Topics

1

Routes / Sierra Cascades-Oregon section: Windigo Pass question

« on: August 18, 2013, 05:45:13 pm »

I'll be doing part of the Oregon section of the Sierra Cascades route next week.  The Adventure Cycling map shows Windigo Pass Alternate from Crescent Lake to Diamond Lake (instead of Hwy 97).  Can anyone comment on the condition of the forest roads on the Windigo Pass Alternate?  As I interpret the Windigo map section, 23 miles of the alternate are "gravel".  But is it hard pack? Loose? Sandy?  Mountain bike only?
Thanks for any help.
Joan

2

Routes / Planning bike tour in Montana - route questions

« on: December 14, 2009, 03:34:50 pm »

Friends and I are planning a bike trip (self-supported, motel/inn) starting and ending in Whitefish - preliminary plan:
Whitefish to Eureka - 63 miles
Eureka to Fernie, BC - 55 or so
Fernie to Blairmore, Alberta - 45
Blairmore to Pincher Creek - 30
Pincher Creek to Waterton Village - 34
Layover day in Waterton - hiking, kayaking
Waterton to St Mary - 74 (with side trip on Many Glacier Rd)
St Mary to Apgar - Going to the Sun Rd - 50
Apgar to Whitefish - 30
We're all very experienced bike tourists, and like early starts and can comfortably bike 50 -70 miles a day.  The preliminary itinerary was set up to have enough time to do sightseeing/take pictures - maybe an hour or so per day added to actual biking time.  The objective is to see beautiful scenery, and to include the Going to the Sun Road as a must do.  Questions: could we combine Blairmore to Waterton Village and thus shorten the trip by a day without compromising too much time for looking at stuff along the way (a day less would make it easier for a couple of people to get time off for the trip)?  For those who know the area, is there anything about the route as laid out that looks questionable?  Are there alternative routes that would be better?
Thanks for any help, Joan

3

General Discussion / Motel bike touring

« on: June 21, 2006, 10:21:59 am »

I'm planning a bike tour on a road bike (not touring bike) and staying only at motels.  I'm an experienced biker and backpacker so know how to pack light.  I'm looking for advice on how to pack the panniers (carry weight high, low, evenly distributed?).  I've got small panniers - about 1700 cu in for both and a rear trunk bag.  (I've just put a rear rack on the bike.)

Any advice would be appreciated - about packing, how a road bike handles with a light load (15 lbs? or so), etc.  

Thanks,
Joan