Messages

31

General Discussion / Re: Rain gear on self contained long distance touring?

« on: October 06, 2011, 07:45:36 am »

Here in the NW I have been poured on every month of the year, sometimes far from any acceptable shelter.  I bring light weight "waterproof" jersey and keep pedaling.  I rarely use rain pants in the summer, but just let the legs get wet.  If in the mountains, though, it can get too cold so I bring leg warmers and wear them if I'm getting too wet.  Hypothermia can be an issue in the mountains any time of the year.

Ditto on the hypothermia and it doesn't have to be in the mountains.  The coldest I have ever been on a bike was in Oklahoma in June.  Freak cold front and all day driving rain storm. (I was known as blue lips for the rest of the trip!)  I have not left the house without some sort of rain protection since, and the better quality stuff sure makes it more pleasant to manage heat.

32

Gear Talk / Re: Could a cyclo-cross bike do?

« on: September 28, 2011, 06:32:11 pm »

I don't know if this helps or not but here is my 2 cents.  I just completed a cross country with a girl who rode a Specialized Tricross.  She abused it badly with her packing style and it held up fine.  About a week into the ride, her low budget rear panniers failed and so she just overpacked her front ortliebs (brimming to the top) and put everything else into one big bag on top of her rear rack.  I would have bet the farm the bike (or at least the racks) would have broken but she had no issues at all.

33

General Discussion / Re: Getting a Bike to where you are going

« on: May 29, 2011, 08:18:40 am »

We are leaving this week driving from Oklahoma to Maine.  Our drivers situation was uncertain a while back so be looked at one way rentals.  Be aware that they sell out well in advance of holiday times.  We could not find anything even close to big enough to haul 3 of us with our bikes and gear for this week.  The companies seriously interested in one way rentals are few are far between.  Hertz and Avis were all we could locate.

34

Gear Talk / Re: Brooks Saddle - Some helpful tips before I purchase

« on: May 11, 2011, 07:54:00 pm »

Very pleased with my B17.  One thing you don't see mentioned much is that there is limited fore-aft adjustment, seemingly about half what my other saddles offer.

35

General Discussion / Re: How can I find....

« on: February 27, 2011, 07:51:13 pm »

I've been working on the same thing for a few years now.  Very slow and frustrating.  Lots of interest and talk.  Very few takers.  Current plan is to take them in one at time and slowly build their confidence and ability.  We are finally starting to develop a core group that others are watching and listening to. Bicyclists can be terribly intimidating to new riders.  One common problem i've noticed with unsuccessful new rider introductions.  I've seen well intended folks go out time and time again with new riders and then invariably pull away.  They then stop to let the newbie catch up.  Fail.  This only lets the faster rider rest just compounding the issue for the next part of the ride.  Make sure you stay with the new people.  If you get away from them, at least ride back  and then rest with them so you get the same break.  Good luck.   

36

General Discussion / Re: Motorbike riders out there?

« on: February 11, 2011, 06:17:32 pm »

This caught my attention as well.  My most traveled MC was a KLR 650.  One month ago, i sold my remaining motorized steed, a Suzuki wee strom.  I'm planning a coast to coast this summer so the motorcycle wasn't getting any love anyway with my training. !

This will be my first long tour and i'm very curious how i feel about motorcycles when i return.  Heck, i may go car free too, who knows!
keith

37

General Discussion / Re: Serious back/rump problems

« on: January 02, 2011, 05:38:01 pm »

I know three people that tour on Crank forward bikes and they seem to do fine.  SLOW but fine.  Good luck in your search.

38

General Discussion / Re: Advice about Unique Bicycle Touring Company

« on: January 02, 2011, 05:33:33 pm »

I like your idea.  Seems like it might morph into some sort of "home base" with some sleeping inside and some out.  Utilizing such a  service would be beyond my budget but i have lots of friends i would love to introduce to touring and this seems like a nice gateway to do that.  I would think hosting a small group in conjunction with an organized tour would give you lots of immediate exposure. A handful of happy customers can spread the word pretty quickly around a group of 800 or 900 riders!  I know several groups in our state ride (Oklahoma Freewheel) do something similar with there own RV's and i thought it looked like fun.   Good luck with it!

39

Classifieds / Re: cannondale t2

« on: December 24, 2010, 08:06:31 pm »

I would also like some pics.
keithreed60@yahoo.com

Thanks!

40

Classifieds / Re: FS: Jandd rear & front panniers

« on: December 07, 2010, 07:11:20 pm »

Intererested.  You have a PM.
thanks.
keith