Messages

31

Gear Talk / Re: Road Shoe vs Touring Shoe?

« on: March 11, 2010, 09:25:09 am »

Whichever you choose, if you plan on cleats, take a look at Speedplay Frogs. Durable, float, and easily maintained. A nice feature is that they are imbedded in the bike shoe indent, which means you can walk on hard floors without "tap dancing" your presence. I've used them for years on both mtb shoes as well as adding them to new Keen Commuter sandals, which I also can recommend. You also can't go wrong with Sidi's, either, as mentioned in previous reply.

32

Routes / Re: Great Divide in mid May?

« on: March 06, 2010, 11:35:37 am »

Drexhy:
Take a look at http://www.topofusion.com/divide/ . Scott and his Mrs. did a south to north mapping tour in '04. Their journal has lots of good info. Crazyguyonabike.com is also another good resource. You will likely run into snow with a May departure. You'll need to carefully look at alternate routes (on maintained roadways) and where to pick them up off the GD to avoid the higher elevations with snow. Forest Service, as mentioned above, together with state department of transportation (DOT's) should be able to help. Good luck.

33

New England / Re: Welcome to the New England Region

« on: March 06, 2010, 11:20:47 am »

Hi, Successor...:
I'm in western Mass (the "frontier" from my friends in Boston), a short throw from the Quabbin (Boston's water supply). Some fine riding roads here, especially if you like hills. Today I'm headed out for my first spring ride in the Quabbin; the temperature is supposed to reach a balmy 50 F. Spring is here!

34

General Discussion / Re: New Front Fork or Trailer

« on: March 03, 2010, 09:07:45 am »

Take a look at the ACA Classified, ebay, crazyguyonabike, and other sites that run classified. You may be able to pick up a Bob at a good price. Good luck.

35

General Discussion / Re: Invitation to join warmshowers.org

« on: February 26, 2010, 10:34:01 pm »

Wonderful organization. I've hosted and been hosted. Great hosts and guests.

36

General Discussion / Re: Which Erie Canal guide book "best"?

« on: February 16, 2010, 04:14:49 pm »

Last year, I used the PTNY guidebook and found it very useful. It was nice to call their office about a couple of questions and get answers. Enjoy the tour.

37

Routes / Re: New Sierra Cascade Route

« on: February 09, 2010, 09:40:41 am »

Kathy:
Until ACA publishes the maps, route information is scant. If you run a search on recent forum messages, you'll see references to Bil Paul's out-of-print book on part of this route. A riding buddy of mine asked his local library to find a copy and they did. The book has detailed elevation data on what is likely to be a good portion of the route.

38

Gear Talk / Re: Baggy shorts

« on: February 07, 2010, 10:18:03 am »

Tony: I share your sartorial sensitivity. Take a look at http://www.ems.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3655580&cp=3677345.3737442.3696721 . Used these last year and found them very good. This is a two-parter, i.e., outer shell and removable liner. I've used two-somes for a number of years on tour. Makes for a slightly smaller pack and eases the sanitary demands besides providing a more "mature" appearance.

39

General Discussion / Re: Erie Canal with kayak in tow

« on: January 28, 2010, 09:17:44 pm »

My wife and I cycled the Erie Canal from Buffalo to Albany. It was an enjoyable tour. Many historical spots to visit on the canal and near. Services are abundant. Much of the path is stone dust. OK when dry; not so when wet. NY Bike Route 5 parallels most of the canal, so you can divert if necessary. The shoulders on 5 are very wide. If you haven't already looked at http://www.ptny.org/canaltour/ , you will find it worthwhile. The guide book is a good investment. Good luck.

40

General Discussion / Re: Biking San Diego to Pheniox Tire Question

« on: January 24, 2010, 10:44:11 am »

Another Schwable Marathon Plus vote. They are on the heavy side, but I TA'd with them and added another 1500 miles with no flat. They're still on my bike.

41

Routes / Re: Pros/cons of which direction to ride GDMBR

« on: January 22, 2010, 10:08:11 am »

Take a look at topofusion.com and the link to the Great Divide. Scott compiled a detailed S to N journal along with GPS data. Some wind rose data may be available for some meterlogical stations. Good luck.

42

General Discussion / Re: Great Divide South-North

« on: January 10, 2010, 11:46:19 am »

Adam:
Take a look at http://www.topofusion.com/divide/ . Scott and his wife did the GD south to north, mapping it for GPS and did a detailed journal. Nice job. Did you search crazyguyonabike.com for a S to N journal? Good luck with your planning.

43

Routes / Re: Sierra Cascade Route

« on: January 05, 2010, 10:47:37 am »

Hi all,

Just back from a few days off. The current target date for the Sierra Cascades Bicycle Route maps to be available for purchase is the first week of April. This project is our main priority right now. I am working on a webpage with more information about the route. I will post here to let you know when that is up.

Regarding Bil Paul's book, though the route is based on a lot of his routing, it is not always the same. As far as I know, Bil is not planning to update/reprint the book.

.Jennifer.

Thanks for the update, Jennifer. A web page for information sounds good. I'd just add, again, that the Bil Paul book is only a basis for the route and, given its publish date of 1990, dated. It does wet the appetite about the route, however.

44

General Discussion / Re: Australian Thinking Great Divide

« on: January 01, 2010, 10:52:28 am »

Hi, Adam:
Always great to hear from an Aussie. I rode the TransAm with a countryman from Sydney; it was a hoot. Anyhow, I don't have experience on the GD, but you may hear from other ACA'ers. Have you searched on www.crazyguyonabike.com ? There are a number of relevant journals. As to animal attacks, take a look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fatal_bear_attacks_in_North_America#2000s
It will give you some perspective.
Good luck and enjoy.

45

Routes / Re: Sierra Cascade Route

« on: December 31, 2009, 01:14:10 pm »

Given the elevations, mid-summer appears best. Wind rose data suggests north to south.