Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: Costs per day?

« on: January 20, 2025, 09:28:21 am »

I carry the lightest tent/pad/bag I could find. I don’t carry any cooking gear.

On my first tour I only carried one of those emergency thermal sleeves that is the size  and weight of a pair of socks. When you are relying on that if things didn’t go as planned it really ratchets up the tension when you feel you may be in trouble making it to the next town. Carrying the extra 2.5 lbs of my sleeping stuff always gives me the choice to keep riding or not which to me is worth the weight penalty.

Man, if you can get tent/pad/bag down to 2.5 pounds I'm impressed. My BA Copper Spur UL1 tent is about 2 pounds!

2

General Discussion / Re: Costs per day?

« on: January 19, 2025, 10:17:34 am »

Did you carry camping gear even though you didn't anticipate using it?

3

Routes / Re: Barge and Bike

« on: December 13, 2024, 10:02:46 am »

I did a southern France bike/barge trip with my wife for our anniversary many years ago. VERY posh and VERY memorable! Unfortunately, the company closed down. If I can find more info I'll come back here! Good luck!

4

Gear Talk / Re: Suspension seat or stem posts

« on: November 08, 2024, 10:56:57 am »

I have the Redshift seatpost on my hard tail mountain bike and set up to take big jolts. I like it and it has saved my sore old lower back a little misery.

5

General Discussion / Re: bike tour

« on: November 07, 2024, 09:34:19 am »

I rode from Brawley, CA to El Paso right after Christmas 15 years ago.  It was definitely doable, but I did detour one day onto I-10 in New Mexico rather than following the ACA route up into the mountains because of snow in the forecast.  So check your forecasts each day and have a backup plan ready. You don't need crazy $1000 gear, but a decent tent, good sleeping bag and good thermals for both on and off bike are a must.  One thing I remember about that trip: a lot of dark, a lot of lonely! Lots of campgrounds where I was the only person there, and the short daylight hours means less time for riding as well as less time for meeting people.  I swore off both solo touring and winter touring after that trip, although I'm since back to both.

UncaBuddha, I'm planning to do Joshua Tree and Death Valley in mid-February (2 weeks total).  You should overcome your old man inertia and come with me, although I'm planning to camp whenever feasible.  No stealth camping - campgrounds only, with hotels mixed in when they're not available. Email me at thissameusername@gmail if you're interested or want to kick around other ideas.

That sounds interesting! I don't mind camping  and have all my gear. I just need to get off my ass. I will research shipping the bike. Thanks!

6

General Discussion / Re: bike tour

« on: October 24, 2024, 09:01:34 am »

Westinghouse, FOUR TIMES??!!! Wow! Did you camp out the whole way? Is it feasible to stay in hotels the whole way? I'm thinking St Augustine to San Antonio starting in the middle of February... (but my old man scaredy face inertia is holding me back)

7

Routes / Re: Route Tucson to Glacier [AZ, UT, CO, WY, MT]

« on: October 21, 2024, 09:19:34 am »

I'm sure we were all wondering if you did your ride. Do you have a website that has pictures and notes?

8

Gear Talk / Re: Tour Bike Build

« on: August 14, 2024, 10:07:40 am »

In my 45+ years of riding, I have ridden mostly Brooks (wide range).  My favorite was the Pro Special when I was young and skinny but have tried probably 4-5 different models on my various bike stable. 

A few years ago, I tried a Sella Anatomica and discovered it was much more comfortable.  Big downside is the leather does not last as nearly as long, maybe 1200-1500 day rides before the skin needs to be replaced.  This is probably because the skin is a bit thinner and so it stretches easier.  It is made/assembled/replaced here in the USA.  You can buy them on Amazon or direct from the factory for sometimes cheaper as they periodically have sales.  A nice lady is the owner and they are very responsive to questions and I assume any issues.

Tailwinds, John

Plus 1 for Selle Anatomica. I have two leather saddles from them (and a Brooks I haven't ridden in Eons) and recently started riding an R model EPDM rubber. The rubber has been great and there are no concerns about wetness!
I begged my wife to let me get her a SA saddle and when I finally did she said, "Why did you wait so long?"!!!

9

International / Re: The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR)

« on: August 08, 2024, 01:18:32 pm »

Average speed and per day mileage? 60 days to ride the GDMBR seems about right to me but August in Southern NM is going to be REALLY hot!

10

Routes / Re: Route around the Great Lakes

« on: July 12, 2024, 10:49:25 am »

I hate to resurrect this thread but, if I didn't, this is a great jumping off point.

Looking at trying to do a spur of the moment trip around the upper part of Lake Michigan using MAFRANKLIN's RWGPS routing. I would start by taking the ferry from Ludington over to Manitowoc and ride clockwise up and around the lake, ending back at Ludington.

Because this is spontaneous, there are no campsites available around the lake. I was up there in June for the MI Coast to Coast 100-mile loop (DNF at 50 due to mechanical) and it is really busy.

Here's my question: Can I expect to find city parks, front lawns, fire stations that will let me pitch a tent overnight. I haven't really toured since 1992 (!) and I'm solo so I'm nervous. I have all the gear I need. Just need some reassurance.

Thanks friends and ACA!

11

General Discussion / Re: Fit for Touring?

« on: July 08, 2024, 10:17:37 am »

Saddle position: your saddle should be level. Put the bike next to a wall and get onboard and pedal backwards until your left pedal is pointing directly forward. With the ball of your foot on the pedal spindle, your kneecap should be ABOVE the spindle. If it is behind the spindle, move the seat back and vice versa.
Saddle cushion: Many, many touring cyclists swear by Brooks leather saddles. Next time you're in a bike shop, feel the surface. It is hard as a rock. Like riding on linoleum. That's because you need to condition your sit bones to make contact with that hard surface. The "cushier" the saddle, the more you mush into it and that puts pressure on your "parts" that do NOT like pressure AND can cause chafing and rash. It takes about two weeks of riding to get your butt used to sitting on your sit bones.
If there is a local cycling club in your area, try reaching out to them and riding some newbie rides. It makes it more enjoyable and almost always makes you faster to ride with faster riders. Look for rides marked NO Drop.
Keep at it!!!

12

GPS & Digital Data Discussion / Re: GPX data to new gps

« on: March 01, 2024, 06:12:26 pm »

Thank you so much John.
I bought the GPX files and downloaded Garmin Basemap. The .gpx files were in my downloads and I needed to copy them to the Documents folder before Basemap would see them. I imported into My Collection the clockwise file (called THX01CMain_2023) and the Lukenbach loop, the Pedernales Cutoff, and the services. I selected Device/Send To device/Send My Collection to Device. The program mysteriously shutdown and there was no indication that anything had been sent. I disconnected my Garmin from the computer and now there are new COURSES (not Tracks or Routes) in there... Hopefully when I get to TX I'll have what I need because I wasn't taking my computer with me...

Thanks again!

13

GPS & Digital Data Discussion / GPX data to new gps

« on: March 01, 2024, 11:59:49 am »

I have done some looking around and can't find what I'm looking for and the Garmin Edge 1000 GPS listing is almost 10 years old (certainly not up to Garmin 1040) so...

I want to do the TX Hill Country loop next week. I ordered the map this week and figured I would buy the GPX data for the 1040 and load them up. This forum would indicate it ain't as simple as that! Tracks, routes, waypoints, maps, panels... sheesh!

When I download the GPX data, does it come in SEGMENTS that match the different MAPS on my paper map? If I ride halfway along a SEGMENT, do I turn off the GPS for the night and it will start back up today where I left off yesterday?

I have ridden MANY routes with my local bike club and haven't had this much ANGST about using my Garmin 1040. Maybe I'm just nervous because I'm going by myself and have no real idea how many miles per day I can do LOADED so I have no idea where to make reservations. Thinking about chucking the whole idea and selling the new map and drinking beer and sulking <G>!!!

14

Gear Talk / Re: My cooking gear

« on: February 29, 2024, 12:18:19 pm »

Yes, as interesting as that looks, it doesn't collapse and take up almost zero space, and it weighs more than the GSI.  Weight and space are extremely important in backpacking and bike camping/touring.

It DOES collapse. You compress it like a spring and "weave" the "ears" through the spring to keep it closed. The spiral and 10 #4 coffee filters was about 1/4" thick (or I wouldn't have carried it around the world in the jet. Leaving Anchorage with some Kalahdi Bros fresh ground was MAJIC over the Pacific!!!)

15

Gear Talk / Re: My cooking gear

« on: February 29, 2024, 09:02:20 am »

I have used this spiral pour over coffee maker in airplanes with great success. You have to carry filters but it makes cleanup as easy and removing the spent filter and throwing it in the trash.
https://www.outlandusa.com/p/soto-helix-coffee-maker?utm_source=google_shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&campaign_id=18134227586&adgroup=&matchtype=&device=c&devicemodel=&placement=&adposition=&gad_source=5&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuO6o_9rQhAMV2FFHAR3lvADSEAQYBSABEgIy9fD_BwE