Messages

16

General Discussion / Re: Link to this forum is buried, why???

« on: January 24, 2014, 03:18:57 pm »

My first reaction after the web change was that the Forum must not be all that important to ACA. Of course it can be found, but it is somewhat buried and 1 of 32 links. I used to visit the Forum as often as CGOAB ( 3xweek). But after the new entries seemed to drop off there was not much " news" for frequent checking.
 I was surprised and disappointed to come back after a month or longer and see the lack of participation. Maybe the Board and staff have decided it is not a critical feature of the org. I think the attention newbies get when they post questions here is worth a lot, and  I vote for putting the Forum in the headliner on the web site.

17

General Discussion / Re: Link to this forum is buried, why???

« on: January 22, 2014, 08:53:35 pm »

I agree 100%. The web designer did a great job making the Forum link difficult to find.

18

General Discussion / Re: Newb, feeling over whelmed by planning process. where/how to start???

« on: January 22, 2014, 08:50:02 pm »

My first trip was northern tier (to Glacier) and then various routes including Great Lakes. Our ave. was in the 60 range as John Nelson has indicated. Plan enough to feel you have some control and reduce the anxiety level ( some people get anxious with plans while others of us need some plans to find a comfort level). Contact me via messaging if you want to know where my stops were...the 5 passes control the first week and pretty much determine the over nights.
There is nothing like the FIRST trip.

19

General Discussion / Re: Towing older children and adults

« on: January 22, 2014, 01:59:15 pm »

http://www.frankmobility.com/duet.php

More info on biking for disabled adults. The " duet" looks functional for the purpose.

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General Discussion / Re: Towing older children and adults

« on: January 21, 2014, 08:48:11 pm »

http://www.rswart.org/fourwhel.htm

Check this web site.  The trail behind " bike " would not work with adults or individuals with balance issues. I have seen trikes ( two wheels upfront ) with a bench type seat upfront for the passenger. Have also seen wheelchair type transport up front powered by a trike. Perhaps both were custom bikes.

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General Discussion / Re: Please help... I want to do it but its really hard.

« on: March 26, 2013, 08:46:30 pm »

Charlie,
Lots of good insights already provided. I am 66 and I rode 2500 miles with a 19 yr old last summer and he had ALL your fears and more. Night terrors and all. He rode 4400 miles in all and always managed to find someone to hook up with, but did weeks alone in the middle of the trip. Read " companions wanted". You don't need to do this alone. You have already taken a huge big step.

22

General Discussion / Re: New to cycling and taking a loop around America

« on: January 31, 2013, 09:22:01 pm »

Tommy, I met  an AT thru hiker (Pacific crest also) on the Northern Tier last summer. He was a novice touring cyclist but made the transition easily. He also was an ultralight gear guy. Look up Turbo ( Brandon Gabel) on FB.

23

Routes / Re: Eastbound from Washington/Oregon

« on: January 27, 2013, 08:23:36 pm »

"Ewoo...."
I did the NT to Glacier starting June 1, 2012. We had rain and 40's for much of the first two weeks and snow on Washington Pass. That kind of weather is not unusual that time of year. Road to the Sun opened the day after we left Glacier, but the weather was terrible. I did the same route in Aug is 2008 and the scenery was incredible. Early June puts you at risk for lousy weather.

 Non-camping services can be quite limited but with a little research and spacing the daily mileage you can locate accommodations for most days.

Enjoy the planning phase of your trip.

24

Routes / Re: I quit a ST trip in2010. I was slow and ran out of time. Going ultralight. Tips?

« on: January 26, 2013, 09:43:50 pm »

Great thread and replies. I don' think 10-15 lbs of extra gear has to be blamed as the deal breaker for a trip. Bad weather day after day challenges the misery tolerance threshold no matter what the bike or the gear. Everyone has their own "guit" threshold. Camping in bad weather day after day sucks. A motel at the end of bad days of riding is a cure-all if you can afford it. I had 9 of 10 weeks of great weather in 08 and only 2 of 6 weeks in 2012.

Expect misery and relish the days you don' t get it?

25

Routes / Re: Canada mortorists

« on: January 23, 2013, 09:06:18 pm »

John,
 You will enter Canada from WI? Perhaps MI? Will you be on Canada #17 from Sault St Marie to Espanola? And pick up 6 thru Manitoulin Is and south on Bruce Peninsula?  I can't speak to 17 or 6 ( other than 17 is far from ideal as I read from other cyclist) but one resource you could use is "Ontario Bicycle Touring Atlas". E mail to < info@bikeontours.on.ca >  From my quick look at their book they show many options and rarely is Hwy 6 one of the choices, though it is direct.  Maybe with a few more details on your route you will hear from cyclist who have done what you are attempting?

26

Routes / Re: northern tier route Aug to Oct.

« on: January 22, 2013, 08:33:17 pm »

Lisa,
In 2008 we started in Anacortes 8/20 and finished in Southern ME 10/20. We had very good Fall weather in the East  ( not much rain) but very cold mornings the last few weeks and difficult to find campgrounds that were open after Oct.1 Private campgrounds will be your best bet and depending on the route and how isolated it is you may not find them open either. The potential for misery with camping that  late in the Fall is high. Plan to have options that do not involve camping if you can. NT is a great route and you can shorten it up if need be. Enjoy the trip.

27

General Discussion / Re: Whitefish, Glacier NP and Flathead Lake advice...

« on: August 17, 2012, 06:39:59 am »

 If you are still planning to bike around Flathead there are places to stay on the east side using MT # 83 ( 83 is recommended over 35). We camped at Swan Lake and Seeley Lake. ( For $25 you can stay in a cabin at Swan Lake Trading Post)

28

General Discussion / Re: Some thoughts after the completion of 50% Transam + 50% Western Express

« on: August 16, 2012, 09:05:16 pm »

Lucas; great report. Thanks for taking the time to be so detailed.

I just completed ( 8/8) (W to E) modified TA. On the issue of ACA maps and trying to follow changes. What I wish ACA had was an 800# only for map changes. (low-tech non-smart phone owner)  I could easily call in a change at that "spot". Sending in a report later...less likely.
Eastern KY...if we initiated conversations we found the local people friendly, but not "out-going". We experienced incredibly patient and courteous drivers in KY, especially given Eastern KY roads. One of the scarier moments I had was a NY car ( my home state). We pulled over for  large trucks in Eastern KY and got waves and toots. But 90% of the coal trucks were heading west the days we were there. We had far less dog events than you and the only one that required action ( failed) was in western VA. (He bit my pannier)
We were told by locals that most cyclist on the TA are East to West. We were riding at the hottest time of the year. I have done a modified 4000 mile NT West to East from mid Aug to mid Oct and weather was an issue for one week. On my recent 6 week ( 2500 mile) modified TA starting on the NT to Glacier the first of June with cold rain for most of two weeks; followed by high winds in MT and then heat in KY and VA the weather dominated my ride for 4 of the 6 weeks. I would agree with you that
the NT is a more comfortable ( perhaps more boring) trip. Starting the TA in the East May 1st or a week earlier would be my suggestion as well.

29

Routes / Re: North Cascades Highway (SR 20) is now open for business

« on: May 21, 2012, 09:15:56 pm »

Snow ( 6" plus) in the forecast for this week at Washington Pass.

30

General Discussion / Re: Bike shipping / Lesson learned?

« on: May 21, 2012, 09:13:28 pm »

I shipped Fed Ex via BikeFlight today..NY to OR and the "road-bike" box calculator was $69 but I had a LBS free box that is laid on it's side to be packed and therefore larger in some dimensions and it came to $89 for 50 lbs. Five day ground.