Messages

1

Classifieds / Trek 520 2011 62cm

« on: June 16, 2024, 05:29:38 pm »

2011 520 needs a new home. No rust.. well maintained… root beer color.. good lights , computer, front and rear racks.. low gears for climbing ( mtn bike set up)
Rochester NY area. Make an offer.

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Classifieds / Pacific Coast maps 2021

« on: June 16, 2024, 05:12:34 pm »

I’ll mail the 2021 Pacific Coast maps to you and you can mail me $10.., or  Best Offer. They need a new home.

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Routes / Re: Southern Tier 2017 Thread

« on: February 17, 2017, 02:11:01 pm »

Ah ha...never knew.  Thanks!

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Routes / Re: Southern Tier 2017 Thread

« on: February 17, 2017, 02:00:36 pm »

OP?  Who is that?

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Routes / Re: Southern Tier 2017 Thread

« on: February 07, 2017, 02:55:13 pm »

Hi Ian,

Yes we are "set" to start on March 1. Our rental house contract ends that AM. We have to leave! I have since exchanged messages with two couples self-supported on tandem recumbents who are also leaving 3/1. We can party at the start point, but our group is notorious for very early starts..tho not pre dawn from this starting place ...but probably around  sun up.

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General Discussion / Re: Bike security - Southern Tour camping trip

« on: February 07, 2017, 02:45:35 pm »

Interesting question.  The ST ( Start 3/1) will be my 4th crossing and I am fairly trusting and pretty casual about locking my bike but for whatever reasons my gut tells me to be more careful and lock up..especially at night..for the ST.  I plan to lock it at campgrounds for this trip. We usually leave one person outside at grocery stops etc.

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Routes / Re: Southern Tier 2017 Thread

« on: January 24, 2017, 08:44:11 am »

Ian,
I sent you a personal message..yes there are 6  of us;  self-contained; camping;  and leaving March 1. "Plan" to finish in 8 weeks with side trips to Big Bend and New Orleans. Great to have company on the route!
Jim

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General Discussion / Re: Montana Highway bicycling access threatened in Montana Legislature

« on: January 20, 2017, 08:55:50 pm »

Perhaps as a Harley Dealership owner he is  just pissed off at moped riders and bicyclists got caught up in it. LOL

Great response by John Egan. Thank you.

I've probably spent more days pedaling thru Montana on three xc trips than any state other than my home state of NY.

I cant believe this could get traction..but then it's been the kind of year that has emboldened some really pissed off people to grab the stage. 

Maybe the media can have an interview with him and get shed some light on his motivation.
JK

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Routes / Re: Solo Trip Across America

« on: January 18, 2017, 04:31:16 pm »

Lucy,

I did a route in 2008 that mirrors your destinations. Deke Slayton Museum...I didnt think anyone would have that on their list too.  I did part of it again in 2015
From Cody we went to Shell and over the Big Horns on 14..yes a big climb thru Granite Pass but great scenery. From Sheridan took 14/16 a lonely and scenic road to U Cross to Claremont (camping at General Store or near-by ranch) to Spotted Horse ( must stop) onto Gillette to Devils Monument ( worth it..nice roads as well).  Went to Sundance and then Black Hills on Michelson mostly..and went east on 44 (Scenic is worth a stop) Entered Iowa on 9 and went east to Lake Okoboji and north to my hometown of Jackson MN and across the southern edge of MN ( Spam Museum in Austin worth the stop) to the Root River Rail Trail which led us to LaCrosse and the Three Rivers Trail to the LaCrosse River State Trail onto the Elroy- Sparta Trail.  The tunnel is also a blast (without lights)  The two museums will delight.
The 2008 trip was written up and can be seen at "Coast to Coast for Conservation" by Brad Edmondson @ FLLT.org web site and the 2015 trip at : https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?doc_id=15930
I am a huge fan of the Big Horns...especially that Granite Pass route from Shell.
Jim

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Routes / Re: Southern Tier 2017 Thread

« on: January 02, 2017, 07:19:41 am »

Ty,

Your are a good role model for " young " cyclist with that much touring under your belt!

BTW the prevailing winds along the ST route are not westerlies. It's a very mixed bag. Look at maps of wind directions for US, and read ST blogs posted on " Crazy Guy" . Nevertheless we shall prevail.

I had not thought about White Sands.....nice side trip.

jim

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Routes / Re: Southern Tier 2017 Thread

« on: December 28, 2016, 06:31:15 am »

Side trips via rental car to Big Bend NP; Carlsbad Caverns; and probably bike into New Orleans.

Weather.... Head winds could be a factor for cutting down mileage somedays... Heavy rains in TX and LA might as well. Nothing scary unless tornado season starts early... 😱  It's part of the adventure.

This is my 4 th xc trip since age 62 so I've experienced just about the full range of weather. If you start a week ahead of us I doubt we will " catch up" to your group. In any event stay safe.
Jim

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Routes / Re: Southern Tier 2017 Thread

« on: December 27, 2016, 11:15:30 pm »

Five of us will be starting March 1 from SD.  Self-contained and camping (mostly) .  Mostly 60+ year olds and coming from NY with no outside riding since Oct so we will start slow;  but service availability or lack of somewhat sets the pace for the first few weeks. We plan on taking 60 days with some 1/2 days off and some side trips. Severe weather will most likely mess with the schedule.

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Connecting ACA Routes / Re: Northern Tier to Erie Connector across Wisconsin

« on: April 10, 2015, 10:25:42 pm »

I did Lacrosse to Manitowac on a "custom" route, but that starts further south than Stillwater. The ferry  ( The Badger) was a hoot.

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General Discussion / Re: Shipping bike to Astoria/ Logistics

« on: February 28, 2015, 09:36:13 pm »

I have been told that Bike and Beyond assemble about 100 bikes a year for Lewis and Clark/Trans AM cyclist.

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General Discussion / Re: Start date for cycling from either Boston or Portland, Maine

« on: February 11, 2014, 09:36:22 pm »

This site: http://weatherspark.com/averages/29794/Boston-Massachusetts-United-States

with data from the past 40 years shows ave low end of April is approx. 40 in Portland and 47 in Boston.

End of May shows average lows of 51 in Portland and 57 in Boston. Knowing the range might be informative.

Based on my 40 years in western NY I would not start before May 15 unless you are can handle miserable nights setting and tearing down camp in cold and possibly wet conditions. Sleeping in a warm bag is the easy part...setting up camp, cooking, and packing in the AM I find is the test of handeling the misery.