Messages

106

Routes / Re: bicycling NYC to Montreal

« on: April 27, 2019, 03:35:52 pm »

From Burlington, you could take the cross Vermont rail trail east, which is pretty flat.  At the end, in Wells River, You can cross the Connecticut and pick up the cross New Hampshire adventure trail. That is also a rail trail.  The Vermont trail is about 90 miles, and the NH trail is about 80 miles.  The NH trail ends in Bethel Maine.
Ride with GPS can show you routes to the coast from there.
Good luck

107

Routes / Re: Erie Canal Camping

« on: April 27, 2019, 03:28:25 pm »

For further research, you might check out the Crazyguyonabike web site.  A search, or ten, there will yield a huge amount of info on the Erie Canal Trail.  FYI, from July 7-14, there is a supported, and, I suspect, huge, tour going from Buffalo to Albany.
Good luck

108

General Discussion / Planned Route

« on: April 10, 2019, 08:56:20 pm »

Plan for this Summer, probably second half of July. 
Start in Albany, take the Erie Canal Trail to Buffalo, then Rte 5 along the lake to Erie, PA.  From there, the Pittsburgh spur of the Underground Railroad to Pittsburgh.  Then, the GAP and C&O to DC.  Then Amtrak to NYC, visit a couple of friends, and back to Albany by bike or train depending on mood and time constraints.
Comments and advice welcome, especially about bike friendly places to stay in PGH and NYC.  I think stealth camping in Central Park is out of the question.
Thanks in advance   

109

General Discussion / Re: NYC to Albany

« on: March 16, 2019, 06:08:26 pm »

Thanks.  Amtrak's Robo-Info-Gal is less than helpful.
May break in NYC for a day or two, then possibly take Metro North just to get out of town

110

General Discussion / NYC to Albany

« on: March 07, 2019, 01:49:07 pm »

Currently, I am planning for the Summer, if it ever gets here.  Does anyone know about bikes as luggage on Amtrak from NY Penn Station and Albany?
Thanks in advance

111

General Discussion / Re: Forged vs stamped dropouts

« on: January 25, 2019, 08:07:31 pm »

You might look at some used bikes as well.  It sounds like a Bruce Gordon would tick all of your boxes.  He is retired now, but a used one could be a bargain.  Similarly, Thorn, a British company, Co-motion, and others.
Good luck

112

General Discussion / Re: Mechanical Doping or Misplaced Sympathy?

« on: January 02, 2019, 09:02:01 pm »

I see the problem/opportunity a little differently.  I think assisted bikes are inevitable.  Good management of them, on the part of conventional cyclists could lead to more, and louder voices requesting (demanding) cycle trails, lanes, accommodation on public transit, etc.  Imagine a car free TransAmerica Trail, bike parking facilities as normal at RR Stations, shoulders as a standard for highway construction, etc. 

113

Gear Talk / Charging

« on: November 10, 2018, 07:47:54 pm »

My dynamo hub will charge a couple of AA batteries which can replenish the GPS.  My phone, however, won't charge below about 11mph. It beeps plaintively below that speed.  Does any one have experience with charging a power pack to then charge the phone?
Thanks in advance

114

General Discussion / Re: Need to heal faster

« on: October 29, 2018, 09:02:50 pm »

My limited personal experience suggests that you call up the local professional sports team, or big time university athletic program and ask them who they see for orthopedic injuries.  Those physicians will be the best available (remembering that there may be sub sub specialists for different body parts).  Their patients will not accept "stop doing it" so they are oriented toward finding a solution.  It may take a number of phone calls to track down the right MD.
Good luck

115

General Discussion / Re: e-bikes are motor vehicles

« on: October 10, 2018, 08:23:12 pm »

My guess is that they are here to stay and the most productive approach is to welcome them, and use the increased voice to expand bicycle friendly modifications to existing transportation modalities, e.g. bike lanes on bridges, racks on busses, carriage facilities on Amtrak, etc.  That said, I agree that hot rodding them is a danger and would ultimately work against them, and us.

116

General Discussion / Re: Coordinated stalking on the road

« on: October 05, 2018, 07:08:31 am »

Regardless of their motives, or whatever highly encrypted communications they use to coordinate their nefarious activities, the solution is simple: more bicycles.  To perform the scissors requires two motorists for every bicycle.  Each additional cyclist needs two additional motorists.  It is simple math, we can bury them.

117

General Discussion / Re: Burlington Lodging

« on: October 03, 2018, 04:22:04 pm »

Maybe call Old Spokes Home, a LBS with a social conscience.
BTW, weekend of Oct 6&7 is UVM Homecoming, hotels, motels, etc prolly filled up.
Good luck

118

Gear Talk / Re: B17 in the wet

« on: September 08, 2018, 07:56:38 pm »

Maybe if the British had more experience with rain, their saddles would handle it better

119

Gear Talk / Re: Front and rear lights

« on: August 21, 2018, 08:55:34 pm »

Having only rarely ridden with lights and considering them for night/fog, I am changing my opinion.  The other day out for a ride on a very low traffic dirt road in bright, dry conditions, I realized that going from sunlight to a shaded portion, I couldn't see much.  My guess is neither could a driver, who would also be expecting little, if any traffic.  Running lights may be in my future

120

General Discussion / Re: Custom touring bike vs. mass produced

« on: April 28, 2018, 03:33:55 pm »

Perhaps you could consider a semi custom.  I second Emily G's sentiments about the BG Rock and Road quality.  If you find one, used, that fits you will have a lifetime treasure.  One further consideration, the Beckman pannier choices that fit the BGs are superb, pricey, but superb.
Good luck