Messages

16

General Discussion / Introduction

« on: April 09, 2005, 01:51:16 am »

If you really wanted to do some touring sooner vs later, I don't know
why a $1500 bike would be needed.
Supposing you're average height and use a 22-23" frame (55cm,
generally for 32-34" inseam) make friends with an LBS and drop a hint
that you're looking for a used touring bike.  The ideal "deal" bike in
that size would have a nice gap, 3 fingers or so between the seat tube
and the rear tire.  Braze ons for racks & fenders (i.e. 2 eyelets each on
dropout and fork, plus 2 more on seat stays), cantilever brakes.  A
couple of lesser known examples might be a Fuji Touring series (even
series 2 or 3),  a Nishiki Cresta or Royale, or a slightly pricier Trek 620.
You might fine one of these or a Schwinn LeTour in decent shape for
under a C-note.  An old Blackburn rack, while not fashionable remains
servicable and might be had (used) for a hum (less even than a song).  

For panniers, Cannondale Overlanders & Trestles show up used
periodically, as do Eclipse Transcontinentals (sentimental fave's) or
lesser known Kirtland varieties.  Not fashionable lately, but lots of
people put lots of stuff in them for a bunch of miles

The point being, I bet you could assemble a touring kit (bike, racks &
bags) for under $300 if you were patient and willing to shift your own
gears.

Now if the point is to drool over a fine new bike, well, yeah, that's fun
too!

17

General Discussion / anyone carry'n heat?

« on: March 31, 2005, 12:03:15 am »

I was thinking about this the other day on my ride in to work.  There's
a reason that photo-recon aircraft are unarmed.  Avoiding trouble in
the first place is a great way to stay out of it.

That said, if I was female and 22 and had some training, would I maybe
have a different take on this?  

But I'm not so I can't answer.

18

General Discussion / I'm thinking of starting a bike club at my school

« on: April 10, 2005, 03:37:28 am »

Once the honeymoon wears off, here are some of the things I think
you'll find necessary:
1) develop a club charter and constitution.  Have it approved by the
charter membership.  You'll need this for...
2) incorporate as a 501c(3) organization (I believe that's the right
number).  This is non-profit/not charitable org.  Incorporation papers
should be available from your state's Sec of State.  Will probably run a
C note.  With the incorporation, you can get a Tax ID number, which
allows your club to...
3) open a checking account. This allows your club to ...
4) join the League of American Bicyclists, an organization which can
help your club do a number of things including get insurance for any
organized rides.

That's pretty much the minimum.  Now, one of the things you might be
able to do is to find a defunct club and find a way to revitalize it.  This
would give you access to a mailing list, a tax ID #, and potentially a
bank account.  You still have to verify that 1-4 above are taken care of,
but that's not a big deal.  What is a big deal is getting a newsletter
editor, getting a meeting place, and getting enough actiities together
to make the club a real thing rather than just a paper entity.

That's what it takes to start (or restart) a club, in my experience.

19

General Discussion / Panniers VS. trailers, what do you prefer?

« on: December 23, 2004, 06:25:32 pm »

I used panniers for a number of tours several years ago, when I was in
high school and college.  Took a small trip last summer (first one in a
long time) and, curious about the trailer/pannier issue, used a Burley
D'Lite to see what I thought.  I liked it well enough that I bought a
Nomad.  Yes, it's draggy, yes it may weigh more than panniers, but I
didn't care.  With a 2 wheel trailer, you have something like a 5th
wheel, and with the Burley mount, the impact on handling is - no
impact.  

I've used the Nomad on family outings to carry a cooler, and this fall
we had a couple of time trials.  I towed the trailer with a floor pump
and a couple of lawn chairs, unhitched it, rode the time trial, packed
everything back up, then rode home.  10/10 for style points :-)

My wife and I each have a bike, plus we have a tandem.  It would be
expensive to put good racks on them all, but the trailer swaps between
them nicely.