Messages

16

General Discussion / Carrying a spare tire on tour?

« on: January 14, 2019, 03:14:51 pm »

How many of you carry spare tires?  I've almost always carried one--actually two because I ride recumbents with different wheel sizes.  However, I have NEVER needed one, even after many thousands of miles of touring.  Has anyone actually needed a spare tire on the road? Do you carry a spare?  I'm leaving on a tour in about five days and debating on whether or not to carry the dang things.  I'll be riding on "experienced" Schwalbe Marathon Racers that still have some decent tread, enough for the 600 to 700 miles of the tour.

Thanks!

Scott

17

General Discussion / Re: Best camping @ Lake Havasu?

« on: January 10, 2019, 08:25:55 pm »

Looks good!  And they have showers.  That'll probably do the trick.  Any other suggestions welcome.

Thanks.

Scott

18

Routes / Re: Southern Tier: Camping between Hope and Congress, AZ?

« on: January 10, 2019, 02:40:49 pm »

Thanks!  I'll check that out.

Scott

19

General Discussion / Best camping @ Lake Havasu?

« on: January 10, 2019, 10:44:48 am »

Hey, Bikers:

I'm working on a winter desert tour soon, and I'll be passing through Lake Havasu, where I'll probably need/want a rest day.  Any suggestions on a good place for a cyclist to stay?  Showers would be really nice! 

Thanks.

20

Routes / Southern Tier: Camping between Hope and Congress, AZ?

« on: January 10, 2019, 10:16:48 am »

Hey, Riders:

I'm looking to start a desert tour pretty soon (Bishop, CA, to Prescott, AZ) and I'm wondering about camping along Rt. 71 between Hope and Congress.  I'll be riding via Lake Havasu to Bouse, but the run all the way to Congress from Bouse will be too much for me, especially on a short winter day.  Is there still an RV park in Aquila?  I rode this section years ago and saw that there was an RV park, but pushed on and camped beside the road--not too bad but might prefer something more established.  Other ideas? I would prefer to get farther than Salome. Thanks!

21

General Discussion / Slime tubes for off-road touring?

« on: July 25, 2018, 01:44:38 pm »

Hey, Riders:

Researching tech issues for my hoped-for Great Divide ride next year.  What are your thoughts on slime/sealant in tubes?  I bought a bunch of Slime tubes, but I'm second guessing myself--heavy, etc.  Your thoughts?

22

General Discussion / GDMBR vs. Tour Divide Routes?

« on: July 04, 2018, 04:30:01 pm »

Hey, Touring Junkies:

I saw that starting in 2016, I think, the Tour Divide Race totally by-passes Rawlins, WY, to avoid long, on-going construction.  The variation goes through Wamsutter, seemingly following Rd. #23. I'm hoping to do the GDMBR next year and wonder if anyone has info or experience with the variation.  One site said the variation was shorter but more difficult.  Anyone know what the deal is around Rawlins?  We had a good layover there during a paved edition of the GDMBR that we pieced together.

Thanks.

Scott

23

Routes / Re: Great Divide Section 1 - conditions from a 2017 forest fire-ravaged area

« on: June 09, 2018, 02:26:31 pm »

Thanks for the update.  We'll see how this summer's fire season goes, but I'm really hoping to do the GDMBR next year.  As it stands, can you guys give me any sense of how badly the route was affected overall by last year's disastrous fires?  A rough estimate of how many miles of devastation one must ride through?

On a related note: How was your winter?  Hopefully not too dry.  Ugh.

Cheers,

Scott

24

Routes / Re: Southern Tier 2017 Thread

« on: February 17, 2017, 01:49:57 pm »

Damn!  That sucks.  Hope he's okay.  Sounds like the tour is over.  Freakin' drivers.

25

Routes / Re: Southern Tier 2017 Thread

« on: January 23, 2017, 05:49:50 pm »

Fantastic, Ian and Jeanine!  Keep us posted.  Lots of great info and experience on this forum.

Best of luck.  Sounds like a perfect time to start the tour.

Scott

26

Routes / Re: Southern Tier 2017 Thread

« on: January 19, 2017, 11:49:33 pm »

I did a Google street view of some sections of this Hwy 60 workaround, and it looks pretty good, especially the Bee Line Highway--divided road and good looking shoulders.

27

Routes / Re: Southern Tier 2017 Thread

« on: January 17, 2017, 10:22:22 am »

Thanks, Jennifer.  Good news.

Scott

28

Routes / Re: Mojave Desert Touring Conditions

« on: January 17, 2017, 09:35:34 am »

Thanks, Jennifer.  It's nice to see some rational decisions for cyclists!

Scott

29

Routes / Re: Tour de SRAM USA 2017- unique cross-country route

« on: January 16, 2017, 01:45:52 pm »

Oh, another thing to consider:  See if you can follow some dirt road alternatives in Colorado.  There are A LOT of ways to go, and you'll have a much more scenic, enjoyable time.  The route from Pagosa Springs to Del Norte, for example, is beautiful, but twisty and often without shoulders.  We pedaled it in mid-Oct. and it was pretty good but mid-summer might be hairy with lots of RV's.  I wish we'd searched out more dirt options.

Oh, looks like you'll be able to pick up the Katy Trail in MO from Clinton to Sedalia--don't miss it!  Great car-free riding on a crushed limestone trail. 

30

Routes / Re: Tour de SRAM USA 2017- unique cross-country route

« on: January 16, 2017, 01:42:35 pm »

Looking better.  Just east of Barstow at Newberry Springs (Baghdad Cafe) swing onto I 40 until Ludlow.  It's legal there.  Route 66 degenerates into the world's worst pavement.  Get back onto 66 until Fenner--water, snacks--then I 40 again until Needles.  Swinging up to Goffs is okay but you'll have to run the gauntlet to get back to I 40 on Rt. 95--not nice.  It's better to just deal with I 40, which isn't bad as far as freeways go--huge shoulder, moderate traffic--smooth, too.  You'll love the ride through Oatman to Kingman--great stuff!  Do what you can to go during the cool part of the year.  Needles area is usually about as hot as Death Valley in the summer.  I've only pedaled through in late fall and winter.  When I went through in early Nov., for example, it was 80 deg. F.

You'll have a blast.