Topics

16

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / North Lakes #1 map 3 - construction near Cumberland, WI - 6/10/19

« on: June 10, 2019, 04:33:05 pm »

Route G near Cumberland Wisconsin is torn up and is to be resurfaced within the next week per construction personnel I spoke with today.   4 miles of Route G from 22 and a half Avenue is dirt gravel and sand and is a challenge to bicycle on. An additional mile has been milled and I imagine we'll be torn up later today. The construction ends at Polk Barron Road at the County Line.

I don't see a good way to detour around the section of Road. It's passable, but we'll just take you longer and rattle your bones and bicycle!

17

General Discussion / Combination sunscreen and bug repellent

« on: June 07, 2019, 10:23:13 pm »

While riding in the hot Wisconsin sun today (85F in Clam Lake) and being attacked by deer flies, I came up with the idea of a product containing sunscreen and bug repellent. But alas, someone else had the same idea. On Amazon I see a product called Sunsect. Has anyone used this? Is it reasonable for a sweaty bicyclist, or will it get into your eyes and sting? Any other products like this?

18

Gear Talk / Jandd Low Front Rack on Surly Disc Trucker

« on: May 09, 2019, 08:46:03 pm »

I need advice on how to install a Jandd Low Front Rack on a Surly Disc Trucker.

For the past two years, I've had the rack installed on the mounting points on the front fork - see attachment one.  This works, but the rack and center of gravity is high, making steering more challenging.

I'm trying to lower the rack to the position that was probably intended for a traditional Surly LHT - see attachment two.  The problem with this is that the vertical strut on the rack interferes with the disc brake mechanism.

I can probably rotate the rack backward and modify the upper mounting point, but this would cause the rack to slope backward.

What I'd prefer doing is to insert a 1/2" to 3/4" spacer between the rack and the frame - see attachment 3. This would give me the clearance I need for the brake mechanism.  I could probably use stacked washers (or maybe the nuts at valve stem) to get the required thickness.

Thoughts?
John R

19

Routes / Northern Tier route question - Fergus Falls to Fargo

« on: May 06, 2019, 08:58:52 am »

Riding Green Bay WI to Anacortes starting on June 1.

I had my route planned using the ACA Northern Tier Section 5 map from 2014.  From Fergus Falls, the route goes north toward Cormorant and then west on Route 10 to Sabin (outside of Fargo).

The 2108 edition of this map leaves Fergus Falls on Routes 88 and 52, kind of "paralleling" Highway 94.  This shortens the ride to Fargo by about 24 miles, but looking at the maps, I'm thinking the area around Comorant MN might be more picturesque. 

Would someone familiar with this area care to comment?  Was a safety concern the reason for the route change?''

"Wrong-way" Rushman

20

Routes / Northern Tier route question - Bowlus to Fargo

« on: May 06, 2019, 02:28:57 am »

This summer I'll be biking from Green Bay to Anacortes.  On the Northern Tier, in western Minnesota, three routes options can get me from Bolwus to Fargo ND. 

     1. Trails Alternate - the shortest.  Kind of a direct line from Bowlus to Osakis to Dalton to Pelican Rapids to Fargo
     2, Bowlus to Walker to Fargo via Heartland Alternate
     3, Bowlus to Walker to Fargo via Bemidji and Lake Itasca. The longest route.

And comments on pros/cons of these alteranatives?

21

Food Talk / Unique cuisine, eateries

« on: April 26, 2019, 08:08:59 am »

In another thread, someone had mentioned "poutine".  I had not heard of this before last year and was able to try it in Lockport NY, on the Erie Canal.  Further down the trail, I was able to try "white hot dogs". 

In June, I'll be resuming in Green Bay WI, taking North Lake northwest to Taylors Fall, then picking up Northern Trail to Anacortes (I hope!).  I'd like recommendations on cuisine unique to a given town or region.  I'm not looking for "XYZ has the BEST steaks", nor a dish made by only one restaurant, but regional cuisine I've not likely seen in NY-NJ.   Or not-to-be missed eateries. 

I've not seen a consolidated list on this forum.  Please let me know if it already exists.

John R - Foodie and sometimes bicyclist!

22

General Discussion / Bed and Breakfasts for Bicyclists

« on: April 16, 2019, 03:30:33 pm »

Last year I had stumbled upon a website that promoted bicycle-friendly B&B's and I had used several of the accommodations.  Alas, I've lost the website.  Is any familiar with this website?  Is it still in use?

23

Routes / Bridge at Taylors Fall Minnesota

« on: February 27, 2019, 10:03:34 pm »

I'm taking a short detour off the Northern Tier and will be passing through Taylor's Fall Minnesota this summer.  From Google Maps, it looks like Route 8 won't be bad to bicycle across.  But it looks like there may be a bicycle/pedestrian crossing at the St. Croix River too.  Any input?

Wrong Way

24

ACA Mobile Route Apps / How to used the "Find What You Need" icon in Bicycle Route Navigator

« on: February 24, 2019, 01:27:17 pm »

According to the online help, the "Find What You Need" icon (magnifying glass over a map) is to search 15 miles of the route.  However, for example, when centered on Shawano Wisconsin (on the North Lakes Route), a search for Lodgings list facilities in Escanaba Michigan, 100 miles away.   I get the same list no matter where I am on the map.  How is this search function supposed to function?

25

Gear Talk / Bluetooth speaker for bicycle touring

« on: February 15, 2019, 09:33:29 pm »

I'm looking for a small, weather-proof Bluetooth speaker to use while touring.  I've had two Outdoor Tech Buckshot speakers which work "okay" but haven't held up well. The last one worked only for 1 1/2 years.  On this forum, I haven't seen any recent discussions.  A few years ago, someone had recommended the OMAKER-M4 speaker.  I'm looking for a very basic speaker.  Connect to my smart phone via Blue Tooth, charge with USB.  That's about it.  On Amazon, I see lots of speakers but most with features I don't need.  I'm not looking for another light or power source.  I don't need it to have voice-activation. But I need one with reasonable charge duration.  Riding around home, I may listen to Pandora.  When touring, I only use it for RideWithGPS navigation.  The Buckshot speaker fits my needs pretty well.  I may end up replacing it, knowing the $40 is only for another 1 1/2 year life.

Thoughts?
Wrong-way Rushman

26

Gear Talk / When to replace shoes?

« on: January 04, 2019, 07:13:26 pm »

I have a pair of Pearl Izumi X-Alp Seek SPD mountain bike shoes I use for touring.  I like them because they (kinda) look like regular shoes and have a recessed cleat to allow for easy walking.  When should they be replaced?  Should it be based on age? Miles? Or a combination of both?  I've had no foot problems so far, but the shoes are 3 years old.

27

Connecting ACA Routes / Green Bay to Crandon WI

« on: October 11, 2018, 07:11:03 pm »

It's a way off, but I'm planning a trip for next year (June 1, 2019)…..

I would like input on getting from Green Bay Wisconsin to North Lakes heading northwest.  Putting in start and end of Green Bay Airport to Crandon WI into Google Maps routes me through Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, mostly on Highway 32 to Highway 8.   The North Lakes maps has one going to Shawano WI and bypassing the C-N National Forest to the west.   Does anyone have advice?

28

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / Lake Erie Connector, map 14, bridge out at catfish Creek - May 2019

« on: June 08, 2018, 06:50:26 am »

On map 14, Imperial Road (Route 73) between Copenhagen and Port Bruce is closed due to bridge being out. Detour around the section is clearly marked. Heading westbound, at Copenhagen, turn north onto Route 73. Continue north for about three and a half miles to John Wise Line, Route 45. Turn west onto John Wise Line and proceed about 5 Miles to Quaker Road. Turn South on to Quaker Road and proceed three and a half miles back to the ACA route at Dexter Line Route 24. Because of this detour, Port Bruce is not easily accessible.

29

Routes / Crossing at Niagara Falls

« on: June 03, 2018, 04:45:53 pm »

I'm currently in Lockport New York and will be crossing into Ontario tomorrow.  I had planned to cross at Rainbow Bridge, but it looks like the Lewiston Queenston Bridge maybe a better, more bike-friendly option.  Any thoughts? The weather forecast is for light rain for the next few days. I don't know if that is a factor into which bridge is better to use.

30

Gear Talk / Should bicycle helmets be retired after a certain age?

« on: December 29, 2017, 11:22:37 pm »

I've been reading some of the posts on bicycle helmets and wondered if I should be replacing mine.   I've never had a fall where the helmet's hit the ground.  The Styrofoam or whatever's inside seems to be in good condition.  I'm guessing it's 10 years old.  The felt-like stuff that comes in contact with the scalp is a little smelly and grungy but is otherwise okay.  But I like the fit just fine.  Should I just retire it?  Does the padding give out just because of exposure to sunlight and oxygen.  I'm cheap, no, make that frugal, but don't want to be stupid!

2nd question.  I once saw a rider whose helmet had a clear, integrated "shield".  More than a visor, but not a full face covering.  I like the idea because it would protect my eyes without needing to wear glasses.  And it looked like a touring helmet.  The only other ones I've seen on line look like something a downhill racer would wear.  I'm a bicycle tourist, not a racer and don't want to look too outlandish!