Messages

31

General Discussion / Re: Gear list: am I on the right road?

« on: August 11, 2021, 05:35:18 pm »

Ear plugs - weighs next to nothing and will help you to ignore the bear, road noise, raccoon, noisy campers, mountain lion, chipmunk, outside your tent.  (I have a vivid imagination).  (And am a light sleeper).

A watermelon-and-a-half too heavy

32

General Discussion / Re: Laundry

« on: August 01, 2021, 02:49:13 pm »

"The Scrubba - patented washboard-in-a-bag design"

They've gotta be kidding!  $55 for that?!

(George, I hope it's not your products.  If so, my apologies)

33

Routes / Re: Questions regarding TransAmerica cycling route and preparation

« on: July 23, 2021, 05:33:13 pm »

I may not say this artfully, so please excuse me if it seem offensive.

Preparing for a long distance bike ride is a challenge for anyone.  And if you're new to bike touring, that's more challenging.  And if your new to longer distances (you say you're doing 20 miles a day now), that's more challenging.  And if you're not from the States, that too brings new challenges.  As a white, middle-age, male, Merican, I can "wing it" and (hopefully) not get into too much trouble.   Besides the bike touring, getting comfortable to how "things are done in the States" may prove to be as much an obstacle. 

Have you spent much time in the States?  Might you consider an organized tour? 

I rode solo doing a modified Northern Tier.  I had to drop out in 2018 due to diverticulitis.  Riding solo gave me the flexibility to due what I wanted and allowed me to drop out without impacting anyone else.  But for you, a group may be very beneficial.  You do have the benefit of youth.  Your body is less likely to crap out compared to us older folk.

Good luck on your adventure.  I look forward to reading your journals. 

Last advice - Try to get out on some overnight excursions (or two nights) from home.  I found it the best way to find out what equipment I could leave at home.

34

General Discussion / Re: In need of a few hints for NT route and food

« on: June 16, 2021, 09:01:20 pm »

"...many of the more populated towns (e.g., Chester, Harlem, Malta, Glasgow) have decent grocery stores.."

Unfortunately for those towns, the NT has been rerouted to roads further south.  But they do have decent grocery stores.  I especially enjoyed staying at pianist Philip Aaberg's home in Chester. 

35

General Discussion / Re: In need of a few hints for NT route and food

« on: June 15, 2021, 08:41:06 am »

I stayed with a very nice WarmShowers host in Glendive - another option to consider.

36

General Discussion / Re: Breathing issue

« on: June 01, 2021, 06:12:35 pm »

I agree with zzzz.  It sounds like exercised induced bronchospasms.  Breathing tends to be okay until when you stop and the lungs "tighten up".  Things that go against EIB is that it tends to be worse in cooler/colder and dryer weather - not like Ohio in this time of the year.  Did you ever has asthma as a child?  I thinks it is more common in asthmatics.  How well does your PMD know you?  He/she may prescribe in inhaler without the usual spirometry/peak flow testing.

37

General Discussion / Advice on purchasing a fat bike

« on: April 21, 2021, 07:09:55 pm »

ACA's Bike Bits had a paragraph about a group in Browning Montana looking for fat bikes.  I'd like to help, but know nothing about fat bikes.  I see that Amazon has several by Mongoose for less than $500.  For example "Mongoose Dolomite Mens Fat Tire Mountain Bike, 26-Inch Wheels, 4-Inch Wide Knobby Tires, 7-Speed, Steel Frame, Front and Rear Brakes, Multiple Colors" and "Mongoose Aztec Mens and Womens Fat Tire Bike, 18-Inch Steel Frame, 26-Inch Wheels, 4-Inch knobby tires".   Would these just become a pain-in-the-a** or are they a reasonably priced bike?  Would they be difficult to service?   Nice if Amazon provides free shipping and they're pretty good with returns.  Or are there other options to consider?  I was thinking about getting something in Browning, but they don't have a bike shop. 

38

General Discussion / Re: carrying a firearm on a tour

« on: March 09, 2021, 06:41:23 am »

Please, no spoilers...  I'm waiting for the book!

39

Routes / Re: How are you getting to Anacortes?

« on: March 03, 2021, 05:57:51 pm »

I ended my trip in Anacortes.  Used Bike Flights and Skagit Cycle Center.  The bike shop did a good job and I recommend them.  After bicycling 3800 miles, I was ready to return home to NJ.  The airport shuttle was an efficient, no-hassle way to get to SeaTac.

40

ACA Mobile Route Apps / Re: Best app for following someone on a long ride

« on: February 23, 2021, 01:28:50 pm »

Need more info...

Are you following somebody else's ride?  Or are you riding and someone back home want's to follow your progress?

41

General Discussion / Re: TransAm done - What next?

« on: February 23, 2021, 07:53:54 am »

The Northern Tier route does go into Canada near Cut Bank, but it can be bypassed easily.

42

General Discussion / Re: Southern Illinois Gravel Ride (video)

« on: February 15, 2021, 05:42:31 pm »

Thank you for posting your video.  I very much enjoyed watching it.  As I was watching, I kept thinking, "How did he get that shot?"  "He must have spent a lot of time prepping the shots...".  I fear you're raising the bar too high!!

43

General Discussion / Re: Rain Jacket? Yes. Rain pants?

« on: January 31, 2021, 08:41:59 am »

Rain jackets and pants?  For me, yes and yes.  When bicycling in Montana, there were many days when cloudbursts would cross my path, it seemed on an hourly basis.  I kept my raingear handy in a ziploc bag on the outside of my panniers.  I got very good at quickly getting covered up.  If the squall was bad enough, I'd stop pedaling and find some place to hunker down, sometimes just lying on the ground, downwind of my bike and packs.  When the squall finished, I'd put the gear away.  I didn't want to get wet when it was 60 degrees and windy. 

44

General Discussion / Re: bicycle navigation computer

« on: January 27, 2021, 05:14:32 pm »

If all you want to know is speed, distance and time, why not just use RideWithGPS on your phone?  Perhaps I misread your question.  Do you want to know what additional features a Garmin (for example) will provide?

45

General Discussion / Re: Average Weight Loss/Gain on Cross Country Tour

« on: December 16, 2020, 12:01:57 pm »

"...so I am curious, is weight loss an issue?"

For me, not weight loss but weight gain!

From NJ to Michigan, I gained 3 lbs.  I decided to stop buying Starbucks and ended up losing 10 the rest of the way to Anacortes.  Was it the Starbucks? Or just the cumulative effect of long days week after week?  Probably both.