Messages

31

Routes / Re: Newly Discovered ACA Routes

« on: August 12, 2022, 01:12:52 pm »

One interesting one is the Washington DC: C&O and W&OD Loop, however it relies on White's Ferry which is sadly closed, perhaps permanently.  The route shows it was updated in June of 2022 but the ferry has already been closed a few years. https://www.whites-ferry.com/

32

Connecting ACA Routes / Re: Trans Am planning

« on: August 03, 2022, 10:46:58 am »

I put together a group to ride a modified TransAM using the Eastern Express route this summer. Although I decided to abandon the trip for various reasons I have stayed in touch with the group and assisted in route changes, etc. I was also in touch with another couple doing the Eastern Express. Everyone I have spoken with has said that the Eastern Express is a very lonely route.

I usually tour with my wife so loneliness is not as big a factor. However, not seeing other cyclists on your route for weeks at a time can be discouraging. After all, long tours become more of a mental challenge once your body becomes accustom to the mileage. I think a lot of the Eastern Express users also travel East to West, which reduces your chances of running into riders if you are traveling at a similar pace.

There are plenty of riders on the C&O and GAP. Our route left the GAP in West Newton and followed PA Bike Route S to Wheeling to bypass Pittsburgh. Once leaving the GAP expect to see no other riders for many days or weeks. One couple I was in contact with used the TransAM Connector to rejoin the traditional TransAM route just to encounter other riders.

33

General Discussion / Re: GAP and C and O Toe path

« on: July 26, 2022, 06:28:24 pm »

Just did both on May 15th with no issues. Paw Paw Tunnel is a painful detour. We took the roads around and it was a tough ride. Those that climbed over the trail bypass said it was horrible with a loaded bike.

34

General Discussion / Re: Long, steep descents -- questions about safety

« on: July 11, 2022, 05:53:02 pm »

You need to ride at your comfort level. Each one of my bikes handles a bit differently and loaded bikes pick up speed faster and may shimmy a bit a certain speeds depending on how you have it loaded. As I have gotten older I tend to sit more upright, which actually helps keep my downhill speed in check by using my body as a braking foil.

As for cars, depending on the posted speed limit, I tend to take the lane on a fast downhill. If I am pushing 30+ most cars will willing follow at a safe distance until it is clear to pass. I find it is better to be in the lane and force them to deal with you than to get forced onto a crappy shoulder - but you have to feel comfortable doing it.

Disc brakes tend not to over heat like rim brakes. I did a high Alpes tour some years back (steep descents and lots of hair-pin corners) and I was usually the last one down the mountain. I managed to burn through my rim brake pads pretty well, but I did not have over heating problems since I did not "ride" the brakes but used them sparingly to keep my speed under 40 mph which helped me slow for the tight turns. It was during the TDF so cars and bikes were mixed tightly sometimes, but drivers were bike aware.

35

General Discussion / Re: Tents and panniers

« on: July 11, 2022, 07:14:08 am »

I typically tuck my panniers under my vestibule, especially if riding with other folks and we stack our bikes to lock. I use Ortliebs and they are easy on and off.

I am a big fan of +1 tent sizing as well. I carry a two person for myself and a three person when biking or hiking with my wife.

Quick Tip for a tent with a fly. Carry two light water proof stuff sacks and pack the fly by itself, especially when it is wet. Otherwise your tent body will get wet from the fly and you will have two things to dry. It also is handy when trying to balance a load.

36

Routes / Re: What is Your Favorite Cross Country Route and Why?

« on: July 02, 2022, 10:41:56 am »

Thoughts on the Eastern Express. I had planned as cross-country ride this summer and put together a group through ACA Companions Wanted. I wound up not finishing even though I had mapped out the entire route with RWGPS and had created a consolidated set of maps with services more like the ACA maps then the current Eastern Express maps.

The group did not stick together mostly because of differences in pace and travel styles but I am still in contact with the remaining riders and assisting with detour routing etc. There is one common theme - loneliness. Once you clear the GAP going West you just do not see other riders like on the Traditional TransAm. After the first few weeks of any long-distance trek (hiking or biking) the physical challenges tend to fall in line and the mental challenges begin. Riding the long, lonely roads of the central US without other riders around can wear you down worse than a headwind.

I would not ride the Eastern Express alone, and I would not put together a group to ride with without having ridden with them extensively beforehand. If I was going to ride the TransAM again I would start solo and follow the traditional route and hopefully fall in with a group of riders traveling at my pace.

37

Routes / Re: bicycling NYC to Montreal

« on: June 29, 2022, 10:03:08 am »

We rode the rail trail out of Poultney twice last year and the surface they used is a very coarse crushed stone. We were riding Surly Disc Truckers with pretty fat tires and we had been up to ride a lot of the Slate Valley Gravel Trail system. The rail trail surface was "painful" even though it was packed and "level". I can only compare it to riding a road that has just been ground back for repaving. Also, the gates were a bit odd the way they are slanted. In future trips we plan to use the parallel roads which have a decent shoulder. We were there on weekdays so traffic was very light.

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Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / Re: Yellowstone Reopening

« on: June 25, 2022, 04:57:47 am »

Jamawani, which Forest Service Campground are you referring to when you say " The Forest Service campground outside of West Yellowstone has no hiker/biker sites - and is reserved through Labor Day. So, where do you stay??". I have a friend headed through Yellowstone in a few days and has reservations in the park but we are looking past West Yellowstone for the next stop.

39

General Discussion / Re: Recent Vermont Trip

« on: June 24, 2022, 04:19:24 pm »

Living in Massachusetts the plate we fear the most is the "wave" plate from Rhode Island. You have to pass an unsafe driving test there where they teach left hand turns from the right run only lane and how to travel in the highspeed lane on I95 until your exit, then jam on the breaks and move across 3 lanes with no signal, cutting off drivers on the way, to make you exit. I have lived all over the US and driven in all but three states and the worst drivers that I have encountered are around Washington DC, followed closely by Rhode Island, and then New York City area.

40

New England / Re: Adirondack Park Loop Cycling Route - What Is Total Climb Recorded On The Ride???

« on: June 23, 2022, 11:21:19 am »

While planning your trip it is nice to know the elevation gain for the day, but to me grade is more important. More than anything, I think heat and physical condition (and mood) has a bigger impact on my ride.

That being said, I have found that the Ride with GPS professional subscription ($80/year) is a pretty good investment provided it is in your budget and you travel enough to make it worthwhile. My Garmin 1030P warns me of climbs but often the short step ones (10%+ grade) it does not bother to mention are harder than a 2 mile long slog of a hill that is only 4% grade.

I have also had weird glitches on reporting speed, RPM, heart rate, and grade on my Garmin - like 52 MPH on a loaded touring bike - never happened since I was getting a slight shimmy at 27 MPH that day due to load balance and was braking around 25 MPH. I think tree coverage impacts GPS accuracy and radio interference impacts ANT+ communications sometimes since I always get weird glitches at the same spot on my training ride.

Overall, I think the GPS does provide near accurate ride data. RWGPS is pretty good, but again a few elevations reported at 17% grade that I rode and did not think was accurate.

41

Routes / Re: Palouse to Cascades Trail West of Ellensburg

« on: June 06, 2022, 04:26:42 pm »

What do you think of taking ID State Rt 4 from Wallace to USFS Rte 7623 to Montana Secondary Highway 471 to Thompson Falls instead?

I looked at that route and drinking water is a major issue as this is a super fund clean area. That route goes through major silver mining areas and there is lots of ground water pollution and an active clean up under way with trucks hauling contaminated material to a containment area near Wallace. I would not recommend it. Plus once you leave the paved road the road surface is said to be questionable in some areas for a loaded touring bike. Super remote also if you do get into trouble.

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General Discussion / Re: Going Bananas Touring

« on: June 02, 2022, 01:13:30 pm »

I love bananas but it is hard to buy ripe bananas (industry standard - brown spots starting to show). Green bananas are too hard to digest. I imagine the bubble wrap also speeds the ripening process if it is warm out.

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Routes / Re: Katy Trail (Connections to/from St. Louis/KCMO)

« on: May 30, 2022, 11:04:37 am »

Has anyone done the KATY on a credit card tour? Planning on going with my wife and she prefers camping by Marriott or B&B's.

44

Gear Talk / Re: Bar talk

« on: May 12, 2022, 09:13:31 am »

I have the same bike and converted over to butterfly bars and then converted back to my drop bars. The bike, for me, handled better under load with the drop bars.

For the bar end shifters I bought Thumbies from Paul Components https://www.roadbikereview.com/threads/new-microshift-thumbies-from-paul-components.381029/ - not cheap but a nice product. For the brake levers I bought the Avid Speed Dial 7 https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000YBEJKW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1. Beware that I ordered a "pair" from REI and they shipped a single brake lever. All other components (derailleurs, etc.) remained the same. Be sure to by new brake and shift cables before starting your project. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LXXAFV5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M0WML33/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I also went with an adjustable stem https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B08F7P174R/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1 which is the one component that I kept when I switched back. The adjustable stem lets you sit more upright but can be dropped on those days with persistent 20 mph headwinds.

45

General Discussion / Re: Bear safe food storage

« on: May 10, 2022, 07:45:44 am »

Bear safety is a process not just one thing. First of all Ursacs or bear canisters may weigh a bit and cost a bit of money, but what is your life worth?

Handling food before you get to bear country is equally important. Dedicate one pack for your food for the entire trip and do not put clothes or sleeping gear in it. Do a little research for setting up a camp properly in bear country using the triangle method. https://lnt.org/sites/default/files/BearmudaTriangle_0.jpg

Follow NPS advice https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/campinginbearcountry.htm so they do not have to clean up a mess and notify next of kin.

A bell on your bike may help, but situational awareness is the key. Encounters still happen, I believe a ranger was killed a few years back when his bike collided with a grizzly bear. There are some places that shortcuts are not worth it and health and safety are on the top of my list.