Messages

391

General Discussion / Re: Cost of a cross country USA trip?

« on: November 03, 2015, 01:35:09 pm »

Kroger has a few locations in the Northeast under the Harris Teeter brand. Otherwise they have 2700 stores in 34 states and the 16 states that don't have them only a few I'll be passing through. With that said, I have plenty of money so I'm not relying on Kroger stores by any means. It's an added bonus if I come across one but if I don't it's not going to hurt me any.

My official departure date is April 30! Excited to have an official date. Of course weather dependent but we will see as April roles around. Suppose to be dry so shouldn't be an issue. The roads I'm taking through Yellowstone (past Old Faithful) don't open until May at the latest so waiting a little while longer to leave to make sure they're open. Although I suspect they will open earlier next year. I'm running Boston that month as well so that had a say into it.

The responses from towns I emailed has been incredible. So many of them offered to host me or put me up in a hotel at no cost. From council members to police chiefs to mayors. Most of them want to hear my story and take some photos but I'm happy to trade both for a free bed and shower

392

Gear Talk / Re: Shoes/pedals for a cross country ride?

« on: November 01, 2015, 09:03:03 pm »

I just finished a ride from San Diego to Phx Az. I used clipless shimano touring shoes with a walkable rubber sole .. There were some spots that I had to push my bIke up hills .. Even though the shoe cleats are recessed in the sole they still came in contact with the roadway and you could hear and feel the grinding of the small pebbles against the metal cleats .. Hearing and feeling that gave cause to the thought ..was I damaging the cleat and thus creating a potential problem .. The other "Con" I found was while in granny gear stopped on a busy road with heavy traffic (semi's included) companied with a significant grade and narrow shoulder "Clicking" back into the pedal was precarious and down right dangerous at times .. I have since re evaluated my pedal choice and have switched over to Blackspire flat pedals which I think will  alleviate those issues .. I should mention that I have always cycled with clip or clipless pedals ..but for touring I think I,m making a change ..Glenn

Thanks for the information. I'm going to try them and worst case scenario is I'll ditch them along the way and switch.

393

Routes / Re: Route suggestions for apr-may-june 2016

« on: October 30, 2015, 12:23:55 pm »

Absolutely true. Too hot and there's nothing you can do about it - plus you have to carry extra water. Nothing worse than rain and wind when cycling though imo.

Anyone else got some more thoughts on the route options?

I agree with the rain and wind. Don't expect to hit too much of it while I am away! Luckily...

394

Gear Talk / Re: Recommended Temperature Rating for Sleeping Bag on TransAm

« on: October 29, 2015, 02:13:38 pm »

Then i would plan for worst cases. And another thing to do in that regard is to look up the record temps at various  key points along your route on Weather Underground where you can look up all kinds of data by day, month, or year (desktop version only). For instance, the  worst low temp ever for Albany NY was -34*F and in the Adirondacks was -40_something_*F that same day which was in mid-late January i think.  So i figured I'd be ok planning for -40*F for my winter  quilts.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk

I'm not leaving until April 30 so I'm not too concerned with record lows especially with the forecast calling for a warmer and drier than normal spring and summer. Thanks for the information though!

395

Gear Talk / Re: Packs and pack weight for long tours

« on: October 28, 2015, 05:38:12 pm »

Credit card touring refers to carrying only the most basic necessities needed during the day, mostly clothing:  no camping gear or cooking equipment because you stay in hotels or b&b's and eat out along the way.

Got it... I could afford to do that but it sounds terrible! I grew up really poor though so now that I have money I'm pretty cheap and still live "poor" I guess you'd call it!

I mostly agree, at least with respect to the accododations part. I'd rather camp in a meadow or on a hillside than stay in a hotel any day. But I do love finding a great little independent brew pub at the end of the day and a good cafe for an almond croissant and triple espresso in the morning.

Mom and pop cafes are great so I agree with you there. I plan to visit them on occasion. As for the brew pub, I'm not a beer drinker. I love cider and it's easy to find here in the PNW. I'm afraid it wont be as easy to find the further east I get.

396

Gear Talk / Re: Packs and pack weight for long tours

« on: October 28, 2015, 04:47:35 pm »

Credit card touring refers to carrying only the most basic necessities needed during the day, mostly clothing:  no camping gear or cooking equipment because you stay in hotels or b&b's and eat out along the way.

Got it... I could afford to do that but it sounds terrible! I grew up really poor though so now that I have money I'm pretty cheap and still live "poor" I guess you'd call it!

397

Gear Talk / Re: Recommended Temperature Rating for Sleeping Bag on TransAm

« on: October 28, 2015, 04:46:39 pm »

I don't know much about hammock camping because the couple of times I've tried my back got chilled and the slumped over position with my feet arced upwards resulted in the worst nights sleep I think I've ever had,
BUT,
I can recommend an excellent sleeping bag for touring. Probably the best, lightest, most versatile and comfortable sleeping bag that I've ever come across: the Western Mountaineering Terralite. Well under 2 lbs, good down to 25 degrees (-4c), and wide enough so you can sleep with your knees completely bent. It's only downside is the price: $475.

I have two bags and not sure which one I am taking. One is 1.8lbs and rated for 30 degrees and the other is 2lbs and rated for 40 degrees. The cold doesn't bother me so I'm thinking the 30 degree bag might be too warm. I grew up where it was super cold most of the time so even in my 40 degree bag I sleep with it open in the 30's.

I would take the 30, you can always vent it.  Plus, watch the weather forecast as you go,  You can always have someone ship the other bag to a future stop along your route if you find it is too warm. Hammocking or tent camping, a down quilt set is much much better for less weight and pack space.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk

All my belongings will be in storage while I'm traveling. I'm pretty much all by my self. Not much family left and don't know anyone where I live really! I appreciate all the advice though!

398

Gear Talk / Re: Packs and pack weight for long tours

« on: October 27, 2015, 11:43:18 am »

What do you mean by a "credit card" tourist?

The longest I've ever gone without seeing water was about a half day and I too avoid those routes where longer is needed.

399

Gear Talk / Re: Recommended Temperature Rating for Sleeping Bag on TransAm

« on: October 27, 2015, 12:03:20 am »

I don't know much about hammock camping because the couple of times I've tried my back got chilled and the slumped over position with my feet arced upwards resulted in the worst nights sleep I think I've ever had,
BUT,
I can recommend an excellent sleeping bag for touring. Probably the best, lightest, most versatile and comfortable sleeping bag that I've ever come across: the Western Mountaineering Terralite. Well under 2 lbs, good down to 25 degrees (-4c), and wide enough so you can sleep with your knees completely bent. It's only downside is the price: $475.

I have two bags and not sure which one I am taking. One is 1.8lbs and rated for 30 degrees and the other is 2lbs and rated for 40 degrees. The cold doesn't bother me so I'm thinking the 30 degree bag might be too warm. I grew up where it was super cold most of the time so even in my 40 degree bag I sleep with it open in the 30's.

400

General Discussion / Re: Cost of a cross country USA trip?

« on: October 26, 2015, 11:58:28 pm »

I've almost never paid for, except in Oregon where the hiker/biker sites are so good they're almost like bush camping except with showers.  Hearing you talk about farmer's markets and grocery stores etc has me concerned. As soon as you are east of central Oregon you are in desolate country. It can be a good day from one town to the next, and half the towns you'll find are podunk backwaters. Also, if you do intend to cook and carry a lot of food - how will you do this when you're packing so light?

I don't carry much food when I tour. On my last long ride, Seattle to San Diego, the longest I went was 2 days without seeing a town. During those two days I ate a few Cup O' Noodles, a package of beef jerky and two cups of oatmeal.

For my cross country ride though I designed my own route to a point where the longest I'll go between towns (one that for sure have some type of grocery store) is about 36 hours and worst case scenario about 60 hours (I stop early or get behind etc). I'm only in Oregon for less than 60 miles as well.

401

Gear Talk / Re: Packs and pack weight for long tours

« on: October 26, 2015, 10:17:35 pm »

I'm going in another direction from this race to the bottom. My total weight is 80 pounds. That includes my bike and everything on it, except me. Including food, water, my helmet and bike shoes. The panniers alone weigh almost 9 pounds. Believe it or not, despite everybody posting here, my setup is no heavier than the average cyclotourist. I meet many carrying more than me.

That's a bike tank there!

402

Gear Talk / Re: Packs and pack weight for long tours

« on: October 26, 2015, 07:36:02 pm »

So what does this 12lb speciment look like, and who makes it?

It was custom made by Nicolai back home in Germany. I believe they've since expanded to the USA but not sure what their capacity is here. If I knew how to upload photos I would but I don't....

403

Gear Talk / Re: Packs and pack weight for long tours

« on: October 26, 2015, 07:14:40 pm »

To be able to achieve the light, nimble,  easy to climb feel of a fast road bike while touring would be a beautiful thing. I could probably get my setup down to 40 lbs without food or water and still be able to camp comfortably on multi-week tours, but I'm not sure I'd be able to widdle it down much further.  At +/-30lbs are you able to camp comfortably and do long tours? 
BTW, I agree about the clunky 'touring' bike. Mine is a titanium litespeed blueridge with campy record 9 speed, carbon bars, ti seat post, so not your average long-haul trucker.

Very comfortably. I hammock camp and carry a single lightweight sleeping bag with me. I don't use a sleeping pad or anything of the sorts. The cold doesn't bother me and my sleeping bag is rated for +30 so wearing extra clothes on those few nights where it drops below 30 isn't a big deal to me. A few shots of whiskey and you're out cold anyway! 

I do use a camelback so I carry most of my water on my back except for one bottle on the bike tube. In terms of food I usually carry oatmeal and Cup 'O Noodles and only one or two at a time depending on how long it'll be before I reach the next store. Sometimes some chocolate and an apple or two at the most.

404

Gear Talk / Re: Packs and pack weight for long tours

« on: October 26, 2015, 07:09:43 pm »

I have never actually seen a 12 pound bike.  The pro racers tdf bikes are required to weigh at least 15 pounds (6.8 kg).  I have a hard time imagining anyone touring on a 12 pound bike.  Specifically what frame and components do you use that come in at 12 pounds?  Sorry but I have to say that I am skeptical.  It is pretty had to imagine a 12 pound bike with a rack on it.

Again, it's not a touring frame. I'm not a fan. It's all carbon and comes in at 11.25lbs except the rear rack which is titanium and weighs in at 0.43lbs putting the bike at less than 12lbs. I add in extra weight for the front/rear lights. The rack is made by Tubus and wasn't cheap (somewhere around $200).

You can certainly go lighter. My friend did the TransAm on a Trek Emonda (I believe) which weighed in at 10.25lbs and Merida makes one weighing in at 10.05lbs which can be reduced to under 10lbs by changing a few components on it.

405

Gear Talk / Re: Packs and pack weight for long tours

« on: October 26, 2015, 06:15:35 pm »

12lb touring bike? Wow, at 16 lbs I thought my Merlin was light, and that's my fast bike. My touring bike, which is light, weighs about 19lbs including fenders and racks.

It's not a touring frame; I'm not a fan of them. I also don't use fenders. Not worth it for the maybe 5 days out of 100 where I'll run into rain. My back rack is designed in such a way as to where it acts like a fender and the front I deal with. If it's raining that bad I'll wait it out.

Also assuming you use both front and rear panniers? I only use rear ones. Pretty minimalist as mentioned.