Right front pannier                                                                           7.3
Main compartment                     
   Tool/spares bag                  2.0
        kevlar spoke                  
        hex wrench for pedals                  
        small scissors                  
        spare tube                  
        latex gloves                  
        chain lube, Finish Line teflon                  
        to lube all else, Triflow                  
        tire boot                  
        needle-nose pliers, small                  
        nuts/bolts/links/nipples                  
        itty bitty mending kit                  
        spare cleat bolts                  
        crescent wrench, small                  
        stein cassette removal tool                  
         mattress repair kit                  
        zip ties various sizes                  
   Warm weather riding clothing            1.3   
        short sleeve jersey
        cycling shorts      
        cycling socks      
   electronics bag                  1.3
        charger cords ... ipod/eee                  
        camera charger                  
        110v to usb plug                  
        multi outlet plug                  
        phone charger                  
        memory stick                  
Side compartment                  1.8   
   bear bag                           
        50' cord                  
        carabiner                  
        door locks                  
        clothes line w/ attached plastic clothes pins                  
   bag of spare thingys                  
        spare rubber bands                  
        spare bungies                  
        batteries                  
        spare velcro strips                  
        spare rearview mirror                  
        spare voice recorder cassettes                  
        spare opsak bag                  
   White bath nylon bag                  
   empty green dry bag
        First aid                  
                     
Right rear pannier                                                                              8.2
Main compartment                     
   tent in purple nylon bag               2.4   
   rainfly in green nylon bag            2.2   
Side compartment                     
Top compartment                     
Rear compartment                     
   alcohol fuel, yellow Heet bottle         0.5         
Sandal attached to pannier               0.5   
                     
Top of rack                     
black dry bag                                                                                 6.4
   rain covers for bags                  
   rain jacket/pants                  
   helmet cover                  
   sealskinz socks                  
   full finger gloves                  
   arm/leg wamers                  
   merino wool sock cap                  
   merino wool sweater                  
Tilley hat carabined to black bag                     
blue dry bag                                                                                   4.9
   thermarest pad                  
   sleeping bag & liner                  
   sleep stuff in pillowcase                  
   sleep accessories in lil black bag                  
      ear plugs               
      eye cover               
   blowup pillow bladder (put in hat)                  
        ground cloth (strapped to blue dry bag)                     
        tent poles (strapped to blue dry bag)                     
caution tranglular flag                     

58

Gear Talk / Re: Touring weight

« on: February 27, 2011, 04:54:24 pm »

Gonna reweigh this week.  If results are similar to last go at it then I'll post the whole bloody gear list for you blokes to comment on.
Can ya tell am watching British-made films today?   

I sincerely appreciate all the feedback received so far.  Thanks to all for taking the time to review/comment.

59

Gear Talk / Re: Touring weight

« on: February 27, 2011, 02:02:48 pm »

True, clothes don't constitute majority of weight, but are significant portion.

Tent is Kelty Gunnison 2 and non-negotiable.  For good or ill, family CFO has decreed no more tent purchases.   

Sleep gear is thermarest 3/4-length & mummy style down bag.

Cooking/eating gear ...........
plastic spoon/fork
cork screw   
plastic bowl      
alum pot/lid   
sockcap as cozy
salt/pepper
mini penny alcohol stove
pot support
collapsible cup
small measuring cup for measuring fuel   
4 oz fuel bottle   
wire mesh pot support   
alum windscreen   
emergency food bag   
   5 oz. beef jerky in plastic bag   
   sandwich bag of single-serve condiments & coffee/tea bags   
   ramen noodle packet   
   sandwich bag of trail mix   
   2 instant oatmeal packets   
   6 coffee filters (straining water)   
   2 energy bars   
   few water purification tablets   

60

Routes / Re: New Orleans up Mississippi River Trail to Missouri River to Yellowstone to Bozem

« on: February 27, 2011, 11:58:47 am »

Dang!  I totally ignored your travel dates.   
Sorry.