Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: Touring with an E-bike or G-bike?

« on: December 11, 2023, 06:53:17 pm »

I heard from Jason and here is his response.  "Thanks for letting me know.  SSL didn’t auto renew, site looks like it could be down until tomorrow. Trying to expedite it to be back up tonight."

I hope this does it for you.

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General Discussion / Re: Touring with an E-bike or G-bike?

« on: December 11, 2023, 05:01:56 pm »

I texted Jason at Electric Bike Outfitters.  I'll let you know when he has it fixed.

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General Discussion / Re: Touring with an E-bike or G-bike?

« on: December 11, 2023, 01:00:31 pm »

In 2017 I purchased a Class 1 E-Bike Kit pedal assist from EBO of Denver to add onto my REI touring bike.  The reasoning was to counter the wind when needed on my many cross country rides.  I've completed a coast to coast tour each summer since, skipping during Covid, and going as far north as Newfoundland.  I ride very heavy and fully loaded.  The Power Levels are 1-5.  At level one, I get 40-50 miles per charge on normal roadways with no more than a four percent grade at times.  20-30 miles per charge on continuous hilly routes and almost 0 miles on steep grades.  People forget that these electric motors are very small, like a 1 cylinder instead of a 16, so don't expect them to perform wonders.  But in the wind, they are so sweet.  Along with a good set of earplugs, one doesn't even notice the headwinds.  And if dogs begin to chase you, bump it up to level 5.  I've since added a spare battery to lengthen my reach when in the boonies or following the backbones of mountain ranges.  And charging is no different than keeping your other devices charged.  The battery unsnaps and if you bring the right wiring set up, you charge all your devices at the same time off of one power receptacle.  How is that any different than what you have been doing?  An additional benefit is the USB connector on the electric kit.  It charges your phone continuously with no noticeable loss of battery power.  That means road music all day long.  So don't listen to the naysayers and haters.  I wouldn't ride without my eAssist.  This is the best thing to happen to cycling in this century.

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General Discussion / Re: Barge and Bike in the USA?

« on: September 20, 2023, 02:03:43 pm »

David, when I biked the C&O it appeared no boat could make it up or down the Potomac.  It was too rocky, rough and shallow and I assumed that's why they built the canal a long time ago.

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General Discussion / Re: Barge and Bike in the USA?

« on: September 19, 2023, 10:57:20 pm »

Thanks, that's the very thing I was looking for.  Unfortunately, the McCready tours look great but I think my family would balk at $5,000 per head.

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General Discussion / Re: Barge and Bike in the USA?

« on: July 31, 2023, 04:43:01 pm »

  I agree.  There are so many beautiful places here.  Such as the Columbia River, the Coastline of Maine, the Outer Banks.  Maybe somebody will start something.

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General Discussion / Barge and Bike in the USA?

« on: July 30, 2023, 05:20:25 pm »

I'm trying to interest a number of male family members (the ladies are more comfort prone) in a 'barge and bike' vacation for next year but traveling outside the country sure makes that idea expensive.  Is anyone aware of this type of USA travel in a gorgeous setting whereby one puts his gear on the boat and they provide a bunk, showers and meals and each day one rides from breakfast to supper with a guide, meeting the boat at the next stop?  I'm actually a touring cyclist with 10 cross-countries under my belt and while wondering how the other half lives by being supported, would really like to come up with an epic event for the family.
Ideas are welcome.

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General Discussion / Re: Kickstands

« on: July 17, 2023, 02:03:35 pm »

I'll check it out.

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General Discussion / Kickstands

« on: July 17, 2023, 12:11:18 pm »

I travel heavy and don't concern myself with weight.  I've completed ten long distance rides fully loaded and found that 2 kickstands do the trick, one center mount and one rear mount.  As long as caution is exercised, my rig never tips over.  The problem is I am unable to find STEEL kickstands to withstand wind gusts, inexperienced Amtrak employees and situations out of my control.  Available kickstands are all made out of aluminum and snap off very easily which leads me to say I am done with replacing them with junk
When I was a kid, my balloon tire bikes had indestructible steel kickstands.  That's what I need now and a search of the internet says there is no such thing.  WHO makes steel kickstands?  I suppose I could buy a couple old bikes to rob it of the stand but that seems like a ridiculous option.  The other option is to adapt a motorcycle stand but I don't have the tools to do such a thing.

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Routes / Re: Doing the Great Divide on hard surface roads and Trails

« on: May 04, 2023, 02:39:05 pm »

Thanks for the good wishes.

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Routes / Doing the Great Divide on hard surface roads and Trails

« on: May 04, 2023, 01:39:39 pm »

At 79 I'm not too interested in really roughing it Bikepacking but by following parallel to the ACA Great Divide route on highways, I get to see a lot of the same stuff and experience more locals.  I'm planning on the solo 2023 ride from South to North, beginning in Albuquerque and ending in Whitefish, MT.  I am not starting at the border due to the mess down there.  I was informed by a sheriff that I will be carrying survival gear which is not lost on border jumping banditos.  At the other end, Whitefish is close enough to the Canadian border and also where I can catch the train headed West to Spokane.  Last year I pedaled parallel to the Pacific Crest Trail south to north but hikers and bikers alike were halted at the half way mark due to wild fires.  It was nasty with ash, and the campgrounds that were operating were full of firefighters.  Grocery stores and restaurants were all closing too so I turned away and headed home.  Therefore this year I am also going to attempt to complete what I didn't do last year.  Let's see how tired I am by then.  Time will tell.  So I'll be arriving in Albuquerque around May 17th for the Start, using Amtrak from Kansas City.

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General Discussion / Re: Searching for an Amtrak list of baggage handling stations on the Empire Builder

« on: March 15, 2023, 08:35:13 pm »

Thanks for the info.

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General Discussion / Re: Searching for an Amtrak list of baggage handling stations on the Empire Builder

« on: March 15, 2023, 04:30:59 pm »

Thanks.  They don't make it easy, for sure.  Last year I didn't know that they had cancelled use of the dining car because of Covid.  Only available to room renters.  Ended up with nasty frozen sandwiches for a couple thousand miles.

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General Discussion / Re: Searching for an Amtrak list of baggage handling stations on the Empire Builder

« on: March 15, 2023, 04:18:07 pm »

That's what I needed, an expert.  Thanks.

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General Discussion / Searching for an Amtrak list of baggage handling stations on the Empire Builder

« on: March 15, 2023, 03:38:54 pm »

Here we go again, trying to find Amtrak stations that allow roll-on or baggage car service for the Empire Builder Line without looking up each station along the way.  I spent an entire day two years ago before finding that map in the past, it is not easy to find online.  As I grow older, my frustration level is more sensitive.  I'm a seasoned bike storage/train traveler attempting my tenth cross-country riding on hard surfaces in parallel with the Great Divide Trail up the Rockies from Albuquerque to Whitefish, MT.  Then take Amtrak West w/bike onboard to somewhere near where it crosses the Pacific Crest Trail to head South down the Sierras to complete last years ride which was halted due to wildfires. So the question is, "where can I disembark with my bike in the Sierras?"  Any assistance would certainly be appreciated.