Messages

31

General Discussion / Re: The road is flat. It's what?

« on: June 24, 2022, 05:53:57 pm »

I often ask directions from locals, and then double, or triple, check them with other locals.
Bike touring has been a powerful spur to learn my local geography so I don't appear as gormless as some I have met.

32

Routes / Re: Route ideas for 300+ miles in May

« on: March 13, 2022, 04:34:21 pm »

Oh, in Mayat first I thought you wrote Day.  Blame my old eyes.  The GAP and C&O are just about 300 miles and well supplied with services.  You could do it any way, from 100% self-contained to shuttle supported, inn to inn.  Spring would be lovely on that combo.
Good luck.

33

Classifieds / Re: WANTED - Underground Railroad Paper Maps

« on: March 06, 2022, 07:37:12 pm »

I think I still have a copy of the Pittsburgh Spur segment if you are interested.

34

Gear Talk / Re: Breaking in Brooks B17 Imperial

« on: February 04, 2022, 03:54:55 pm »

Is it the saddle you break in, or your rear end?

35

General Discussion / Re: Solo Trip Cooking Logistics

« on: January 21, 2022, 06:35:00 am »

Lots of great answers, based on experience.  If you take a weekend trip or two, you will find out what suits you.  Often what you love at home does not appeal on the road, likewise, I eat stuff on tour I wouldn't feed to the dogs at home.  When camping, I use couscous because it cooks faster than anything else, never have it at home.
Have fun.

36

General Discussion / Re: Solo Trip Cooking Logistics

« on: December 26, 2021, 04:51:04 pm »

Two things I do, YMMV. 
I disconnect the stove and fuel canister.  One trip I left  them connected over night and ran out in a few days.  I think there must have been a tiny leak even with the valve turned off.  Subsequently, the fuel lasts a lot longer.
For pasta, I use couscous, it cooks very quickly, thus saving food.
On a trail like the GAP or the C&O, you could easily buy as you go and/or eat in restaurants, etc.  They have lots of services.

37

General Discussion / Re: Camping Permits

« on: December 12, 2021, 03:23:05 pm »

National Parks now use a web based system for reservations.  You have to use it even if you are at the park and they have vacancies.  I found it difficult, but people tell me it is easier if you have the app for it installed on your phone.  My advice would be to do that prior to leaving.

38

General Discussion / Re: coffee coffee

« on: November 25, 2021, 06:02:01 pm »

If you want to carry cream with you, Mr. Canalagator, get the little, single serving plastic cups some restaurants use.  Yo have to carry the empties, but those weigh very little.  They keep without refrigeration.  I drink my coffee back, but I've used the coffee creamers to enrich couscous.

39

General Discussion / Re: Best book you've read on bicycle travel

« on: November 14, 2021, 07:56:34 pm »

An atlas.

40

General Discussion / Re: Cooking on the Road

« on: November 07, 2021, 06:34:37 am »

I have found that some dried meats from a European deli keep as well as sausage.  I carried some on a trip from Buffalo to Pittsburgh, and then on to DC and they held up fine.  At one point, I washed them off and let them dry again.  I would slice off some and drop it in boiling water for a couple of minutes, and then add couscous.  The couscous cooks very fast, thus conserving stove fuel.  At the end, I would add some cut up fresh vegetables and it made a fine dinner.  I think the products were Polish, or maybe Croatian.  The meat is not like freeze dried, it is still a little pliable and perfectly edible as is, sliced off the block, like saucisson.

41

General Discussion / Re: Best book you've read on bicycle travel

« on: October 24, 2021, 06:57:25 pm »

The one I am writing.  Reading and rereading my journals.  Likely, I will be the only audience, but it brings back echoes of the experience, and, often, new insights about the riding, the people, and, the author.

42

Gear Talk / Re: Solar battery/charger?

« on: October 15, 2021, 08:09:30 pm »

Froze said it very well.  I have the 3 panel Anker and it will charge my phone nicely.  I also carry a battery cache which can charge the phone.  I have not gotten around to trying to charge the cache with the solar panel.  The solar panel will also charge rechargeable AAs for my GPS.  The other thing I haven't gotten around to implementing is rigging the solar panel on top of my panniers, etc. to charge while I am riding.
I like the idea of independent means of charging things.

43

Gear Talk / Re: Best Water Bottle?

« on: October 15, 2021, 08:02:49 pm »

I wouldn't say they are the "Best" if such a thing even exists, but I really like the nozzle/mouthpiece on my bottle made by Camel back (I think).  It turns about 90° to turn off and on, but even in the on position, it doesn't leak, yet gushes when squeezed or sucked on.  Some bottles have such restricted nozzles it is hard to get a good swallow out of them.

44

Routes / Suggestion For Maps

« on: October 15, 2021, 07:55:57 pm »

Taking the Pittsburgh Spur of the Underground Railroad I found the narratives that accompanied the maps quite helpful, especially when they alerted on what to watch for.  They could do that for bridges as well.  Many bridges have only one pedestrian/bike way and often have no shoulders on the travel lanes.  If you miss the bike way, you are committed to riding in a less than safe environment. DAMHIK.

45

General Discussion / Re: C&O Trail

« on: October 04, 2021, 02:56:15 pm »

Just did it on a trad, diamond frame, with no trailer, but I think a trike should be able to do it.  I spent one night in a campsite with a couple on a recumbent tandem with a two wheel trailer.  The man was quite experienced and anticipated no extraordinary difficulties.  BTW, they were on their honeymoon.
Actually, the trail closest to Wash DC seemed the worst, out to about Great Falls Tavern.  If I were doing it, I would take a few garbage bags to cover everything, so the mud did not cover everything.
The Paw Paw Tunnel is really closed, so, with a trike, I would plan on a shuttle, or a road detour around it.