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Messages - popeyespal

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31
General Discussion / Re: Surly LHT: Need help setting my bike up
« on: January 22, 2011, 08:03:12 am »
I think I have the trump card as far as lights go.

Attaches ANYWHERE on the bike.
100 Lumen CREE LED (3 intensity settings)
Is the perfect camp light.
Costs less than $35

http://joby.com/gorillatorch/flare/features





This is the Joby on my LHT.

32
Routes / Re: Getting Across The Desert
« on: January 18, 2011, 09:32:25 pm »
I've seen google maps route where there is really only a hiking trail or no way through.  I wouldn't trust it.

Do you have an example of what you're referring to? If I'm using a tool I shouldn't I would love to be educated.

Has anyone else experienced Google sending them where there are no roads or trails? This is important to me as I am primarily using Google maps as my routing tool.

33
Routes / Re: Getting Across The Desert
« on: January 18, 2011, 06:57:29 pm »
Oh no, please do not plan a route using google maps bike mode, it will lead you astray.

Please explain?

I have yet to have an issue with using google maps. In fact, it has worked out so well that I sold off the ACA maps I had bought. When I planned my first leg to Las Vegas from Massachusetts the route Google provided was exactly the route that forum members had suggested and automatically incorporated available trails and bike paths.

The only caution I would toss out concerning bike mode is to plan your route in small sections. If you just ask it to route you from VA to CA of course you're going to have issues. I asked it to map out a day or two of riding at a time and it worked just fine.

Another plus in Google's favor is that it is constantly updated. Static maps like the ACA ones can not possibly be as up to date as Google. Even considering the addendum and the forums here.


Google has partnered with several biking organizations to provide mapping info.

34
Routes / Re: Getting Across The Desert
« on: January 18, 2011, 03:21:36 pm »
www.mapmyride.com

www.googlemaps.com  

With google you want to make sure you are in BIKE mode.

35
General Discussion / Re: Must upgrades for LHT
« on: January 18, 2011, 10:32:10 am »
I have a 2011 LHT just purchased in November from Harris Cyclery,(nod to the Great Sheldon Brown).

Assuming you bought a brand new, stock, LHT here is what I did. I am also assuming here that you will be using the bike for touring.

Added peddles as the bike has none. Your choice on type. (This is a topic on it's own)
Added SKS fenders.
Added two bottle cages.
Added air pump.
Added front and rear racks. (This is optional as you may choose to haul a trailer, again....it's own topic.)
Added lighting and sound. (Bell or horn as long as you can be heard)

I also bought a Brooks Flyer saddle which I have yet to install because the stock seat turned out to be pretty comfortable for me.



36
General Discussion / Re: BEST ADVICE EVER
« on: January 17, 2011, 12:11:39 pm »
+100   
You can never be lost if it doesn't matter where you are.

37
To quote Nike, "Just Do It".

You refer to "my bike" so I assume you already have one of some sort. I am not a doctor so I won't speak definitively concerning your back but there are many different saddles available that could help if it becomes an issue.

Start with short rides and see what happens. Then make adjustments as needed.

Good Luck and Good Health

38
Routes / Re: Getting Across The Desert
« on: January 17, 2011, 11:14:52 am »
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nullarbor_Plain

Aborigine for no trees -

I think you're joking here? Right? Nullarbor is far from an Aboriginal term. It is a combination of two Latin words.

Null = zero    http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/null

Arbor = trees http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/arbor

You've got the definition correct it just wasn't the locals that named it.


My 2 cents towards the actual thread topic is that in the planning of my perimeter trip I gathered enough feedback to cause me to completely abandoned any idea of crossing the desert at the height of summer. Las Vegas is where my brother lives and has to be one of my stops. Just not at that time.

39
Gear Talk / Re: Panniers
« on: January 15, 2011, 07:36:30 am »
Topic of panniers (like panniers vs trailers) gets dragged out a couple times every year so try searching the forum or just hit google.


Very true. However, product line offerings change, features change and, unfortunately, sometimes the quality of a product changes over time and does not keep pace with a previously established reputation. Seeing as this particular thread asked a specific product question rather than a philosophical/logistical one I don't think it's unreasonable to trot the topic out once in awhile. Opinions from years past may be dated and not very useful.

I did search. Always do. Both here and @ Crazy Guy. But considering the cost of high quality panniers I really wanted to get fresh perspectives or reviews.

40
Routes / Re: Salzburg, Austria
« on: January 10, 2011, 01:06:54 pm »

41
General Discussion / Re: need tips for first tour
« on: January 10, 2011, 01:00:39 pm »
+100 to Staehpj1's post

Carrying all electronics and valuables in a handlebar/removable trunk bag sounds like the solution for me.

I am just preparing for my first long range tour and security of valuables is something I may be worrying about too much. Maybe not. I will not have any support network at home to handle major problems that might arise while on tour so I will have to minimize the chance of loss/theft.

If I can't solve it from the road........it won't get solved.

42
General Discussion / Re: Why the low thread numbers?
« on: January 10, 2011, 12:40:51 pm »
Captain Ron: We should be okay. 'Cause I know we're near land.
Martin Harvey: Great, Cap. Great. Ya hear that? We're almost there. Explain to the kids how you know that, Captain Ron. Someone translate for General Armando.
Captain Ron: Alright, now stay with me: When we left, we had just enough fuel to make it to San Juan. And we are out of fuel.

This one's in my top 10 list of "Accidental Adventures"

...and he rides!

43
General Discussion / Re: Do you carry one?
« on: January 10, 2011, 08:36:27 am »
I apologize for the confusion.

She gave me a gift AND asked me to take it on the trip. It is not an item she wants me to take for her own purposes per se.

It is a very small, 6 inches tall, teddy bear that she has named Henry. She wants me to take him on the trip as a sort of guardian/totem.


44
General Discussion / Do you carry one?
« on: January 08, 2011, 08:53:22 am »
A friend has asked me to take an item she gave me on the upcoming tour. I have my dog-tags from back in the day that I planned on wearing full time but that was as much thought as I had given the idea until she asked.

There is an inventory list over on the Bicycle101 guy's site that has a spot for "lucky charm/totem".

Have any of you carried good luck pieces or mementos? What's the most unusual thing you seen or heard of?


45
Well.....I am just now going through the same process for a trip starting April 2011.
I chose a Surly Long Haul trucker.

In a nutshell there seemed to be a fist full of bikes that have EVERYTHING a touring bike should and still be a reasonable value. Strictly considering a new bike I found that quality deteriorated quickly below $800 and that cost/benefit ratio dwindled rapidly around the $1500 dollar mark.

I am also tall and weigh more than I should. 6'2" @ 250lbs.

So far my LHT 60cm with 26" wheels feels like the perfect bike for me. But like I said..there were other choices.

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