Messages

31

General Discussion / Re: ShipBikes is back!

« on: July 17, 2023, 07:33:09 pm »

Much preferred the old BikeFlights with FedEx over UPS. Service was quicker, cheaper and they treat their packages better IMO. When I asked BikeFlights about why they changed carriers in August 2019 they sent me the response below.

Thanks so much for reaching out and taking the time to provide your feedback. We genuinely appreciate hearing from our customers.

We are very excited about the switch to UPS as UPS is the world's largest package delivery company and a leading global provider of specialized transportation and logistics services.

Working with our new carrier, we are now able to better serve more of our BikeFlights.com customers in more different ways. For example, with our new primary carrier, you have more drop off and pick up location options than ever before. We are also able to better serve our e-commerce and international shipping customers.

While we understand that all of our customers have preferences for certain shippers, we think that shipping with UPS will be a fit for all and we sincerely hope that we can continue to serve you with UPS as our carrier.

Our rates for domestically shipping the largest packages recently increased as carriers (all carriers, UPS and FedEx) have raised their large package handling fees. We continue to offer generally great rates, excellent service and premium protection for all shipments.

32

General Discussion / ShipBikes is back!

« on: July 15, 2023, 09:29:08 pm »

After a few year hiatus ShipBikes is back but they now require you purchase a box through them to ship. They’re only $19.95 but requires more planning as you’ll need to order the box and wait for it to arrive before you can ship your bike. They do request an order number before purchasing a label to verify you have one of their boxes.

Still glad BikeFlights now has a competitor again.

https://www.shipbikes.com/

33

General Discussion / Re: Air Tags

« on: July 14, 2023, 12:30:24 pm »

I have something similar on my bike. Different kind of under the cage waterproof AirTag holder. 2 things to keep in mind… If someone steals your bike and they have an iPhone it’ll let them know that an AirTag is following them and it’ll start beeping eventually. Secondly, the AirTag will notify you when the battery needs to be changed, usually several weeks before it dies, so if it’s not notifying you right now, no need to change it. The AirTag takes a common CR2032 battery that you can find almost anywhere, including places like Dollar Tree and gas stations.

34

General Discussion / Re: cost per day to tour

« on: July 14, 2023, 12:25:49 pm »

I did my first cross country tour for about $10/day when I rode from Oregon to Maine in 2016. I spent a lot of nights camping behind fire stations, in city parks, behind churches and occasionally used WarmShowers. Since then I’m at about $25/day. I like the comfort of developed campgrounds with hot water and showers and I now prefer to be alone after a long day of touring. I expect to spend about $20/day next month when I ride the Katy Trail since most campgrounds are $5-$10/night.

I don’t eat a ton while I’m on the road. Oatmeal/coffee for breakfast, fast food when available for lunch, noodles or something of the such for supper.

Sometimes when I have a layover in a city I’ll volunteer at a soup kitchen. For a few hours of work they’ll feed you at the end.

35

Classifieds / Pearl iZUMi PRO WxB Barrier Shoe Covers

« on: June 16, 2023, 10:14:09 pm »

New in package

Size XXL

Retails for $55

$35/obo + free shipping anywhere in USA

Photos here: https://imgur.com/a/OBctBEu

36

General Discussion / Re: The free-ranging dogs on long tours. Temporary annoyances, possible dangers.

« on: May 05, 2023, 03:00:39 pm »

I actually worry more about dogs than automobiles while on tour. Have been chased more times than I remember and have used my bear spray more than once on a pack of dogs.

Oddly enough my most terrifying moment ended up not being one at all. Last year in Delaware I came around the corner with a long uphill ahead on a narrow two-lane country road to three pit bulls in the middle of the road in front of their house. I thought for sure I was SOL. Pulled out my bear spray but as I approached they excitedly wagged their tails and came over to smell me. I was still annoyed that the owner had let them loose on a known bicycling route but perhaps they had escaped.

37

General Discussion / Re: Cycling in the hurricane.

« on: October 23, 2022, 07:41:14 am »

Fall of 2020 I was in Gulf Shores, Alabama when Hurricane Sally made landfall. It was supposed to make landfall near New Orleans but turned east extremely late and took everyone by surprise. All of the campgrounds in the Florida panhandle that I’d booked rightfully evacuated and closed. The hotels in Gulf Shores were either closed or booked.

Ended up biking 30 miles to Pensacola as the hurricane pounded the area. Tried to find a ride but didn’t have any luck. Took about 8 hours for me to get into Pensacola and find a hotel that was open.

When the hurricane made landfall that evening the hotel was damaged pretty heavily and we had to leave the next day.

Thankfully a WarmShowers host in Pensacola let me stay at his place that night and the next day gave me a ride out of the hurricane damage a few hours east to Marianna.

At the end of the day there’s nothing I would have done differently as the hurricane wasn’t forecasted to make landfall where I was.

This past spring I rode down the eastern shore as a bad Nor’easter slammed the area. Parts of Virginia Beach were flooded. But the wind was 30-40mph at my back and, except for the rain, it wasn’t bad. Riding was effortless. Unfortunately the ferries I needed to reach the Outer Banks were shutdown and I had to end the ride early. Caught an Amtrak out of Norfolk to my intended end point of Charlotte.

Such is life.

38

Gear Talk / Re: Click-Stand

« on: August 20, 2022, 07:02:59 am »

The elastic brake bands do wear over time and should be refreshed periodically.

Good to know, thanks! I do spend most of my time in Colorado where anything elastic dries out pretty quick.

I do lean my bike up against walls etc unless I need to get into both of my panniers. As John said it’s nice having access to them at the same time.

39

General Discussion / Re: GAP and C and O Toe path

« on: August 19, 2022, 07:48:32 pm »

FYI:

Beginning August 24th there will be a shuttle for bicyclist around the Paw Paw detour Monday to Friday from 7am to 5pm. The construction company doing the work on Paw Paw will be handling this. Unsure if it’s free. Bicyclist will be on their own on weekends and before 7am and after 5pm. Shuttle will be in place during these times until construction is finished. The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park posted about this on Facebook earlier this afternoon.

Will update as more information becomes available.

40

Routes / Re: North Dakota State Highway 46 (Northern Tier)

« on: August 19, 2022, 07:41:50 pm »

I rode that stretch last year while doing the Northern Tier E to W.  I agree it's not a good design.  It's not the worst stretch of road I've ever ridden, but it's definitely not the best for cycling.  I have video that includes some commentary about the road here at the end of this day's journal entry; https://www.cycleblaze.com/journals/warriordeath1/day-48-fargo-nd-to-enderlin-nd/ . It sounds like I had better traffic conditions than you experienced - I would recommend anyone riding it to leave very early to get ahead of the traffic.

I was wondering if the eastbound side had a better shoulder than the westbound side.

Do you remember any issues with 94 east of Glen Ullin? Also curious if the eastbound side was better than the westbound side.

41

General Discussion / Re: GAP and C and O Toe path

« on: August 19, 2022, 12:05:46 pm »

We rode gravel roads from Bill's Place to past the Paw Paw Tunnel. The climbs were 17% grades at one point. It was steep and long but one of our group was towing a BOB Trailer. I thought the detour was awful (and I planned it) but the guy with the trailer thought it was far superior to the trail over the top of the tunnel. When he spoke to folks who took the trail it was decided that he would have had to unload his trailer and carry the bag up and them haul the bike and trailer up. I think you will suffer either way if you have a big load. Weekenders do not seem to mind the trail, but this was the start of a cross-country trip for us. I thought I was pioneering the detour but other people took it and someone said it was a published alternative route. I can send you and RWGPS file if you want it.

Would love this file before I leave on 8/29! I sent my personal email to your inbox on here Thanks!

42

Routes / Re: Newly Discovered ACA Routes

« on: August 19, 2022, 12:03:50 pm »

One interesting one is the Washington DC: C&O and W&OD Loop, however it relies on White's Ferry which is sadly closed, perhaps permanently.  The route shows it was updated in June of 2022 but the ferry has already been closed a few years. https://www.whites-ferry.com/

We used White’s Ferry in 2018 to cross and ride the W&OD Trail from Leesburg to DC due to the C&O being flooded. Was bummed to hear it closed. The new owners have been trying in vain to have it reopened but they’re having issues obtaining land rights on the Virginia side. They offered a sustainable amount of money for the use and have been turned down. Even offered to buy the land for way above market value. It’s frustrating because the land is basically worthless to the farm as it sits on the river bank and it only suitable for the ferry landing. Seems to me the folks in Virginia are exercising an extreme power trip.

As to John’s OP: I was unaware of these short routes. Will have to check them out. Thanks!

43

Gear Talk / Re: Click-Stand

« on: August 16, 2022, 07:50:45 pm »

It did take some getting use to! I use a single Velcro strap and have it attached to the bottom of my top tube. I’ve found that a single brake loop on the front brakes stops the bike from going anywhere.

44

Gear Talk / Click-Stand

« on: August 16, 2022, 06:30:06 pm »

Earlier this year I became the owner of a Click-Stand. I’d seen a lot of post about them on various forums but was hesitant. Had always used a road sign, tree, fence post etc to lean my bike up. One day my bike slid down a road sign and tore a nasty gash in the paint.

I have to say that the Click-Stand is one of my favorite bike gadgets now! I wouldn’t leave home without it. Click-Stand is a “one man show” as owner Tom Norstant states on his website. We chatted a bit over email and am happy to support his small business and recommend him to others.

http://www.click-stand.com/

Also, if you’re in the USA, they’re made and shipped from Aberdeen, Washington. Had mine in less than a week.

(I’m not affiliated with nor did I receive any kickbacks for this or any other review)

45

Classifieds / Re: Wanted: Camping chair - packable

« on: August 16, 2022, 06:14:17 pm »

My latest bike tour begins today by way of a train to California.  After a few days in the desert during the present heat wave, I will send you an update.  Had no idea that I might become an influencer.

Hope you found the perfect chair. I’m a pretty light tourer and one of the luxuries I carry is the Helinox Chair Zero. I much prefer it over the picnic tables at most camps. Also nice to have to get out of the sun on hot days.