Messages

151

General Discussion / Re: My 1st Solo Bicycle Touring Trip in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania etc

« on: November 10, 2017, 06:10:44 pm »

I'm guessing you're following NY State bicycle Route 11.   I've not ridden this route but drove from Syracuse to Delaware Water Gap this summer.  Along the route (Interstate 81) I was thinking "Boy, I'm glad I'm not bicycling here!".  Lots of PITA hills.  Maybe the bicycle route is better. 

Where in NJ are you headed?  There are some lovely areas in northwestern NJ, but the drivers can sometimes be obnoxious.  (I live here and, I'm sorry to admit, I'm not always a patient driver). 

152

General Discussion / What is proper etiquette?

« on: August 31, 2017, 11:25:41 am »

In NJ, anyone under 17 riding a bicycle is required to wear a helmet.  All to often, mom and dad are out riding with the kids; the kids have their helmets on, but the parents don't.  This morning I saw this and yelled at the dad "Where's your helmet?"  He ignored me.   Does someone have a kinder way of encouraging parents to wear a bicycle helmet.  Maybe I should have said "Hey buddy, you forgot your helmet."  It such an easy thing for the adults to do and it models behavior you wish the kids to continue.

153

General Discussion / Re: The latest time to head out east to west on the TransAmerica trail

« on: May 17, 2017, 05:44:28 pm »

"Highway 4 in the California Sierras has grades up to 28%."

Can this be bicycled?  By mere mortals?

I think the steepest climb I've had is at Smugglers Notch at Stowe VT and I think that was only 17%.  If I leaned forward, I lost traction with the rear wheel.  If I sat back, the front wheel lifted up.  I'll try it again this autumn when I'm back up there.

154

Routes / Re: Salt Lake City to New Jersey

« on: May 15, 2017, 09:45:25 am »

I live in Florham Park, one town away from Short Hills.  When you have an idea of how you are getting to NJ, I can give you input on local roads to get you to your final destination.  Depending on where you're going in Short Hills, there are a lot of highways and congestion to avoid. 

155

General Discussion / Re: How to work on your bike?

« on: May 13, 2017, 09:08:35 pm »

In retrospect, the problem I was having with the derailleur was probably my "screwing it up".  I couldn't shift down to my granny gear and I thought I needed to change the limit screw.  Unfortunately, I moved the wrong limit screw the wrong direction and didn't fix the problem.  Later on, in the campground, I concluded that my problem was likely due to the moving parts of the front derailleur needing a little bit of lubrication, and after a few drops of oil on the pivot points, it seemed to work better.  The second problem I had, which I'm sure I created, was that when shifting quickly to my large gear, the chain fell off.  Whoops!.  I'm sure that was from me messing up the limit screw.  So I have an appointment with my LBS on Wednesday for, I'm hoping, a one-on-one tutorial of derailleur adjustments.  Hey, I'm not leaving for another two weeks.  No problem!

My original question though was how to work on my bike in a campground without the usual bike supports.  When I was young, I always worked on my bicycle upside down (the bicycle that is).  I was just hoping for other ways to support the bicycle. 

156

General Discussion / How to work on your bike?

« on: May 13, 2017, 05:59:32 pm »

I'm hopefully starting on my adventure (self-supported, NJ to Anacortes) in 2 1/2 weeks.  To try out all my camping gear, etc. after the long winter, I did a moderate ride to a state park, camped overnight, and returned home the next day.  I'd had some problems with my front derailleur and was trying to adjust it in the campground.  Balancing the top tube on the corner of a picnic bench kind of worked.  Any suggestions of how to elevate your bike to work on it when on a self-supported ride?  I was thinking about how I could hang it from a tree branch using the nylon cord from my "bear bag". 

157

Routes / Re: Help Building a Trip

« on: April 17, 2017, 07:25:21 pm »

When are you planning to go?  I'm doing Albany to Anacortes via Great Lakes and Northern Tier starting June 1.

158

Routes / Re: Northern Tier to North Lakes route

« on: April 09, 2017, 08:09:35 am »

KKTice,

I assume you didn't use a hammock.  Did you do the Northern Tier in North Dakota?  Montana?  Do you think finding appropriately-spaced trees for a hammock would be a problem there? 

159

Gear Talk / Re: Packing Techniques for Ortlieb Front Roller Classics

« on: April 05, 2017, 08:38:29 pm »

Joe,

I'm curious about your stove set-up.  I've not seen one like that.  My impression is it has more "parts" than I'd want to carry.  I guess it's to get you off the ground, but it look susceptible to swinging about in the breezes.

160

Gear Talk / Re: Recommendations for thermometers?

« on: March 27, 2017, 12:44:58 pm »

I like to record the temperature in my journal. When I'm feeling miserable, it gives me some justification.  I didn't think about roads freezing.  I hope that's not a problem in July, but I guess the weather is never predictable around Glacier NP.  For me, the zipper-pull thermometers are just too small for me to read easily or to get a very accurate reading.

161

Routes / Re: Border crossings on Northern Tier (Buffalo, Niagara Falls)

« on: March 24, 2017, 10:28:32 am »

Thanks, indyfabz, for the links.  The video actually showing how to cross with a bicycle was excellent, but it looks like there are still places that will be a challenge for a fully-loaded bicycle, e.g. turnstiles.

162

Gear Talk / Re: Recommendations for thermometers?

« on: March 22, 2017, 10:07:18 pm »

Thanks all, for your input.  Although I like the simplicity of the Larry and Kathy Weatherstation (no batteries needed, clear instruction manual), I did more shopping on Amazon and found something that looks reasonable.   A digital thermometer from Flexzion got pretty good customer review, is only $13 and weighs less than an ounce.  Most of the ones I see for camping are too bulky and have features I don't think I'll need (altimeter, barometer, weather forecast features).  The Kestrel 5000 (and even the 3000) is a bit out of my budget.  I'm not so much a weather nerd.   I like to know, for example, if I was freezing in my sleeping bag, just how cold it got over night. 

163

Gear Talk / Recommendations for thermometers?

« on: March 21, 2017, 08:27:54 pm »

I like to carry a thermometer when backpacking.  I've been using a AcuRite Suction Cup Thermometer - I just take the suction cup off it.  The first one worked well, the replacement was not so good - erratic temperature readings.  What I like about it is: 

1) small and lightweight
2) inexpensive - about $10 on Amazon
3) Gives daily minimum and maximum temps
4) Relatively large, easy-to-read, digital display.

But first and foremost, it's nice if a thermometer gives reasonably accurate temperatures! Within a couple a degrees would be fine.

I'd like a thermometer for an upcoming ride and am interested in recommendations.

164

General Discussion / Re: Cell phone service on Lake Erie connector

« on: March 17, 2017, 10:30:09 pm »

Thank you for you input.  I'll contact Verizon next week about TravelPass'.

165

General Discussion / Cell phone service on Lake Erie connector

« on: March 14, 2017, 01:02:45 pm »

The discussion about cell phone service on the Northern Tier prompted this query, but I didn't want to divert that thread.  GGWBikeMT mentioned a $2/day charge by Verizon when using their service in Canada.  I'll be riding from Niagara Falls to Sombra Ontario in June.  I expect the cell phone service to be reasonable there.  Should I expect the $2/day charge?  Do you get notified by Verizon the first time you try to use the service in Canada?  Will there be any problem using a Samsung android phone?   Last year I had problems using it in the Caribbean.