Messages

61

Gear Talk / Re: GEAR - It's adding up! Where can I compromise?

« on: February 27, 2011, 05:51:11 pm »

Here is a link with the list:
http://addictiontoambition.blogspot.com/2011/02/list-of-items-for-trip.html

62

GPS & Digital Data Discussion / Re: GPS: strictly for xcountry cycling adventure...so confused!!

« on: February 27, 2011, 05:37:25 pm »

k, here's as much detail as I can presume or that I know of for my trip.

     • I will be leaving SC headed west towards WA.
     • Also be using the TransAm, NT, L&C, including some custom routes I want to make up.
     • Able to see the small streets and roads that are available to me anywhere in the U.S.
     • I want to know my progress and know what kind of elevation I will be encountering (doesn't mean I need a topo map)
     • Strictly biking, i am not concerned about hiking.
     • I will be operating from a Mac laptop which will be on the trip with me.
     • Needs to be waterproof.
     • I would like to sit at my mac at the end of the day and see what my journey looked like for the day with data.
     • I would like it to have an odometer, cadence, temperature..etc like a bike computer would have.


Would i be better off having a gps and a bike computer working side by side or can i get it all in my gps?

Thanks for simplifying my life by responding to this!

63

GPS & Digital Data Discussion / GPS: strictly for xcountry cycling adventure...so confused!!

« on: February 27, 2011, 03:40:10 pm »

Hey,

I have been doing so much research that I am at the point now where the more reviews i read and the more I learn, the more confused I am becoming. Please help!

I just need a gps unit to get me all around the US on a bicycle. One that will help me find food, where to turn, and the slopes of the mountains ahead.

My confusion is about what is my need, as opposed to over-kill with a unit—in other words, a unit that does way more than i need it to do.

I just need everything a cyclist would want to zigzag across the country—something sharp and very usable.

What is THE answer? I'm tired of researching and the confusion that is coming with it.

Thanks much!!

64

Gear Talk / GEAR - It's adding up! Where can I compromise?

« on: February 26, 2011, 09:45:31 am »

So, I have purchased my Surly LHT, rear rack, pedals and shoes (clip-ins). About 1,300-1,400 total.

Now I have the rest of my list which I have taken a long time putting together based on journals, some list pdfs and lots of reading. I have never been into biking whatsoever, so I am starting from scratch. The goal being my trip across and around the U.S.A. for no less than 4 months and maybe longer.

Right now my equipment price for everything stands at just under $3000. The biggest parts of the list are the biking clothes, tent, panniers, camera, and some of the bad weather gear.

I would post my pricing list that I have put together, but it's a very long list.

My question is: does this price for equipment sound about right, or am I overdoing it?

Things I know I can't compromise on are:
Tent
Panniers
Biking clothes (not sure)
Racks

Feedback on your experience?

Thanks!

65

Routes / SC through the Appalachian into KY - Yikes!!

« on: February 23, 2011, 11:00:40 am »

So, my incredible trip throughout the U.S. will be starting in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. From there I will be going across the northern edge of SC, through the western tip of NC, through Knoxville, TN, straight up into KY and north west from there.

So, i am starting in SC and wanting to join up with the TransAm in Kentucky. Now, I see all of those mountains there that I will be heading straight through. That looks like a lot of mountain and I am wondering how absurd my route is? Is it doable or is that insane?

Please fill me in with some good experiential knowledge.

Thanks!

66

General Discussion / Re: Most interesting stretch and why?

« on: February 23, 2011, 10:54:23 am »

My comment isn't quite fair, being that I have not yet been on a tour. Although my tour will begin this July out of S.C. and all over the U.S.. One of the things that I am looking forward to are the storms I may encounter. I love weather, so I believe that going through some different storms will add some very memorable times to my trip. STORMS!!

Stevenp

67

General Discussion / Re: Creating a Journal: Ideas and hints for a good one?

« on: February 21, 2011, 03:04:18 pm »

One other thing I'd say is to be careful how much personal introspection you put out on the web. A bit of it adds to the journal, too much of it might turn people off as it might end up sounding too much like therapy on paper. Also, the introspection you feel strongly while in the midst of the tour might not seem like something you want the world to read a few months after you are finished. To that end, I suggest keeping two journals, the one "live" one while you are doing the tour, with higher-level stuff, and a personal one where you record your deeper thoughts. Once you are done your tour, give it a few weeks and then review your personal journal and decide what stuff you want to add (if any) to the public journal.

Briwasson,

This is some good advice, i appreciate it. I have to admit that I would tend to maybe put too much of my introspection into my journal and I like the idea of a second journal.

I think the best way I would like to sum up my experience and its focus would be to highlight how great life is—just living today and being present in the present and what that looks like.

In my life there will be a great contrast to what was and what now is and how excited I am not about life itself.

I also plan on allowing myself to enter stories along the way. What I mean by that is simply to put myself in situations that allow for stories to become interesting, whether it be with people or situations. More than just riding from point A to B.

A lot of what captures me in the journals i read are when i can start to make out a personality to the trip. I know everyone's different, but I find that very interesting when i can start to get the know the characters.

68

GPS & Digital Data Discussion / Re: GPS: Ready To Go Cross-Country

« on: February 19, 2011, 10:10:58 pm »

Yeah, that is a question i have too. I have been mapping out my course from SC to KY and then onto the Transam. I do wonder if i need the gps. I kind of like the idea of having to find things along the way instead of having software that does all of the work for me. I know the AC maps are pretty easy to follow.

So, it still remains a question, whether or not to buy the gps...

69

General Discussion / Re: Traveling This Year? ...me too

« on: February 18, 2011, 11:23:06 am »

It would be cool if somehow there was a way of all who were on the road were to keep in touch and help each other out or to meet up...etc.

I just think it would be neat to know who else was on the road at the same time doing the same thing...

70

General Discussion / Traveling This Year? ...me too

« on: February 17, 2011, 05:15:17 pm »

I am wondering who else out there is planning on being on a trip this year. I am going to be taking a long, several month trip starting in July of 2011 and am wanting to meet others who have plans of also being on the road. I would like to meet others and, who knows, maybe meet up on the road.

I like the idea of knowing others who will be taking their trip at the same time as mine.

Let me know!

Stevenp

p.s. my trip starts in S.Carolina heading west, and all over the place starting in July.

71

GPS & Digital Data Discussion / GPS: Ready To Go Cross-Country

« on: February 17, 2011, 10:30:27 am »

I am looking to buy a gps for my bicycle that will come straight out of the package, ready to take me anywhere in the U.S. without me having to add anything to it. Is there such a gps? Do I NEED to add anything to have what i need for my trip? My trip will include zigzagging across all of the U.S..

Let me know!

Thanks!
Stevenp

72

General Discussion / Re: Luxuries

« on: February 16, 2011, 12:07:06 pm »

What about one of those digital readers. Then you could bring many books and not add to the weight. Although, i love books myself, and like holding the actual book in my hand, but I'm going to try a digital one.

73

General Discussion / Re: Creating a Journal: Ideas and hints for a good one?

« on: February 16, 2011, 10:37:35 am »

For journaling (and riding) inspiration, I highly recommend reading at least one of Joe Kurmaskie's books before you go.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_12?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=metal+cowboy&sprefix=metal+cowboy#/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_13?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=joe+kurmaskie&sprefix=joe+kurmaskie&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3Ajoe+kurmaskie

Great recommendation! Thanks. I am considering getting the Kindle, or something like it for books. There are so many books i want to read, but that would be weight i don't want to take with me. Now, if I had a digital reading device...that might be an idea.

74

General Discussion / Re: Creating a Journal: Ideas and hints for a good one?

« on: February 15, 2011, 08:10:54 am »

Great comments! Thanks for the time to explain all that you have to me about a good journal! Really great! I agree with the importance of details and lots of description to bring the reader to where you are trying to explain.

For me this trip will be a lot about starting life over again. I come from an addiction that stole my life and will be writing a lot about just thoughts of what was and what now is. What I look forward to most is those times of sitting on the edge of a mountain having the deepest of thoughts and analyzing life itself. I think my journal will be an autobiography mixed with the beauty of life and the experience of experiencing life to the fullest. Something like that.

I do want to have a journal worth reading. What I really want is a life worth reading and I think this trip adds an interesting chapter or two to my life. I feel like I am among many interesting people when i am on this forum. Thanks for all the comments!

75

General Discussion / Re: Creating a Journal: Ideas and hints for a good one?

« on: February 14, 2011, 07:48:07 pm »

Just my opinion, but why wouldn't you use CGOAB?

As of right now, I agree. I like how it is set up and the ability to place so many photos on the posts—it seems like the place to post my trip. I just wanted to throw the question out to see if there are ideas I haven't thought of or to hear others take on it.

You put it well though, there are many reasons to post my trip on CGOAB.

Thanks! I am still interested in anyone else's take on journals though, including insights on the actual posting.