Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: Great Music For My Tour? Suggestions?

« on: September 21, 2011, 10:16:52 pm »

Ronnie,

Haha, I was actually thinking about that the other day. That music is made for that!

Hope you're doing awesome!

Steve

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General Discussion / Re: Great Music For My Tour? Suggestions?

« on: September 18, 2011, 11:25:50 am »

Indy,

I'll tell you the same thing I've told others. It seems my journal bugs you. You don't need to follow it. Do I take risks? Absolutely! Do you know every circumstance? No. So, either enjoy MY ride, or quit following it. Or...feel free to write to ME with your concern or suggestions. I actually appreciate that.

I have met 4 others doing cross country, 3 of them who listened to music on the road and just suggested being careful and always being aware. I have taken their advice.

                                                                                              * * *

I am always extremely aware of everything around me. If I listen to it during the day, it is at a low volume where I can hear a car as soon as it tops either the hill ahead of me or the one behind me. Also, if there is traffic around me I don't have music playing, but if I am alone in the middle of nowhere, I love the sound of music to compliment the scenery I am in. I think that saying music takes away from the scenery isn't always true, it can compliment it! Notice how movies always have background music playing. I'm not saying...just saying. Thanks for the concern though, and thanks for the music suggestions. Some great music!

Steve

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General Discussion / Re: Great Music For My Tour? Suggestions?

« on: September 02, 2011, 12:06:55 am »

This isn't about any rules or laws so please just suggest some good touring music if you have suggestions, otherwise no need to talk about the laws. I understand all of that, I'm simply wanting to hear good music suggestions.

so... any good music to suggest?

Thanks

4

General Discussion / Re: Great Music For My Tour? Suggestions?

« on: September 01, 2011, 04:30:51 pm »

Thanks Craig, I'll look that one up.

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General Discussion / Great Music For My Tour? Suggestions?

« on: September 01, 2011, 12:37:18 pm »

Hey, I'm touring the U.S. and am looking for some great suggestions for music to help get me into a good cycling rhythm.

Could I get some suggestions? Something to get me pumped and inspired all at the same time.

Thanks!

Steve
"From Addiction to Ambition" ~CGOB

6

General Discussion / Re: Cross Country Tour: Trouble with Lodging, what to do?

« on: June 12, 2011, 07:29:18 am »

Thanks again. I am so grateful for all the help I have gotten through this ACA forum. It's been awesome. My journal is crazyguyonabike.com/doc/stevenp. I'd love to hear from you.

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General Discussion / Re: Cross Country Tour: Trouble with Lodging, what to do?

« on: June 11, 2011, 08:52:55 pm »

Great guys!

Today I have spent some time reviewing some of the tips I picked up while I was studying up for the trip and a lot of it seems to amount to building up a little courage to starting asking around.

I want to try several of the options you have mentioned to find what I like best. I look forward to the camping but just haven't really known how to do it.

I appreciate the help. I hit the road again tomorrow and will put these tips to the test. Thanks!

8

General Discussion / Cross Country Tour: Trouble with Lodging, what to do?

« on: June 10, 2011, 09:25:58 pm »

Hey to all,

I'm on day two of my tour across America and I have found it difficult to find good/cheap lodging. This is my second night in a hotel because of not finding a place to stay. I'm in Varnville, SC and I have found a couple of things to be true. First, I had planned on just arriving at each destination (town) and then I would call churches or find a park...etc. Problem I have found is that by the time I arrive at the end of the day's journey, I am FAR too tired to spend much energy at all finding something that works. I have tried calling churches but with no avail, no answered phones. Then I was told that churches aren't able to afford being all that hospitable with people looking for a place to stay for the night, although I don't know what that means because what is it costing them anyhow. Second, camping grounds are out of the way. I don't want to go 20 miles out of the way to go to a camp site.

How do you guys do it? I am not yet using the ACA maps, not until KY, and meanwhile I can't keep spending money on hotels. Could you help me with this?

Thanks!

9

General Discussion / Re: Making the Commitment

« on: June 01, 2011, 06:53:58 pm »

Great topic. I am a little over a week out from starting my trip. It was planned in December of last year and that is where the commitment took place. Then I began telling people slowly, which was another big part of the commitment. The fear that began to take place in me about the trip was also evidence of the reality of the trip, and a week out, I wonder exactly how quickly it will take to accustom to sleeping and riding in the heat. I think the heat is my biggest concern. But i also know that fear is a part of not having done anything like this before.

10

General Discussion / Re: Garmin City Navigator North America NT - on my mac?

« on: June 01, 2011, 01:16:15 pm »

Almost, I am due to start my trip on the 9th, so a bit over a week from now. Is it this normal to be worried about the trip as I am? Because I am nervous as can be.

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General Discussion / Garmin City Navigator North America NT - on my mac?

« on: May 28, 2011, 01:02:38 pm »

I am wondering if it would be worth purchasing the City Navigator maps to have on my mac for looking at and planning my routes even without having the gps? I don't have intentions of purchasing a gps, besides my iphone, but maybe it would still be worth having the software on my computer for the information.

What do you think?

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General Discussion / Re: Panniers: locking them up...

« on: May 20, 2011, 09:07:43 pm »

Sounds like a gap in the market. I think that peace of mind is the attraction for me. It definitely is key to keep the weight and hassle down, but if there is a solution with that in mind, it might be worth it.

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General Discussion / Panniers: locking them up...

« on: May 19, 2011, 07:08:33 pm »

I have purchased Ortleib panniers and lately have been wondering how I could lock up my bike and gear all up together for any particular reason of leaving them alone for a bit. I know that, ideally I will have my eyes on them at all times, but nevertheless, I am trying to figure out a way of locking the bike and equipment.

I have thought of having a sort of metal strap w/ loops that goes through the top section of the panniers and which i can then lock together so that they can not be opened, and then I would strap the panniers to the bike with a similar connection. Just thinking...

Any thoughts or ideas?

14

General Discussion / Re: Cross Country Trip: Money, What To Do?

« on: May 17, 2011, 10:58:12 am »

Thans Happyriding,

I copy/pasted that info and will use it. I like the "game" of having things sent to me. Perfecting something like that goes with my personality and if I miss it, I'll be creative about it, just as you explain.

thanks!

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General Discussion / Re: Planning Route - NO Shoulders...common?

« on: May 17, 2011, 10:48:07 am »

Watching that video got me excited!

I decided to go with 32s for my tires. They are the Schwable Supremes. Would my tires be to thin to, for example go on a dirt road like that one? Is the dirt usually packed hard enough or are my tires too thin and I should avoid any dirt roads?

Thanks for the help.