Messages

16

GPS & Digital Data Discussion / Re: GPS Advice

« on: October 14, 2018, 02:14:00 pm »

I'd also throw in my recommendation for the etrex 30. We've used ours around the world without much difficulty. There are multiple online sources of maps you can download to the memory card and it takes normal AA batteries. I have no use for turn by turn directions so that's not an issue. We don't using it that often but, for us, it is just to make sure we're heading in the generally intended direction. It's really nice when you get off the pavement and away from people, especially since many times the 'help' you get from locals isn't really that helpful.

The only issue we've had was from our original 30, after a few years of backpacking and touring with it. We were caught out in the open by an incredible rain and windstorm shortly after entering Turkey from Bulgaria. There was no available cover and the microburst flooded the road with over 1.5in of rain in about 15 minutes. There was significant wind and water damage to the next town we came to. I didn't even think about the GPS at the time and the seals must have failed. It powered up fine but the display was ruined and no amount of drying helped. We had a replacement shipped to Istanbul and have been using it since.

Enjoy the ride,
Jay

17

General Discussion / Re: Cheap tires cost more than expensive tires.

« on: September 18, 2018, 10:38:48 pm »

I've been touring and commuting on Schalble Marathons for years.  I can honestly say that I've never had a flat. I do replace them after the tread is getting thin but that's after 4-5 thousand miles.

Definitely a good investment.

Yep, we have 10,000+ miles of fully loaded touring on 2 pair of Marathon Mondials, no flats, no problems, rear tires only show moderate wear, front tires much less wear. For mixed conditions or unknown conditions, I can't imagine a better tire.

Jay

18

Pacific Northwest / Re: Pacific Coast Section 2, Netarts, Three Capes Scenic Route, Cape Meares

« on: August 24, 2018, 07:14:47 pm »

My wife and I have ridden the closed route fairly regularly since the closure. While Adventure Cycling can't officially recommend it, we certainly can!

19

General Discussion / Re: Warm Showers Reliability

« on: July 06, 2018, 12:28:15 am »

We've used WS all over the world and have hosted many. Every experience has been positive. As John said, you can't always find someone available where you'd like to be so don't count on WS your primary option. Besides, WS wasn't set up as a point-to-point chain of free places to stay every night. Lately, lots of new folks feeling entitled to a 4 star experience from someone offering their personal hospitality and home for free. It's probably just a sign of current attitudes for many.

Enjoy the ride,
Jay

20

Connecting ACA Routes / Re: Netarts Hiway Detour

« on: March 19, 2018, 10:06:45 am »

While we haven't ridden this alternative route, my wife and I have ridden the Cape Meares Loop a number of times recently.

Yes, it is posted as a closed road. There are a couple of places where the pavement has slid making passage by car impossible. This has not, however, affected bicycle passage in the least. It does make for a very quiet and peaceful climb up from Bayocean Rd. By not having another way out, there is only local traffic on Bayocean while all the cars heading to the coast continue on Netarts Hwy.

If you want to visit Cape Meares or ride the loop, don't let the signs put you off. A support vehicle can take the available route to the coast and meet you anywhere beyond the lighthouse at Cape Meares.

Jay

21

General Discussion / Re: What is proper etiquette?

« on: September 01, 2017, 10:06:38 am »

I don't mean to be unpleasant as this is such a polite forum and I like it that way but....

I think proper etiquette here is to mind your own business.

Pete

I must agree with Pete.

As difficult as this is to believe, in the US, we still have the right to do things that others don't necessarily agree with. No matter how ignorant and irresponsible an act may seem to you and I, there isn't anything to be gained by confronting someone that has made a decision like this. They've already shown they lack common sense, they aren't interested in teaching their children by setting a positive example and that they aren't concerned about the consequences of even minor head trauma.

Every day at work, I must work with people that make decisions about their own health care that I don't always agree with. But, it is their life and their choice. I would rather live in a place where my choices about my life are respected by others, so that they may enjoy that same right.

Enjoy the ride,
Jay

22

General Discussion / Re: 2017 General weather forecast: North America?

« on: June 29, 2017, 09:23:06 am »

Hi,

In 3 weeks I plan on biking across Canada (East to West) and then down towards Mexico following the Sierra Cascades route. I was wondering if there are some general weather forecasts for the summer of 2017. Extreme heat, El nino, etc etc. Anyone with info?

Lucas

Yes...you'll see it all on a trip that long.

Enjoy the ride,
Jay

23

General Discussion / Re: Anyone using the Schwalbe marathon Mondial DD Tires for Bike Touring???

« on: June 25, 2017, 12:53:37 pm »

My wife and I have toured on this tire on single bikes for over 10,000 miles with no flats or problems. They're a bit heavy but give lots of confidence when the pavement disappears. If you are staying exclusively on the road, I'd recommend the Supreme or a similar tire.

Jay
Enjoy the ride

24

Gear Talk / Re: Surly, Trek, Soma....???? I'm overwhelmed; please help!

« on: May 01, 2017, 09:29:26 am »

Keep in mind that all of the components are replaceable. If everything else on the Marrakesh works for you, just factor in the the cost of changing a few components to make the bike exactly how you like it. It'll be a small price for your own comfort and piece of mind.

Enjoy the ride,
Jay

25

Gear Talk / Re: Tubeless

« on: March 22, 2017, 12:14:08 am »

I have a few hundred miles on my marathon supremes and love them.  I mounted them in 30 minutes with a floor pump and stans sealant.  I plan on running them on Pacific coast tour in may.  You should alway use sealant with tubeless tires, it almost eliminates flats.  I carry a couple tubes for the unlikely event you puncture tire in a way sealant will not seal.  I will also cary folded used tire in case tire is damaged to the point it is unridable, both of which I would do even if I was riding on clinchers with tubes.  IMO tubeless is the way to go.

I guess I don't understand the allure of touring with a tire that requires a floor pump and 30 minutes to mount...especially when you'll be carrying spare tubes and a tire anyway. How many flats are you getting? Excluding the first solo tour I did back in the late 70's (a flat tire disaster), I can recall only a small number of flats (less than 5) between my wife and I. This includes on and off road, fully loaded tours around the globe.

Jay

26

Gear Talk / Re: Recommendations for thermometers?

« on: March 22, 2017, 12:06:40 am »

If you are riding a bike like this...



then I suggest a weather rock...



Either way, enjoy the ride.
Jay

27

Classifieds / Re: WTB: 1983 Trek 520 Fork in Pewter Grey

« on: February 11, 2017, 10:29:16 pm »

That frame looks great!  I sold my 1985 520 not that long ago. If you have any local framebuilders, I'd recommend having a custom fork built. They aren't much more expensive than anything off the shelf and you can have any geometry you'd like.

Enjoy the ride,
Jay

28

Routes / Re: Looking for a multi-day wine/beer/bike trip in Pacific NW

« on: February 10, 2017, 02:06:23 pm »

We live in the Dundee Hills, only a few miles from the start of the Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway and home to many, many vineyards and wineries.

Email or contact us via WarmShowers as jjpeterberger if you have any questions.

Enjoy the ride,
Jay

29

General Discussion / Re: What to do with a bike box?

« on: August 06, 2016, 11:08:29 pm »

Using bike boxes from bike shops that were disposing them (always free except in Bankok  )...

In Hobart, the airport security guard offered to dispose of them for us!!!

In Portsmouth, our BnB host wasn't too bike friendly. So after building the bikes, we cut the cardboard into smaller pieces, strapped them on the back and randomly deposited them into dumpsters and trash cans over the next hour.

In Oslo, we left them with our friends hosting us...I'm sure their kids loved to play with them.

In Denver, I left it in the luggage security area (@ $10/day) because It was only a few days and DIA is way out there. Storing the box was cheaper than a taxi back out to the airport.

That's all I can recall,

Enjoy the trip,
Jay

30

General Discussion / Ignore user?

« on: August 03, 2016, 01:04:23 am »

Is there a setting anywhere that would allow me to not see posts by certain users?

Thanks,
Jay