Messages

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General Discussion / Re: Shipping my bicycle to a St Louis bike shop from San Francisco

« on: March 18, 2017, 08:19:43 pm »

Thank you everybody. I found out something I didn't know. If I drop my bike off at REI San Francisco. They will ship to St. Louis REI after I pay for postage estimate. St Louis REI --Thank you Paul, working in REI St. Louis for 9 years--will put it together without charge if  it comes from REI!If it comes via a shipper it would cost $70.

He also told me how to get out of St. Louis to the Katy Trail without car hassles.

Ten years ago I went4,000 miles  cross-country and joined adventure cyclying. Now I keep to 500-1000 per year. But Adventure Cycling is such a great resource. I met the folks last year in Missoula before I rode from there to Mt. Lassen in CA. It was like a pilgrimage. Thanks!

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General Discussion / Re: Shipping my bicycle to a St Louis bike shop from San Francisco

« on: March 15, 2017, 01:06:44 pm »

Thank you. I will consider using REI and also compare the shipping companies. I would prefer to use a bike shop so if anybody knows of one in the St Louis area I would appreciate it. I suppose I'm worried about contacting and coordinating with REI since it's so huge.

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General Discussion / Shipping my bicycle to a St Louis bike shop from San Francisco

« on: March 14, 2017, 05:25:09 pm »

I will be car driving for several weeks around St. Louis.  After we finish our car road trip, my wife will fly back to SF and I will commence to ride bike from Hartford IL to Pierre SD on the Lewis Clark route.
So, i need to ship my bike and some gear to St. Louis. I'd like to use bikeship.com

My question--Does anybody know best place to ship, given the logistics of the above. I thought maybe a bike shop in St. Louis. They might have have to hold the bike for some days since it would arrive on the early side. Then I thought, I'd have them put it together and do a tune up.

Any suggestions?

Also, any personal experience on the L&C let me know.

Thank you.

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General Discussion / Re: Cycling through Tucson

« on: January 27, 2011, 12:50:04 am »

I stayed at Cactus Country which is south of Tucson. they have a nice shaded  tent area, with pool, and game room to read and hang out. It was very hot when I camped in my tent, so I appreciated the shelter. They're very friendly there. don't got many tents.
they're just of hwy 10.

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General Discussion / Re: Do you carry one?

« on: January 13, 2011, 10:55:29 pm »

On my tours i bring "Platty," a small stuffed animal platypus. 2 years on an trans-am, he accompanied me. I was solo so I often took pictures of him -- at the CO passes, in the KS corn fields, eating a banana on Hwy 50 in NV. there was something comforting about bring a stuffed animal. Also, he rides on my rear rack and people like to see him in towns. a good conversation starter.
I plan on taking him from Austin to SD for my tour April 1.
hope the crazies in the SW don't shoot at him (me).
I also bring prayer beads, tibetan prayer flags, livestrong wristbands, and other stuff.
when I ride AIDS Lifecycle from SF to LA you wouldn't believe what the riders bring along. If you can see photos of that event you'll know what I mean!

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Routes / Re: Access to SFO Airport

« on: January 04, 2011, 10:52:58 pm »

I live in SF. Do not bike to the airport. take bart from downtown. it's easy.

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Routes / Re: Austin to San Diego in April

« on: January 04, 2011, 10:47:45 pm »

I've got the official maps. I am getting ready to go. bought a one-way plane ticket to Austin today.
thanks for the advice. I am looking fwd to seeing the desert bloom if I hit it right.

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Routes / Austin to San Diego in April

« on: January 03, 2011, 07:29:17 pm »

What sez anybody about riding from Austin to SD leaving April 1. I plan on taking 30 days and camping the whole way.
I am experienced have done trans-am route (more or less) twice. but that was in the summer.
is april a good month? any advice appreciated on route and camping info.

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Routes / Re: I would like some info on the souther tier

« on: December 14, 2009, 03:13:29 pm »

thanks again everybody. the trip is taking shape. I will go from Austin to SD and take one month. plan to leave end of March. I was worried about camping at first but no longer. Sounds just like the Midwest friendliness!

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Routes / Re: TransAm starting in mid Aug?

« on: December 14, 2009, 03:10:32 pm »

if you can start mid-aug and go 60 miles a day with one day of rest per week, which is what I did last year you can arrive in SF in mid-oct (or even later if careful of weather by taking the western express from Pueblo CO. it's a fantastic route and actually might be nice in the fall. If you could ride 70 miles a day, you'd be in even better shape.
You could also just do and if it gets too cold/wet, stop. There's no crime in that as long as you have a good time riding!!!

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General Discussion / Re: Advice for a cross-country trip

« on: December 09, 2009, 10:47:55 pm »

My advice is do western express and trans am. I did 2 summers ago and had a great time. but layover each 7-10 days  one day! It's more fun to visit places and meet people than just ride. I really enjoyed all my layovers. I averaged 70 miles a day, which can be a 8-10 hr day total.

also -- my rule -- Don't bring it!!! Travel light. don't bring too much technology or  extra clothes or just plain shit you'll never use. You can wear the same shorts every day and still wash them almost every day and dry them in minutes (since it's so hot).
I've never met a cross-country cyclist yet who didn't rue how much crap he/she brought. they always end up shipping a lot back home.

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Routes / Re: Southern Tier Camping

« on: December 07, 2009, 05:48:20 pm »

Thanks so  much for these suggestions. I will duly note including the various call-aheads, etc. Looks like camping is great on southern route and within my budget.
I did the Trans-Am 2 summers ago and really enjoyed the camping on the route, much of it free in the midwest at the city parks which included the shower at the swimming pools.
thanks so much you guys!

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Routes / Re: Southern Tier Camping

« on: December 04, 2009, 09:26:43 pm »

this quite helpful. I sent for the AC maps and should have shortly. I will note these spots and see how it fits with my daily riding.
thanks! most helpful

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Routes / Southern Tier Camping

« on: December 02, 2009, 12:06:02 pm »

I am planning to ride from Austin to San Diego leaving at the end of March. I prefer to camp. How is the camping on the route?

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Routes / Re: I would like some info on the souther tier

« on: November 23, 2009, 11:58:39 am »

thank you for helpful advice. I am thinking of leaving April 1 and taking one month to ride to San Diego. I think i will either fly to San Antonio or Austin depending on cost since both look good for connecting to the souther tier. If it's the same cost, maybe San Antonio, since I've never been and would like to see the Alamo. I will take train from SD to SF.

I would like to camp (and shower), so I will just hope for the best. I don't have the money for hotels. I suppose with lots of open spaces so-called stealth camping is an option (again, I prefer an inexpensive campground or park with a shower)

thanks!