Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: Adjust Your Plans for Touring in the West

« on: March 21, 2023, 02:39:28 am »

Carson Pass will be fine as long as we get several days of sunny weather. Hopefully, by the end of April it should not be a problem. The biggest concern will be the condition of the road. The constant snow, rain and plowing this season has taken a toll. Keep a close watch for large cracks and pot holes. I drove over Carson Pass a few weeks ago, and regularly need to drive around the Tahoe - Truckee area. Unless there is some early season repair done potions of these roads will be downright treacherous. I suppose there will also be a lot of water on the road due to snow melt. If temperatures stay cold  there will be ice, and plenty of loose sand on roadways.

2

General Discussion / Re: Question about Leg Shaving

« on: July 16, 2021, 09:19:05 pm »

Depending on how hairy the legs are, but generally, shaved = much easier for applying sunscreen.

3

General Discussion / Re: Western Express Bicycle Touring Video

« on: March 25, 2019, 12:57:42 am »

Enjoyed the video and your relaxed approach. I especially liked that you didn't see the need to do big miles everyday.  But I need to ask a question about your handlebars. Most people would look at then and say they are upside down. It seems to work for you. Does having them mounted like that ever cause any problems?

4

California / Re: Highway 395 status

« on: September 13, 2018, 09:41:07 am »

My mistake. It was the Boot Fire which was in the area and closed the highway. It is now 95% contained and the road is open, although all campgrounds in the Walker River Canyon remain closed. Since I don't pass through he area for another week. It should be a clear route.

5

California / Highway 395 status

« on: September 12, 2018, 09:00:18 pm »

I'm planning to ride down highway 395 from Reno to Bishop next week. The Delta fire started last week and resulted in evacuations and closing the highway between Walker and Bridgeport. The last I heard is that it was opened with escorted traffic in each direction. Anyone have an idea on how this might effect my plans., or the situation on air quality?

I know that ACA has a trip, The Sierra Sampler, scheduled a few days before I leave. What are their plans?

6

GPS & Digital Data Discussion / GPS Advice

« on: February 01, 2018, 01:11:48 am »

I'm looking for a GPS to use for bike touring and bikepacking. It needs to have capability to track in or out of the US. it will strictly be used for navigation. The performance options are not necessary. Does anyone have experience, positive or negative, with the Garmin Edge Touring? Are their any comparable GPS units I should consider?
Thanks in advance.

7

California / Auburn to Sacramento

« on: April 14, 2017, 09:59:38 pm »

I'd like to do an overnight trip from Auburn to Sacramento in a couple of weeks. The plan is to ride from Auburn to Sacramento one day, spend the night at a friend's, and then ride back to Auburn the next day. Does anyone know of a safe place in Auburn where I can park my car?

8

General Discussion / Re: What pedals do you use for touring: clips, clipless, platform?

« on: January 26, 2017, 11:40:19 pm »

I like the combination clipless/platform pedal. My touring bike is also my commuting bike and for a short ride where I don't want to hassle with changing shoes, the platforms are preferred. For a longer ride, especially if it involves climbing hills I want the stiffer mtn bike shoes with cleats and clipless peddles.

9

Gear Talk / Front rack and fender question

« on: December 12, 2016, 01:13:43 am »

I just bought a Salsa Marrakesh. I have installed VO fenders. I attached the front fender to the bosses on the "back" of the front fork. When I installed the front rack, a Salsa lowrider i found I needed to attach to the same boss to fit the rack correctly. Fitting it on the front boss and the rack was not level, and the quick release knob interfered with the rack placement as well. It was also a problem that the fender stay did not fit the boss on the front of the fork due to quick release being in the way. My answer is to attach both the fender and the rack the the same boss. The bolts are long enough and the rack and fenders seem fine. The only quirk I have is that to remove the front wheel I have to remove the quick release skewer. Does anyone see a problem my set up, or did I screw up? I thought that because the bike and the rack were the same manufacturer that this would have worked more smoothly.