Messages

61

General Discussion / Re: Useless advice/help

« on: January 07, 2015, 11:20:55 am »

Some of the advice can be good. When I ask distances, I'll ask a number of folks, eventually getting a good sense of the actual distance. And the old men sitting together in McDonald's or some small café are a wealth of info for directions, etc!

62

General Discussion / Re: time of year for east to west

« on: January 07, 2015, 11:05:43 am »

Winds at altitude are generally west to east, but that doesn't translate to surface winds.

63

General Discussion / Re: time of year for east to west

« on: January 07, 2015, 11:04:49 am »

Scott, everything I've read or heard says don't worry about the wind. If you're like me, they're always headwinds. Make a 90° turn, still headwinds. Go back the way I came, still headwinds. Go figure.
where in NC are you located? I'm near Chapel Hill. I'm waiting to resolve a knee problem, but will be touring this year - hopefully in Feb with a ride from Wilmington to Key West.

64

General Discussion / Re: Portland to Seattle by bike, Are there Trees to hang?

« on: January 07, 2015, 10:57:03 am »

As far as the OP's original question, I don't know about trees there, but Derek Hansen (The Ultimate Hammock book and website) turned me on to the Handy Hammock hammock stand. The thing is light and breaks down small - well packable on a bike (or backpack, for that matter). Google it and see what ya think. I'll be taking one, for sure, on my rides.

As for the cold problem, yep - underquilt or other below-hammock insulation is the way to go. Hennessy makes an insulation system, but an underquilt would only be about a hundred more. I've got the Hennessy system and will likely use a smaller sleeping bag stuffed into the under sheet.

65

General Discussion / Re: Choosing a Bike

« on: January 07, 2015, 10:47:20 am »

There are two ways to consider "inexpensive" - inexpensive on the front end, or inexpensive after all is said and done. If you can, I would recommend that you get a good used bike that will have all the gears and braze-ons you need to mount racks and pedal up hills. After you finish your trip you can sell the bike to recoup some of your upfront money, reducing the cost of the trip after all is said and done.

66

Routes / Re: before I'm 70

« on: December 16, 2014, 04:25:45 pm »

Or you could take your bikes on the train, but then you're in Chicago with your bikes...

67

Routes / Re: before I'm 70

« on: December 16, 2014, 04:24:40 pm »

High, don't know if you're still checking this, but one suggestion would be to avoid all that Chicago/Gary mess. I'd hook up with the Lake Erie Connector, ride across Michigan and take the ferry across Lake Michigan to Manitowoc, Wisconsin. If you want to see Chicago, and who wouldn't, take the train down. You could probably find a bike shop that would store your bikes for not much money.

68

Routes / Re: Southern Tier in North Florida

« on: December 16, 2014, 03:31:50 pm »

Thanks for the info! I'm looking to knock out a chunk of the ST in the early spring, maybe.

69

Routes / Re: Southern Tier Section 4 Map 56 and 57 and Beyond

« on: December 16, 2014, 03:08:20 pm »

I've heard that truck traffic on some of the roads in that area proved dangerous to cyclists, resulting in some redirects. That might be what you're talking about.

70

Routes / Re: Jacksonville FL to New Orleans...

« on: December 16, 2014, 03:04:14 pm »

Just bumping this up - I'd like to do this section as a way to chip away at my end goal of circumnavigating the US. I figure every little bit helps, and if I'm already going past St. Augustine (figured out that Jax isn't the best place to start this section), I won't be in a better spot to do this! I'll have already done the Wilmington NC to Key West chunk of the Atlantic Coast Route and will be heading back up towards NC with my wife. So any wisdom and knowledge shared will be appreciated!

71

Routes / Jacksonville FL to New Orleans...

« on: December 09, 2014, 10:17:13 pm »

Thinking about doing this as a little side trip next spring - anyone with any experience doing this? The Southern Route seems to run along US 90, and I don't know much about that route. Any info would be appreciated! Thanks.

72

Routes / Re: Atlantic Coast Route - Florida

« on: December 09, 2014, 10:06:57 pm »

Hi etsisk:  Check out Larry and Penny Thompson Park.   It's something the locals know about and kind of off the beaten path.  Neighborhood is kind of rough but within the park you'll be fine.  Just a short ride off of US1 on 184 Street (Eureka Drive).  We are hosts on Warmshowers so don't hesitate to contact us if you need a place near Ft. Lauderdale.
Enjoy the ride....

Thanks for the input! I will be looking for a place to stay in the Lauderdale area, so I may very well be in touch. Thanks again!

73

Routes / Re: Milwaukee, WI to Asheville, NC in fall...any thoughts?

« on: December 09, 2014, 10:04:17 pm »

I would be interested in hearing ideas for this , as I might possibly end up riding from Kentucky to Oshkosh WI next year (knee problems keep everything in flux, it seems)

74

General Discussion / Re: Toe clips? Clipless? None of the above?

« on: December 09, 2014, 01:48:44 pm »

I have a pair of power grips waiting to be installed - and today might be the day for that!

75

General Discussion / Re: Toe clips? Clipless? None of the above?

« on: October 17, 2014, 10:34:34 am »

I think I'd prefer mud over marring. They do make clip covers, though. Then you'd have the "I'm walking with a big lump on the bottom of my shoe" problem.