Messages

16

Gear Talk / two gear suggestions: specific handlebar bag and mobile iphone charger

« on: June 21, 2014, 11:33:18 am »

Here are two gear suggestions for touring, based on our experience using them on the Transam.  I have no affiliation with either product.

Handlebar bag:  Koki Mini Dilly.  Cost: ~$45.  Small enough to minimize weight and wind resistance.  Big enough to hold the essentials:  smart phone, slim wallet, Baby Ruth or O'Henry, packable mini REI shopping bag, and Chapstick.  Fits most handlebar/shifter combinations. Easy to access from the bike, even while riding (not recommended, you understand).  Pops off easily to carry into a market or brew pub without looking out of place.   And the fitted covers keep essentials dry when it rains.  Unless you're carrying a large camera, you don't want a bigger handlebar bag. Gentlemen:   The Mini Dilly could be mistaken for a small purse; but you're secure in your maleness, right?

Portable iphone charger:  Mophie Juice Pack Powerstation Pro. Cost: ~$100.  About the size of two iphone 4's stacked together.  Will fully charge an iphone four times before it needs recharging (overnight) itself.  My sister sent it to us unsolicited a few days before we left, and man, are we happy she did.  We've found it adequate to keep the iphones of two camping cyclists charged continuously on the road (though we are careful with battery use, often using airplane mode).  Much better than struggling with a solar charger.  Read reviews online for more information.

17

Gear Talk / Re: Best foot wear for touring?

« on: June 21, 2014, 11:03:50 am »

I agree.  Ride in touring or MTB-style shoes with cleats and take a second pair of supportive, comfortable-for-walking flip flops or tennies.  Your feet will welcome the freedom and fresh air.

18

Gear Talk / From the road: least used gear, most appreciated gear

« on: May 31, 2014, 12:41:37 am »

 .  After 2 weeks on the transamerica, our least used items are headlamps, collapsible kitchen sink, book/kindle.  I've used the headlamp only once, to move our food pannier to a locker in the middle of the night when a coon was trying to get into them.  We do laundry more often in laundromat or wash bike shorts when we shower. We're generally too wiped out to read, even though averaging 45ish miles per day.  No rest days so far.  Most appreciated gear:  steripods for toothbrushes to keep them off grimy surfaces; super cheap, light flip flops for campground showers; rok straps (instead of bungies) for rear rack (see cyclosource store); hoo ha ride glide (female specific skin lubricant); helmet mirror; good quality non stick GSI cook kit and fry pan (cleans up super easily), tiny bottle T9 chain lube.

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Gear Talk / Re: Ortlieb Pannier Shoulder Straps???

« on: May 31, 2014, 12:18:19 am »

After two weeks on the transamerica I can report that a) we're glad we brought the straps because it's not necessary to clip and unclip each time we open the panniers. And b) I'm glad I cut off the plastic rectangular handles from the straps first; this makes it much easier to secure the looped straps into the holder at the bottom of the pannier.   Having a blast on the tour so far by the way!

20

Connecting ACA Routes / Re: TransAm: Florence Alternate in Western OR passable in mid-May?

« on: April 27, 2014, 12:48:17 pm »

Sorry to be unclear and peculiar!     We plan to ride the entire TransAm but instead of leaving the coast near Lincoln City, OR (and then through Corvallis to Eugene), we're hoping to ride south along the OR coast to Florence, THEN head east through Eugene.

I was probably thrown off by the vertical exaggeration on the elevation profile (Triangle Lake/Low Pass area) for the "Florence Alternate" section . Looking more closely at maps and from your replies, it appears that snow-related road closures, if any, would be east of there in the Cascade Range. Right?   

Oh, and mid to late May is our window and we're prepared for rain.

21

Connecting ACA Routes / TransAm: Florence Alternate in Western OR passable in mid-May?

« on: April 23, 2014, 09:58:05 pm »

Can anyone fill me in on likely weather conditions in Mid-May on the Florence Alternate portion of the TransAm?  (This is in western Oregon). We don't want to cycle that far south along the coast before heading east if weather/road conditions aren't conducive to cycling.  Thanks...

22

Gear Talk / Touring-oriented bike shop in Missoula?

« on: April 23, 2014, 09:48:11 pm »

Will cycle the TransAm West to East this summer. Any recommendations for bike shops in Missoula that are especially good with touring bikes?
------------------

Thanks to all who've replied so far.  Just thinking some fine-tuning or adjustments may be needed after the first 1000 miles (and before the next 3000)

23

General Discussion / Bathroom/Restroom when camping at fire stations, churches, homes, etc.

« on: March 02, 2014, 06:29:34 pm »

For those of you who get permission to pitch your tent at churches, fire stations, homes, etc. while touring, how/where do you wash up and take care of other bodily needs?

Thanks...

24

Connecting ACA Routes / Transam to Bloomington, IN Route?

« on: February 01, 2014, 04:39:00 pm »

Hey Y'all, 

We plan to detour from the TransAmerica Route (Owensboro, KY?  Tell City, IN?) to Bloomington, Indiana to visit family.  Please help us identify the best route across the Ohio River and to Bloomington.  So far I've tried Google Maps/Transit, INDOT website, INDOT designated bicycle contact, and emailing bike clubs in Bloomington and Evansville, IN without much help.  I'm familiar with the terrain in Southern Indiana; just need to identify the safest/best route (wide shoulders, least traffic, fewest steep hills).

Thanks in advance for your input.

25

Gear Talk / Re: Ortlieb Pannier Shoulder Straps???

« on: January 25, 2014, 07:57:31 pm »

Thanks all, I appreciate the input.  Using the pannier as a water bucket is a good idea.  I tried adding a shoulder strap and closing a pannier according to Ortlieb instructions.  In short, it was fumblier (a pain in the butt actually) AND the shoulder strap wanted to come out of its "guide" at the bottom of the pannier.  After a bit more online research, I found that Wayne ("The Touring Store," a U.S. Ortlieb dealer-expert) says the Classic Ortlieb panniers can be closed using either method.  And Ortlieb indicates that the key to waterproofness is rolling the top a minimum of 3-4X before closing.   The upshot:  I'll probably take one uninstalled shoulder strap just in case, but leave the others at home.

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Gear Talk / Ortlieb Pannier Shoulder Straps???

« on: January 24, 2014, 05:42:33 pm »

Gang,  We'll be traveling the Transamerica Route this summer with 2 bikes, each loaded with four Ortlieb Classic panniers.  So far I've used the panniers only for commuting.  Each pannier comes with a detachable shoulder strap in addition to the integral hand loop carrying strap.  It seems that the shoulder straps just add weight and complexity to otherwise simple and functional panniers.  It seems easy enough to carry two loaded panniers in each hand with the integral hand loop strap.

So: Is there any reason to haul shoulder straps across the country?  We have handlebar bags with shoulder straps for off-bike use.  Am I missing something? Please respond only if you have experience based on using Ortliebs for extended touring.  Thanks in advance. 

P.S.  received our set of Transamerica maps in today's mail.  This is all becoming more real and exciting with each passing day.  WOOHOO! 

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Gear Talk / Re: Can we survive the Transamerica with no cyclocomputer?

« on: December 01, 2013, 12:08:56 pm »

Thanks, sounds like the consensus is to have some sort of odometer.  I doubt I'll be able to talk my husband into loaning me his GPS! 

Given that the Adventure Cycling maps' "field of view" is so narrow, I guess it's a good idea to carry a state map as well...  As for a map holder, we used Cue Clips on a recent trip and they worked great.  So that's the plan.

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Gear Talk / Can we survive the Transamerica with no cyclocomputer?

« on: November 30, 2013, 06:43:47 pm »

I've been an avid cyclist for 20+ years and I've never owned a cyclocomputer or GPS unit.  I'm well aware of what each of these devices can do, but I don't typically care about my mph, cadence, mileage covered, etc.  I actually prefer not getting distracted by how fast (or SLOW) I'm riding.  I just ride and enjoy my surroundings.

My daughter and I plan to ride the Transamerica Route in 2014 using Adventure Cycling maps. I'm very map oriented (experienced with reading maps, etc.).   My daughter is good at reading maps and navigating too. Each of us will have an iphone, but we'll probably keep them in airplane mode to save battery unless/until we have a reason to use them (e.g. google maps if we have a question about where we are, etc.)

Sorry to take so long getting to my question.  SO, given the background above, do we really need a cyclocomputer to know "turn left after 8.2 miles", or are we likely to get by just fine with only the maps and no cycle computer?  And should we each have a map set, or will one do?

Thanks in advance for your input.