Messages

211

General Discussion / Night Riding and Touring

« on: October 12, 2004, 09:06:26 pm »

The current issue of Adventure Cycling's magazine has an article on safety.  One of the major causes of bike accidents is riding at night, especially without lights.

212

General Discussion / Trans-Am trip costs

« on: February 15, 2005, 12:31:56 am »

Ramen is a dry block of noodles.  Not much nutrition, but cheap.

How do you wash when you stealth camp?  You don't

Bears?  Usually not a problem.  Bears are creatures of habit.  They look for food at established campsites.  

213

General Discussion / Trans-Am trip costs

« on: September 27, 2004, 09:22:43 pm »

I'm sure that the cost of a trip varies with duration, and your life style.  Motels are going to be more expensive than tent sites.  Prepared meals are going to be more expensive than grocery store shopping.

For what it's worth, I figure that I spend about $2700 while doing the Northern Tier with my daugher.  It was 4500 miles, and 56 days ($50/day).

42 nights in a tent (80%), $12.50/night
11 nights in a motel (20%), $62/night

Dinners and lunches on 20 days ($21/day for 2)
Grocery store shopping almost every day ($18/day for 2)

214

General Discussion / Mid Life & Over weight Crossing USA HELP

« on: September 18, 2004, 08:50:40 pm »

Well, I'll jump in here with a reply.

First, what type of bike?  By far, the most popular seems to be the touring bike.  But, we used road bikes, and others used recumbants, others have used hybrids or mountain bikes with smooth tires.  The key is to find what is comfortable for you and within your budget.  

If you use a recumbant, then you will probably also use a trailer rather than paniers.  Nothing wrong with trailers.  We used them.  

Second, your trip is about 9 months away.  Use the time to loose some weight and get in shape for your trip.  You will appreciate it later.

215

General Discussion / camp grounds

« on: September 06, 2004, 09:41:33 pm »

Certainly one long time reference for campgrounds is Woodhall's.  Look for it in bookstores or your library.  Don't know if they have a website.  Kinda geared more for the RV'er than the tenter, but has quite an extensive listing, and rates sites like AAA.  

Also, I think that AAA publishes a campground travel guide.  

216

General Discussion / Adventure Cycling Excursion experiences?

« on: November 06, 2004, 08:11:37 pm »

On our Northern Tier trip this summer, we caught up with the AC tour.   It appeared to be a well run tour with a good leader, and a compatable group.  

Frankly, other than fellowship, I don't see the need to tour with a group.  The group appeared to be tied into a schedule and exclusively campgrounds.  We usually didn't decide on a nightly destination until after lunch.  And, depending on where we were and the weather, it was either a motel(20%)or a campground (80%). We liked our flexibility.  

Also, the AC costs more.  I figure we spend roughly $2700 for two of us  for 56 days.  The AC tour cost roughly $3300 for 90 days.  

Now, depending on your goals, a group tour might be nice.  I could enjoy a week or two of companionship and fellowship along with a more leasurly pace.  The New England excursion has peaked my interest, as has many of the cross state tours offered by in many states.

217

General Discussion / Bicycle Security

« on: August 18, 2004, 08:43:59 pm »

We just finished the Northern Tier.  We used cable bike locks perhaps 8 to 10 times.  Common sense told us when to lock up.  Most of the time, we just put our bikes in a promnate spot, such as by the entrance to a supermarkt, and never had any problems.  Also, never locked up bikes in small towns, and never had problems.  

218

General Discussion / HELP! Being Harrased by Police!

« on: November 21, 2004, 09:11:40 pm »

Harrased?  Not on our cross country trip.  

But, unless you are camping in an established site, always ask permission first.  If a site is unstaffed, you usually check in with the local police.  

In New Town Montana, the local police came out in the middle of the night to tell us that there was a line of severe storms coming through, and advised us to pick up and seek shelter inside.  I'm glad they did.

219

General Discussion / rain gear...for your bike

« on: January 01, 2005, 08:44:57 pm »

Well, we started with a tarp, but didn't use it, so we shipped it home.

At night, we tied a plastic shopping bag over the seat, and another one over the handlebar bag.  

When it rained, then the frame and everything else got wet.  And, everything got wet when we rode on rainy days.

220

General Discussion / Biking in the Northeast vs VA Trips

« on: March 28, 2004, 06:54:06 pm »

Northeast Bike trails:

If I understand your question right, it sounds kinda loaded.  

If you are asking about established off highway long distance bike trails, well there aren't too many.  One that comes to mind is the Cape Cod Rail Trail.  

But, certainly there is great on road cycling here in the northeast.  Several states have established routes.  Just check some of the bike touring companies, or by a bike book or two.  Vermont, New Hampshire, and upstate New York are all good possiblities.  Have you considered the Erie Canal ride?  

221

General Discussion / Detailed supply list

« on: November 02, 2003, 09:03:46 pm »

I gotta believe that long distance biking is a lot like long distance hiking.  In that regard, weight is frequently the driving issue for equipment selection.

If your cooking is just boiling 2 cups of water for one, then I suggest that you make a Pepsi-can alcohol stove.  If you are doing more than that, then look at the MSR Whisperlite white gas stove.

Sleeping bags:  Mummy shape are the lightest.  Synthetic will work just fine, and the extra weight over down is not significant, unless you buy a cold weather bag.  Many good brands of bags out there.

Tents:  I'd look for a one person backpacking tent, or maybe a two person backpacking tent.  Look at the MSR Zoid tents, and the Sierra Design Clip Flashlight tents.