Messages

46

Gear Talk / Re: Tent - One Person and Freestanding?

« on: March 06, 2014, 10:07:23 pm »

Since my latest tour plans include the Olympic Peninsula of Washington, my thoughts have swung towards a bigger tent, in case I'm in there for a while due to rain. I'm considering the Sierra Designs Vapor Light series, last year's models are on closeout at REI Outlet. They meet my desire to be freestanding, yet the weight isn't too bad. Since I'm 6'2", the 2 XL seems attractive for tall people. Any experience with these series of tents?

http://www.rei.com/product/866521/sierra-designs-vapor-light-2-xl-tent-2013-closeout

If you haven't pulled the trigger on your purchase, and you appear to be an REI member, check the REI Outlet Deal o' the Day. Just today they had a killer deal on a Kelty tent. But they only have tents on this super discount about four times a year.

47

Gear Talk / Re: Tent - One Person and Freestanding?

« on: March 06, 2014, 10:03:26 pm »

Bivvy.
Super light.
Not free-standing, it just lies there.
No room for your stuff, just you.
Expensive.
Maybe add a sil-nylon tarp to the kit for extended canopy and to cover the gear you're not going to get into your bivvy.

Also claustrophobic as all get out.  The joy of light weight goes away fast the first time you have two days of non-stop rain.

Of course. That's why you have the tarp. Getting stuck in a two- or three-day storm is a risk we all face when touring completely self-supported. If you're gong to go nuts in bivvy with a surround of tarp-protected space,you will probably still go nuts in a tent, even a large tent. Have you ever read the journals of Everest and K2 climbers who share a tent with two to ten other people for five or six days, completely socked in by raging storms? Compared to that situation, a solo bivvy in a thunderstorm is paradise. It's all relative.

48

General Discussion / Re: Any advise on Bicycle choice greatly appreciated.

« on: February 25, 2014, 08:37:03 pm »

Our rationale is that we can be in a comfortable upright cruise position (have ergometric hand grips already), We can lock out the front suspension when not required, We may look at changing the casssette to 11-34 or 36, and possibly the front to a 22 (not sure if necessary), we are both going to be towing bob trailers, and we don't want to have to spend a lot of money replacing our stolen babies.
Please look over specks and pull to pieces (constructively or destructively-if necessary) Any other words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks guys
Ken and Jules
Travellingfoxes

Comfort? Upright?
Look at recumbents. Heads up, high def cycling. Designed with the behind in mind.
Fortunately for me, it takes a certain kind individual who has the courage and will take the opportunity to test ride a loaded recumbent.

49

Rocky Mountain / Re: Highway 18 from St. George to Enterprise and back?

« on: February 22, 2014, 10:31:20 pm »

try crazyguyonabike and search for those towns. You can use any of many mapping sites to get an idea of the trip profile. Drop by the local bike shops to see if what routes they recommend that will take you off the main roads.

Frist trip? Do something shorter. Investige the overnighters site that AC manages. You want to understand your gear, your bike, your body and how they all work together before you go off on a multi-day adventure.

50

General Discussion / Re: touring in the rain?

« on: February 19, 2014, 12:21:25 am »

Practice. Learn to ride in rain and wind by getting out and doing it. You quickly learn how to cope with the conditions and learn how to decide when it's time to go home or find cover or grind it out. You also quickly discover what kind of clothing or gear works and what was a waste of money. Do all of that experimentation close to home.
Also a good idea to practice setting up camp in wind and wind-driven rain. You quickly learn how not to let your tent get destroyed, how to keep your gear under the fly till the thing's up, what's important to keep dry and what can get soaked.

51

Gear Talk / Re: Retiring, getting into self contained touring

« on: February 17, 2014, 12:56:14 am »

Recumbent.

52

Gear Talk / Re: First Touring Bike

« on: January 26, 2014, 10:26:04 am »

Try a recumbent. Awesome touring machines.
There are two rules for running a 'bent bike (or trike):
1. Be comfortable
2. Be weird

You must comply with both and that is why there are so few of us.

53

Gear Talk / Re: Tent - One Person and Freestanding?

« on: January 22, 2014, 08:27:45 am »

I'm in the market for a new tent. The primary consideration is that it's for one person (I don't want it too big/heavy) and freestanding (for camping opportunities which would preclude stakes). Most other considerations are secondary. Any suggestions?

Bivvy.
Super light.
Not free-standing, it just lies there.
No room for your stuff, just you.
Expensive.
Maybe add a sil-nylon tarp to the kit for extended canopy and to cover the gear you're not going to get into your bivvy.

54

Rocky Mountain / Re: trail of the coeur d'alenes loop route

« on: January 20, 2014, 07:17:50 pm »

http://southlakecda.com/guide.htm
http://bitterrootloop.wordpress.com/where-is-it/
https://www.facebook.com/Historic.Bitterroot.Loop
http://friendsofcdatrails.org/change_log.html#.Ut28XX9HaSN

55

Rocky Mountain / Re: trail of the coeur d'alenes loop route

« on: January 18, 2014, 09:05:41 pm »

It's Idaho. Those are old mine roads, aren't they? I've only looped back on the highway or obscure surface roads.
If you're carrying your full kit on the bike for the return ride you want the sturdiest tire you feel like pushing.
 
There is a bike shop in Kellogg and, I believe, one in Wallace. Give them a call. There is a website for the trail and I believe the site either has a discussion forum or a contact listing for additional information on planning a successful road or mountain bike trip.

I've ridden the whole trail both directions. It's an amazing resource. Lots to see and do along the trail. Be sure to allow some additional time on your trip to visit the local museums and do the tourist stuff. And, depending on where you're coming from, there is so much in Idaho to see! Bring your fly rod and stay a bit. Spend some money.

56

General Discussion / Re: Newb, feeling over whelmed by planning process. where/how to start???

« on: January 18, 2014, 08:57:19 pm »

DOn't sweat it, everything comes together. It's not always pleasant, though.

Thousands of folks take off every year with a lot less planning and research than you have performed and they seem to do alright. But I'm not the kind of guy who risks comfort (and possibly much more) without knowing what I'm doing. I wouldn't start winter backcountry ski camping without some training and some experimentation under controlled and reduced risk conditions.

I strongly urge you to sign up with a supported bike tour event--tow or three nights or a week. It's an expensive vacation, about $100/day on average, but you learn how to ride distances, how your gear works, how your bike works and how to pack and set up your camp. then take a few short overnights with all of your gear packed on the bike. There are plenty of places wherever you are that you can ride to, set up camp, eat, sleep safely and return.

Or, of course, you can just saddle up and hit the road!

Please visit the forums after your trip and let us know how you got along. Or give us your blog address if you're traveling and posting live.

57

General Discussion / Re: how to keep my feet warm!

« on: January 15, 2014, 09:27:44 am »

Personal anecdotal evidence only: I rode the same 20 miles in the same weather conditions, about 45F, cloud cover, no sun, 8-15mph swirling winds and spitting rain. Feet were ice cold on one trip, feet were fine on the other. When I took off socks, I could see the toes were pale and pushing on the moons indicated poor circulation.
The only thing that changed on the trips was swapping out my bike shorts for a swimming suit. My conclusion, the grippers on the bike shorts were restricting micro circulation just enough to make heat transfer into and out of the extremities difficult. Might have also involved how the chamois pad interacted with the seat on my recumbent. Toes were pink and moons recovered immediately clearly indicating adequate circulation.

I only know that using unrestricted, unconfined, unpadded shorts made a huge difference.

Your issue could be, as pointed out, circulation or nerve impingement but cold feet in 50F is not normal. Could be your clothing, your bike geometry, your physiology or an underlying condition you need to get looked at and treated. Maybe not because it's a dangerous situation but because it's uncomfortable.

58

Rocky Mountain / Ride Idaho 2014, tenth anniversay

« on: January 15, 2014, 09:19:04 am »

rideidaho.org and on facebook

There's real challenge in coming up with unique and interesting rides through parts of Idaho; we just don't have the roads and the geography means you ride a bike over or around obstacles like mountain ranges, river canyons and deserts.

This year, a loop starts and ends in Twin Falls with extensions south to the City of Rocks and north to Hailey. They're promising a 10th year party on a layover day in Hailey. Or you can do a challenging century by heading to Stanley in the incredible Sawtooth Range and along the Salmon River, humping over Galena Summit both going and coming.

Twin Falls has a real airport so you can fly in from anywhere or you can come to Boise and drive 120 miles or Pocatello and drive 90 miles.

Impossible to predict the appeal of the route but I'm signing up today and this is my ninth Ride Idaho. If you join us, watch for the guy on the Tour Easy recumbent and say "Hi."

59

General Discussion / Re: Weather Data Aggregation for Bike Touring

« on: January 12, 2014, 10:52:00 am »

Ship your extra gear back home if you want to but I'd want to know where I could replace it if I had made a foolish mistake.
Some gear is impractical or may become unnecessary as your trip progresses. Maybe not.
On Cycle Oregon a tour participant is likely to experience rain, snow and 90F in a week. ONe day we went from 80F on the eastern side of the Blue Mtns, climbed to the pass in light snow, descended in wicked cold rain and ended on the western side wet and cold but in 60F and set up camp in the sun.

60

Gear Talk / Re: Full coverage helmets

« on: December 25, 2013, 10:39:37 am »

Full coverage or just back-of-head?
I tried a Bern.
Heavy, hot, and added a level of dorkitude that surpassed even my need for individuality and expressiveness.
But your mileage may vary.