Messages

271

General Discussion / Re: Touring Nutrition

« on: July 14, 2009, 03:54:51 pm »

Add more fats?  Just a stab in the dark there.  I tend to deplete the carbs quickly too, unless I eat so many that I can't even ride comfortably.  In general, there is usually enough variation in my caloric profile that I am able to ride all day on two or three good meals.  Obviously, YMMV.

272

General Discussion / Re: airline initial journey with 4 racks and panniers - how is this done?

« on: June 24, 2009, 06:10:42 pm »

When I traveled with my folding bicycle (BF New World Tourist), I would fit as much as I could into the suitcase with the bicycle and still remain below the airline 50 pound limit.  I would put everything else in another suitcase, also remaining below 50 pounds.  Yes, this means checking two bags, but it provided the least frustration in trying to get everything to fit. 

As far as insurance, that's a tricky one.  The TSA bent the forks on my bicycle the first time I flew with it.  Fortunately, an LBS at my destination was able to straighten them out perfectly and on the cheap.  I take copious pictures and carefully document the inventory of all my cases.  Beyond that one fork instance, I have not had any issues with flying.  Inside the case with my bicycle, I put a few full-page notes (one under everything, one on top of the bike, and one taped to the inside lid of the suitcase) warning that this was a folding bicycle and to call me on my cell phone if there is any issue fitting the bicycle back in the case.  I look at it as kind of an "ounce of prevention" issue.

I suppose if you are now a renter, you could use your renter's insurance.

273

Gear Talk / Re: Remounting tight tires

« on: June 12, 2009, 02:46:58 pm »

Now that is interesting because my Kona Paddy Wagon has Conti Ultra Sports.  I can remove these tires with my hands (I'm not very strong).  As previous commenters have stated, not all tires (and rims) are the same size given the same ETRTO measurement.

An aquaintance of mine would stretch such difficult tires by hanging the tire from hook with a shaped piece of iron (to prevent the wire beads from getting kinked) and putting a lot of weight "in" the tire.  There would similarly be a piece of iron between the weights and the tire in order to prevent kinking.

274

GPS & Digital Data Discussion / Re: Has anyone tried Sportypal?

« on: June 10, 2009, 12:07:00 pm »

I love the Vista Hcx.  It has bailed my tokus out of many a misguided meandering, as well as led me to water in times of need.  As a cycling computer, the trip computer in the Hcx is lacking some cycling-specific features, but it is more than plenty for me.  It is especially well-suited to randonneuring.  I particularly like the configurable screens.  For example, on the trip computer page (and you can choose which pages get displayed, too), I have total distance, trip distance, overall average speed, moving average speed, moving time, overall time, speed, and elevation.  There are more available data fields than I can even imagine ever wanting.

I do mount mine to the handlebars, although on my touring bike, I used to mount it to the stem using a Minoura Besso.  The size is fine, as is the visibility.  I mount my lights on my fork, so the GPS is the only thing on the bars.  The width of the unit is only slightly larger than full-featured cyclometer.  The transflective screen is great in sunlight and I can run the backlight all night long.  With Ni-MH batteries, I am getting about 12 to 20 hours total runtime, including using the backlight through the night.  When I am only using the unit during the day, total run time gets well over 20 hours.  If size is a concern, there is the possibility of putting it in your handlebar bag or top pouch of a pannier.  Then it's out of your way until you need it.

If you just wanted tracking, there are tiny GPS tracking units that will download your track data to a computer.

Sorry about the link.  Javascript always bites me in butt; I really hate the language.  "Works on my computer!"  In my quest to smackdown this issue, would you be so kind as to tell me which versions of FF and IE are you using?  Thanks.

275

Gear Talk / Re: 10 speed triple Cranksets compatible with 9 speed?

« on: June 09, 2009, 02:52:55 pm »

Agreed, whittier.  Eight is great, but it's too bad that quality eight-speed cassettes seem to be getting rarer.  I have contemplated buying up loads of them wherever I find them.

276

GPS & Digital Data Discussion / Re: Has anyone tried Sportypal?

« on: June 09, 2009, 02:46:48 pm »

I have not tried any of the phone tracking apps.  I do have a Garmin eTrex Vista Hcx that I quite like and use as my cycling computer (among many other things).

I load up the GPX files into a web hosting account (I use the free Google Pages), run a Javascript function on them, and then generate maps to display.  If you or anyone else is interested in displaying their GPS tracks on Google Maps for free, I will be happy to provide detailed instructions.

For example: http://waynemyer.googlepages.com/20090428.htm