Messages

31

General Discussion / Re: bicycle navigation computer

« on: January 29, 2021, 01:56:57 am »

Thanks for the  input. I already have a basic computer. Thought about possibly upgrading to a Wahoo. Sorry for any confusion. Always good to get feedback from cyclists who have used what your asking about. Thanks again.

I rarely see anyone in this forum recommend the Wahoo, I’m not sure why, because on the one other forum I frequent it is highly and often recommended. I used a Garmin to go halfway across country, and the Wahoo to go the second half.  They both work great as long as you know how to use them but I preferred the Wahoo. I Actually only used the routing functions when I went off route for about a week, otherwise I preferred paper maps and just enjoyed the GPS devices for an up front dashboard with its clock time distance, speed elevation, and all that stuff.  Absolutely not required but I enjoy keeping up with that stuff, especially for keeping track of how long I’ve been traveling and how many hours I’ve been pedaling.

32

General Discussion / Re: Daytime Lights in Montana

« on: January 26, 2021, 12:46:12 am »

Yeah, just like several of you were surprised about my Montana comment I was surprised by Oregon since I had such a wonderful time crossing Oregon

33

General Discussion / Re: Daytime Lights in Montana

« on: January 25, 2021, 09:36:38 pm »

On my Transamerica ride I felt like Montana was the most dangerous state I rode in all things considered. I don’t really like the idea of them legislating this at all but maybe they know their drivers aren’t careful.

That's surprising to me and I'm sorry you felt that way! Of the 46 states I've ridden across on bicycle, Montana (which I've ridden through 3 times) is in my top 5 of safest.

Otherwise, I always ride with a taillight during the day unless I'm on a MUP. I rarely ride with a front light except in foggy or rainy weather. I would be against high visibility colors though. Most of my bike shirts are white, blue or even black. My bike is plenty visible IMO.

Yes that's just how it was for me on my one experience there.  So there you go, it's gotta happen somewhere. By the way, what is MUP?

I also use a rear light always, and only use a front light periodically similar to your description.  My personal experience was when riding through Yellowstone and into the Grand Tetons I teamed up and rode with a British guy who was on an around the world tour.  He had a very bright tail light and I had one of the little Blinky things.  Anyway as we entered the Grand Tetons a guy flagged us down and I thought he was a former bicycle tourist and wanted to chat about our ride however what he wanted was to tell the guy I was riding with how much he appreciated his bright tail light.  He said he could see it way before mine and it caught his attention in the middle of viewing the scenery.  It was a good enough testimonial for me and afterwards I bought a bright tail light that I always use.

This is a bit off topic but this past fall I purchased one of the Garmin Varia radar tail-lights and I completely love it.  I have tried over the years to use various rearview mirrors - on the helmet and glasses and handlebars - and for some reason they have bothered me so much that I gave up using a mirror.  But, the Varia - for me - it just works.  In the few months I have used it, it has never missed a car.  If I look down at my computer readout it tells me if a car is behind me and how far back it is.  Anyway like I said "off topic."  but my Varia is a combination radar and bright tail-light so it reminded me while I was typing.

34

General Discussion / Re: Daytime Lights in Montana

« on: January 24, 2021, 06:56:50 pm »

Just a quick reply to my previous comment. I am sure it was just my experience on one trip across the country.  Each person probably has their own place where they felt it a bit more in dangerous. For me it was was Montana based on a couple experiences.


Regarding the original post, I wouldn’t be opposed to a debate about using running lights, although that seems a bit easier for touring cyclist than for every local kid riding their bike locally in their everyday riding around the state.

35

General Discussion / Re: Daytime Lights in Montana

« on: January 23, 2021, 07:23:41 pm »

On my Transamerica ride I felt like Montana was the most dangerous state I rode in all things considered. I don’t really like the idea of them legislating this at all but maybe they know their drivers aren’t careful.

36

General Discussion / Re: Getting to your start with all your stuff

« on: January 18, 2021, 02:01:31 pm »

when I have taken Amtrak or plane I like to put everything in a big duffle and check it. Then  carry my helmet and handle bar bag is my carry-on. Twice I have purchased a $20 duffel at Walmart but others have suggested looking for a bag at the thrift shop etc.

37

General Discussion / Re: Question about seat height

« on: January 14, 2021, 01:27:05 am »

Thanks again,
I haven't taken the opportunity to mess with the various suggestions yet because I'm not a cold weather rider. It is supposed to get up to the 60's tomorrow and possible for a few days so will see how it goes.  grateful for a chance to ride but we really need the rain.  Oh well.

38

General Discussion / Re: Question about seat height

« on: December 22, 2020, 11:09:37 am »

Thanks for the suggestions/thoughts.  Several things were mentioned that are helping me think about what I can mess with.  So I will do that some .  I wasn't noticing pain in this instance, it was just a weird feeling where I asked my self why do I feel like I'm sitting higher on the bike.  So I will play with the saddle forward and back and the handlebars a bit.  I don't think the crank arms are different but, I'll double check that too.  Both bike have the same saddle and both are. perfectly level (Selle Anatomica) I just looked at the handlebars and the 520 handlebars  are angled leaning down - quite a bit more than my road bike.

39

General Discussion / Question about seat height

« on: December 21, 2020, 09:27:50 pm »

Do you use the same seat on your touring bike as you do on your road bike - your regular group ride lightweight road bike if you use one? 


I sold my old touring bike a couple months ago and bought the new Trek 520 recently.  I didn't measure the seat height on the old bike before selling so I set up the 520 the same as my Trek Domane road bike (I know the touring bike is a road bike too - just not sure of the right terminology)


Anyway the 520 touring bike feels like I'm sitting too high in the air but I don't feel like that on the Domane with the same height.  I wonder if this is a thing? I'm sure I'll just do what's comfortable but was curious.

40

General Discussion / Re: Frank Moritz and the TransAm Eastern Express Bike Route

« on: December 14, 2020, 03:00:36 pm »

While riding the route I was in daily contact emailing him updates about the route and the campgrounds etc.  He said he was making a commitment to keeping the web site up for 5 years, but if he is still involved in doing updates I don't know.  Super nice guy.

41

Routes / Re: Eastern Express Bike Route

« on: December 14, 2020, 02:55:08 pm »

Sorry, I followed the EE maps but at Franklin Indiana I turned SE and headed across on country roads to make my way to my Cincinnati detour.  After Cincinnati, I turned NE and made my way and returned to the route at Waynesville OH, so the section you are asking about is the section I completely missed.

42

Gear Talk / Re: Bottle Cage Allen screw Size

« on: December 13, 2020, 06:40:04 pm »

I dropped by the small town local bike shop here and asked for Phil Wood waterproof grease, the guy gave me a bottle of "Boeshield T-9 Bicycle" and said that would work.  So I just took it home but reading the bottles details it does say waterproof but doesn't mention grease in the description at all.  Anyone know if this fits the purpose you were recommending to grease up the Allen bolts or should I use this product for a better purpose?

43

Routes / Re: Eastern Express Bike Route

« on: December 12, 2020, 08:35:07 pm »

I rode the Eastern Express as it was being developed.  I believe I was the first one to use the route traveling W-E.  I rode the TA in 2016 but ran out of time in the middle of Kansas.  As I was planning to finish my cross country trip I discovered the Eastern Express route that was just being completed.  I also had interest in riding the Katy Trail and the GAP and C&O, and in addition I wanted to visit some family in the Cincinnati area so this route fit perfectly for me.  By the way, I also finished in Washington DC and was quite happy feeling I had accomplished my goal to ride across country.  I started on the Pacific in Oregon and was satisfied ending in DC. 


I live in California, so to finish my cross country in 2017 I took the train from Sacramento to Denver and started my ride there.  I rode from Denver to McCook Nebraska which is where I picked up the actual Eastern Express Route. I wanted to take the train to McCook and start riding there but McCook didn't have a bicycle unloading option so I started in Denver. 


So I have ridden the Eastern Express route from McCook NB to DC with a small detour to Cincinnati.  I enjoyed Eastern Colorado and southern Nebraska.  Kansas was terrific, I visited the center of the country site.  I forget the name of that small town.  When I hit Atchison, KS  I believe the EE route duplicates the Lewis and Clark across the state including the Katy Trail.  I loved it.  I made some good friends and rode with them the length of the Katy Trail - that was a nice treat. Illinois was my least favorite part of the ride.  On my first night in the state I got chased out of one town by a mean policeman who didn't like where I had camped after I had gotten permission from another policeman and the land owner to put up my tent.  I guess that gave me a bad taste for the state after such wonderful hospitality all the way from Denver to St Charles.  There was a section along hwy 40 that was a bit unpleasant heavy traffic and lots of trucks even though it paralleled the interstate, but if I remember correctly there was an adequate shoulder to ride in along that section.  Perhaps that is the section John mentioned in the post above.  I enjoyed Terre Haute and a very, very nice country campground on the edge of town.


Once into Ohio I enjoyed the route the rolling hills and the state parks.  Then after a brief ride through a corner in West Virginia it was onto Pennsylvania and Paw Paw trail, and then the GAP and C&O and DC.  I also made a friend on the C&O and rode with him to DC and second very nice treat.  I thought it was interesting that in all of my TA and EE ride across country the two times I found someone to actually ride with and develop a longer friendship was on two of the trail rides. 

44

Gear Talk / Re: Bottle Cage Allen screw Size

« on: December 10, 2020, 01:56:43 pm »

Dark Blue.  I thought the bike was black looking at the bike pics on my phone but when I saw it in person its a navy-blue or dark blue color.  I don't remember how to upload a pic here so I am putting a link from the Trek web site. I really like the color too.

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/adventure-touring-bikes/520/520-grando/p/33474/?colorCode=bluedark

45

Gear Talk / Re: Bottle Cage Allen screw Size

« on: December 09, 2020, 05:29:09 pm »

ok, I'm an idiot.  The holes in the frame were already filled with painted allen screws that matched the frame color, and I was sitting there trying to screw the allen bolts into the top of the painted allen hole spot.  In my defense I was trying to do it in a dimly lit garage when I got home last.