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Messages - Stevenp

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31
General Discussion / Re: Cross Country Trip: Money, What To Do?
« on: March 31, 2011, 08:32:20 pm »
Put some cash in a ziploc bag, find black duct-tape (or color that matches the interior of your bag) and tape the ziploc flush against the rear wall of your pannier. Virtually undetectable. Sure, if someone steals the pannier, then you're screwed, but it's a nice out of sight and out of mind way to stash some extra cash.

I like that, good suggestion, thanks!

32
Lots of great comments and I agree with the tech slave idea too. I am leaning towards purchasing the iPad mainly because it is so cool and will be useful for every gadget I may want during the trip and after too. I like the idea of asking directions and involving myself with people along the way rather than having my tech headquarters on the bike.

It seems that I could study the route for the day, first thing in the morning, writing down notes for the day and having those notes in front of me. I mean, we are only dealing with 50-70 miles a day. It doesn't seem like much of a hassle to follow some basic instructions every morning after figuring out that day's route, does it?
Mind you, this is coming from someone who has never done any kind of a tour before, so I may be completely wrong. :)

33
I just fell in love with the Ipad2. I have been looking at different gadgets to take with me across the country including a handheld gps, an ereader and computer.

Well, the biggest question about the Ipad2 is whether I can transform it into a gps device for me to cross the country with.
I have found these apps that are available in this link: http://www.geekersmagazine.com/2010/07/ipad-gps-apps/

I also know I can get a solar recharger for about 100 bucks to keep recharging, plus I imagine I will be coming across electricity quite often.

I am excited thinking the Ipad2 might be the answer to my gadget questions.

What's your take on it?

34
General Discussion / Re: Cross Country Trip: Money, What To Do?
« on: March 21, 2011, 03:34:48 pm »
Also, if your budget is tight, take out as much money as possible when you use an ATM.  You will almost certainly be changed double fees--one by your bank for using a "foreign" ATM machine and the another by the owner of the machine.  That could easily be $3-$4/pop.  If you are on a $10/day budget, that goes down to $9 if you are taking out money every 3-4 days.

Man, that's a great point, thank you!

Also, i plan on having my parents mail things to me along the way, including valuables like money or whatever else. How exactly would I go about it. Would I simply have to know where I will be in, say, a week, tell them the city and have them mail it to the post office? How does that work to have them mail things to me along the way?

35
General Discussion / Re: Cross Country Trip: Money, What To Do?
« on: March 20, 2011, 05:46:03 pm »
I have thought that most likely my budget of $1000 per month is overkill. I really want to enjoy the nights camping out anywhere, preferably stealth camping. I'm making sure I purchase the perfect tent and sleeping bag so that I truly enjoy camping in my tent and am not looking forward to getting to any hotel.

I know that noodles can last for awhile and besides the sauce, i don't need much more than that.
I really hope that my budget is WAY over what I need. I really like the idea of $10/day and I believe it's quite possible without much hassle.

I like the ideas you're giving me so far. I may look into purchasing that book.

36
General Discussion / Re: Cadence Question
« on: March 20, 2011, 03:25:53 pm »
So how important is it to keep track of cadence on a trip? Some have told me it is the most important thing to keep track of, but I just don't get it. Also, I have never been into cycling so it's something new to me, but help me understand.

Thanks

37
General Discussion / Cross Country Trip: Money, What To Do?
« on: March 20, 2011, 03:23:04 pm »
So, my trip is still months away but I am wondering about how to treat my finances. I am not sure whether to take personal travelers checks, or to simply have my debit card on me, or maybe two debit cards (one hidden). Or which bank to open an account with? Hopefully a bank I will have access to across the country. Should I have money mailed to me? What tips for money would you have for me?

Also, I am looking at the option of insuring my bike and all of the gear. Is there a way of doing that?

I appreciate your help as always!!

Stevenp

38
General Discussion / Re: Luxuries
« on: March 17, 2011, 11:24:39 am »
By biggest luxury by far will be my macbook laptop. I plan on doing freelance design along the way as I stop in small towns to keep the trip financed so it's more than a luxury, but also a luxury. I think i may need to buy one of those internet connections that you plug into the usb though. No experience with it but I'm assuming I will get good coverage with one of those things.

I must add that this trip across the country is a luxury in my life, that's the biggest luxury!

39
General Discussion / Re: Rack, Fenders, and front pannier
« on: March 16, 2011, 01:26:59 pm »
I found red fenders that I like but am unsure of whether this set comes with everything I need to mount in onto my Surly LHT or if I need to buy something extra. It seems to me that some fenders have a part on the very top of them that get secured onto the rack, but I'm not sure.

Could you look at this one and tell me if it has everything it needs? Thanks!

http://www.bikeman.com/FE2405.html

40
General Discussion / Re: Rack, Fenders, and front pannier
« on: March 15, 2011, 10:45:01 pm »
How about this pair? Will these be too big for my 32s? Link below

http://www.bikeman.com/FE3314.html

41
Gear Talk / Re: GEAR - It's adding up! Where can I compromise?
« on: March 15, 2011, 09:30:21 pm »
Yes exactly, check publish! checked.

42
Gear Talk / Re: GEAR - It's adding up! Where can I compromise?
« on: March 15, 2011, 10:34:25 am »
I just created the journal blog on CGOAB.

Here it is:
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/adam2011

43
General Discussion / Re: Rack, Fenders, and front pannier
« on: March 15, 2011, 10:25:28 am »
I already own the rear Surly rack. I was looking at fenders and wondering if there are different sizes for the fenders. I will have 32s on my Surly LHT and am not sure what size fenders to get according to the sizes listed. Do fenders fit most all wheel/tire sizes?

44
General Discussion / Rack, Fenders, and front pannier
« on: March 14, 2011, 09:54:29 pm »
I had a thread not long ago with some answers but can't find it.

I find that most often my biggest problem with picking equipment is TOO many options and it paralysis me.

Anyhow, I will be doing a 5 month+ tour across and around the US. That is what these items will be used for. I will tell you what I am thinking and get your thoughts on it.

Give me your thoughts on best options for: (in parenthesis are my thoughts)

1. front rack (Old Man Mountain Ultimate Lowrider ($99.95))
2. fenders (Planet Bike Freddy Fenders Hardcore ($31.49))
3. front panniers -smaller front ones (Ortlieb Front Roller Panniers ($143))

for rear panniers I am probably going with larger Ortliebs

Thanks for your input!

45
General Discussion / Re: Traveling This Year? ...me too
« on: March 14, 2011, 04:31:54 pm »
Hey Mark,

I don't know a single thing about SC yet. I am moving there from Minnesota at the end of this month temporarily until my trip June/July. So I don't have any wealth of knowledge to give you as of yet. Like I said, I will be moving to Fort Mill, SC at the end of this month and plan on being there for the next 2-3 months until the beginning of the trip. During those 2-3 months I will be biking around and training for the trip but it will all be new to me. I plan on leaving from Myrtle Beach and what I did was simply to plan 50-60 mile routes from town to town, where I will be meeting up with the TA in Kentucky and going from there. I plan on meeting up with the TA right above the Mammoth Cave National Park.

Sorry I don't have much info for you but I will soon. Maybe we'll meet up on our trip. My approach to the trip is to enjoy the space in between one coast and the other and less focused on getting to the other end.

Keep in touch!
Stevenp

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