46
General Discussion / Re: Tourist stickers
« on: January 18, 2018, 01:27:32 am »
Very nice, Pinhead.
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47
General Discussion / Re: Tourist stickers
« on: January 17, 2018, 07:47:45 pm »
I located a group of decals that includes every National Park. This is so much cheaper than individual. I'll research further.
https://www.andersondesigngroupstore.com/collections/playing-cards/products/59-piece-deluxe-national-parks-sticker-set
https://www.andersondesigngroupstore.com/collections/playing-cards/products/59-piece-deluxe-national-parks-sticker-set
48
General Discussion / Re: Tourist stickers
« on: January 15, 2018, 08:16:45 pm »
Stickers or decals are usually too big to put on my bike so I scissors the name or whatever I can use. So I guess I could use any kind of decal with the name I want.
49
General Discussion / Tourist stickers
« on: January 15, 2018, 07:08:47 pm »
I know this sounds a little odd. I've toured a bit and purchase a sticker for my bike when I hit some place interesting like Niagara Falls. Last trip I had a freak accident and tore up both fenders and they need to be replaced. This eliminates a dozen or so stickers. Do you know of anyplace that sells these tourist stickers on line? If you buy them at the locations they are $5 a piece.
50
General Discussion / Re: Amtrak roll-on in Seattle
« on: July 11, 2017, 11:09:17 am »
Hey Alessandra: Yes, roll-on means one does not box up his bike. He only has to present it to the baggage person and that man takes care of the rest. The only other way I have shipped my bike is through BikeFlights.com. It was inexpensive and fast. Jack Day
51
General Discussion / Re: Amtrak roll-on in Seattle
« on: July 07, 2017, 10:30:16 am »
Update: From what I learned on the initial train of my trip, first pick up a tag for the bike at the ticket counter. Then my plan for getting me and my bike onto the second train that I transferred to was to pile my gear (panniers) at the entry door of my designated passenger car door and then ride down to the other end of the train to the location of the baggage car where they would store my rig. That's when I learned something that makes all the difference. The Conductor is the overall designator where people and bicycles go on HIS train. This boss of my train said that he was putting my bike in an unused crew room on a passenger car and I would be riding the same car. That made it a whole new ball game. I even had access to the bike during the trip. He also explained that the reason some stops don't allow deboarding your bike is that the platform is too short for the train. The baggage car is down the tracks a ways so they can't get anything off. So what I get from this is to try to sweet talk the conductor when getting on the train. He's the one that determines whether it is going to be a positive experience or not.
52
General Discussion / Amtrak roll-on in Seattle
« on: July 06, 2017, 12:18:26 pm »
Just took a ride from Seattle to Sacramento via Amtrak with my touring bike a roll-on. The system had a few bugs that one has to adapt to.
1. Most people buy their tickets on-line these days and therefore don't use the ticket counter. One is suppose to get a tag there for one's bike before he boards the train. I waited a half hour in the check-in line before someone told me.
2. The baggage car where one's bike is stored is just behind the engine. One is expected to remove all bags and attachments from the bike before storage and carry them to your passenger car, which in my case was 13 cars back. I held up the train just to get this done. One wonders who came up with that process. The next train that I am transferring to in a few hours may go smoother, now that I know what to look for. I will up-date.
1. Most people buy their tickets on-line these days and therefore don't use the ticket counter. One is suppose to get a tag there for one's bike before he boards the train. I waited a half hour in the check-in line before someone told me.
2. The baggage car where one's bike is stored is just behind the engine. One is expected to remove all bags and attachments from the bike before storage and carry them to your passenger car, which in my case was 13 cars back. I held up the train just to get this done. One wonders who came up with that process. The next train that I am transferring to in a few hours may go smoother, now that I know what to look for. I will up-date.
53
General Discussion / Ebike kit update
« on: May 26, 2017, 05:11:03 pm »
C2C@73 - With advancing age, I decided that this year I would try an ebike kit on my ride across the country since I had the big four USA mountain ranges to conquer. Turn up your nose if you like. I am at mile 1,300 of my route and have already passed up and over the Great Smoky Mountains. Child's play. This electric kit has found a final home. I won't go back. It helps with dog chases, unsafe situations where you have to get through fast, and climbing all those hills. It also allows me to stay up with locals without luggage or loaded riders with young legs. Normal 8-12 mph gives the battery a 45 mile range while hilly is about thirty. You pedal the same, you just get there faster and easier. ...In this photo, I am getting new foot pedals in Muscatine, Iowa at Harper's Cycling. The EBO Burly model electric kit needs no maintenance so far. ...I wonder if I could put another one on the rear. Backup.
54
General Discussion / Re: Interested in 'electric assist' touring?
« on: April 26, 2017, 04:26:09 pm »
I avoided any battery hassles at the airport by having it shipped separately as hazardous materials. Fedex - $30.
55
General Discussion / Re: Interested in 'electric assist' touring?
« on: April 26, 2017, 12:55:56 pm »
Thanks for responding, guys. I wanted to add something that might alleviate some of your concerns in regards to distance and charging. I will only be using this unit at power level one, with the exception of mountainous terrain or it begins to turn dark. I want to pedal as much as possible for fitness and longevity so I will not be slacking that way. I will need a charge every night so I looked to the obvious. (I may add another battery along the way). Hosts as much as possible, motels when I have to, and a bivy sack for those wide open spaces. I began attaining hosts for every 60 miles of my route about three months before the blast off date. This year there are 70 overnights and I have acquired over 60 host families to provide hospitality. In addition, I would think you could go into certain places of business and ask them if you could charge the 8 lb. battery overnight. The charger looks like my camcorder charger. My purpose in posting about this is to provide info to those older or in firmed folks who can see a need for electric in their future but don't know where to start. (It's amazing how many jerk emails I've received on the subject. Somehow this is cheating.) I will be adding data, both the negatives and the positives, along the way.
56
General Discussion / Interested in 'electric assist' touring?
« on: April 24, 2017, 05:57:13 pm »
Route Map and info - https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1w4J6NGvXOUYbyeuldSASSZ_sm6Y&ll=40.874234941725135%2C-111.8975110156889&z=4
It's finally time! May 1st will begin my 6th bicycle tour (24,000 miles) since retirement, a coast-to-coast arc ride within the USA & Canada. STARTING at the Atlantic Ocean on Hilton Head Island, SC, I will endeavor to reach the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco sometime in August, staying with nearly 60 host families along the way. But this trip will have an additional boost. Having paid my dues, I have secured an Electric Assist Kit which adapts to my REI touring bike. Looking forward to conquering the four major mountain ranges of my country along the route, Alleghenies, Rockies, Cascades, and the Sierra Nevada, I am tired of wasting time near the summits pushing my load up the worst of it, and in addition I want to be able to keep up with those younger legs who frequently join me for awhile. One pedals as usual, but the electric kit gives a little added 'gas'. There was only one company (EBO) confident enough with their product to work with me when I mentioned I wanted to accomplish an unusually tough goal and seriously abuse their unit. These guys have e-bike experience with cargo, mountain and commuter customers in Colorado so who better to make the fit. If 'electric' peeks your interest, I will be making no-BS updated posts to my Facebook ride-page, both good and bad, referring to mileage per charge, speed, and other variables. I'm excited to try it and if everything works out, you will get so sick of my bragging! Who had any idea that at 73 one can still be able to dream and participate in life at its fullest?
It's finally time! May 1st will begin my 6th bicycle tour (24,000 miles) since retirement, a coast-to-coast arc ride within the USA & Canada. STARTING at the Atlantic Ocean on Hilton Head Island, SC, I will endeavor to reach the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco sometime in August, staying with nearly 60 host families along the way. But this trip will have an additional boost. Having paid my dues, I have secured an Electric Assist Kit which adapts to my REI touring bike. Looking forward to conquering the four major mountain ranges of my country along the route, Alleghenies, Rockies, Cascades, and the Sierra Nevada, I am tired of wasting time near the summits pushing my load up the worst of it, and in addition I want to be able to keep up with those younger legs who frequently join me for awhile. One pedals as usual, but the electric kit gives a little added 'gas'. There was only one company (EBO) confident enough with their product to work with me when I mentioned I wanted to accomplish an unusually tough goal and seriously abuse their unit. These guys have e-bike experience with cargo, mountain and commuter customers in Colorado so who better to make the fit. If 'electric' peeks your interest, I will be making no-BS updated posts to my Facebook ride-page, both good and bad, referring to mileage per charge, speed, and other variables. I'm excited to try it and if everything works out, you will get so sick of my bragging! Who had any idea that at 73 one can still be able to dream and participate in life at its fullest?
57
General Discussion / Re: Rear Kickstand
« on: March 03, 2017, 08:38:26 pm »Which rear kickstand have you been using?
The one I've used is the rear triangle version made by Greenfield. Never used it on a tour, but have used it for day-to-day commuting, and I have had loads on it.
That is what I have now, and one of the companies that told me they were not built for heavy weight. I have been babying it.
58
General Discussion / Rear Kickstand
« on: March 03, 2017, 08:21:01 pm »
I use a two kickstand system after much trial and error. The rear stands normally deemed as 'heavy duty' are not very strong. After a couple snapped on me, I contacted the companies involved and it was explained they were not made for the weight of a loaded bicycle. So does anyone know of a rear kickstand that will take the beating of a cross country loaded ride?
59
General Discussion / Re: Receiving mail on the road
« on: March 03, 2017, 08:13:53 pm »
If you are a member of Warmshowers.Org or Couchsurfing.Org, you can locate a member who will accept your mail. This solved my problems after years of other options. I don't know how many times General Delivery lost my mail. And one time the clerk said nothing was there for me, and I could see my package on a shelf through an open door behind her. Their employees just do not care.
60
Classifieds / Re: Wanted - Bivy Sack
« on: February 23, 2017, 08:53:43 am »
As I have not used one, you have provided me lots to think about. I am most grateful for you to take the time. Your info may help others here, also. I have never seen anything on Bivy sacks. Thanks again.