Topics

1

General Discussion / Getting to your start with all your stuff

« on: January 18, 2021, 11:22:14 am »

Trusting that there is no such thing as a stupid question:

I'm planning a Trans America tour in the late Spring.  My question is this...

I know that many people box their bike and ship it to their starting point.  But how have you gotten your gear there?  Did you ship your panniers, sleeping bag, etc. with your bike?  Separately?  Or did you carry your bags with you on the plane?  Or ?  It seems like it would be hard to get four panniers, and all your gear there on the plane but maybe there is a great way to do this....  Thanks.

2

Gear Talk / Off the Bike Shoes

« on: November 11, 2020, 11:20:46 am »

Anyone out there have recommendations for off the bike shoes for touring?

I use SPD shoes to ride but like to change into different shoes for walking around camp or off days.  I don't really like the non-SPD shoes for riding so just wearing regular shoes for both riding and off the bike won't work.  Any thoughts on packable, comfortable off the bike shoes?

3

Gear Talk / One Bike to Do It All

« on: February 04, 2016, 09:12:05 pm »

I have two bikes now: an old specialized allez road bike i use for faster rides and a Rivendell Bleriot that I have used for road tours and even GAP and C&O tours.  I love my Bleriot but its limited clearance  made the muddy C&O and off road rides difficult.  I really need to have one bike now as I've had to downsize the house for a new job.

So the question is: What would you consider to be a great do-it-all bike?  Surly LHT? Surly Troll? Trek 920? Specialized AWOL? Or some other bike?  Funds are limited to what I can sell the current bikes for let's say $1000 to 1500.

4

Gear Talk / Tips for avoiding back pain at night

« on: May 18, 2013, 10:51:49 pm »

On my few tours so far, I haven't had a problem with my back while riding but I have had extensive pain at night.  No matter what I can't sleep through the night due to lower back pain and stiffness.  I use a Therma-rest pad but it doesn't seem to help with comfort.  I have trouble sleeping on my side or stomach though I tried that.  Any tips would be great because that's really the only thing I don't like about touring...