Messages

1

Routes / Re: ACA Pacific Coast RT Camp Pendleton access changing 9/30/18

« on: July 15, 2018, 11:29:52 pm »

Um, sorry but most military bases won't let you on at all unless you have a valid military ID... feel lucky they let you onto a federal installation at all. Just my perspective as a retired military member who used to have access (and still has limited access in my current job) to the actual threats to federal installations.
Sam

2

Routes / Re: Safety of Rte 66 in California?

« on: April 01, 2018, 11:54:00 pm »

I've ridden from Cajon Pass to Needles, and Flagstaff to Kingman on separate trips. I didn't find traffic to be an issue on either trip, but as stated above, the distances between services (especially West of Needles) are the big deal. The route West of Flagstaff runs along the shoulder of I-40 which isn't pleasant but has a wide shoulder and some steep downgrades, just gotta watch for road debris and frost heaves. Part of the route between Seligman and Kingman (going through a canyon, sorry don't remember the name) has fast traffic and narrow shoulder but that only lasts for a few miles.

West of Needles you have a choice of riding along I-40 with very few places to take a break, or take National Trails Highway. NTH is technically closed due to some bridge washouts, but the locals and railroad crews all use it, and there are dirt "roads" around the closed sections. The good news is there are unlimited places to take a break, almost no traffic, and great views.

Between Ludlow and a few miles East of Barstow the actual Rt 66 (paralleling I-40) is pretty deteriorated and rough, but again, almost no traffic.  Traffic through Barstow isn't bad, typical medium-sized town stuff, then between Barstow and Cajon Pass is low-moderate.

Getting through Cajon Pass involves at least a short stretch on the shoulder of a VERY busy freeway. Once you get to the bottom of the pass it's pretty much urban/suburban sprawl all the way to the coast with all the good and bad you'd expect.

I posted both trips on Crazy Guy On A Bike, or if you write to me I'll send more details, sam21fire@gmail.com

Good luck!
Sam

3

General Discussion / Re: Summer nights: Why does it never get cold in the deserts of the Southwest?

« on: September 24, 2017, 12:56:32 pm »

I'm guessing that you're mostly worried about summer months. In the winter it can get a**-chapping cold at night!

4

General Discussion / Re: hepatitis A outbreak On the Pacific Coast Route and Southern Tier Route in Calif

« on: September 24, 2017, 12:53:18 pm »

Yeah, this is related to the explosion of the homeless population in the San Diego area combined with a lack of sanitation.  I imagine that this could become a wider problem if the cities/counties don't get ahead of it.  SD has started installing portapotties and portable hand washing stations as well as checking/vaccinating the homeless folks. They've also started more frequent washing/sanitizing of the sidewalks where they 'go'.

As for touring through the area, common sense prevails just as in any area.  Make sure your food source is safe and reliable, eat hot food hot and cold food cold, and wash your hands frequently (especially around meal prep/eating times).

Sam

5

Routes / Re: Sierra Cascades; desert heat in July

« on: October 25, 2014, 09:53:46 pm »

I agree with MrBrent. I just rode across from Victorville almost to Needles, then north to Las Vegas a few weeks ago and it was in the 90's.  Not too uncomfortable because I'm very acclimated to the dry heat, but even so there were a few stretches where I was climbing at the same speed as the wind and it felt like it was much hotter.

Sam

6

Routes / Route 66 Mojave Desert

« on: October 18, 2014, 05:30:50 pm »

For those considering a ride along Route 66 through the Mojave Desert, here's a link to a short tour I just completed. General route was Hesperia CA to Boulder City NV via 66 and Hwy 95.

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/MojaveDesert

Sam

7

General Discussion / Re: Fuel Canisters in Hokkaido, Japan

« on: May 31, 2013, 02:44:27 pm »

Great, thanks for info, Janet!

8

General Discussion / Fuel Canisters in Hokkaido, Japan

« on: May 29, 2013, 02:51:35 pm »

Hi everyone!
My wife and I are planning a self-contained tour in Hokkaido next month.  I'm working on purchasing propane/isobutane fuel canisters on our way through Niigata but I need to know how readily available they are along the route so I'll know how many to initially buy.  We'll be camping/cooking most nights. The riding portion will begin in Otaru, up the west coast to Wakkanai, then to Sapporo via the central part of the island.
Thanks for any information you can provide about this, or anything else you can add!

Sam

9

Routes / Re: Sierra Cascades; desert heat in July

« on: May 25, 2012, 11:31:35 pm »

I work in the Barstow area. In July in that area expect daytime temps to exceed 105-110 F, humidity less than 10%, often less than 5%.  Exercising hard ie bike riding for many hours in these conditions means you probably cannot physically consume enough water to prevent significant dehydration unless you are very well acclimated.  The dangerous part is that because it's dry and you're moving your sweat will evaporate very quickly and you won't feel terribly hot...but you'll lose a tremendous amount of fluid.  It's very difficult to drink enough water/fluid at night to replace what you lose during the day.

   I suggest that you start riding before the sun comes fully up, ride until 10 am (temps will be 90+ by then), find some shade until 4 or 5 pm (when it might drop below 90 again) then ride until it's too dark to comfortably ride.  Or you could ride at night and rest during the day.

10

General Discussion / Re: Medication

« on: October 30, 2011, 12:09:38 pm »

Great info here! 

Anyone know about going overseas with Rx meds? I'm planning a trip in Hokkaido Japan next Sept. My Rx's aren't anything hard core...ASA and Xalatan (eye drops). I can keep them cool w/o any problem, just wondering about going through customs over there or when I come back to the US.

thanks!
Sam

11

General Discussion / Re: Sierra Cascades

« on: October 30, 2011, 12:02:54 pm »

Another factor to consider... if you start too late you're likely to run into some seriously hot/dry desert when you get farther South. The stretch from Tehachapi till you get into the mountains near Big Bear is usually brutally hot in the summer (100-115F, RH less than 10%).  From there the weather isn't usually too bad until you get South of Cuyamaca when it'll start getting more into the desert conditions again.  I'm not saying that it's not advisable to ride through there in the summer just be ready for the conditions.

12

General Discussion / Re: Camp Coffee That Doesn't Suck

« on: October 30, 2011, 11:56:58 am »

I've used the Cascade Designs brass basket thing several times, works pretty well. I've use the Via packets quite a few times and like the coffee but they're a bit pricey even when purchased as Sam's Club.  Taking a french press seem like more than I want to carry around...and I love french press coffee.

13

Gear Talk / Re: Ground Cloth Recommends

« on: April 24, 2011, 10:49:40 am »

I carry a piece of ordinary nylon material that I bought from a fabric store, melted and "sewed" a hem around the edge (I'm not very good at sewing but it's not a fashion contest) that I use a variety of purposes... ground cloth for the vestibule area of my tent, table cloth, shade etc. It's about 5'x5', packs easily and doesn't weigh much as long as it's uncoated.

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Gear Talk / Re: Low Rider Front Racks for Trek 520??

« on: March 26, 2011, 08:02:22 pm »

Yep, that one works great on my '05 520, very stable/solid.

15

Routes / Re: Joshua Tree to Prescott?

« on: March 26, 2011, 07:52:04 pm »

+1 on what MrBent says. The only thing I'd add is to seriously consider not riding between J.T. and the River Fri-Sun or any holiday weekend.  I work for SB Co FD and there are a lot of 5D drivers (Drunk, Drugged, Distracted, Drousy, Dumb) going to/from the river which makes for a lot of nasty accidents...and you're a long way from help out there.