Messages

91

Gear Talk / Re: Shaving Creme

« on: March 19, 2013, 06:29:21 pm »

You have to shave? On my first tour, I sent my plastic disposable razor home because it wasn't worth the 16 grams. On subsequent tours, I stop shaving a few weeks before the tour starts.

Well its a habit that has developed beginning in 1956 with the 82nd. Then another decade or two with IBM just cemented the habit in. But I understand some of you younger ones might be able to tough it out and not shave. Then there are others that can shave dry skin and use bits of wetness and feel you have a comfortable shave. Good. I'm glad you can do that.

But for those like me that are perhaps more tender then you mountain men what I said was I found an alternative to a shaving creme that most carry on tour. The post wasn't a suggestion or proposition that it was better than any other substitute or alternative to shaving. Simply if you carry shaving creme think about using sunscreen.

92

Gear Talk / Re: Shaving Creme

« on: March 19, 2013, 01:49:04 pm »

Plain water works fine for me.

Yes but you have said you don't shave:)

93

Gear Talk / Shaving Creme

« on: March 19, 2013, 12:26:42 pm »

I am one of those who has to shave more often then most and I've tried to find lightweight solutions for everything associated with the task.

I generally use Banana Boat 30 Sheer sunscreen and I noticed when I wash it off it kind of lathers up and takes some work to get it off my face.
I wondered one day how it would work as a shaving cream. So one day I put on sunscreen and took a ride. When I came back in I tried shaving just using the residual sunscreen.
Using a little water it lathered up and I shave just fine. I have since used a dab of sunscreen first thing in the morning to shave and it works well too.

This may already be a known use for sunscreen but its new to me. I know that some use it to remove chain gunk and that some say it works as an insect repellent too.
I suspect that YMMV depending on the sunscreen you use.

94

Gear Talk / Re: Saddle bags versus trailer in tow: Which is better for a cross country trip?

« on: March 16, 2013, 02:55:55 pm »

I am more comfortable using panniers and knowing that when I have to move my gear up and down steps or where ever that I can manage the bike and panniers. A trailer brings up the issue of leaving some of your gear as you move around. If I want to put the rig in the back of a pickup I can do it easily.

None of this has to do with which is best when riding. It is about the things you have to do with the trailer when you are not riding IMHO.

95

Routes / Re: Southern Tier - Thatcher to Section 1 help?

« on: March 16, 2013, 12:00:47 am »

US 70 to Globe,
US 60 to Apache Junction
Right (north) on South Goldfield (US 60 becomes a freeway here)
Left (northwest) onto Old West Highway which will become East Main (west)
Right (north) onto North Meridian Road
Left(west) onto East University Drive
Right(north) North 80th Street.
Left(west) on East Brown Road (80th Street ends at Brown)
Left(south) on North 64th Street
Right(west) on East Adobe Street (becomes East 8th Street)
Left (south) North Center Street (short run)
Right (west) West 7th Place (will jog north and then back west)
Left (south) North Grand
Right (west) West 6th Street
Right (north) North Cherry
Left (west) Rio Salado Parkway
Pick up section 1 at South Rural Road.

Hope this helps. If he can plot this route onto a Phoenix Metro area map then he will get an idea of the length of each leg.

96

Gear Talk / Re: Touring bikes...

« on: March 13, 2013, 06:04:17 pm »

I would check REI in Portland. They seem to have the Surly CrossCheck as well as their Novara touring bikes. Good return policy.http://www.rei.com/stores/portland.html
They should have most everything else you would need for a bike tour as well.

97

Routes / Re: Southern Tier Tour: Bubba Verus ACA Routes

« on: February 25, 2013, 11:34:57 am »

March things start to warm up in Arizona and the 94 miles between Rodeo and Columbus, NM is pretty dry and lonely except for Border Patrol. See CrazyGuyOnABike for some journals. Search Rodeo Columbus. Also Bubba has posted a journal there as well.
You have to make your own decision. I would not hesitate to do the Bubba route but I grew up in the southeast Arizona and ride the desert all the time.

98

Routes / Re: Southern Tier Tour: Bubba Verus ACA Routes

« on: February 24, 2013, 01:39:18 pm »

Bubba is a fully supported tour route with some segments through areas with minimal services. Rodeo, New Mexico to Columbus, New Mexico is one such segment. Just saying be prepared.