Messages

31

General Discussion / Re: Is touring the Pacific Coast in July safe?

« on: April 17, 2017, 12:10:03 pm »

Good afternoon guys!
Thank you for the feedback..
I think:

- bright cycling top
- lights (in fog)
- a mirror (optional extra)
- then just relaxing and using common sense , particularly in busy traffic

Should add up to make the journey safer...

To be honest with you... I'm really looking forward to it... & just a little bit anxious!

Dublin Dave.

32

General Discussion / Re: Do i need lights and a handlebar mirror for Pacific Coast in July?

« on: April 16, 2017, 09:40:42 am »

Okay mate! Thanks so much for the feedback....

33

General Discussion / Re: Is touring the Pacific Coast in July safe?

« on: April 16, 2017, 09:38:09 am »

Hi... Thank you for the replies!
That is cool, how you can track the traffic on google maps...

I dont know what it is.. But recently i was following the Indi Pacific Wheelrace in Australia... Poor Mike Hall was hit by a car & died & there has been an increase in fatalities in my city... So i think the safety aspecr is just playing on my mind....

I am defo going to go for it... But as I said, just feeling a bit anxious about it...

Thanks for the feedback!

34

General Discussion / Is touring the Pacific Coast in July safe?

« on: April 16, 2017, 07:36:17 am »

Hi...


I am planning a bike tour from Vancouver to Mexico in July.
I started another topic and added this question at the end...but just wanted to get more feedback..

I commute daily in Dublin & generally have no issues... a couple of close shaves...
Recently, there has been an increase in the number of cyclist fatalities in my city & I am worried about the volume of traffic in the States, the size of RV's & possibly areas where drivers are not accustomed to cyclists....

Do you think this route is safe?

Are there any precautions I can take to make the trip safer?

Clothing/ lights/ mirrors/ time of day to cycle/ route detours etc...


I appreciate your feedback...


Dave.

35

General Discussion / Re: Do i need lights and a handlebar mirror for Pacific Coast in July?

« on: April 16, 2017, 07:27:18 am »

Hi! Thank you for your feedback...
I have heard about those RV's.... kinda scary...

Do you still think it is overall, worth giving this trip a go...
I will have 2 pannier bags on my bike which will make it slightly wider...

Here in Dublin, there has been an increase in the number of cyclist fatalities in recent months... unfortunately often, artic-truck vs cyclist....
I suppose this is why I am feeling a bit nervous about my trip to the West Coast...


Dave.

36

General Discussion / Re: Do i need lights and a handlebar mirror for Pacific Coast in July?

« on: April 14, 2017, 03:34:31 pm »

Hi! Thank you for the replies!
My owleye lights only weigh 32 grams each so I can afford to bring them...
Another thing i am thinking I will buy, is a high visibility cycling top..

The mirror is definitely a useful item..i will have a think and decide...


To be honest...I have been worrying the last few days... I think after the passing of Mike Hall, the ultra endurance cyclist in Australia..
I don't want to stereotype Americans or the US...but I am a bit worried about potentially getting hit by a vehicle on the West Coast...I know this can happen anywhere...anytime...but I am just worried about the States, being such a car-dominated society...again....i don't mean any disrespect to US citizens...
Maybe this fear is irrational..


How would you guys rate the West Coast in terms of bike safety and bike friendly compared to other places in the US and in the world?

Thanks so much..


Dublin Dave.

37

General Discussion / Re: Do i need lights and a handlebar mirror for Pacific Coast in July?

« on: April 10, 2017, 03:57:57 pm »

Good evening!

Thanks a mil for the feedback and replies..
I apologise for the comments on helmet mirrors being uncool... i am only joking... if it works for you; great..!
I take the advice on the rear light...probably no harm bringing the front light as an extra in very foggy weather,
I don't plan on cycling at dawn/nighttime...

I am still in two minds over a mirror...
I hear some good reviews on this mirror..

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=sprintech+mirror&tag=googiehydra-21&index=sports&hvadid=155830935004&hvpos=1t1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7300443642294416949&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007850&hvtargid=kwd-7690428685&ref=pd_sl_3vf61nexf5_e

And i think this one is very unobtrusive and cool...sure its Italian made!...

http://www.italianroadbikemirror.com/Worldwide.htm

I appreciate the info on the tunnels and warning lights,

Dublin Dave

38

General Discussion / Re: Do i need lights and a handlebar mirror for Pacific Coast in July?

« on: April 09, 2017, 05:06:57 pm »

Hi! Thank you for the replies...
I will bring lights then.. I have owleye lights that charge via usb cable...
Re the mirror...
The helmet mounted one sounds effective... But my immediate thought is uncool.... Sorry!

Are there any ong tunnels on the Pacific Coast route?

re cars coming out in front on me.. I commute 40km daily through Dublin city... So i have quite good experience of this!

D

39

General Discussion / Do i need lights and a handlebar mirror for Pacific Coast in July?

« on: April 09, 2017, 02:22:40 pm »

Good evening!

I have 2 quick questions...I plan on cycling down the Pacific Coast from Vancouver to Mexico, in July.
I only plan on riding during daylight hours..

Do you think I will need front and rear lights at any stage? (tunnels etc)

Also, would any of you recommend getting a handlebar mirror to keep an eye on traffic behind me...would it offer any additional safety/time to react if a vehicle gets too close?

Thank you!

Dublin Dave.

40

Gear Talk / Re: How to camp lightweight and sleep more comfortably? any advice please?

« on: January 15, 2017, 04:36:24 pm »

Its always the simple ideas Lucy..
I think if i make my tent more cosy i might sleep better!

41

Gear Talk / Re: How to camp lightweight and sleep more comfortably? any advice please?

« on: January 15, 2017, 04:24:33 pm »

Good evening! Thanks again for the feedback..
My Vango Banshee tent is not freestanding and to be fair I only had an issue with it in one campground last summer...i had to use a combo of attaching one side to a tree and various rocks...i managed in the end..

I think i will camp if i have to and try to enjoy it and if dorm or sleeping accomodation is available, I will treat myself to it!
I like the idea of cutting my weight down significantly and so travelling more quickly and with less strain!

I will check out that Exped pad Lucy...thank you!

Is there any point bringing a lightweight fleece blanket to wrap around the pad?

Cheers m'dears!

Dublin Dave.

42

Gear Talk / Re: How to camp lightweight and sleep more comfortably? any advice please?

« on: January 14, 2017, 01:47:51 pm »

I was researching online & found an amazingly light tent...
The Z Pack Hexamid solo plus tent... It weighs just over 300grams!

43

Gear Talk / Re: How to camp lightweight and sleep more comfortably? any advice please?

« on: January 14, 2017, 06:53:29 am »

Thanks Lachlan...
I will check out that Nemo Cosmo pad..
Like u , i am a side-sleeper!

44

Gear Talk / Re: How to camp lightweight and sleep more comfortably? any advice please?

« on: January 13, 2017, 05:27:54 pm »

Thanks again for the replies!
Hello, from a very cold Dublin!!

i think i can reduce my weight by forking out some €$$$ on a lighter tent, and even a lighter inflatable pad...
I am a little nervous that an ultra light tent might be very fragile...


Have any of you credit card toured down the west coast? is it expensive?
Do any of the campsites/national parks have simple dorm accommodation ?

Thank you!

45

Gear Talk / Re: How to camp lightweight and sleep more comfortably? any advice please?

« on: January 13, 2017, 05:27:26 pm »

Thanks again for the replies!
Hello, from a very cold Dublin!!

i think i can reduce my weight by forking out some €$$$ on a lighter tent, and even a lighter inflatable pad...
I am a little nervous that an ultra light tent might be very fragile...


Have any of you credit card toured down the west coast? is it expensive?
Do any of the campsites/national parks have simple dorm accommodation ?

Thank you!