Messages

166

Routes / Re: New York State Bike Route 5 versus Erie Canalway Trail

« on: December 05, 2016, 07:40:49 pm »

Thanks for your input.  I'm looking forward to what other's have to say.

It looks like following the Erie Canalway from Schnectady to Lockport NY is 296 miles.  Following NY Bike Route 5 is 296.  Not much difference, and it has a few good climbs.  Thanks for your input, Vertiganer.

Canalligators, what guide book are you referring to?   I'll be checking out your link to CrazyGuyOnABike shortly.

167

Routes / New York State Bike Route 5 versus Erie Canalway Trail

« on: December 04, 2016, 09:00:27 pm »

I'm planning a trip for next summer, part of which includes bicycling from Albany NY to Niagara Falls.  For the stretch form Albany to Syracuse, NY State Bike Route 5 more-or-less parallels the Erie Canalway Trail.  Is someone familiar with these routes?  Recommendations?   I'm planning to cover 60 miles per day.  I'll have camping gear but would prefer staying in a motel.

168

Gear Talk / Re: Recommendation for front light?

« on: November 30, 2016, 02:44:58 pm »

Paddleboy17, thanks for the pictures.  It looks like 1" PVC that your using - right?  I'm thinking about using handlebar tap to wrap the PVC.  I'll post a picture once it's complete.  I've still got to try the light on the helmet too. 

169

Gear Talk / Re: Recommendation for front light?

« on: November 29, 2016, 02:25:58 pm »

Driftlessregion, thanks for your input.  I've already got a phone mount attached at my stem cap.  I might be able to use the handle bar cap extension, but my Surly Disk Trucker has bar end shifters it might interfere with.

170

Gear Talk / Re: Recommendation for front light?

« on: November 28, 2016, 06:43:05 pm »

Touring.  Thanks for the clarification.   I don't plan to ride at night, but on poor-visibility days, or if I arrive later that I expect at my destination, I think some lighting is necessary.

I'm planning a ride from NJ to Anacortes WA for next year.  Three other have expressed interest.  I'm going regardless.

171

Gear Talk / Re: Recommendation for front light?

« on: November 28, 2016, 05:49:05 pm »

To recap my original query.  I need a forward pointing light, to help illuminate the road and also to aide in me being seen.  My question is not so much whether or not I need a light (I believe I do) nor the type of light, but options for mounting it given that part of the handlebar is occupied by a bag.

John Nelson, thanks for your advice regarding handlebar extensions.  I'll have to check out some videos to see if it will work.  That is, allow me to use the handlebar bag, give me a light, and not use up handlebar "real estate".

John again, regarding using my camp headlight.  I have a Petzl headlight for backpacking that I was planning to bring.  I realize if I want to cut down on weight, I could leave the Petzl home.  I don't know how well I'd like it when wearing a bicycle helmet.  It's worth a try.  I think if I'm looking to save weight, I'd probably jettison the Petzl and get a better bicycle light that might be able to do double-duty.

Paddleboy17 - I think your idea could work for me.  Please post a picture.  I think I have a pretty good idea of what you're talking about.

Walks.in2.trees - Getting rid of the handlebar bag is an option I'll have to consider.  I guess I was too focused on how to make the handlebar bag work and I wasn't thinking "outside the box".  Thanks for expanding the box!

172

Gear Talk / Re: Recommendation for front light?

« on: November 28, 2016, 12:16:54 am »

Thanks, everyone, for the feedback. I now have several options to check out. But it's after midnight in NJ, so it will have to wait until morning.

173

Gear Talk / Re: Recommendation for front light?

« on: November 27, 2016, 07:18:40 pm »

I think I'll have to experiment attaching the light to my helmet.  I like the idea of having one light focused in front of my bike, but I don't want to lose the handlebar space.

174

Gear Talk / Recommendation for front light?

« on: November 27, 2016, 05:55:32 pm »

I have a Planet Bike Blaze 140 light which is okay - more for being seen than for me to see the road.  But it is blocked by my handlebar bag.  If I move the light  out to the side on the handlebar, it takes up space I'd rather have for my hands.  Thoughts?  Attach it to the helmet?

175

General Discussion / Re: Converting Elevation Gain, Grade to Mileage

« on: August 01, 2016, 01:50:36 pm »

Thanks. That's the kind of quick-and-dirty advice I can use!

176

General Discussion / Converting Elevation Gain, Grade to Mileage

« on: July 30, 2016, 03:49:44 pm »

I'm planning a cross country ride next year and plan to ride about 60 miles per day.  When planning routes, is there a way to convert elevation gain into an equivalent distance travelled on level terrain?  And is there a way to factor in the grade of the hills encountered?  When planning hikes, I often add 1 mile per 1000 feet of elevation climbed, ignoring the downhills, to estimate how far I can walk in a given amount of time. 

177

General Discussion / Re: What type of grades to expect on Northern Tier?

« on: May 04, 2016, 09:20:40 pm »

Thanks everyone for the comments.  It sounds like my bike and gear will be okay.  I have a year to get my butt in shape!!

178

General Discussion / Re: What type of grades to expect on Northern Tier?

« on: May 02, 2016, 09:10:46 am »

I was riding to Mahlon Dickerson Park.  Union Hill Road (near Greystone) and Weldon Road (entering the park from the east) slowed me up.  I'll be doing the same ride later this month adding on a few more miles for conditioning.

179

General Discussion / Re: What type of grades to expect on Northern Tier?

« on: May 01, 2016, 10:02:07 pm »

Thanks. That's reassuring.

180

General Discussion / What type of grades to expect on Northern Tier?

« on: May 01, 2016, 08:49:09 pm »

I'm not sure where this question belongs.  It's kind of about Gear, but not really.  It kind of about Routes...


I training for a cross-country ride next summer.  NJ to Niagara Falls, across southern Ontario, Michigan, Wisconsin and pick up Northern Tier.

I have a Surly Disk Trucker with 48-36-26 chainring and 11-36 cassette. 

What kind of grades can I expect on my route?

I had a rude awakening doing a two-day ride in northern NJ last week.  With 50 pounds of gear, food and water,  I had a tough time handling the two 13 to 14% grade climbs I encountered.   I know I need to lose some weight (gear and me both!) and I know I'll get stronger with time, but I'm thinking I better start doing a lot more training on serious hills with full weight.

Comments?