Messages

31

General Discussion / Re: Average Touring Weight observed at ACA HQ weigh-in?

« on: December 16, 2020, 04:27:24 pm »

Heck, that is about 7 ultralight setups.  And I thought a friend was bad who carried 100 pounds (including bike and trailer).

32

General Discussion / Re: Average Weight Loss/Gain on Cross Country Tour

« on: December 16, 2020, 10:54:40 am »

Everyone of course will be different.  For me, after 40+ years of touring, I can almost guarantee that if the tour is less than 10 days, I will gain up to 5 pounds as my body freaks thinking I need a ton of food due to the extra effort all of a sudden.  For trips of 10-18 days, the weight will stay about the same (+/- 1 pound) as the pre-tour weight.  For trips 18+ days, I will lose anywhere from a couple of pounds to 10 pounds depending on the length, difficulty, etc.

For the longer trips, I usually lose my max weight about 6 weeks out and it stays at that level until the end of the tour when I promptly gain back 50% of the weight within a week.

However, since I rarely "train" for a tour and I tend not to ride too much afterwards for a month or so since I am playing catch up with work and such, my results may not be typical.

Tailwinds, John

33

General Discussion / Re: Average Touring Weight observed at ACA HQ weigh-in?

« on: December 16, 2020, 10:02:22 am »

That would make a cool tidbit to include in the ACA magazine.

34

General Discussion / Re: Frank Moritz and the TransAm Eastern Express Bike Route

« on: December 14, 2020, 02:42:40 pm »

I have no idea if the project is still active.  Part of me thinks it is because someone has to pay the website hosting bills.  I have emailed him twice since this came out and have never received a reply.  I would spot check some of the more busy traffic areas to ensure the state traffic counts (AADT) have not increased dramatically.

While I think this would be a nice official addition to ACA, I would be a bit perturb since they have removed other routes due to lack of personnel to update those routes.

35

Routes / Re: Yaak to Rexford Montana

« on: December 14, 2020, 09:17:43 am »

Babe,
I hope your surgery goes well.  Were the pics taken by the road or were you hiking some?  It is great scenery.

36

Routes / Re: Yaak to Rexford Montana

« on: December 13, 2020, 06:16:04 pm »

That route, and specifically Yaak, is one of those towns on my bucket list for about a decade.  Years ago, I "think" I read about it on a CGOAB journal.

37

General Discussion / Re: Kickstands - Love them or leave them?

« on: December 13, 2020, 01:46:19 pm »

... it’s much easier to unpack and pack the panniers on a free-standing bike.

Agreed.  There are times when a kickstand would have been nice. I should have included that in the pros above.

38

General Discussion / Re: Kickstands - Love them or leave them?

« on: December 13, 2020, 01:44:35 pm »

I've seen too many good frames ruined by over tightening the bolt on the chainstays.

 

That is why I would only do a bottom bracket (center) kickstand if it had a dedicated kickstand mounting plate.  At least a kickstand like the Greenfield mentioned above spreads the weight/force onto two tubes.  I really wonder how many frames are dented as a result of the rear chainstay mounts what only use a 1" or so mount on the chainstay only.

39

General Discussion / Re: Kickstands - Love them or leave them?

« on: December 12, 2020, 07:32:29 pm »

Also, with a heavy load, the ground often gives way on a gravel trail or the front wheel pivots and the bike is on the ground any way.

To help with this, take an old golf ball, drill a hole about 1/2 way through the ball a bit smaller than the diameter of the kickstand end.  Force the ball on the stand.  You can use caulking to also help "glue" the ball to the stand if the hole wears loose.  This reduces the chance the kickstand digs into the ground but does look a bit (lot) dorky. 

For the front wheel, get a brake band (velcro strap or heavy duty rubber band or similar strap that keeps the front brake lever closed pulled) or wrap a velcro strap or bungie cord around the front wheel and the downtube.  The latter is more secure but a bit more of a pain.

By the time my buddies who use a kickstand and wheel strap are done, I am usually almost done at the CS or ready to give the waitress my order. 

Tailwinds, John

40

General Discussion / Re: Kickstands - Love them or leave them?

« on: December 12, 2020, 07:00:02 pm »

FYI, when you do a new post, you can do an actual poll.  The poll button is next to the "new Topic" button. 

While I like kickstands, I do not use them do to the weight.  If I used one again, I would only use a rear triangle kickstand.  I have tried most, and they all have pluses and minus. 

The regular by the bottom bracket pro is easy, familiar, and cheap. Con is it can mar the frame unless a dedicated kickstand plate is built-in.  Can't back-pedal if the stand is down.

A regular rear triangle stand's (mounts on the seat stay AND the chainstay) pro are it is very durable, can back pedal, but the front wheel can be squirrely at times.  A bit heavier and more costly though still relatively cheap.

A double stand by the bottom bracket's pros are the bike is stable but can't back pedal and are heavy and more expensive.

A Clik Stand (or similar versions) is lightweight but not near as steady and expensive.

I have not tried the front rack version nor the rear stand that mounts solely on the chainstay (that one scares me a little). I just lay my bike gently down if a wall, bench, or other bike is not available.  Since it sounds like you will be traveling with your wife, you should know that you can lean the bikes against each other (but front to back reversed) quite easily and I do it very often when touring with someone.  This is a bit harder if one bike is much smaller/bigger than the other.   In my 40+ years of touring I very rarely absolutely needed a kickstand though they are nice to have if you are willing to put up with the extra weight. 

 If I were doing a regularly loaded touring bike, I would use something like a Greenfield Rearmount Kickstand. If the bike was a very heavy loaded touring bike or a tandem, (50+ pounds of gear w/o consumables), I would probably use a double bottom bracket stand, ideally with a dedicated kickstand plate.

Tailwinds, John

41

Routes / Re: Eastern Express Bike Route

« on: December 12, 2020, 02:10:29 pm »

I am not super excited about the ride from the Maryland coast - open, flat farm lands.
In the end I figure what you have accomplished only has to satisfy you.
My wife hates traffic.

You would only have about 60 miles of flat farm lands as you go from Pocomoke to Chincoteague and then to Crisfield, MD.  The peninsula SE of DC is somewhat rolling.  However, as you say, and I 100% agree, is that you only need to satisfy yourself (and the Mrs.).

Since the wife hates traffic, I think the Eastern TransAm would be better for you.  Additionally, you won't have quite as much "flat farm land" as Nebraska is a bit more rolling than Kansas.

I will email you the GPS route later today.

Tailwinds, John

42

General Discussion / Re: Pedals and Shoes for the TransAmerica

« on: December 12, 2020, 01:12:19 pm »

I am all for pedals and shoes.  Going barefoot is too rough for me.

On this, I would highly recommend you do what you like best as this is a highly personal area.  Just note that you will be doing more walking than say on a club ride. I personally use Speedplay Frogs (lots of float) with Sidi mountain bike shoes. 

Tailwinds, John

43

Routes / Re: Eastern Express Bike Route

« on: December 12, 2020, 01:08:29 pm »

I have ridden parts of it in scattered places, probably about 50%-60% overall.  It is generally a nice well thought out route.  Not as varied as the TA but I would definitely consider it, especially if crunched for time.  The part I do not like the most is in Indiana.  It basically uses a somewhat busy highway when there are county roads nearby that are much quieter.  I have created an alternate route in this area that also does a loop in the covered bridge section of Indiana. 

The highlights are the GAP, (Indiana covered bridge loop alternate), the Katy Trail, and the Poudre River in Colorado.  It is substantially less hilly I would guess since you use rail trails in the Appalachians and the Ozarks. 

The negatives are rail trails, to me, get a bit boring after 100 miles.  Also, you have a somewhat rough trail on the C&O at places.  You miss some nice sections of VA, MO, & CO.

If I were going to do this route and wanted to do a Coast to Coast, I would start on the Atlantic and use the ferry near Smith Island to cross the Chesapeake and then use the ACA Potomoc Tidelands(?) route to get to Washington, DC.

Tailwinds, John

44

Gear Talk / Re: Bottle Cage Allen screw Size

« on: December 09, 2020, 05:53:31 pm »

Hey, I like how you can laugh at yourself.  Most would be too chicken to admit that.  I say if you can't laugh at yourself, you need to lighten up.

Seriously though, I would replace all allen bolts with stainless steel allen bolts and be sure to put a thin layer of decent waterproof grease on them like Phil Wood Waterproof Grease.  One tube lasts a lifetime.  I would guess one of your cycling friends have some if you do not already. It really sucks when an aluminum or steel bolt freezes onto the frame and you strip the head and then you have to try to get it out with damaging the boss threads.

45

Gear Talk / Re: How much does your sleeping gear weigh?

« on: December 09, 2020, 05:44:22 pm »

If possible be sure to have every item do double duty, i.e. use your sleeping pad (or bandana) as a "chair"; have only shirts you would ride in and wear post-ride, limit clothes to no more than 3 days worth, etc.

Obviously, certain items like spare tubes or medicine are basically dedicated use but you get the idea.  Also, if you are carrying a jacket for when you get into the mountains in 40 days, just mail that ahead care of general delivery to just before the mountains begin.  Or just go to a thrift store and buy a $2 jacket and trash it afterwards.