Messages

181

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?

182

Connecting ACA Routes / Re: NYC to Ohio and beyond

« on: January 24, 2016, 11:37:34 am »

Not sure who you are referencing - but here is the Penna Bike route across the north-central part of the state.
It is clickable and each section has a strip map.

http://www.dot.state.pa.us/public/pdf/bikes/state_mapV.pdf

Do you know is there's a text version, that is, a turn-by-turn description of the route?

JR

183

Connecting ACA Routes / Re: NYC to Ohio and beyond

« on: January 19, 2016, 09:30:51 am »

Indyfabz,

Thanks for the details.

I live in north central NJ (Florham Park).  To make it an "official" ocean-to-ocean ride, I'm pondering where to put my rear wheel in the Atlantic Ocean.  I'm thinking Sandy Hook.   Although the Raritan Bay and NY harbor may by considered part of the ocean, one could consider the Hudson River too.  I'll probably ride from Sandy Hook back to Florham Park, attend a send-off part that night, and start west in earnest the next morning.   I know enough back roads in Morris County to get me west of the congested areas, and then will pick up Rte 46 to Columbia and start Pennsylvania Route V there.

184

Connecting ACA Routes / Re: NYC to Ohio and beyond

« on: January 16, 2016, 01:57:23 pm »

Thanks for the link.  I think it will be helpful.  Do you know if there's a similar bicycle network in Ohio?  It would be nice if Ohio had just picked up the end of Pennsylvania's Route V and continued west.  I'll need a way of getting from the end of Pennsylvania's Route V to the Underground Railroad route near Akron.  I prefer to not have to go north to Erie PA just to head south toward Sandusky.

185

Connecting ACA Routes / NYC to Ohio and beyond

« on: January 15, 2016, 11:22:56 pm »

Last year, I was following the blog of a fellow who was riding from NYC westward.  I think he made it as far as North Dakota before he ran out of time.  He was riding with his wife and daughter.

I'm in the planning stages of a ride that initially will follow much of the route of this other bicyclist.  Unfortunately, I lost the link to his blog.  Can someone provide me with a link? 

I'm starting in NJ and hope to connect to the Northern Tier in PA/OH, head west and connect to the Route 66 map.  But first, I need to get across northern NJ and PA.  I don't really care to head north to Albany first.

186

General Discussion / Re: Dogs n' bears

« on: January 15, 2016, 08:39:35 pm »

NJ = 8729 square miles
#bears = 3500
Square miles / bear = 2.5

and you won't see a bear in most of the populated eastern part of the state.

No wonder I've seen so many in NJ!

187

General Discussion / Re: Bicycle tools for a cross country ride

« on: June 28, 2015, 08:30:20 pm »

Thanks all for you input.  Since my ride is not until next year, I have time to collect input and learn something about bike repairs.

Bobbys Beard,  What is a "spare clip on chain link".  I can guess what it is.  It sounds like something that may by helpful.

JR

188

General Discussion / Bicycle tools for a cross country ride

« on: June 25, 2015, 12:15:35 am »

A buddy of mine is interested in doing a cross country ride next year.  I'm trying to get my legs (and butt) in shape this year.  I've been using this website to learn about what to expect and how to prepare.

I've collected "what to pack" lists from various sites on the Internet.  Some people have extensive repair kits and back-up supplies.  My question is "What are the essential repairs I should need to know how to do and have appropriate tools to perform?".    I don't have a "cassette/freewheel removal tool".   In forty years of "riding for fun" I've never needed a cassette removal tool.  Should I buy one?  If so, I should probably take a class to learn how to use one.  How about a "chain tool" and spare links?   I know how to repair and replace inner tubes and I can adjust brakes and derailleur cables, but what else should I know how to fix?  Once when I was young, I was given a spoke wrench and totally messed up a wheel because I didn't know what I was doing.  I should have just left the wheel alone.  I'm planning on staying on popular ACA routes and not doing any off-road excursions.

Thanks in advance
John R