Messages

46

General Discussion / Re: april weather transam

« on: September 25, 2018, 07:35:22 pm »

my fall in july was near loretto, kentucky, about halfway across kentucky after a yorktown, westboud start. picking up the same point in april. was looking for advice on early, mid or late april. i'm leaning toward early, so i can get across some of the plains before full summer sets in. i'm hoping to make 60 or more miles per day.
 

47

General Discussion / april weather transam

« on: September 25, 2018, 01:48:07 am »

After my fall and broken bones in July, I'm planning to resume my Transam effort in April, where i fell in Kentucky, 700-800 miles in. Wet spring, I suppose, but what's the coldest I'm likely to find?

48

Gear Talk / Re: mixte

« on: August 22, 2018, 12:59:48 am »

thanks. nice to know. i thought the classic diamond was king of stiffness, assuming frame materials and construction, etc., were equal.

49

Gear Talk / Re: mixte

« on: August 13, 2018, 11:30:09 pm »

i have tried that, but that is where the balance issue comes in. still have to stand on one leg and put the other across the frame, and it is a long stretch for me. would be a shorter stretch to go across a mixte. btw: someone may suggest i need a smaller surly, but it is a 54 and i am 6 feet, so thoretically is about right.

50

Gear Talk / mixte

« on: August 13, 2018, 09:23:27 pm »

hope someone can help. i've got mild balance issues and some arthritis. it is getting harder to get my leg over the bar of the surly. i have to lean on a wall or a post to get the job done. i'm wondering about a mixte frame, like the soma. would it flex so much as to be squirrely? any other ideas? thanks.

51

General Discussion / Re: Senior comeback

« on: July 27, 2018, 07:27:54 pm »

well, i would not criticize anyone for doing what they need to do for the experience. i was 800 miles in before i fell, but it was harder than i thought. i'll be a month from 70 when i resume in april, but something might cause me to think electric between now and then. hardcore purists would already criticize me for going supported, but i don't care. 

52

General Discussion / Re: Senior comeback

« on: July 24, 2018, 12:00:22 am »

thanks. pretty depressing at first, after all the prep. but am healing well, the docs say, since the july 12 fall.  may be back on bike in less than a month from now, with the hard cast replaced by a removable one.  so may not lose all my conditioning. april start next year should ease some of this july's woes, like 102 temps.

53

General Discussion / Re: Senior comeback

« on: July 23, 2018, 02:24:14 am »

the advice came too late. i was almost 800 miles into the trans am when i fell last week in kentucky. broken wrist, broken big toe, lots of road rash. going back to that point in april.

54

General Discussion / Re: Entire Trans Am Route in one tour?

« on: July 22, 2018, 12:47:13 pm »

i was shooting for the whole thing. fell last week near loretto, kentucky, 700-800 miles in. broke my left wrist, right big toe. left big toe damaged, too. big road rash on right knee and left butt and other abrasions. plan to resume in april, 2019. so, a 2-part trans am is looking good. ha ha

55

General Discussion / Re: job or pharoah?

« on: July 11, 2018, 12:57:48 am »

yes, that helps. vesuvius descent still the worst and afton the worst. pat of afton's issue was heat and new. loose chip seal. lots of slipping on the little gravel.

56

General Discussion / Re: job or pharoah?

« on: June 30, 2018, 12:47:39 am »

thanks, jama. feel better already. i lived in missoula and oregon, so agree on the nice things to come. grew up in kentucky, so have some idea of what to expect. virginia, so far, has been rougher than i had expected, in part to bad weather, late start, training in the flats and being older than i used to be.

57

General Discussion / Re: Entire Trans Am Route in one tour?

« on: June 29, 2018, 11:06:43 pm »

I think most people do transam at one shot. at 4,200 miles and 60 miles a day you're talking 70 days. at age 69, that's my conservative goal, at least. from my research, i agree with those who saying cutting it in two would be troublesome, unless you planned ahead for train or rental car, etc.

58

General Discussion / Re: Pedals Recommendation

« on: June 29, 2018, 09:35:10 pm »

I have used lots of pedals, all shimano, from tiny to larger. the best for touring is the shimano click'r pedal. has a big platform to spread the impact around the foot and the locking mechanism is much easier to get in and out of, but has never come out  unexpectedly.  Plenty of compatible shoes.

59

General Discussion / Re: Senior comeback

« on: June 29, 2018, 09:27:38 pm »

In my best Bill Clinton voice: I feel your pain. As a 69-year-old who had a heart attack in 2016, my only conclusion is that you have to take it slower. As I noted earlier tonight, I started the Transam recently and I am suffering. But I just accept things will take longer. I'm saying that  as much for myself as you.

60

General Discussion / job or pharoah?

« on: June 29, 2018, 09:14:18 pm »

Somebody tell me it gets easier. Started  the Transam east to west recently and so far have had 102 degree day, the route barricaded by flooding, what some tell me is the most severe single climb -- steep switchbacks to Afton/Rockfish Gap and the scariest downhill I have ever done -- steep, sharp slalom Blue Ridge Parkway to Vesuvius, Va. with some seriously useless disc brakes by the bottom.  Unavoidably, I started late and trained in flat Florida, but i still feel some plagues are falling on me. Not giving up, but seriously hope better days are ahead.