Messages

16

General Discussion / Re: For a California trip, what kind of shoes you recommend

« on: September 03, 2021, 05:49:43 pm »

"For me sandals offer nothing but chaffing and sores from the straps and road grit. I would ride in mtn bike shoes with a pair of Crocs or Xero shoes for off bike activities"
Second that. I use Merrels Mens Slippers which are very light and despite their name have a robust sole - not trivial the only time I encountered goat heads was through the sole of imitation Crocs.

17

Routes / Re: Westport OR to Champoeg SP

« on: February 23, 2021, 05:16:09 pm »

Hah!
Yep - - that "OR" means Oregon, doesn't it?
But it would be a sweet ride from Westport, Wash.

Quite right. I'm planning on riding from Seattle to Eugene so Westport WA would be a bit of a detour.

18

Routes / Westport OR to Champoeg SP

« on: February 22, 2021, 02:03:20 pm »

Is there a way to do this without going through Portland? From the RWGPS map route 47 looks promising, has anybody done that?

19

General Discussion / Re: Reviews of Southern Tier tours

« on: August 26, 2020, 12:34:51 am »

https://www.outsideonline.com/2407239/bike-touring-dream-job-nightmare#close

20

General Discussion / Re: Pacific coast North to south, taking in the California lost coast trail.

« on: July 02, 2020, 03:05:25 am »

I considered the Lost Coast when I was going down the coast myself but I was credit card touring and there's no accommodation that way. There's some pretty fierce hills going the regular route! At least for my old legs.

21

Classifieds / Trek 520

« on: July 02, 2020, 02:52:45 am »

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Trek-520-51-2cm-Hand-built-wheels-bags-rack/402313128967?hash=item5dabbb2c07:g:EpUAAOSwVhNe83X5

22

General Discussion / Re: Pacific coast North to south, taking in the California lost coast trail.

« on: July 01, 2020, 11:18:43 pm »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZXDdFaI1rM

23

Routes / Re: Seattle to Anacortes--First time touring

« on: December 05, 2019, 08:46:44 pm »

3+ year old thread.

Yes and adventurepdx's links are no good - probably why.

Nope, the age of the thread has nothing to do with the badness of my links. There was an internal error with Ride With GPS that lost the data for those routes.

Pity that, I was quite intereted in doing them.

24

Routes / Re: Seattle to Anacortes--First time touring

« on: December 05, 2019, 12:54:57 am »

3+ year old thread.

Yes and adventurepdx's links are no good - probably why.

25

Gear Talk / Re: Shimano Hollowtech experience anyone?

« on: October 02, 2019, 07:03:56 pm »

See if any advice here gives you a clue https://bikemagic.com/how-to/mountain-bike-maintenance/fitting-hollowtech-ii-cranks.html
My WAG is that something has been overtorqued.at the factory, other than non-parallel BB faces  there's not much else it could be. Hambini has more to say about bottom brackets than you'd ever wish to hear. Good luck.

26

General Discussion / Re: To use paper maps...or the internet while on tour?

« on: May 30, 2017, 03:49:08 pm »

I like using a dedicated GPS unit that gives audible cues for turns. It replaces a bike computer since it automatically records distance, speed and altitude (I don't even have to jot these down and reset the computer daily), and allows me to enjoy the scenery or concentrate on road safety without having to constantly glance down at a map or be preoccupied with wayfinding. It also gives me the freedom of taking any interesting detours with its ability to automatically reroute me back on track further on.

I toured with paper maps throughout Europe and North America in the 1990s and early 2000s and I much prefer the simplicity of something like a Garmin eTrex on my handlebar now.

You can get audible cues with Google maps but it runs your phone down in no time. I like sound of the Garmin eTrex. Does the it last all day, 8 hours say? Can you recharge it with one of those battery pack thingys if you're not near a power source?

27

General Discussion / Re: To use paper maps...or the internet while on tour?

« on: May 29, 2017, 09:56:32 pm »

I've done a few long tours and never used a GPS, always had ACA maps but what I do find handy is an iPhone mainly for finding motels. Google maps is just the thing if you search for 'breakfast restaurants'. And there's also that essential thing you can never find 'laundromat' (launderette)

28

Connecting ACA Routes / Help I Need a Durango detour from 66

« on: April 23, 2017, 08:03:21 pm »

On May 1 I'm restarting my Route 66 tour from Tulsa OK where I had a mishap and had to come home. Some friends of mine are going to be in Durango CO about the time I'll be there and I would like to make a detour from the ACA route to meet them. I could simply go to Santa Fe and head north from there but  I'm hoping there's a way I could leave 66 earlier and rejoin it past Santa Fe. As it is my wife and I are planning on a non-cycling trip to Santa Fe later in the year so I won't be missing much. Suggestions please.

29

General Discussion / Re: Hire of touring bike in Seattle

« on: April 04, 2017, 07:20:55 pm »

I've done Leeds to Seattle with British Airways and back a couple of times and taken a bike. Your bike in a box  counts as your one free checked bag  (years ago they allowed two free checked bags). Check the BA website it may be bearable to take another checked bag. What I've done before today is bought a suitcase from a charity shop,I got one in Settle (sic) for £4 once, and stuff your panniers in that so you only have one extra bag.

30

Routes / Re: Coos Bay Bridge Bypass Yes and No?

« on: April 04, 2017, 12:38:42 pm »

Depending on how much of a hurry I'm in it would appear that my optimum route would be to take the bridge bypass: much longer than six minutes but pleasant riding with nice views and a couple of short steep ones but pancake flat for most of it, until you get into the city. Then make your way to Newmarket St. (it looks about 3-4 miles on the ACA map) and rejoin the direct route. On this trip getting rear ended earlier in the year had left me nervous about bridges (and tunnels). This is what I'll try should I ever go that way again.