Topics

16

General Discussion / Updated ACA website

« on: February 27, 2019, 10:42:45 am »

Not a fan of the updated website.  It is difficult to find the forum site.  I had to click at least 10 different places to find where forums had been hidden the first time.  I still have a hard time remembering where to find what I'm looking for.  It looks nice and may be useful for a first time user but if you already know where you want to go there are no drop down menus to help you find it.

17

General Discussion / Impact of Bikers (and hikers) on a small town

« on: December 25, 2018, 09:56:36 am »

There is a nice story in Outside magazine on the impact bikers and hikers have on small towns when the route takes them through or near them.    https://www.outsideonline.com/2376136/continental-divide-trail-towns
Although the story doesn't say how much additional income it brings into the town it does imply that it has definitely helped the community.  Might be a good story to relay to small town along ACA's routes.  Even providing a few basic services helps bring in some additional revenue that otherwise wouldn't be there.

Oops.  Fixed the link.

18

General Discussion / How long before touring after knee replacement

« on: November 26, 2018, 08:26:46 pm »

After 40 years of walking around with no meniscus and five operations it looks like I finally have to replace the knee.  I can no longer ride without pain.  If you have had a knee replaced how long before you were able to tour again.  Any problems riding while strengthening the leg afterwards or on your first tour? 

19

Routes / Road conditions on Chicago to NYC in Indianapolis

« on: May 14, 2018, 08:02:49 pm »

I’m currently on a trip from Newton, KS to DC.  I planned my route to do the Katy Trail and then hook up with the Chicago to NYC route in Indianapolis.  The roads (including dirt/gravel) were pretty good up until I got to Illinois.  I thought they were the worst I would see -wrong.  Indiana and more specifically Indianapolis has the worst roads I’ve seen so far on this trip.  The roads and trails on the route are in horrible condition except near downtown.  The bike trails are covered in debris and in many cases there are holes the pavement.  It is impossible to ride either on a trail/bike route or road without riding through gravel, rocks, missing pavement and miscellaneous other debris.  I wonder if just riding on Hwy 40 wouldn’t be a better option.  Anyway, there should be a note about the horrible roads in Indianapolis/Indiana.

20

General Discussion / Newton Bike Shop hostel/rest stop (TA Trail)

« on: April 24, 2018, 01:29:37 pm »

Just had a tour of the refurbished accommodations at the Newton bike shop.  It is awesome.  Plenty of space.   It looks almost as good as home.  The planned opening is May 1st.  Definitely worth the stop if traveling the TA trail through Newton, KS.

21

ACA Mobile Route Apps / Maps on Apple & Android devices

« on: February 28, 2018, 08:27:29 pm »

If you purchase a map for an Apple device can that purchase transfer to an android device if you use the same id?

22

ACA Mobile Route Apps / Icon colors and detail

« on: April 11, 2017, 10:00:40 pm »

I've downloaded the entire Pac Coast and parts of the Route 66 to my Android phone and now that I plan on using it I'm having trouble following the route and understanding some of the icons.  The first thing to note is that I'm colorblind.  I don't see any difference between the three icons for a community (stars) or much difference between the main route or alternate route.  They all look the same.  Which one has full service vs limited or no service?  Could you put a number in the star or make one yellow and one blue? 

I also have trouble following the route in cities.  For example Albuquerque, NM.  I don't understand/see the differences between the "blue" highlights, dotted line, highlighted route with arrows or the difference between the main route line and the alternate route line.  If there are color differences I don't see them.  For example the intersection of Tramway Boulevard and the I40 frontage road.  Headed east do I turn north, go straight, or turn south?  In other less confusing combinations you may have a highlighted route and then a blue line leaves it.  Do I follow the highlighted route or the blue line.  (Purple and blue look the same to me.)

Also on the phone (android) when I enlarge the image at some point all I get is a blue line- no map and all other markings disappear.  I don't seem to have that problem on the IPad. 

23

ACA Mobile Route Apps / Route Directions

« on: March 25, 2017, 07:40:22 pm »

I downloaded the free sample for Rt 66 and Transam and it looks like I will use this format on my next ride (if available).  It appears there is a lack of written directions or am I not looking in the right place.  Also on my phone and IPad the street names for the route are very small and difficult to see.  Since I only stop periodically to check the map when I'm riding I look for the street sign to turn.  I won't be using a phone mount on my bike to monitor my progress so larger street names just for the route will be very helpful.

24

Classifieds / FS 2014 Burley Nomad - Sold

« on: October 05, 2016, 10:49:56 am »

Burley Nomad trailer.  Purchased in 2014 it has Schwalbe Marathon tires for added puncture resistance.  It has about 1000 miles on it so it almost looks new.  $200 includes shipping.
 

25

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / Big Sur Area of Pacific Coast Route - July 2016

« on: July 27, 2016, 10:05:22 am »

There is a large fire in the Big Sur area and according to the news they have closed the campgrounds in the state parks in Big Sur. 

26

Routes / Prior clearance required to ride through Camp Pendelton Pacific Coast Route

« on: January 30, 2016, 10:19:26 am »

Under a new access policy, all visitors who don’t have regular government or military clearance, such as military personnel, their families and reservists, must be sponsored by an authorized individual or unit on the base. They also must have a valid reason to enter and be pre-approved after a background check that can take up to seven days.  This policy begins Monday February 1, 2016.

Cyclists riding on the base will be required to register as well. Once cleared and on the registry, their access to ride on the base is valid for a year. The online registry goes up Monday.

The point of contact for the Sponsored Visitor Program and Base Access is:

 Base Access Control
 Bldg. 41501T
 (760) 763-7604/7605
 Business Hours: 0600-1600 Mon-Thur. (closed Fridays)
 mcbcampensponsoredvisitor@usmc.mil

27

Routes / Trans Alternative route Section 8

« on: October 10, 2015, 02:32:49 pm »

When traveling the Trans Am through central Kansas you may want to consider a slightly different route.  I rode this alternative this summer and I found it to be a good alternative especially since there is very little in Cassoday, KS (Map 95).  Traveling east (Map 93) leave Newton on the mapped route.  After turning on east on E. 1st St. continue about 12 miles to NW. Butler Rd.  Right Turn (South) for about 6 miles to Hwy 198.  Follow Hwy 198 east until your reach SW 10th St (W. Towanda Ave) and continue east into El Dorado.  If you head north 2 blocks you will run into Hwy 54 and this will rejoin the route at Rosalia. 

El Dorado State park is just outside the city with good facilities and there are plenty of other places to stay, eat, and resupply.  This route is low to moderate traffic, it is good road in most places with a wide shoulder and provides more services than the published route.

28

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / Route 66 Contruction-Cajon Pass

« on: May 22, 2015, 05:53:52 pm »

There is ongoing construction on I-15 in the Cajon Pass that impacts the route.  This is from the email I received about cycling access.

Cleghorn Northbound Off ramp from the 15 freeway, and Cleghorn Northbound on ramp to the 15 freeway are closed until roughly June 12th; however, the Southbound side is open. Cyclists travelling on the Southbound 15 freeway towards the coast can exit at Cleghorn and take Cajon Blvd. south towards Kenwood Ave. If a cyclist is travelling north and exits at Kenwood travelling up Cajon towards Cleghorn, when they get to the Northbound 15 freeway on ramp there is nowhere to go due to construction. Northbound travelers would have the following options: (A) Take the Northbound shoulder on the 15 freeway past the Kenwood off ramp up to 138 off ramp, bypassing Cajon Blvd. (not recommended due to narrow shoulders at bridges and near construction areas); (B) Take the Kenwood exit north and travel up Cajon Blvd. to the Southbound 15 off ramp, and oppose traffic on the Southbound 15 freeway shoulder to the 138 Southbound onramp (not recommended due to opposing traffic on the freeway); or (C) get off on Kenwood and call for a taxi service to transport them up to a destination past construction, which would be either 138 if travelling on 138 or to Oakhill Blvd. if continuing north on the 15 freeway (Option (C), is the Recommendation).

We are working on getting a sign made providing the numbers to call for a taxi if they wish to obtain a ride through the construction zone. There will be one placed for Northbound travelers at Kenwood and at Cleghorn. This sign should be in place by the beginning of next week.

29

Classifieds / Free Pacific Coast and Great Rivers Maps GONE

« on: March 13, 2015, 11:09:29 am »

I have some older maps that someone may be able to use.  Pacific Coast is Section 2, 3, 4 and the code is 1612-06L.  Great Rivers South Section 2 1812-06L and Section 3 1813-09.  Just send me a self addressed stamped envelope  Send me an email and I'll give you the address to send the envelope.

30

Routes / Flint Hills Nature Trail

« on: February 28, 2015, 12:08:34 pm »

Thinking of incorporating the Flint Hills Nature Trail in a tour later in the spring and I'm wondering if anyone has used this trail.  If so what are your thoughts and impressions.