Messages

1

Routes / Re: Going To The Sun Road...after 4 PM

« on: July 28, 2013, 12:57:48 am »

I did the ride July 2012 on a Satuday morning. I am from Florida and had just completed the ACA Montana Divide trip. I left my tent, about 1mile outside the park at 6:15 AM and got to the top just before 11:00. I barely stopped to take pictures. Traffic was not that bad except we're they had construction ongoing and only one lane going both ways. Cars were very curtious. I rode the bus shuttle back down.  If I had it to do over, I would have ridden down the other side to St Mary and then taken the shuttle bus back up to Logan Pass an back down to Apgar.

I was awesome and I recommend anyone thinking on doing it to make sure you do..

2

General Discussion / Re: LTC Florida 2013, transportation for you and or your bike

« on: December 29, 2012, 08:39:44 pm »

This may sound stupid, but what is LTC Florida 2013? I live in Tampa about an hour from Clermont and was just wondering?

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Gear Talk / Re: Tire Selection for the Continental Divide Trail

« on: October 08, 2012, 07:45:40 pm »

I know this sounds kind of stupid, but I would contact Glacier Cyclery in Whitefish and ask them. I rented a bike to do part of the Divide Trail this summer with an ACA group and they were great. They really know what they are doing and are very eager to help. I am sure they could reccomend the correct tires.

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Gear Talk / Re: tent for transam

« on: October 08, 2012, 07:38:32 pm »

I have the Spifire 2 and used it this summer for a ten day trip. I am 6'0" 225lbs and it was perfect for me. I kept all my stuff inside at night and still had plenty of room. I could easily sit-up in it. You have to make your own foot print becuase there is not one out there. I purchased my tent on e-bay is had been used once. I got a great deal. Good Luck!

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General Discussion / Re: Whitefish, Glacier NP and Flathead Lake advice...

« on: August 01, 2012, 11:26:23 pm »

I just did the Going To The Sun Road about two weeks ago. I camped at glacier campground in the meadow for $10. They also had a pit Bar-B-Que open on weekend which served great food for a reasonable price. Bathroom/Shower were great. I would reccomend this place. It is about 1 mile west of the west entrance to Glacier National Park. I also rode back to Whitefish the next day. I was pulling an overloaded BOB trailer. Most of the way is flat or down hill with very manageable traffic. It is the best way to go. Avoid Hwy 2. The folks at Glacier Cyclery in Whitefish were awesome.

I also did the ACA Montana Cycle Divide tour and we went to Seeley. It was a very nice town with alot to do.

However you do it you are going to have a great time.

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Gear Talk / Re: Bike seat comfort

« on: July 03, 2012, 08:55:22 pm »

I have been wearing standard bike shorts for some time. About 5 months ago I purchased the DeSoto 400 Mile short and they are awesome. They are the best I have worn. However, I am going on an ACA MT Divide trip in about 10 days so I purchased some Mountain Bike Shorts with the liner inside. These were made by Cannondale and were purchased from my LBS for about $60.00. The liner is mesh with the chamois padding.  I used them on a 34 mile ride and my bottom end was torn up. They did not feel good on the ride. It felt like I could feel every pice of mesh in the short. I was a hot and humid ride. When I got home to shower, I had a ring imprinted on my butt where the outside of the padding was.

Has anyone else had this issue? I like the lycra and would buy a lucra liner but cant find one. All the liner seem to be made of this mesh. Anyone have any ideas?

dbbcpa

7

General Discussion / Re: Numbness, Tingling and Loss of strength in hand

« on: June 19, 2012, 11:52:08 pm »

Went to my LBS to discuss the situation. I purchased some ego grips and some Cane Creek Bar Ends. I also realized that I may have been locking out my arms instead of leaning more forward, using my back and taking stress off of my hands. I have been focussing on my technique on my road and mountain bike rides. The changes have really helped. Thanks again fellow cyclists.

8

General Discussion / Re: looking for company/advise/hosts ; ) (June/July 2012 FL Tampa to LA)

« on: June 19, 2012, 11:47:29 pm »

I am in Tampa. When are you coming through? I have to leave July 13 for a Montana trip but may be able to help or ride with you for a day or so. Let me know a little more about your specific plans.

9

General Discussion / Re: Numbness, Tingling and Loss of strength in hand

« on: June 02, 2012, 06:41:30 pm »

Everyone, thanks for the suggestions. I went to my Chiropractor for treatment including Ultrasound massage. Things are just about back to normal. I took this week off from riding. I have been road riding distances of 35 - 55 mile rides on a weekly basis for about a year with no issues. I will take everyone's reccomendations and get by mountain bike fit for me by my local shop.

Thanks Again!

10

General Discussion / Numbness, Tingling and Loss of strength in hand

« on: May 29, 2012, 08:44:19 pm »

Since someone brought a medical question, I thought I would bring up mine. I am going on the ACA Ride the Divide trip in July and have been doing some training. The last two weekends I have done overnight bikepacking trips on my loaded mountain bike. The first trip was only 26 miles one way and last weekend was 42 miles one way. I went out on Saturday afternoon and came back Sunday morning. I had about 30 pounds of gear including my camelback with water on both trips. I had no issues after the first trip, but after the second trip, I could not turn the key to start my truck with my right hand. Both hands were tingling as well as my lower leggs. I had lost strength in my right hand which is starting to come back now. It takes effort to eat with a fork or write with a pen.

I regularly ride on my road bike anywhere from 40 - 55 miles on each Saturday with no issues. The one thing I did different between the rides was raise my seat a little bit. I can only assume this put more pressure on my wrists. I have since raised my handlebars about the same amount. Has anyone else had this issue before? What did you do to avoid having it again.

I would appreciate any comments on this issue.

dbbcpa

11

General Discussion / Re: Logistics for Divide MT Trip and the Ride-to-the-Sun Road to Glacier Natl Park

« on: March 03, 2012, 06:17:56 pm »

Thanks for all the great feedback. I am certainly going to do this. If there is anyone else on the Ride the Divide Montana ACA trip that wants to join me, let me know.

12

General Discussion / Logistics for Divide MT Trip and the Ride-to-the-Sun Road to Glacier Natl Park

« on: February 26, 2012, 11:41:16 am »

I have just signed-up for the Divide MT ride in July with Adventure Cycling. I will be riding my mountain bike. My idea is to ride the Going-to-the-Sun Road to Galcier Natl Park. Our tour is over on Friday and I can extend my stay up to about three days to complete. I am wondering if anyone has done this before? I was thinking I could sleep in a Whitefish Hotel in Whitefish Friday night. Saturday I could start the ride to Glacier and possibly camp there Saturday night. Ride back Sunday and either catch a flight that day or Monday. Is riding up the road to Glacier then back down in one day possible? Could i do this without camping and be able to catch a plane on Sunday. I will be on a Mountain bike. I also need to figure in getting my bike back to a bike shop to be shipped back to Tampa, FL.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. This will be my first bike trip of anykind.

One other question. It may sound stupid, but I do mostly road riding. I recently put tires on my mountain bike that are basically smooth in the center of the tire with knobbies on the sides. I did this to practicing putting miles on my mountain bike in our hilly areas which are all roads. Are these tires suitable for the Divide, MT trip or do I need a full offroad tire?

Thanks in advance for your help.

13

General Discussion / Re: Newbie to touring and trying to figure out my fitness level

« on: January 16, 2012, 09:44:27 pm »

Thanks to all for the encouragement. I am trying to decide which trip to do. pptouring, I will probably contact you and try to hook-up to meet you. It was funny you mentioned San Ann and Clermont. Those are the hills I was talking about. Adding 50 lbs and doing them would be interesting. I may try that on my old road bike with a triple. Maybe even my mountain bike with different tires. I rode Clermont in the Horrible Hundred but on did 35. Should have done 70 with Sugarloaf, the 35 was a little easier than I expected.

I guess the net stage is figuring out what gear I need and if my current bikes will work in a supported trip. My roadie is a Trek Madone 5.2 while my mountain bike is a Felt Q620 all stock. Any opinions would be appreciated.

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General Discussion / Newbie to touring and trying to figure out my fitness level

« on: January 15, 2012, 09:23:50 pm »

Hello, I am new to adventure cycling but I think I am hooked. I want to do a tour this summer but I am not sure which one to do. I live in Tampa, FL and have been riding for about 10 months. I am a male age 52, over 200 lbs but fairly active. I run in addition to biking. On Saturdays I usually do a flat 42 mile ride at about 20 mph in a group. I have recently done my first Metric Century and Century. Both of these included at least half of the miles in hills (dont laugh). I have been riding in the hills for about three months now. I have a road bike and a mountain bike. I am new to mountain biking and have only done trails a few times.

I want to do a tour and if a friend decides to go, I was thinking the Tetons-Yellowstone Van tour. If my friend does not go, I was thinking of the Cycle Montana Divide or the Canada Great Divide trips. My friend would only do a road tour. I like the idea of an offroad tour and camping in the Divide.

I guess my question is can I do it physically? Is it something I can really train for in Florida? How tough are the climbs? Here some of our hills seem tough to me. I was thinking of a supported tour for the first time so I did not have to have the additional weight. I am game for anything, I just dont want to Bonk! Any suggestions or comments would be helpful. Even links to other sites or discussions on this subject would be appreciated.

Thanks in Advance for your help!!