Messages

286

General Discussion / What Touring bike would you suggest?

« on: December 19, 2008, 04:21:17 pm »

You didn't give a budget, and you're talking about heading straight off on a major tour without any kind of shakedown.

How about the definitive American touring bicycle, a Bruce Gordon?  

http://www.bgcycles.com/

You'd deal direct with the company and have the bike shipped to a shop near the tour start.  Gordons could certainly have it ready to go for you and it would be a nice "exotic" American souvenir after you got back home.

tcs

287

General Discussion / Southern Tier in late fall - weather?

« on: October 19, 2007, 02:51:26 pm »

October thru May is the good time to ride Southern Tier.

"I believe the ACA route goes through Del Rio."

Yes, and Ft. Davis, Leakey and other points.

"This would probably be a lot more scenic and interesting than I10 but with more climbing."

Correct on both counts.

BTW, the legal speed limit on I10 between El Paso and Kerrville is now 80mph.

HTH,
TCS

288

General Discussion / Solo touring

« on: May 09, 2007, 09:32:53 am »

Dervla Murphy rode alone from Ireland to India.   Through Iraq, Iran and Afganistan.  In 1963.

And of course Thomas Stevens rode alone around the world.  In 1884-1886.

You'll be fine.

Best,
TCS

289

General Discussion / women biking long-distances

« on: July 10, 2007, 01:58:32 pm »

Many of Dervla Murphy's travelogs are still available.

Best,
TCS

290

General Discussion / Cycling on the Cheap . How low can you go?

« on: July 03, 2007, 02:16:33 pm »

So these guys:

http://www.georgemahood.com/lejog.htm

started in Land's End, England wearing nothing but boxer shorts and without a single penny, and finished in John O'Groats, Scotland pretty well equipped.

TCS

291

General Discussion / Cycling on the Cheap . How low can you go?

« on: March 12, 2007, 01:27:07 pm »

Heinz Stucke left his home in Germany in 1962 on his three speed bicycle - and has been on the road continuously ever since!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinz_St%C3%BCcke

TCS

292

General Discussion / Trobules with training

« on: March 08, 2007, 09:23:17 am »

I picked up a nice Varsity for $10 at Goodwill.

TCS

PS - A surprising number of Varsities were ridden on Bikecentennial '76!

293

General Discussion / older british bikes

« on: February 23, 2007, 09:32:12 am »

Gary,

These cats aren't on the east coast, but maybe you can draw some inspiration from them or even make their tour:

http://www.3speedtour.com/

Best,
Tom

294

General Discussion / Renting a bike for touring

« on: February 06, 2007, 08:52:15 pm »

I've never heard of anyone doing this in the USA, but I've read accounts
of bike tourists using this approach on overseas' tours.

"Still, your idea has merit, I would simply insist that Barry make
arrangements for the LBS to have his selected bike and racks on hand
and reserved for him ahead of time."

Good advice.  Lots of money could be saved by buying a used bike, but
time spent finding a suitable one of the correct size in a destination
city could use up the front end of a week's vacation!

Best,
Tom

This message was edited by TCS on 2-6-07 @ 4:55 PM

295

General Discussion / Renting a bike for touring

« on: February 06, 2007, 10:00:37 am »

Barry,

I'm not aware of any operation that either rents touring bicycles or rents bicycles that aren't returned to the starting location.  I think this might be a "chicken and egg" thing with the flyable bike industry (S&S, BreakAway, BikeFriday, folders, etc.).

Another thought is to walk into a bike shop at your starting city with your own pedals, saddle and panniers and buy a bike and rack.  A bike like a Trek SU100 or 7.2FX (every maker offers similar models) isn't terribly expensive, and while they're certainly not dedicated, purpose built touring bicycles, with their sturdy frames, wide tires and low gears either would be a much better touring mount than most of the bikes that were ridden across the country on Bikecentenial in 1976.  At the end of the ride you could sell the bike or donate it to a non-profit.

HTH,
Tom

296

General Discussion / I'm new here...

« on: January 13, 2007, 05:47:40 pm »

If you're camping+riding, you might look at bikes like the Bianchi Volope,
Cannondale T800, Fuji Touring, Jamis Aurora, Novara Randonnee or Trek
520.

If you're staying in motels and eating in, you might look for bikes like the
Cannondale Sport Road 800 or Trek Pilot 1.2.

HTH,
Tom

297

General Discussion / Bike Friday Touring Bikes????

« on: November 29, 2006, 11:00:49 pm »

In addition to the wonderful BikeFridays, other airline-checkable
options include full size bikes with S&S couplers (example):

http://www.co-motion.com/travmenu.html

Bikes using the Ritchey BreakAway system (example):

http://image.www.rakuten.co.jp/hakusen/img10633839300.jpeg

http://www.dahon.com/images/bikes/large/folded/allegro.jpg

And upper-end folding bikes (example):

http://www.gaerlan.com/dahon/pack.htm

It's a great time to be a bike tourist!
TCS