46
General Discussion / Re: Why the low thread numbers?
« on: December 31, 2010, 11:26:37 am »
Why strange? They are out riding their bikes!
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47
General Discussion / Re: Why the low thread numbers?
« on: December 30, 2010, 08:13:51 am »To get most of my sailing fixes, I go to Sailing Anarchy - a website for sailing and stuff. What I noticed is that that website has over a million responses and new threads every day.
Sorry but...yes you did. PDLamb is correct. If you did not intend to indicate they received 1,000,000 per day then maybe a quick lesson in sentence structure would be timely. (I think there's a forum for that but it's not very busy.)
When did the forums themselves become a competitive event? "Gee....you guys must not really love your hobby because some completely unrelated site gets more hits than ACA." What is that all about??
I have received more valuable information here than at my LBS...and quicker too. THAT'S what a forum is about...not just clicks.
48
General Discussion / MERRY CHRISTMAS!
« on: December 25, 2010, 08:55:56 am »
Not trying to ignore the other holidays in this season but today is Christmas Day. May all of you, regardless of belief, have a very happy and blessed day with loved ones.
...and if you happen to be on the road today? Smooth riding my friends!
...and if you happen to be on the road today? Smooth riding my friends!
49
Gear Talk / Re: Fenders for touring
« on: December 25, 2010, 08:42:08 am »
My apologies for doubting the validity of this problem. I have never experienced it personally but apparently it is far more common than I thought.
After looking at my SKS fenders with this in mind I can attest that they do in fact have a break-away system in place already. And here I had always thought that the push in - pull out mount was just for ease of installation...lol
After looking at my SKS fenders with this in mind I can attest that they do in fact have a break-away system in place already. And here I had always thought that the push in - pull out mount was just for ease of installation...lol
50
Gear Talk / Re: Fenders for touring
« on: December 24, 2010, 09:24:37 am »
Just a few thoughts after reading DaveB's post.
I understand your concern and would never try to dissuade you from doing anything you want to your bike in the name of safety.
That said, there is just over 1/2 inch of clearance between the tire and the inside of the fender,(and I have the exact same setup the OP is referring to). That would have to be one tricky rock to make it all the way UP the tire rotation and be big enough to jam the wheel. A twig stuck in the tread seems slightly more possible but with the force of rotation I would think that anything small enough to be caught in the treads would snap instead of jam. If you're riding off-road, of course, all bets are off.
As for the solution to the "problem" let's say the nylon bolts work as planned and a rock does happen to be in a spot to cause them to break away. Where does the fender move to? I would be more concerned about a floating fender getting jammed between the fork and wheel and causing untold spoke damage or worse.
Just my two cents here and if I am missing something please feel free to let me know as I would not want to take off on a long trip with an unsafe set-up either.
I understand your concern and would never try to dissuade you from doing anything you want to your bike in the name of safety.
That said, there is just over 1/2 inch of clearance between the tire and the inside of the fender,(and I have the exact same setup the OP is referring to). That would have to be one tricky rock to make it all the way UP the tire rotation and be big enough to jam the wheel. A twig stuck in the tread seems slightly more possible but with the force of rotation I would think that anything small enough to be caught in the treads would snap instead of jam. If you're riding off-road, of course, all bets are off.
As for the solution to the "problem" let's say the nylon bolts work as planned and a rock does happen to be in a spot to cause them to break away. Where does the fender move to? I would be more concerned about a floating fender getting jammed between the fork and wheel and causing untold spoke damage or worse.
Just my two cents here and if I am missing something please feel free to let me know as I would not want to take off on a long trip with an unsafe set-up either.
51
Gear Talk / Re: How accessible is propane on the TA Trail/good stove?
« on: December 23, 2010, 10:36:16 pm »
After reading this post I did a little searching and found a ton of sites with instructions for a "penny stove"
looked around the house...gathered the stuff and built one in less than an hour. It cost me $0. All of the items were in my recycling bin.
grab some rubbing alcohol from the bathroom cabinet.
Cooked the rice I had with dinner on it.
I am taking this with on my trip. It weighs about 4 ounces.
looked around the house...gathered the stuff and built one in less than an hour. It cost me $0. All of the items were in my recycling bin.
grab some rubbing alcohol from the bathroom cabinet.
Cooked the rice I had with dinner on it.
I am taking this with on my trip. It weighs about 4 ounces.
52
Gear Talk / Re: Fenders for touring
« on: December 23, 2010, 11:53:45 am »
I just went through the same process you are right now.
I have a brand new Surly LHT that I am planning to tour with and am currently equipping. After a lot of reading and talking to my LBS guys I decided to spend a little extra and get the SKS fenders. A couple of reasons were ease of installation and the fact that they are german built, (a layer of metal coated with plastic, very sturdy support rods and classic styling). I have a heavy duty (80 lbs) rear rack that they fit well under.
Not sure about the mudflap issue but if it turns out I need them it sounds like a very simple fix while on tour.
If you want to see what the SKS fenders look like on a Surly just take a quick look at my blog. The link is in the sig below.
Hope this helps.
I have a brand new Surly LHT that I am planning to tour with and am currently equipping. After a lot of reading and talking to my LBS guys I decided to spend a little extra and get the SKS fenders. A couple of reasons were ease of installation and the fact that they are german built, (a layer of metal coated with plastic, very sturdy support rods and classic styling). I have a heavy duty (80 lbs) rear rack that they fit well under.
Not sure about the mudflap issue but if it turns out I need them it sounds like a very simple fix while on tour.
If you want to see what the SKS fenders look like on a Surly just take a quick look at my blog. The link is in the sig below.
Hope this helps.
53
Gear Talk / Re: Biking Shorts/Pants
« on: December 23, 2010, 11:33:07 am »
All good points.
Let me put it this way. I am uncomfortable wearing tight fitting lycra pants in public. It is my problem and my decision and I do not wish to do it. My only goal in posting this thread was to find alternatives to exposed lycra shorts.
My apologies to anyone I snapped at but I was truly surprised at the efforts to re-educate me instead of addressing the original question. I appreciate the good intentions.
My outlook is the same as others who have posted along the lines of " cycling gear is athletic gear, you would not go into a restaurant wearing just speedos because you happened to have just left the pool".
Again, this is what's right for me and my decision. Not trying to convince anyone else.
I did get a lot of great suggestions and, as mentioned before, have ordered one pair each of the Rivendell and Endura knickers as well as a loose fitting pair of lined cycling shorts. This will give me appropriate gear for cool and warm weather and three sets of liners to rotate through. (Maybe 1 pair too many but I can always mail them home as I trim down gear.)
Let me put it this way. I am uncomfortable wearing tight fitting lycra pants in public. It is my problem and my decision and I do not wish to do it. My only goal in posting this thread was to find alternatives to exposed lycra shorts.
My apologies to anyone I snapped at but I was truly surprised at the efforts to re-educate me instead of addressing the original question. I appreciate the good intentions.
My outlook is the same as others who have posted along the lines of " cycling gear is athletic gear, you would not go into a restaurant wearing just speedos because you happened to have just left the pool".
Again, this is what's right for me and my decision. Not trying to convince anyone else.
I did get a lot of great suggestions and, as mentioned before, have ordered one pair each of the Rivendell and Endura knickers as well as a loose fitting pair of lined cycling shorts. This will give me appropriate gear for cool and warm weather and three sets of liners to rotate through. (Maybe 1 pair too many but I can always mail them home as I trim down gear.)
54
Routes / Re: A Monkey Wrench...
« on: December 23, 2010, 10:25:25 am »
Not sure I understand the relationship between temperature and stealth camping as opposed to camping in established camprgounds and camping areas (e.g., city parks).
No difference at all. Why would there be? It's just that I will be stealth camping so that is the way I refer to it.
55
Routes / Re: A Monkey Wrench...
« on: December 23, 2010, 10:22:30 am »
After much further research and many good notes from all of you I have completely scrapped my route planning and am going to go counter-clockwise. The biggest swaying factor? EVERYONE seems to think that going north on the PCH is just asking for a horrible trip. I can't find a single blog from someone who has done it S-N that wasn't filled with horror stories about traffic and wind.
The average temps across the Northern Tier seem to indicate I should probably put off the start from Boston until at least mid-May.
Now I have one final question. I MUST hit Seattle, Las Vegas and Phoenix. Seattle obviously isn't a routing concern. But what is the best way to head down the PCH and cut over to Las Vegas and Phoenix?
The average temps across the Northern Tier seem to indicate I should probably put off the start from Boston until at least mid-May.
Now I have one final question. I MUST hit Seattle, Las Vegas and Phoenix. Seattle obviously isn't a routing concern. But what is the best way to head down the PCH and cut over to Las Vegas and Phoenix?
56
Classifieds / SOLD: ACA Atlantic Coastal Route Maps
« on: December 21, 2010, 11:15:58 am »
I have sections 2,3,4 and 5 available for sale. All maps are unused and only section 2 was ever even unfolded.
BRAND NEW!!!! with Addendums.
BRAND NEW!!!! with Addendums.
57
GPS & Digital Data Discussion / Re: Why Every Cyclist Should Ride with GPS
« on: December 20, 2010, 05:45:49 pm »
Going through the decision on whether to use maps or a GPS for my upcoming tour I found your post to be very interesting. Maps can't do that!
Three quick comments:
The Denver police officers who showed up at your accident don't seem to take the "public servant" part of their job very seriously.
The woman who hit you should rot in hell. Not for the accident itself...that happens...but for all of the trouble she INTENTIONALLY tried to cause for you after the fact. She should be very ashamed. (But in reality probably is PO'd at you..lol)
It's great to hear a story that involves the insurance company doing the right thing.
Three quick comments:
The Denver police officers who showed up at your accident don't seem to take the "public servant" part of their job very seriously.
The woman who hit you should rot in hell. Not for the accident itself...that happens...but for all of the trouble she INTENTIONALLY tried to cause for you after the fact. She should be very ashamed. (But in reality probably is PO'd at you..lol)
It's great to hear a story that involves the insurance company doing the right thing.
58
Gear Talk / Re: Biking Shorts/Pants
« on: December 20, 2010, 03:51:15 pm »
Thanks for the good advice John... I really should relax more and just ignore the flies....
59
Gear Talk / Re: Biking Shorts/Pants
« on: December 20, 2010, 01:02:13 pm »
... it appears that there are some very workable alternatives that involve shorts/knickers that come with a padded liner. I have ordered a pair each of Rivendells and Enduras to test them out. Most seem to be designed with the courier/mountain biker in mind.
I would also like to point out that if it is profitable for a good number of companies to offer alternatives to riding in just lycra shorts than there must a decent size part of the cycling community who DO NOT think like you do. Who DO NOT let the general public experience more of you than a TSA agent.
To Staehpj1.....your point about being more recognizable as a touring cyclist is a good one. But I believe that riding a bike loaded with panniers would serve the same purpose.
I would also like to point out that if it is profitable for a good number of companies to offer alternatives to riding in just lycra shorts than there must a decent size part of the cycling community who DO NOT think like you do. Who DO NOT let the general public experience more of you than a TSA agent.
To Staehpj1.....your point about being more recognizable as a touring cyclist is a good one. But I believe that riding a bike loaded with panniers would serve the same purpose.
60
General Discussion / Re: Fundraising bike ride
« on: December 16, 2010, 08:27:13 am »
I'm already well into the planning/buying/training stages of a 2011 extended tour. Has anyone ever used a tour to fund raise for a cause? Any experience with this out there?
A family friend has Downs Syndrome and I was just thinking........
A family friend has Downs Syndrome and I was just thinking........