Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: USA Specific Safety Tips, ie Wildlife, Crime etc.

« on: April 28, 2022, 10:15:02 pm »

I was surprised when I rode the TA east to west in 2019, once into Eastern Colorado, was how often I was told to watch out for the meth-heads. One scared me so badly in the Newton Kansas town park, I packed up camp and moved to a very remote hidden corner where he would never find me If he tried.

As a side note... don't camp in the park in Newton if you want a good night sleep. The railroad yard is just around the corner and the noise never ends!

2

Routes / Re: Delmarva

« on: February 16, 2022, 07:14:19 pm »

I was able to make same day reservations at the NY state parks this summer without much problem with a one-night stay. If you book ahead a two-day minimum is required. The only qualifier was there had to be openings. Although, I found a call to the park's office usually resulted in a friendly manager telling me to ride in and they would find me a spot.

3

Routes / Re: Pittsburgh spur

« on: January 17, 2022, 04:51:47 pm »

The route was good. Out of Pittsburgh my route followed the ACA Pittsburgh spur northwest out of town, not bad if you don't mind urban decay. The first night out of Pittsburgh I stayed near Coraopolis. I had started that day in West Newton on the GAP Trail. 55 miles.
 Day 2 Followed Rt. 51 north on the west side of the Ohio River to the Monaca/Rochester Bridge to rt. 18 north to Willow Grove and to the Stavich Bike Trail eventually passing through Youngstown Ohio to Warren Ohio,75 miles.
 Day 3 I accessed the Western Reserve Greenway in Warren and pretty much followed that to Ashtabula Ohio,60 miles. The Western Reserve Greenway was easy riding. In Ashtabula I followed the ACA Northern tier to Buffalo. Total miles from Pittsburgh to Buffalo was just around 300 and I did it in 6 days.
As always practice caution riding in urban areas. Be careful following Google Maps, it's not always cyclist friendly. Camping options were very limited after Pittsburgh, I stayed in hotels.

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General Discussion / Re: Do u have favorite cycling sounds (i.e, not music : ) ???

« on: November 11, 2021, 09:01:48 pm »

Running water. Stops me all the time.

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General Discussion / Re: C&O Trail

« on: September 13, 2021, 08:59:30 pm »

I just completed the C&O and GAP trail. I would not recommend riding a trike on the entire length of the trail. The early miles out of Georgetown would be suitable. Most of the trail is double track dirt. If you keep your rear wheel in the track your two front wheels would be in the grass, if one front wheel in the track your other two would be in the weeds. I remember reading in the guide book that trikes are not recommended to use the trail.

Good luck if you attempt riding the entire length. Hauling a trike up the detours would not be my idea of fun.

6

Routes / Re: Pittsburgh spur

« on: August 28, 2021, 10:47:52 pm »

Thank you for your reply. After reviewing the ACA route and your suggestions I have decided to heed your advice and head a little west to avoid some huge climbing miles.
The ACA route is 150 miles, the route through Ohio to Astabula to Erie is only 175 miles with a lot less climbing. Google maps takes me through New Castle, Youngstown, Oh and onto the Western Reserve Greenway and on to Astabula.
Wish me luck while I venture astray.

7

Routes / Pittsburgh spur

« on: August 25, 2021, 10:19:45 am »

I am currently riding the C+O/ GAP and will be approaching Pittsburgh in several days. My plan is to ride the Pittsburgh spur to Erie Pa. And on to Buffalo and the Erie Canal to Albany.

I have the gps track on my Garmin and the Bicycle Route Navigator app with that section on my phone. I realize it will be hilly. My question is does anyone have experience riding this section? How many days to Erie? Is it possible to complete in 3 days? Potential resupply points, lodging or camping options.

Any suggestions would be great.

8

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / Atlantic Coast, #1, Map14, route 140 closure in Ellington CT. Jun-Oct. 2021

« on: June 28, 2021, 06:15:43 pm »

 Route 140 in Ellington, CT, is closed between rt 83 and rt 30 for a bridge replacement until October of 2021.

North bound at mile 1.4 left on rt 83, do not follow rt 140 east, continue on rt 83 towards Somers Ct. right on 190 east. rejoin route at mile 10.4, enter roundabout and follow 190 east. route 190 can be a busy road and carry heavy truck traffic. Rt 190 has a wide shoulder and is nothing an experienced cyclist can't handle.

Northbound option at mile 1.4 follow rt 140 east. at the road block left on Webster Rd, right on E Porter Rd. becomes Boyer Rd., right on Burbank Rd., left on rt 140, Crystal Lake Rd. Follow the map mile 5.4 Crystal Lake. this route follows the main route and has a short detour on town roads that circumnavigate the road closure.

South bound at mile 13.1 enter roundabout bear right follow rt190. mile 13.4 do not follow rt 140, continue on rt 190 west, Follow 190 west to Somers Ct., Left on rt 83 . rejoin the route at mile 22.1, follow rt 140. route 190 can be a busy road and have heavy truck traffic.

southbound option to follow rtb140 at mile 13.4 Bear left on sr140, mile 18.1 Crystal Lake, cross rt 30 to stay on rt140, right on Burbank Rd, Left on Boyer Rd, becomes East Porter Rd, left on Webster Rd, left on rt 140 Crystal Lake Rd to rejoin the route. your next route map cue will be 22.1. Turn left then right on route 140.

If you need additional travel assistance in the area, please ask. I live in map panel 15, Melrose, CT.

 

9

General Discussion / Re: TransAmerica Trail Bike Tour, The Dreaded Middle Third

« on: March 23, 2020, 04:20:44 pm »

Nice video, thanks for the memories. I was about 10 days ahead of you on my own cross country journey last summer.

10

Gear Talk / Re: Jones Bar

« on: February 28, 2020, 09:25:12 pm »

I have a Jones H Bar installed on my Kona Sutra. I used this set up to tour cross country last summer. 5200 miles over 112 days. I was very satisfied.

I found there  many hand positions to use.  I used the Jones grips and did not tape the bars.I loved the heads up riding position. There is a lot of space on the bars to mount any needed accessories. The bike shop installed an adjustable stem beneath the regular stem, on the steerer tube so I would be able to use a standard handlebar bag. Shimano Deore trigger shifters and Mountain bike brake levers were used.

 




 

11

Gear Talk / Re: Busch and Muller luxos U IQ2 bike light

« on: September 16, 2019, 01:50:42 pm »

Again not the same model, my IQXS just crossed the country with me, 5200 miles 112 days, not one problem.

12

Routes / Re: Northern tier #10 Cananda alternative

« on: August 25, 2019, 08:44:40 pm »

I made the ride to Niagra without incident. I started up the bridge to Grand Island and turned around. The wind was blowing pretty strong and I chickened out. Had a good day at  the Falls and spent the night a hostel in Niagra Falls. The next night I wild camped on the canal outside of Albion and then to Palmyra. Your instructions were great to follow and spot on. Thank you. Bob

13

Routes / Re: Northern tier #10 Cananda alternative

« on: August 22, 2019, 05:46:56 pm »

Wow, thanks for the long detailed instructions. At first they sounded confusing untill I was able to follow them on the map. In reality if you can read a map the instructions are very detailed and accurate. 

I am staying at the Buffalo Hostel on Main Street. I think I will make my way in the morning to the waterfront and join your route there. Have you ever crossed over to and ridden on Unity Island? The folks here at the hostel said to ride that. It looks like all it is is water treatment plant. This way I would avoid  some of Niagra St.

Riding at a tourist pace (10-12mph) how long do you think it will take to get from Buffalo's  waterfront to the rainbow Bridge in Niagra Falls? I still need to plan for my overnight  stop. I'm  not sure I will have the time to make it to Lockport that night.

14

Routes / Re: Northern tier #10 Cananda alternative

« on: August 18, 2019, 09:42:50 pm »

jcontanz I am interested in more details about my ride near Niagra. I would like to take the scenic route along the river that you suggested. Would you be able to provide more detailed instructions to the route I should follow. Google maps often leads you astray..

15

Routes / Re: Northern tier #10 Cananda alternative

« on: August 12, 2019, 09:24:08 pm »

Thank you for the replies. I need to look at my maps and decide. If I need any more help I will ask. Thank you jcostanz. I like your suggestions. Let me look more before I contact you for advice.