Messages

31

Gear Talk / Re: EBike cross-country experience

« on: June 28, 2024, 01:40:24 pm »

I need to review alternates, but currently have a difficult 70 mile with 4000 feet of climbing day between casino near Lander and Dubois.   That day is why we have 4 batteries, and even then it will be close I think

32

Routes / Re: TransAm Alternate Routes You Would Recommend

« on: June 28, 2024, 01:31:22 pm »

My current attempt at Dillon CO (our bikes are being overhauled at Cove Bike and Shop next week while we visit with family) to Hot Sulphur Springs:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47331480

I recently figured out Custom Cues on RWGPS.   Nice as that allows us to "see" POI's on our GPS head units or hear them on our phones. 

33

Routes / Re: TransAm Alternate Routes You Would Recommend

« on: June 28, 2024, 01:11:31 pm »

Thanks, John.  We will probably do that alternate GDMBR segment.   

I am also trying to figure out the maze of small roads and bike paths  (eg, Blue River Trail) coming out of Silverthorne.  Looks likely that one can avoid the first 10 miles of Rt 9 NB from Silverthorne at the expense of a few extra miles.   Lots of traffic there on Rt 9, as you say (https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/ab7c09a831be45148991181947a97e12/page/Main-Page-/?views=Layers)

Matt

34

Gear Talk / EBike cross-country experience

« on: June 28, 2024, 11:29:15 am »

My wife is currently riding an ebike across the country with me, west bound from Rehoboth Beach DE to Astoria OR.  She has a Specialized Vado SL that is a couple years old (frame is carbon, I see they switched to aluminum in latest versions), and I have a Salsa Cutthroat (non-electric).  We are currently taking a break until 8 July to see kids and grandkids, having left our bikes at Cove Bike and Ski in Dillon CO for service while we drive to Boulder for family.   We recently rode over Hoosier Pass to get to Dillon, but our trip is not over.  I feel confident that we can make it to Astoria 'if the creek don't rise'.  At our age (66 & 68), arthritis and other things are a problem (esp for me), but I will skip that discussion and focus on the ebike. 

My wife's Vado SL (33# empty) can carry extender batteries in std Specialized bottle cages, so we carry 4 of those (I carry one of them on my Cutty).  Typically, she uses 2 or 3 extenders if mountainous, having set the controls to use extenders first, and typically the main battery is over 50% at end of the day.  We anticipate using 4 extenders in Wyoming.  Using extender first supposedly is bad, but battery health is over 90% after 2 years of use, and seems necessary for highest capacity with multiple extenders, even if battery health declines a bit.   BLEVO phone app is good for seeing data on batteries (e.g, tells you if firmware needs updating) - Specialized app is not as forthcoming.   We carry 2 charger bricks so that all batteries can be charged in a few hours every night.  We stay at motels or warm showers (no camping) and have not charged during the day so far.   Carrying extra batteries is heavy, but it is analogous to carrying gasoline for a car trip thru the desert.  It is definitely extra weight but the extra power dwarfs the weight issue.   

We tested multiple battery strategies in 3 different short tours the year prior to starting across the US on Skyline Drive in Virginia, trails to DC and Pittsburgh and back, as well as across Florida.   I changed some eqpt on the Vado (racks, fenders, brakes, chainring) in that period.  All but the chainring we considered to be essential.  The stock rack bent under wear of a test tour so I went with old main mountain (OMM) front and rear which required removing rear fender/light combo.  I added PDW metal fenders (bent them to fit in fork) which gives her much more clearance to tires in case of mud.  Including batteries, she is carrying 40-45 lbs I think.   We will see once the bikes get weighed in Missoula.

My wife's FTP is about 50 watts, and we set the 3 levels of support at max of 80W, 120W and 240W.  As you may well know, you get a lot more miles out of low power level than high, so "miles per battery" rating is highly dependent on user and terrain and temperature (below 40F, you get less capacity).  She would not be this tour without the ebike, which allows her to go the same speed as me which is pretty great.  While throttle type ebikes ridden at 30 mph may lead most of us to curse ebikes as a group, my wife's ebike has been an enormous blessing for her which is wonderful to see.

Matt Dwyer

35

Routes / Re: TransAm Alternate Routes You Would Recommend

« on: June 28, 2024, 10:45:21 am »

My ebiker wife and I are going east to west, and recently rode from Pueblo to Canon City.   We took advantage of the circa 10 mile Arkansas River MUP trail (mostly paved except for short stretches) from Pueblo that winds up at the Pueblo Reservoir Visitor Center which sells drinks and snacks and has restrooms and water.   Later that day, we used the 4 mile or so Arkansas River MUP trail (smooth limestone gravel) to get into Canon City.  Both are highly recommended, unless flooded (always a risk if the word "River" is in the name).   Made us wish the trail was completed between the two cities entirely along that river.  Bike trails at the end of the day are wonderful, imo, as they give you peace and quiet, coloring my opinion of the entire day. 

We did not enjoy Rt 9 WB from Hartsel to Fairplay, but I have no suggestions on reroute.  The traffic was very heavy (maybe 5x Guffey to Hartsel), pickup trucks enjoyed scaring the crap out of us at 75 mph, and we had a lovely time fighting cross/headwinds going uphill.  I shudder to think of what that would have been like if it had been raining that day, but your tolerance may vary (eg., my wife would definitely never ride that road again).

Rt 9 WB over Hoosier pass was busy as well but folks were better tempered, or so it seemed.  Currently taking a week off to see grandchildren before continuing up to Missoula, on our way to Astoria.

36

Routes / Re: Eads CO to Sugar City

« on: June 20, 2024, 11:17:47 am »

Turned out to be a cold rainy day with a tailwind, so 3 bottles each was plenty.

For future reference by others:

Scoluar grain elevator on Haswell allowed us to use their restroom.  Also the gas station/propane supplier in that town was open (contrary to Google maps) and appeared to have a convenience store, but we did not go in.

37

Routes / Re: Eads CO to Sugar City

« on: June 17, 2024, 03:52:08 pm »

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone.  I'll figure it out.

Had a nice surprise today, finding the Heartland Mill just south of Marienthal, KS on 96.  Restrooms, water, baked goods and drinks. Highly recommended.

We love these new 21 oz stainless steel water bottles from Camelbak and Bivo.  Excellent thermos

38

Routes / Re: Eads CO to Sugar City

« on: June 16, 2024, 02:13:35 pm »

Thanks, John.

39

Routes / Re: Eads CO to Sugar City

« on: June 16, 2024, 01:01:24 pm »

Yes, I am familiar with these tactics.     

Another tip is that coop grain elevators along route 96 may have offices that are staffed and have water, or cold drinks for sale.

40

Routes / Eads CO to Sugar City

« on: June 16, 2024, 08:49:42 am »

Any food, water, or restrooms in the 56 miles between Eads CO and Sugar City CO on the TransAm?

I assume not, sadly, but correct me if wrong.  Riding that this week.

41

General Discussion / Re: Planning TA—Oregon logging trucks & annual highway closure?

« on: March 08, 2024, 10:56:32 am »

...I also rode 126 east of Eugene, from Mackenzie Bridge to Walterville.  There's no shoulder ..

Not sure if 126 has changed, but looking at google street view, I can only find short segments with no shoulder, but I have not ridden it yet. 

42

Routes / Re: Trans Am Rockies Camping - Bears?

« on: February 23, 2024, 09:00:59 pm »

In terms of taking attractants inside your tent, can't you just put them in plastic bags? 

From what I've read, that will not work as plastic bags are too thin.   Most of us can't keep the outside of ziplocks perfectly clean either.

Annoying to hang or canister everything, I realize. 

43

General Discussion / Re: C 2 C

« on: February 20, 2024, 08:20:46 pm »

Do you enjoy any dirt/gravel road rides?   My wife and I ride 700x38 tubeless tires and find gravel roads peaceful albeit slower going.  Takes awhile to get used to steep climbs and rough descents, but worth it, imo.

We took the Green Swamp route south of the C2C due to the trail gap near Clermont so we could avoid route 50.  Sandy roads were a bit soft, but the Richloam General Store was fun to see, and we toured the FWC bass hatchery on the way out of the swamp. 

44

General Discussion / Re: C 2 C

« on: February 18, 2024, 05:39:55 am »

I rode C2C from St Pete to Flagler Beach (instead of Titusville) with my wife this month. Took the train to/from DC to get to Florida.  We used RidewithGps and Elemnt Roam computers to stay on the trail for the most part.  Got lost once near Orlando, probably due to my carelessness.  Signage is very sporadic, and usually listed the individual trail name but not the Coast to Coast trail.   I try not to screw up, but I find that my success on tour often depends on handling problems. 

Rt 1 is not pleasant, sorry you rode there - we did some of that ourselves. We wear lots of high visibility colors and used lots of lights.  We stayed 3 nights with kind WarmShowers hosts, which was great.  We have hosted for years, but that was our first time as guests.   We used hotels otherwise to charge my wife's ebike.   We met two guys riding the Huracan bikepacking loop, which looks interesting but awfully wet.   That had places to camp they said.     

The US needs more bike infrastructure of all kinds, for commuting as well as touring.  Meanwhile, I still enjoy quiet roads that go to interesting places, and do my best to survive roads like route 1 if I can't enjoy them. 

45

General Discussion / Re: POLL: What services are most important to you on a map?

« on: January 30, 2024, 09:25:44 pm »

Anyway, ACA should get the credit for making great maps.  Tailwinds, John

Good to keep that straight, thanks