Messages

61

Gear Talk / Re: Tent - One Person and Freestanding?

« on: January 23, 2014, 12:47:45 am »

I have travelled with a two person tent, freestanding, for the extra room but on my last trip I opted for a single person tent that would pack smaller and lighter. I went with Big Agnes' Copper Spur UL1. Packs small, less than three pounds with footprint, and while not as spacious as the two person tent, it was okay (I am 6 feet tall). Easy to set up and I was comfortable during those times when nature decided to become rowdy, but I did stake the tent when there was any hint of inclement weather. Okay vestibule.

62

General Discussion / Re: Advice or Feedback for Pacific Highway Cycle 2014

« on: November 09, 2013, 03:47:33 pm »

I have ridden from Seattle to SF seven times using the coast route. Each time the route I have taken has been a little different.

I strongly suggest using the Seven Devils Road from Charleston to Bandon. On my second trip I decided to bypass that route and take 101. Big mistake. There were sections south of Coos Bay where the shoulder was nonexistent, and when a shoulder existed, it was narrow. That was a stressful stretch. Yes, there is a steep climb out of Charleston on the ACA route, but it is not that steep and not than long and once on top there are no significant climbs. Plus, the climb is worth it for the solitude and lack of traffic. A much more pleasant way to reach Bandon.

The Astoria Bridge was challenging but I found the drivers were accommodating.

I have elected to walk my bike across a few of he bridges in Oregon using the sidewalk, particularly the bridge north of Coos Bay. I liked the calmness of walking and stopping on the walkway to see what I was crossing. 

In Oregon you have two tunnels. Be sure to use the warning lights at the beginning of the tunnels then pedal hard.

Whenever possible take the alternative route that will keep you off 101, particularly in California. As an example, in Oregon the route from Neskowin to Otis through the Siuslaw National Forest over the back shoulder of Cascade Head is a joy. Traffic is nearly nonexistent and the forest seems primeval. Also, the Three Capes Scenic Route from Tillamook is a much better option than staying on 101. More climbing but much more scenic and far less traffic.

Your May/June date will find the weather still iffy and likely extensive fog on CA 1 in Northern California. If you have not already done so, I suggest a flashing rear light for safety. And as already discussed, I have found a side mirror very helpful.

As others have said, this is a wonderful bike route. Oregon is very bicycle friendly. Great roadside parks (the park on the southside of Florence is incredibly nice). California is less bicycle friendly in that the roads have less of a shoulder and, in the case of CA 1, zero shoulder. The Washington part of the ride is okay and the shoulders are better than California.

Enjoy the journey.

63

Routes / Re: Best way to build a route from scratch?

« on: October 27, 2013, 12:17:43 am »

Not sure if this is a "smarter" way to plan a trip, but, in general,  I determine my starting point and end point. I then draw a line between the two and begin collecting state bicycle and/or road maps. Some states have good to very good bicycle maps (some not so much), and I also obtain the related state road map from their department of transportation. With this info I determine a preliminary route taking into account expected miles; services; what I want to see; etc. Then I check out the preliminary route using Google maps street view. Changes are made and a somewhat final route is obtained. Once on the ride, each day I determine whether there are any changes I wish to make to the next days route. Regardless of how much research and planning I have put into my routes, there are always surprises. And there is always construction. Stay flexible.

I have used ACA routes and other planned routes. They have their advantages but for a variety of reasons I like the challenge afforded in planning my routes.

64

Routes / Re: Sierra Cascades-Oregon section: Windigo Pass question

« on: August 19, 2013, 01:57:16 pm »

For what it's worth, U.S. 97 through Oregon is a good road, and with a few exceptions, has very good, wide shoulders. Traffic isn't unbearable.

65

General Discussion / Re: VANCOUVER TO SAN FRANCISCO IN OCTOBER

« on: August 04, 2013, 05:47:58 pm »

I have biked from Seattle to the Bay Area a number of times, usually mid to late September. One trip did start the third week of October, generally following the ACA route in Oregon and California. It was...damp. Most days I experienced drizzle and cool temperatures. Earlier October I would have encountered more Indian Summer weather. South of Fort Bragg in Northern Califonia the weather was better because the summer fog stayed off-shore.

66

Routes / Re: portland>SF>boise

« on: August 04, 2013, 01:12:47 pm »

I suggest traveling south along the coast (consider using the ACA route). South has better shoulders, better opportunities for tailwinds, and better views in the sense that you have turnouts on the coast side and you would not need to cross traffic, which would not be the case when travelling north. Not sure what you have in mind from SF to Boise and the time you have for travel. Depending on what speaks to you, there is a lot of nothing in Northern Nevada and Southern Idaho. I would be inclined to travel north from SF through the Sacramento Valley toward Redding (I have biked a route from the Wine Country to Redding then 299 east to Bieber, then north to Bend - 299 was not my favorite - typical California road without much shoulder, but traffic was generally light), then east to pick up a route to Boise. You might consider 299 to 395N to US 20 to Boise. 395 will be lightly traveled with minimal services north of Lakeview, Oregon, and depending on time of travel, warm to hot (I have not biked 395). 20E from the intersection with 395 has generally good shoulders and light traffic, but east of Burns services are spotty and, again, warm to hot temperatures. A less direct approach is biking to Bend then east using the ACA route but rather than take State Route 7 toward Baker stay on 26 towards Unity, Vale, Ontario. That route is lightly travelled, okay services, a fairly easy ride, warm to hot temps (I have biked that route and I liked it more than the US 20 route). And to add a 'duh', carry sufficient water.

67

Routes / Re: Oregon route 20

« on: August 04, 2013, 12:24:29 pm »

In my opinion, there are, generally, good shoulders. To me, the traffic is light. That is a truck route to Central Oregon so it seemed there were more trucks, but again, not an issue for me. Others may differ. Is your final destination Burns?

68

Routes / Re: Portland to Sun Valley, ID

« on: May 23, 2013, 12:05:26 pm »

I have also traveled the route through Oregon, from Redmond to Vale, as described by GKowalski, then I continued south to Nyssa before crossing the Snake River. I then used the Idaho bicycle map (the website provided by CMajernik) to take a more southern route through Idaho.  U.S. 26 in Oregon from Austin Jct to Vale is lightly traveled and lightly populated. Good road and shoulders. It will be warm (hot) in August. I carried four full water bottles with me.  Scenery is high desert/Great Basin, wide open scenery. I liked the road and the scenery. I spent a night in Unity where one can pitch a tent behind a small hotel (name escapes me) or you can stay in that small motel. There is also a nice cafe nearby. Idaho, on the southern route I took, was, for me, less scenic until I was east of Mountain Home on U.S. 20. Headwinds in Idaho on that route are brutal, but catch a tailwind and you can cruise. Stay hydrated.

69

General Discussion / Re: HELP! Items Checklist. Need advice. (especially from John Nelson)

« on: May 14, 2013, 12:59:04 am »

I'll take a stab at this, with the caveat that there isn't any one, right approach for packing for a cross country, or any bike trip, and I am sure you will obtain a number of opinions. After digesting all opinions/comments, you need to decide what makes you comfortable. Very few decisions can't be reverses. If you find you have over-packed, or you need something, you can mail the surplus home and you can buy what you need (in most cases) on the road.

I do not use a camelback because my jersey isn't able to breathe when it is sitting on my back so I ride hotter.

I use a NeoAir and I don't care how long it takes me to blow it up. I want to sleep as best I can if I want to be at my best the next day.

Sometimes I have taken a camera; sometimes not. But two to three pounds for a camera...I will not carry that weight. I have purchased a small camera that I also use for backpacking. It weights much, much less.

Like the camera, I have traveled with stuff sacks and without. At this time I like traveling without because what I found is with a stuff sack I am able to generate more room in my panniers, and then I am tempted to add something to carry because I have the room. Without the stuff sacks I pack more efficiently. I do use compression sacks for my tent and sleeping bag.

I do not like going without water. That happened once when I knew a roadside park would have water and then when I arrived there was a notice that it was not potable. So, I carry four water bottles of which I will always have three full of water and the fourth will be full depending on the planned water spots for that day or if I will be dry camping.

I have never taken a lock and I have never regreted that decision. I do take precautions depending on where I am when I stop. Usually those precautions include not stopping when it seems dicey and I try to keep the bike in sight.

I keep my electronics to a minimum because I do not want to carry the weight. I currently have a Galaxy tab (3G and GPS) and a cell phone, and they are off unless I need them so the power lasts a long time. I traveled once with equipment that would allow me to stay in touch and populate a blog. After that trip I decided never again would I carry that surplus weight and never again would I devote time to "entertain" others with my daily musings. It took time away from the purpose of the ride, which is, for me, solitude.

Again, this works for me and is apropo of nothing, so regardless of what you end up doing, enjoy your ride.

70

Routes / Re: Looking For Route Recommendations

« on: May 05, 2013, 03:08:12 pm »

My spouse and I recently moved from the Bay Area to Central Oregon for the biking, hiking, and kayaking, and we have not been disappointed. Much less traffic; generally good roads with shoulders; bike friendly and bike aware (very important to us); great topography.

71

Routes / Re: Route Suggestions

« on: April 24, 2013, 09:38:19 pm »

To specifically address your question - the coast ride is always nice and living in Portland you know the weather issues you may face in July on the northern and central Oregon coast. East from Portland would be vastly different but I also very much enjoy that ride, particulary through Oregon. I like the high desert side of the Cascades, and there is minimal traffic. Again, in July it will be warm. Whichever direction you take, you might wish to follow the ACA route for those thousand miles. 

Let me add that the California coast, particularly from Fort Bragg south to the Central California coast, can be foggy and cool in that time of year. You know the saying from Mark Twain, the coldest winter I ever spent was the summer I spent in San Francisco. And Route 1 is narrow, very narrow, and twisting in Sonoma county.

72

General Discussion / Re: touring without "eating out"

« on: April 11, 2013, 07:41:41 pm »

Dehydrated foods have improved considerably over the years. My spouse and I like Mountain House and we have a number of go-to meals that serve us well when backpacking and on bike trips. I suggest you purchase a meal or two and try at home and make up your own mind on whether they are palatable. And yes, you are able to refuel on such meals without harm.

73

Gear Talk / Re: No Stove

« on: March 30, 2013, 01:26:27 pm »

Like you, I did not want to be bothered by cooking, nor did I want the extra weight for the "just in case". I generally had a cache of energy bars with me for those instances where food might be skimpy. And for my "just in case", I carried two packets of Mountain House granola with milk and blueberries, which only require cold water to make a filling and nutritious meal (carry this with me when backpacking). I used only one. That said, I did make sure that I always had some food with me. When I bonk it isn't a pretty sight.

74

Gear Talk / Re: Selle Anatomica Titanico X

« on: March 19, 2013, 04:44:09 pm »

I acquired a Selle Anatomica Titanico less than a week before my tour last summer. I had been trying a number of different saddles (haven't tried Brooks) and settled on the Titanico because of the zero break-in period. It was easy to dial in and it was (is) a good saddle for me. I had zero issues with the saddle and, at times, can remember thinking, "damn, I am almost comfortable".

75

Routes / Re: Traffic on the California section of the Pacific Coast Route

« on: February 19, 2013, 12:59:24 pm »

I have biked from Seattle to SF using that route seven times, but generally in August and September (once in October).I like the roads in Oregon. Nice shoulders. Traffic is as expected but again, nice shoulders. Be sure to use the bicyclist in tunnel warning lights on the two tunnels on the coast, then pedal quickly. Those tunnels, along with the Astoria Bridge, are not my favorite sections of this route. Once you enter California, it becomes (for me), decidedly less biker friendly. Take the alternate routes whenever possible. From Crescent City to Eureka to the turnoff to 1 - the shoulders can be nonexistent (again, where possible, take the alternatives offered). U.S. 1 can be narrow, and there are minimal shoulders. While I enjoy the ride, I find myself being less comfortable when biking this section. Stay alert. Use your rearview mirror.