Messages

31

Gear Talk / Re: How heavy is your touring bike (unloaded)?

« on: May 19, 2015, 12:12:25 pm »

My Bruce Gordon R&R with racks fenders and bottle cages is about 30 pounds give or take a pound or two.
Fully loaded wet for dry camping three days including 4 Ortlieb panniers it clocked in at 70 pounds.

In the overall scheme of things the bike weight it pretty immaterial. Its in the loading where the bike becomes "heavy." So out of my 300 pound moving weight 1/10 is actually the bike.

32

Gear Talk / Re: Touring Shoes - High Cuff or Low Cuff?

« on: May 08, 2015, 08:03:57 pm »

I wear SIDI spds which are low cut for the road bikes. For touring I use Shimano sandals almost exclusively. The only footwear I take with me.

33

Gear Talk / Re: Waterproof Panniers vs Non-Waterproof + Dry Bags...?

« on: May 07, 2015, 09:25:47 am »

So its okay, from your perspective, to bag your stuff but you are against the idea of using waterproof bags because?? Too practical??

I am not against waterproof bags, I have no experience with them.  However, from my perspective they aren't necessary and I won't be rushing out to replace my non-waterproof bags until they wear out, and even then the next set may not be waterproof.

@tstevent4 Sorry but the target of my question was to dkoloko's responce to your post.

I agree it's not necessary or essential but my point is why not? Why avoid using them? As some one said "things happen." On my trip to Europe in the French Landes I encountered flooded road crossing and I had no choice but to ride across. My BG panniers literally floated across and I would have hated to think if I had dumped the bike.
I guess I'm just more risk adverse from backpacking solo for weeks at a time.

34

Gear Talk / Re: Waterproof Panniers vs Non-Waterproof + Dry Bags...?

« on: May 06, 2015, 11:18:43 pm »

I have always just used garbage bags inside various non-waterproof panniers. 

This is commonly suggested. I tried garbage bags; also compactor bags. The solution I posted is far easier to use, neater, and tougher. I also see no reason for belt and suspenders, waterproof stuff sacks inside waterproof panniers. I bag or pouch like items, but the bags or pouches maybe net, or otherwise not waterproof.

So its okay, from your perspective, to bag your stuff but you are against the idea of using waterproof bags because?? Too practical??

35

Gear Talk / Re: Waterproof Panniers vs Non-Waterproof + Dry Bags...?

« on: May 06, 2015, 03:57:58 pm »

Once a long time ago I bought racks and panniers from Bruce, I believe Beckman was making them at the time. I used zip loc bags and bought some Performance pannier covers and toured in Europe early spring and did not have any issue with stuff getting wet.

Now I have Ortlieb Packer plus and I still put everything in zip loc and dry bags because I want my stuff to be dry. The bags become little compression sacks and organizers.

BTW I did like the way the BG panniers packed and latched on to the BG racks. Rock solid.

36

Connecting ACA Routes / Re: Bicycle Route Larned, KS to Clinton, MO (W end Katy Trail)

« on: April 27, 2015, 12:45:03 pm »

I did it just the opposite. Clinton to Eureka.

Eureka 54, 3, 31, 52, 69, 52, Y, 18 to Clinton. 54 has a narrow shoulder. 69 is almost an interstate, 4 lanes and wide shoulders.


St Louis Airport take metro to Belleville, IL take 13 to Murphysboro and the TA. I took 13 all the way to Kentucky and then 56 into Sebree.
13 has a good shoulder all the way across.

37

General Discussion / Re: Traveling the Transam Supported by RV

« on: February 06, 2015, 11:11:46 am »

ACA runs a van supported TransAm tour and that is mainly tenting. In my experience it is easier to find RV spaces than tents sites in the East.

38

Routes / Re: Cycling through Zion National Park

« on: January 14, 2015, 12:55:21 pm »

"Those spikes are not in the tunnel. As I noted, the map I created is for a much longer stretch."

I don't want to belabor a point but those spikes shown on the RWGPS profile are indeed within the tunnel. Bore down on the road and you can see where the road enters/exits the tunnel. The satellite view makes things even more clear.

39

Routes / Re: Cycling through Zion National Park

« on: January 13, 2015, 10:57:25 am »

If you run your cursor along the red line on the map it will coordinate your location with the profile at the bottom and give you grade information. According to the map, there are some really nasty grades on those spikes before mile 20. The ruling grade appears to be 28.5%, and there are other sjort stretches where grade is 20% or higher. But it's all very short.

Having been through the tunnel a couple times I don't recall anything like a 20% let alone 28% grade in the tunnels. I've biked up to the tunnel coming out of the park. Its pretty level grade through the tunnel as I recall. As to the OP question about getting through the tunnel ask the rangers and they can help by asking pickups if they could take you through. Also there is a parking lot close to the tunnel exit where you can connect with potential rides.

40

Routes / Re: Atlantic Coast Route - Florida

« on: November 21, 2014, 03:59:08 pm »

It is quite useful and often includes a Website link to the campgrounds. One caution. Double check their map locations.  I found several mistakes.

I rode all day to get to a campground listed by AllStays only to find out it was members only.

41

Routes / Re: Clinton Mo to Pittsburgh, KS

« on: September 02, 2014, 01:02:52 pm »

I did not have any problems relative to water.

42

Routes / Re: Clinton Mo to Pittsburgh, KS

« on: September 01, 2014, 10:15:36 pm »

Most seem to take 18 west and make their way on to the transam. I took 18 until the Kansas border where it turns to gravel after a steep hill. Was not bad riding the gravel, quite scenic in fact. Rode to 69 and then south. Busy but nice shoulder. I left 69 where Kansas 52 heads west through Mound City (nice little cafe on way out of town). Using 52, 31 and 3 made my way to Iola. Picked the TA up in Eureka.

43

General Discussion / Re: Where is this? On the ST I stayed in a small town with a desert Yacht Club

« on: August 04, 2014, 06:23:13 pm »

http://www.quartzsiteyachtclub.com/

44

GPS & Digital Data Discussion / Re: FrontPack: new mobile app for cycle touring

« on: July 26, 2014, 03:00:27 pm »

Steveres: Thanks for the explanation on the offline usage as I see that being the main advantage for a standalone GPS unit today.

45

Gear Talk / Re: Panniers vs. BOB?

« on: July 25, 2014, 01:27:33 pm »

You will find many discussions of the pannier versus trailer issue and the merits of each. I personally like panniers especially if I expect to use trains along the way like I do in Europe. Just a whole lot easier.
But my personal observation is that if wind is going to be a factor in your touring I believe a BOB trailer would prove to be advantageous over a front and rear pannier set up. Especially in a quartering headwind where the panniers will tend to act act as speed brakes. This was the effect I experienced coming across Kansas riding with a mix of panniers and BOBs TransAm riders.