346
Routes / How much climbing does the Sierra Cascades route involve?
« on: December 05, 2011, 06:47:33 pm »
I did the SC last summer and would dearly love to know what my total climbing was. Anybody figured it out?
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347
General Discussion / Re: Banff to San Francisco
« on: November 29, 2011, 11:58:10 am »
Probably a wise move syndrome. However it's possible to get passes as far south as California blocked by snow quite late in the year. I went over Mt Lassen on July 17 this year and the road had been opened just the day before. I met two guys coming the other way who had had to detour round it. But I don't think you'll meet any show stoppers. By that I mean passes you can't avoid although you may have some long detours. You may have to find an alternative to the North Cascades Highway: snow can hang around late there. Having said that, there have been years when it didn't close at all (very few). Check on the internet; Washington State DOT even has a North Cascades newsletter you can sign up for which I recommend. States sometime have 800 numbers for road conditions.
Since you're new to touring. I'll offer this: locals have no idea what it's like to get anywhere on a bike. "not far" can be 15 or 20 miles. "A bit of a hill" can be 2000 ft in 3 miles. "down the road" can be uphill all the way (got bit by that this year)
Go for it.
Since you're new to touring. I'll offer this: locals have no idea what it's like to get anywhere on a bike. "not far" can be 15 or 20 miles. "A bit of a hill" can be 2000 ft in 3 miles. "down the road" can be uphill all the way (got bit by that this year)
Go for it.
348
Routes / Great Parks Questions
« on: November 27, 2011, 06:45:37 pm »
I want to ride the ACA Great Parks route from Jasper to Whitefish MT next year and I have some questions
a) what's the earliest I can start and have a hope of all the roads being passable
b) is it possible to do this route without camping? if so should I be booking places now?
c) I plan on catching the train from Vancouver to Jasper. Any known problems with that?
Thanks for any input
a) what's the earliest I can start and have a hope of all the roads being passable
b) is it possible to do this route without camping? if so should I be booking places now?
c) I plan on catching the train from Vancouver to Jasper. Any known problems with that?
Thanks for any input
349
Routes / Re: Sierra Cascades Piedra route mystery.
« on: November 26, 2011, 08:07:29 pm »
Should I submit an addendum to this effect?
350
Routes / Re: Sierra Cascades Piedra route mystery.
« on: November 26, 2011, 07:28:42 pm »
I think John is right we almost certainly never reached Kings River. From the ACA map (and Google Maps traffic view) it looks as though you can get to the Corps campground from Elwood Rd. along Pine Flat Rd which is what we were trying to do to avoid going back through Piedra. We were still in sight of Elwood Rd at the derelict bridge. there was no indication at the start of the road that it was impassable! Thanks John, mystery solved
351
Routes / Re: Sierra Cascades Piedra route mystery.
« on: November 26, 2011, 11:05:00 am »
Thanks for taking the trouble Fred. it's a real headscratcher. I wonder if there is an unmapped road before Pine Flat Rd. I have come across these with Google Maps but only with new developments. The road up to this bridge was narrow, had grass in the middle in parts, was shoulderless and obviously didn't get much traffic but the asphalt did go all the way to this wreck. I was stood on asphalt taking the picture. Now of course I regret not taking more shots. 
Ain't that always the way?
Maybe there are kayakers/rafters who know this bridge. it's pretty distinctive! I'll see if i can find any on the web.
Ain't that always the way? Maybe there are kayakers/rafters who know this bridge. it's pretty distinctive! I'll see if i can find any on the web.
352
Routes / Re: Sierra Cascades Piedra route mystery.
« on: November 25, 2011, 08:29:05 pm »
That's one mystery cleared up. Now about the other one...
353
Routes / Re: Sierra Cascades Piedra route mystery.
« on: November 25, 2011, 06:23:14 pm »
Dunno what I did wrong with the link. Another mystery.
354
Routes / Sierra Cascades Piedra route mystery.
« on: November 25, 2011, 11:13:44 am »
Perhaps someone can help me figure out exactly where we were this summer at a derelict bridge across Kings River on what we thought was Pine Flat Rd. (See Map 53 of Sierra Cascades route.)
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=4&page_id=267508&v=c
Here's the mystery. Google maps shows a bridge and I can find no reference on the Web to a derelict bridge anywhere near Piedra which has me wondering exactly which road were we on? The bridge in the picture above, to me, looks as the it may have been a railroad bridge: it's too narrow for a road bridge and the timbers look as though they may have been railroad ties. There was around 1910 - 1920 a railroad spur to a quarry in Piedra. Perhaps this is a remnant of that line and we were not on Pine Flat Rd at all? We were trying to get to the Corps campground without a lot of backtracking.
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=4&page_id=267508&v=c
Here's the mystery. Google maps shows a bridge and I can find no reference on the Web to a derelict bridge anywhere near Piedra which has me wondering exactly which road were we on? The bridge in the picture above, to me, looks as the it may have been a railroad bridge: it's too narrow for a road bridge and the timbers look as though they may have been railroad ties. There was around 1910 - 1920 a railroad spur to a quarry in Piedra. Perhaps this is a remnant of that line and we were not on Pine Flat Rd at all? We were trying to get to the Corps campground without a lot of backtracking.
355
Routes / Re: Best way (cheapest) to get bike and gear to the route start
« on: November 16, 2011, 10:35:37 am »
+1 for Amtrak
Their huge boxes are great. No taking wheels off, just remove pedals, turn the bars sideways (on my Trek520 I actually had to disconnect the bars from the stem to squeeze it in) and roll it into the box. I've always found Amtrak staff to be very helpful Remember to empty your water bottles. If you are coming back from a long ride consider spoiling yourself and getting a sleeper, I did from San Diego to Seattle and don't regret it.
Their huge boxes are great. No taking wheels off, just remove pedals, turn the bars sideways (on my Trek520 I actually had to disconnect the bars from the stem to squeeze it in) and roll it into the box. I've always found Amtrak staff to be very helpful Remember to empty your water bottles. If you are coming back from a long ride consider spoiling yourself and getting a sleeper, I did from San Diego to Seattle and don't regret it.
356
Gear Talk / Re: Preferred method of terminating handlebar tape ?
« on: November 13, 2011, 12:05:14 am »Quote
Spend real money ($2-3?) and buy 3M tape
+1 for electrical tape
The good stuff breaks cleanly when you pull it leaving a nice square end, the cheap stuff stretches like chewing gum and leaves a ratty end that doesn't stick down properly
Quote
Then again for me the bike is just a bike and not some fetish object. Good enough to do the job is good enough.
Well said
357
General Discussion / Re: Stupid Hotel Question
« on: October 27, 2011, 08:54:27 pm »
Another possible money saver: when you've got whatever discounts you can, ask how much for cash? Sometimes they will skip the tax for cash. It's probably not legal on their part and if the morality of it bothers you, don't do it. And don't tell them I told you to do it!
358
Gear Talk / Re: Rear hubs - Phil Wood and Chris King
« on: October 27, 2011, 08:45:11 pm »Quote
oxidation on the rubber boots can be a problem
Too true. I keep my Trek 520 under a porch and the boots disintegrated after a couple of years. I couldn't find replacements after trying half a dozen bike shops including the place I bought the bike. Eventually I went through the catalog with the guy at REI, we found replacements and special ordered them. I bought two sets as I didn't want to go through that again. For very long tours you may want to consider replacement boots along with other spare bits and pieces. Or put new boots on before you start.
359
Gear Talk / Re: Your Portable Repair Kit - What's Inside?!
« on: October 14, 2011, 11:07:28 pm »Quote
I always carry the Unior cassette lockring tool.
Where can you get these? The link doesn't tell you.
360
General Discussion / Re: TransAmerica 2012
« on: October 14, 2011, 06:59:04 pm »
Simon,
Be aware that B & Bs in the US are usually not a cheap alternatives to motels/hotels as they are in the UK. They are often middle class sort places meant to give their guests an experience and can cost up to $200 a night. Now if you really want an experience you can stay in a $36 a night motel in Yakima! Motel 6 takes some beating for cheap accommodation, Ive found them in California for $46 a night. There are one or two excellent hostels on the Transam but they are much fewer and further between than in Europe. It is out of the question cycling from hostel to hostel as you could in Europe. I'd take a tent and sleeping bag for backup; there can be some very long distances between towns over here. I've found about 50/50 camping/motels keeps the costs bearable. I long since gave up attempting to cook while camping: it's a bunch of extra weight and there's always somewhere to eat. Take your time and enjoy the trip. (You won't if you don't. If you see what I mean)
Be aware that B & Bs in the US are usually not a cheap alternatives to motels/hotels as they are in the UK. They are often middle class sort places meant to give their guests an experience and can cost up to $200 a night. Now if you really want an experience you can stay in a $36 a night motel in Yakima! Motel 6 takes some beating for cheap accommodation, Ive found them in California for $46 a night. There are one or two excellent hostels on the Transam but they are much fewer and further between than in Europe. It is out of the question cycling from hostel to hostel as you could in Europe. I'd take a tent and sleeping bag for backup; there can be some very long distances between towns over here. I've found about 50/50 camping/motels keeps the costs bearable. I long since gave up attempting to cook while camping: it's a bunch of extra weight and there's always somewhere to eat. Take your time and enjoy the trip. (You won't if you don't. If you see what I mean)