Messages

1

Classifieds / 2009 Raleigh Sojourn for sale

« on: October 30, 2010, 11:48:39 am »

57 cm.  Only 350 miles.  Tubus Duo front rack.  2 Besso Nobs for lights. Platcher kickstand.
Greater Cincinnati area.  Asking $899.00.  My neck asked me to sell this to a good home.
call 513-503-7816

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General Discussion / Re: Pannier Secuity

« on: September 26, 2010, 05:23:06 pm »

I'd use the shoulder straps that came with the panniers.  I know the wimpy locks aren't that much of a deterent, but at least most people don't walk around with wire cutters.  Do you live a place that is prone to theft?  I have never had a problem leaving my panniers unattended for awhile.  I take my handle bar bag with me, as that has all the most important items in it.

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General Discussion / Re: Bike Fit for Person with Bad Shoulders/Knees?

« on: August 28, 2010, 09:05:48 am »

Have you checked out a Bike Friday?  Each one is custom made and the nearest dealer to you should have one to test ride. Lots of options with a BF to make bicycling a great experience.

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General Discussion / Re: Buying the right size touring bike.

« on: August 28, 2010, 08:52:19 am »

Go to Bike Friday's website and see how close a dealer is to your home.  BF is noted for fitting bikes properly for each customer, has outstanding customer service, and, at least the dealer with whom I associate, is not selling a bike product but a bicycling experience.  If the bike is not comfortable, there is no fun experience.  After years of riding ill-fitting bikes, I am excited to get a New World Tourist in a few weeks. 

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General Discussion / Re: Touring saddles

« on: May 31, 2010, 03:14:05 pm »

I have a Brooks pre-aged B-17 that came with my Raleigh Sojourn, and after almost 300 miles I am still not comfortable with it.  I am thinking of getting a sprung Brooks, as my handlebars are a little more upright, and I am a member of The Slow Bike Movement. [I wear mt. bike shorts, gloves, helmet, SPDs but that's about it for cycling clothing.] I do lots of errands on my bike, so a little more comfy saddle sounds like a good idea.  From several sources I have learned that the Brooks women specific saddles aren't as good as the men's.

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Routes / Re: routes are these the same???

« on: May 11, 2010, 08:00:32 pm »

Ron -

Further research reveals that the section from Quad Cities to Savanna is also called the Great River Trail.
And there is a website for that, too.

Barb

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Routes / Re: routes are these the same???

« on: May 11, 2010, 05:28:37 pm »

Ron -

I, too, was confused about the names of the routes along the Mississippi River, especially in Illinois!  I am planning on riding from Rock Island to Savanna, Illinois, this June on the Illinois' Mississippi River Trail (MRT), which I downloaded from the League of Illinois Bicyclists' website.  I also read Bob Robinson's book, "Bicycling Guide to the Mississippi River Trail."  The MRT is included in his book.

Internet research produced a few day rides in and around the Quad Cities, which will extend my time in that area.

I thought the MRT and Quad Cities were good places to begin multi-day touring for a living-into-the-last-third-of-my-life female.  Those villages look delightful, camping is readily available, and my adult children will continue to shake their heads about their wandering mother!;-)

Tailwinds,
Barb

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General Discussion / Re: General Question

« on: May 06, 2010, 06:21:42 pm »

As with you, I don't like the stress of heavy traffic but I also don't like the constant isolation of Rails-to-Trails.  So I research all the routes I can find for the state in which I want to travel on the internet.  Between ACA and the internet, you will have overchoice of great places to travel on your bike.  So many routes, so little time.  <sigh> 

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General Discussion / Re: older riders

« on: October 05, 2009, 08:34:20 pm »

Bevbiker -  You are my kinda woman!  What have you found to be the biggest thrills and obstacles with your touring?  What words of wisdom do you have to pass on to those of us who aspire to bike as you have?  Barb

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General Discussion / Re: older riders

« on: September 25, 2009, 10:32:51 am »

I'm amazed, too, and have learned to not answer questions specifically.  When asked where I'm coming from and going to, I respond, "Oh north and south and wherever."  I also never tell people where I am camping.  We older females need to be very careful about revealing information.  Guess that's true for most people these days.  <sigh!>  I also limit my time in conversation when on the route, as lots of time can be consumed and my muscles get too cool.  In camp is another story.

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General Discussion / Re: older riders

« on: September 18, 2009, 10:37:50 am »

First official bike journey was a great success!  Since I am older and, thanks be to God, wiser, I shortened my intended mileage by about 18 or so miles.  I had enough to process:  riding with the bike loaded, new places to discover, setting up camp, etc.  33 miles was just right, as I had energy for the next day.  That, also, went very well.  Several people stopped to ask me questions, as I was the only one around who was traveling by bike, and I hope those who said they wanted to do bike traveling will do so.  Thanks to all of you for your support.  I am now plotting when and where to go next...and for at least five days.  Tailwinds to all!

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General Discussion / Re: older riders

« on: September 06, 2009, 05:34:37 pm »

Congratulations, George!  Your first tour must have been a blast.  Seems to me that your first tour was at the "right" age, since it's the age you are.  I can relate to "feel like a child again", as I almost feel giddy while complete the preparation to set out on the 15th.

What part of the UGGR did you do? Any problems?  Thanks for inspiring the rest of us!

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General Discussion / Re: older riders

« on: August 31, 2009, 07:43:11 pm »

I agree with "mixing it up," and walk as much as possible and swim laps.  Our gov't has a free publication titled "Exercise: A Guide from the National Institute on Aging."  Go to www.nia.nih.gov to get one.  And I want to continue the main topic of older riders, as that is this thread's topic.  I am just about to take off on my first solo trip...nothing big, just a few days...but I am very excited to do something that I have dreamed about for so long.

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General Discussion / Re: older riders

« on: August 21, 2009, 07:48:51 pm »

What a joy to read about older riders and their experiences!  And I see that a few of you may have been able to get together for some tours...wonderful!  I am about to go on my first "official" tour, as my Raleigh Sojourn now has a front rack, a tent and other camping equipment has been purchased, and the work calendar may free me for a few days.  Let's continue to inspire each other with our experiences!

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General Discussion / Re: older riders

« on: August 10, 2009, 04:44:11 pm »

I live just north of Cincinnati...so let's see if we can get in a short tour this fall.  I can only go for shorter tours, due to my work schedule.  But a tour is a tour is a tour...yes?