Messages

31

Routes / Another southern tier rider

« on: January 05, 2007, 07:36:58 am »

Since you are starting in the San Diego area have you previously seen the terrian in and around San Diego?
You will be in a constant climbing mode for the whole ride until you reach the outskirts of the town of Jacumba.
If you run into trouble you can call my number. Please contact me if you want that phone number. I have a truck with a bicyle rack that can carry 3 bicycles.
There isn't any bicycle services available after you leave El Cajon heading east until El Central.

Jean Andre Vallery
Jacumba, California

This message was edited by bicyclerider on 1-5-07 @ 3:37 AM

32

Routes / Another southern tier rider

« on: January 04, 2007, 07:41:09 am »

from what direction are you starting? San Diego using highway 80? Pedaling through Jacumba

Jean Andre Vallery
Jacumba, California

33

Routes / So Tier San Diego to Phoenix

« on: December 03, 2006, 03:32:51 pm »

I now live in Jacumba which is about a good days ride from San Diego. If your on old highway 80 its a two lane road pass's by the town of Jacumba.  It has a place called Jacumba Hot Springs Motel. The people are good people and you have a chance to swim in a natural warm swimming pool that is outside not covered. They also have a indoor Jacuzzi using the same water from the warm mineral spring.
At least it has a restraunt that is open tuesday through sunday. The little town has a post office and a coin operated laundry. A small store that makes sandwiches and has most anything you need.

There isn't any bicycle services that I have found after you leave El Cajon.

I'm in the process of stock piling tires for 26" and 700 size tires and I have a spare bob tire and tube.
If anyone has tires that they can spare that are new and could be used for a traveling rider's please send them my way. Stick with what long distant rider would use.
I will post at my website www.2453.net a list of items donated in the next few months.
Also anyone wanting to donate a little small cash donation to help me save for a bike stand and tools that donation form will be available in the next few months also. The location is also listed on the warm showers list.




Jean Andre Vallery
Jacumba, California

34

Routes / camping on the pacific coast

« on: August 09, 2006, 05:01:45 pm »

would you mind keeping me posted about your trip. I was planning the same trip but in 2008

Jean Andre Vallery
jeanvallery@bicyclejournals.com
www.bicyclejournals.net
Sarasota Florida

This message was edited by bicyclerider on 8-9-06 @ 1:03 PM

35

Routes / Southern Tier W to E in mid-January?

« on: June 28, 2006, 08:17:27 pm »

come on.... you know you can do it!! May through August Southern Tier. Follow the route that best provides drinking water from "know sources"
January through March would be fun, as well. Keep in touch with your ride when you decide to leave.
There is nothing like reading a journal of a rider's life pedaling across the USA. Or anywhere!!

Jean Andre Vallery
www.bicyclejournals.net
Sarasota Florida

36

Routes / Southern Tier W to E in mid-January?

« on: June 28, 2006, 07:00:10 pm »

I pedaled solo across west to east in june 6 - july 27 1999 southern tier.
I left san diego downtown on Market through to Spring Valley Out Highway 94 to Jacumba .
Then Interstate 8 to Ocotillo. Took S80 which is alongside of I-8 to 111 north around El Centro.
Took 111 north to 78 east. Pedaled through Glamis on 78 northeast to Blythe Took I-10 to outside Phoenix and took Beltline Rd through the reservation south to I -10 Advoiding Tempe.
I-10 down to Tucson. Pedeled through Tucson in town past the university util I got to the south edge of town and picked up I -10 again.
I -10 to to Las Cruces
State road 185 south to El Paso I -10 to outside of Junction to state road 290 through to Austin
Highway 71 east to I-10 Rode I-10 to Houston.
From downtown Houston on I-10 to Orange, Texas.
After crossing the state line on I-10 into louisiana I got on State road 90 to Lafayette. I-10 to Baton Rouge. State road 90 to Pascagoula mississippi I-10 to Mobile I-10 to State road 90 in florida 90 in florida to Pensacola. Southeast on state road 98 until Highway 19 south to Sarasota Florida I got a couple of rides. One through the tunnel in Mobile and one over the skyway bridge.
Time was 57 days I think?? (Sun was baking the back of my head and neck)I kept a white hand towel I stole from a hotel wet with water to keep my core temperature of my head down.
average amount of water carried in a bob trailer and extra water bottles was 3 gallons 3 x 8 lbs equals=24 lbs of water. About 15 lbs of clothing shoes and tubes tires and pump. another 3lbs for a laptop
Probally about 4 cans of peaches to keep up the blood sugar per two day period.
I'll do it again but will travel across the yuma desert this time. Planing around 2008.
Anyone interested??


Jean Andre Vallery
www.bicyclejournals.net
Sarasota Florida

This message was edited by bicyclerider on 6-28-06 @ 3:02 PM

37

Routes / Southern Tier Sept or October

« on: June 28, 2006, 02:21:48 pm »

Good luck on your trip please post a lot of pictures for others who will want to take that route after you.

Jean Andre Vallery
www.bicyclejournals.net
Sarasota Florida

38

Routes / Southern Tier Sept or October

« on: June 23, 2006, 03:29:33 pm »

Since your going on a solo keep me posted on the ride. You know the routes (enclude the AC maps routes )alway change regarding services like food, WATER, shade and rest area improvements.
I went solo southern tier west to east but picked my own route back in 1999.
I would love to corrospond with as many people doing this ride. I have made a free bloging or journal website just for these types of rides. It will provide you your own space. You can also get a free email account www.bicyclejournals.net
It would be great to start a list of all resources for me to post on the website concerning the southern tier route.
I believe it was the best method to prove I could still ride and stay sane with all the time being alone.

Jean Andre Vallery
Sarasota Florida
941-232-2183

39

Routes / Route from FL to NY Coastal

« on: August 01, 2006, 05:39:52 pm »

I say take the wtc train with your bicycle from Jersey City. You can pedal all the way to the entrance of the train. You don't have to take the bicycle apart. On the Jersey City side they have the hours posted that allow your bicycle.( there is a new deli that has all types of coffee's and breakfast itemsas well as sandwiches before the train about 5 buildings away ) You can ride all over the island from there. To cross over into Queens I pedaled from 61st onto the queensboro bridge which has a path shared with walkers on the north side of the bridge
or in chinatown take the bicycle path on the Williamsburg Bridge


Jean Andre Vallery
www.bicyclejournals.net
Sarasota Florida

This message was edited by bicyclerider on 8-1-06 @ 1:54 PM

40

General Discussion / Souther Tier and Jacumba

« on: February 28, 2007, 01:49:04 pm »

Chris
The reason I would do it again isn't because of a low risk. Its because of the tremendous challenge to overcome the severe mental stress and physical to improve my mind.
My history is obedience through suffering.
The ability for me to train my mind to accept the hardship and survive. Improvise, adapt, overcome.
Days usually started around 530 am out on the road which is just before daybreak. I would pedal 10 mile streches and stop for fruit and water. After 40 miles to stop and rest for about 30 to 40 minutes around noon. Then do it for the next 30 or so miles until I came upon shelter. (motels, food, water.) There wasn't any shade to enjoy except what was provided by the bill of the ballcap on my head.
I refused to wear a "brainbucket" because it prevented my head from cooling off from the inside out.
Temps usually started around 45 to 50 in the morning and rose to around 102 to 105 in the midday. after around two in the afternoon the temps hovered around 102 to 108.
My days usually ended around about one hour before dark. I didn't camp I used motels for comfort and security.


Jean Andre Vallery
Jacumba, California

41

General Discussion / Souther Tier and Jacumba

« on: February 21, 2007, 12:46:53 pm »

Yes I was on my own. I had to advoid the Southern Tier route because of a fire that was affecting some of the remote sections in the hills or arizona.I took the I-10 across to Las Cruzes New Mexico.
There wasn't any shade to be found for many a 20 mile stretch. I pulled a bob and carried 2 gallons of water besides having a 101 oz camelbak strapped to the front handlebars and three large water bottles in the bottle cages on the frame.
The intense heat from above wasn't the only heat source. The road reflected the heat back from the ground up and bakes your feet. The wind was a sort of blast of hot dry air, similar to when you open the oven door to check on a item cooking.
I would do it again by myself.

Jean Andre Vallery
Jacumba, California

42

General Discussion / Souther Tier and Jacumba

« on: February 21, 2007, 11:29:48 am »

You can do it. But you have to carry a lot of water and reduce your mileage. I pedaled June 6 thru July 27 and it was in the high 90's and low 100's.
You need to let your bodies core tempeture to remain low. a lot of sodium and potassium in you body.
I refused to wear a helmet and instead wore a hat from SolarVeil. I stuffed a bathroom hand towel under my hat and that draped down over the back of my neck. I constantly soaked that towel to keep my brain from over heating.

Jean Andre Vallery
Jacumba, California

This message was edited by bicyclerider on 2-21-07 @ 7:32 AM

43

General Discussion / Souther Tier and Jacumba

« on: December 24, 2006, 12:44:56 am »

The big casino is the acorn, correct? and Ocotillo from san diego is about 87 miles.
I just wanted the people at AC to know that there is a wonderful location that is available here in Jacumba if they were interested. Its a long climb out of San Diego to Jacumba but worth the stop. If AC contacted the Hot springs to inquire about stopping and using the services they might be able to find a new mid afternoon stop enjoyable.
I can't make any promises about what goes on at the hotsprings but there is a large amount of land surrounding the New Libiary for tents. Its the city and county facality so who knows? All I'm doing is making a suggestion.

Jean Andre Vallery
Jacumba, California

44

General Discussion / Souther Tier and Jacumba

« on: December 20, 2006, 11:58:47 pm »

Has anyone inquired about the available facalities in the town of Jacumba, Ca.? My reason for asking is I now live here and from what I have seen there isn't any bicycle repair facalities.
The southern tier route comes through here. Has anyone pre arranged a location for camping or the such for the group that comes through?
Just trying to help if at all possible

Jean Andre Vallery
Jacumba, California

45

General Discussion / long distance training

« on: September 24, 2006, 11:14:39 am »

we are all long distance riders some more miles than others. for those of us that haven't the experience already what is the advice regarding the following without over eating while training? Or while on a road tour of 65 days or more?

Replenishing fluids and replaceling ectrolytes
Replacing muscle glycogen
Rebuilding muscle protein

Relieve muscle soreness
Promote muscle repair and growth
Reduce inflammation
Improve circulation
Remove waste products




Jean Andre Vallery
www.bicyclejournals.net
Sarasota Florida