Messages

151

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. 

152

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. 

153

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". 

154

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.

155

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? 

156

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.

157

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.

158

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.

159

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. 

160

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.

161

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'.

162

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.

163

Routes / Re: Great Parks North - best timing

« on: March 07, 2017, 12:53:45 pm »

Indyfabz, thanks for your input.  I just read the bicycling restrictions at the Glacier NP website.  I'll have to re-check it when I'm near the park.

I'm going east-to-west and was planning to camp at the Rising Sun Campground.  I don't think I'll make it from Rising Sun to Sprague Creek Campground by 11 am.   It looks to be a challenging 34 miles, and I don't want to rush it because I know how beautiful that stretch is.   I had planned to end up the day in Columbia Falls, but maybe I'll just hang out at Sprague Creek Campground or Lake McDonald Lodge and pedal the last hour down to West Glacier after the road re-opens at 4 pm.

164

Gear Talk / Re: Keen sandals for 2 month crosscountry trip

« on: March 06, 2017, 06:49:14 pm »

Walk.in2.trees,

Thanks for your input.  I suppose I can bring my Pearl Izumi shoes and Keen sandals and leave my Crocs at home.  I'm sure the sandals are a bit heavier.  Part of my concern was whether the Keen sandals would hold up for 4000 miles.  I guess I'll have to monitor the wear-and-tear and the ride progresses.  And I think I should look into waterproof shoes.

RussSeaton,

Someone I ride with has Shimano sandals and didn't think the sole was stiff enough.  I'll have to check out Lake sandals.  I'm not familiar with them.

John R

165

Routes / Re: Another way to cope with dogs

« on: March 06, 2017, 06:36:49 pm »

I don't think this is helpful to a discussion of aggressive dog along parts of the trans-America routes.   Perhaps someone with a background in statistics can give their input.  Linking bad-dog behavior to "bible belt"  and confederate flag display is inflammatory and not likely helpful to anyone using this forum.  Was I just "trolled"?   If so, please let this thread die.