Messages

1

Gear Talk / Re: High Compression Sleeping Bag in XL?

« on: June 23, 2011, 08:56:20 pm »

LOOK NO FURTHER!!!!

http://www.mountainhardwear.com/ExtraLamina™-20-%28Long%29/OU8453_L,default,pd.html

I am 6'3" 250 lbs with a pretty large chest 50 or 51 ... i think. I bought this bag last year and love it. You will not believe that anything that packs so small can keep you warm. It's freaky. Seriously.. check this one out

2

General Discussion / Re: Touring

« on: April 11, 2011, 01:18:16 am »

Patco says it quite well.

"we go as fast as the slowest person"

We are also in our fifties and we found a great way to even things out. I ride often farther and faster, so when I tour with my wife. I carry almost everything. My wife carries her soft items in rear panniers. I carry tent, cooking gear, food, sleeping bags in a BOB trailer. If she wants it, I carry it. My days are shorter than if I was traveling alone, but I find pulling a ton leaves me happy at the end of the day even with the shorter distances.

In reality touring with my wife has changed my appreciation for touring. I go slower (we stay together the whole ride) and I see SO much more.

Have fun. I love touring with my wife, I hope we can do it for a long, long time

3

GPS & Digital Data Discussion / Re: Anyone using SPoT Tracker for Trips?

« on: April 07, 2011, 12:12:42 pm »

I own a spot 2 and it works great.

This is the first site that popped up on a google search. I'm not sure, but at these prices I would probably consider buying one.

http://www.lowergear.com/product.php/id/261

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General Discussion / Re: Mistakes and Attitude while on the road.

« on: April 05, 2011, 05:06:01 pm »

I Feel like I was lucky enough to experience bot sides of this discussion.

I did my first tour last summer and for the 10 months prior I did a bunch of research on the internet, books and forums. That advice really helped me select the equipment that I would use. I came up with a training plan and bought a bunch of maps for the route I planned. Just then my daughter had a medical emergency and I completely forgot about my tour that was 4 months away.

The bike, camping gear and maps sat in my sun room for months. It was a very difficult time and in the end it all went well. My daughter is now healthy and happy. We knew she was better about a week before I was to start my tour of the west coast route. I was exhausted, not trained and not ready to tour, but my daughter and wife insisted I go. Without any more thinking I put the untested bike, gear and maps in a box and flew to Portland. As I stood at the airport assembling my bike alone and 51 years old, I got frightened of what I had just done. And then it hit me... load the gear and start pedaling.

I knew nothing and at times it really showed, but I just kept pedaling. I learned to read the maps, I learned to set up camp in minutes and I learned that the road was filled with great people. I pedaled for 28 days and made it all the way home.

Since then I have gone on several shorter tours and I know I can do anything I want. I load my gear and start pedaling. Sometimes I don't even know exactly where I am going. The thrill is awesome.

So I think I have done it both ways and without all the research I had done I am not sure I would have gotten on that plane, but now that I figured out that all I have to do is pedal and stay away from traffic it will all be great.

Good luck to anyone who tours. It is the best thing I ever waited 51 years to try

5

Routes / Re: Joshua Tree to Prescott?

« on: March 26, 2011, 09:28:28 pm »

Are you trying to get to Prescott or the grand canyon. Depending, I have a route for you that goes north out of twenty nine palms to Amboy following route 66.

email me or are you in town right now?

tanslacks@gmail.com

6

Routes / Re: Best Pacific Route

« on: March 12, 2011, 09:59:25 pm »

If I had a month and I was looking for a section of the coast. I would definitely do Oregon. I'm from California and I have never seen coast like I have seen on the North coast. Besides, everything north of California has the nicest campgrounds, the nicest hike-n-bikes, the safest shoulders and the warmest showers... for free! Of course if you are a crusher, doing big miles every day, you could do the entire coast. I didn't kill myself and I went from Astoria to LA in 26 days

I did cry sometimes

7

Pacific Northwest / Another one way question

« on: February 09, 2011, 09:26:47 pm »

Hi everyone,

Last year I did the West coast route by flying to Portland and a friend drove me to Victoria. I live down in southern California, so anyway, my wife met me in the Redwoods and rode with me for three days and decided she loves touring, so this summer we have a few days off and are going to ride from like Lincoln to Brookings. She can only do about forty miles a day, much less than I prefer, but I am very excited to tour with her.

So our plan is to drive to Brookings, leave the car and find transport to Lincoln or there abouts. So far I have found the Curry transport that can get us from Brookings to Coos bay. I can't find anything else that goes north of there. Does anyone have any ideas? My only other thought so far is to rent a uhaul in Brookings and leave it in Lincoln... 230 smackers! plus gas! So any ideas would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance
Dan

8

Classifieds / Re: Bob Yak 28 Plus Trailer

« on: January 16, 2011, 10:24:11 pm »

I sent you a message

Dan

9

Routes / Astoria, OR to Malibu area

« on: April 23, 2010, 10:23:51 pm »

Hello everyone,

This is my first question and I know before I begin, it is a tough one to nail down. I ride my bike about 4 days a week, 40 to 60 miles at a time with several thousand feet of elevation gain on every ride. I also ride to town and do most of my errands on my bike. I'm 51 years old and ride almost always alone. The reason I mention this I want you to get an idea of my conditioning.

This summer I hope to ride the west coast from Astoria to Malibu area and I am having the hardest time trying to figure out how much time I need. i work full time and can only get 3 weeks off for the trip. I will be doing the ride alone and don't plan on much site seeing other than what I see from my seat. I have done several overnights, but they have all included very large mountain terrain, so I can't judge what to expect on the coast. I will be camping, I rise very early and find it hard to believe that I would only ride 4 or 6 hours a day with the long days and solo travel.

could anyone share some of their thoughts? Thanks in advance

10

Gear Talk / Re: Best rear panniers for a size 13 shoe

« on: April 21, 2010, 03:05:24 pm »

For what it's worth... I ride a 60" Surly LHT with the Surly rear rack. I use Lone Peak 500 rear panniers and have a size 13 foot. With the Panniers set to the rear of the rack, I do not even come close to striking the bags.

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General Discussion / Re: Surly LHT or Cannondale Touring 2

« on: April 18, 2010, 01:46:20 am »

Rebel,

I went with the 60 and feel like it's right. i don't like a lot of seat stem, but the reach is a bit long and I may have to shorten the stock stem in the future. I'm still not sure about that yet. I was unable to try a 58 anywhere. Obviously the best would be to try both. good luck

12

General Discussion / Re: Surly LHT or Cannondale Touring 2

« on: April 17, 2010, 11:53:43 pm »

Hi Rebel,

We are very similar in size.. 6'3" 230 and I bought a Surly LHT about 6 months ago and could not be happier. I went from a high end racing bike to this and the transition has been wonderful. Bar end shifters took about two rides to get used to, I hit them once with my knee when I stood out of the saddle, after that I remember to keep my knees in... it's not a problem at all.

As far as flex goes, I have not seen it. I added front and back Surly racks and have carried about 15 pounds and have had no noticeable flex with some pretty good force uphill. I have about two thousand miles on it and the components are holding up great. I changed the seat to a brooks, other than that it's all stock.

I can't speak on the other bike, never rode one... good luck and feel free to contact me if you have questions. I will be doing the west coast route this summer and can't wait

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Gear Talk / Re: Info on Trainers please

« on: September 24, 2009, 09:57:32 am »

Well, there will be lots of opinions on this subject, but I love this model. I have used it for several years... many, many hours a week. It took some adjusting to get it just right and now it's a dream. I had a roll type trainer before and hated wearing out my expensive road tires on a trainer. Oh, and it is not cheap!

http://www.minourausa.com/english/trainer-e/rim-e/rda80-e.html

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000QFNZUQ/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000HLPH14&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1GHH0X3DJ4KSMPVW3HWE

Good luck