Messages

61

Routes / Southern tier in the summer time

« on: May 31, 2015, 01:38:14 am »

I have visited, backpacked, lived in, and bike toured most of that route.
Bike toured a circle from Salt Lake City up to Grand Teton & Yellowstone then back south through Idaho back to Salt Lake City. I also rode the San Juan Skyway loop out of Durango.
There are many trip journals at Crazy Guy On a Bike covering the Canadian Rockies, Glacier NP, and the rest south along the Continental Divide.
Denver would probably be a good stopping place this year. Save the rest for next year.
By all means you should visit the Canadian parks and Glacier in Montana. Plan some day hikes along the way.
Have fun & tell us all about your trip.

Wayne


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62

Routes / Re: Southern tier in the summer time

« on: May 30, 2015, 09:33:49 pm »

Your tours have all gone East-West. Give North-South  try. Jasper, Alberta to El Paso, Texas would be fantastic.
Have a great trip.

Wayne


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63

Gear Talk / Re: How heavy is your touring bike (unloaded)?

« on: May 30, 2015, 03:26:53 pm »

Co-Motion Americano. 26.5 pounds with bottle cages, Cateye speedo & Jandd handlebar bag bracket. I just replaced the heavy 34.6 mm Conti Top Touring 2000 tires with 38mm X'Plor MSO tires. I reckon I lost about half a pound from the wheels.
Fisher HK-II. 30 pounds nekkid. My other touring possibility. It needs lighter tires too.
Decisions. Decisions.

Wayne


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Co-Motion Americano Update:
Bike in Century riding mode: handlebar bag with tools, spares & unneeded stuff, frame pump, cages & 2.5 liters of water, front rack.
Me in riding kit.
Front & rear panniers, empty.
Total: 200.0 pounds.
Camping gear: Tent, Sleeping bag+mattress +pillow, Kitchen, Fuel.
Total: 10 pounds.
Need to add: Rear rack, clothing, phone, navigation system, food.
Aiming to keep the total under 235 pounds.
Intended route: GDMBR.
Or lots of pavement in the same vicinity if that doesn't work out.
My best weight reduction plan so far:
Losing 40+ pounds of rider weight.

Wayne 



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64

General Discussion / Re: Great Divide Route Mail Drops

« on: May 29, 2015, 08:08:04 pm »

I have not ridden the GDMBR yet, but I am studying hard. A few places come to mind.
Polebridge and Ovando, MT.
Mack's Inn, ID.
If SOBO, some where just north of the Great Divide Basin. Big Sandy Lodge maybe? Call and ask them if they will hold a box for you.
Update: Big Sandy Lodge will accept packages for guests. Both hikers and bikers have reported pleasant stays at the Lodge. It is a good place to relax, get your food together and then hit the Great Divide Basin rested and provisioned.
New Mexico. Resupply in New Mexico can be very spotty due to isolated stores coming and going. Mostly going out of business it seems.
Have a great trip. Tell us all about it.
What bikes are you riding?

Wayne 


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65

General Discussion / Re: Should I pack an Air Pillow

« on: May 29, 2015, 07:55:25 pm »

If you travel with a down jacket, they make incredible pillows if stuffed in a larger bag - we´ve used our thermarest stuff sacs with our down jackets with plenty of comfort.

That only works until you need the down jacket inside your sleeping bag. I also doubt that the jacket has enough down for someone like me who needs just the right amount of elevation to keep my old neck from getting stiff and sore in the morning.
My reason for LOVING the Exped Air Pillow.

Wayne


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66

General Discussion / Re: GDMRB 2015 Casual Ride!

« on: May 25, 2015, 09:42:49 pm »

According to Google it is approximately 325 miles from East Glacier, MT to the Banff Springs Hotel traveling north along the east side of GNP.
Where in Montana will you be "dropped off "?

Wayne


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67

General Discussion / Re: GDMRB 2015 Casual Ride!

« on: May 25, 2015, 09:17:38 pm »

Adam,
I don't have a Montana Alberta map in front of me, but if you are starting your bike ride 250 miles east of GNP and your destination is Banff, seems like you would be better off heading to Banff straight away.
I 'll dig out my maps and ponder awhile.
Good luck.

Wayne


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68

Gear Talk / Re: Single pair of shoes, or bike AND walking shoes?

« on: May 23, 2015, 01:59:10 pm »

A shoe stiff enough to be efficient on the bike isn't a good hiker.

In fact, my hiking boots and shoes, like most hiking footwear have steel shanks and are stiffer than my MTB cycling shoes.

There it is.
Thanks everyone. I think that the answer for me and what I hope to do on a longish tour next summer will involve flat pedals and hiking footwear.

Wayne


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69

Gear Talk / Re: Single pair of shoes, or bike AND walking shoes?

« on: May 20, 2015, 09:33:56 pm »

What shoes, make & model please, did you buy that allow you to walk and clip your cleats to your pedals?  How far can you walk in these shoes? Yards? Miles?
I am also shopping for the perfect dual purpose cycle touring shoe. I am leaning toward hiking/trail running shoes. If there is a cycling shoe that works I would like to know what to look for.
I will also carry Keen sandals. Wool socks will turn sandals into all weather footwear.
Bottom line: I need a bike/hike shoe for the GDMBR.
Thanks.

Wayne


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70

Gear Talk / Re: How heavy is your touring bike (unloaded)?

« on: May 18, 2015, 11:14:30 pm »

Co-Motion Americano. 26.5 pounds with bottle cages, Cateye speedo & Jandd handlebar bag bracket. I just replaced the heavy 34.6 mm Conti Top Touring 2000 tires with 38mm X'Plor MSO tires. I reckon I lost about half a pound from the wheels.
Fisher HK-II. 30 pounds nekkid. My other touring possibility. It needs lighter tires too.
Decisions. Decisions.

Wayne


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71

Southwest / Re: Greetings from Houston/Alvin

« on: May 14, 2015, 08:46:42 pm »

Howdy neighbors!
Terry Hershey Park. Paved, dirt and gravel on the levee surrounding the east end of George Bush Park.
You must have good dirt riding around Alvin. I'm looking for gravel roads to ride without driving west of Austin.

Wayne


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72

General Discussion / Re: Should I pack an Air Pillow

« on: May 14, 2015, 08:39:29 pm »

Even when I go really light I still carry a pillow.   At sub-10 pounds the pillow is still on the list.   I didn't find that the sea to summit one worked for me.   The Exped feels far more comfortable to me.

Amen to the Exped RED Air Pillow. 3 ounces of Heavenly Sleep.  3 sizes. I bought    the large for side sleeping. I now wonder if I couldn't use the medium or even the small. I'm keeping the large. It works. Not going to "fix it. "
Secret of air pillows: Don't over inflate. It takes very little air in pillows and pads to be comfortable.
A good nights sleep is worth the weight and the cost.

Wayne


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73

Routes / Re: Getting bikes to Canada from California

« on: April 25, 2015, 10:20:54 am »

Why not just get off the train in Seattle and start touring? The ferry trip through the San Juan Islands would be a nice bonus.
I used the ferry at Horseshoe Bay to get to-from the Vancouver airport and Nanaimo. The Lions Gate Bridge was interesting.
Have a great trip.

Wayne


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74

Routes / Re: Great Divide MTB Route options?

« on: April 15, 2015, 07:32:35 pm »

Thanks Scott. I'm taking good notes.

Wayne


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75

Routes / Re: Great Divide MTB Route options?

« on: April 14, 2015, 12:12:58 pm »

I am aiming for 2015. Sometime during July to September. I don't feel locked in to either dirt or pavement. I just want to cover a lot of miles. Fill in some gaps in my early travels.
I crossed a big hurdle this month: I dropped a few pounds from my gear and proved that 40mm tires fit the bike.

Wayne


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