Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: camping in flordia

« on: February 10, 2011, 08:36:47 pm »

From the Florida Fence and Property Law Handbook: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe111
Who is a trespasser?A trespasser is a person who intrudes upon another person's property for his own reasons without invitation or license and without any purpose other than self-interest (Lukancich v. Tampa, 583 So.2d 1070 [Fla. 2d DCA 1991]; 41 Florida Jurisprudence 2d Premises Liability section 60). An action against trespassers may recover both compensatory and punitive damages (Wishman v. Foster & Curry Industries, Inc., 145 So.2d 278 [Fla. 3d DCA 1962]).

What notice must be provided to a trespasser?As previously mentioned, under Florida Statutes section 588.10, a property owner must provide proper notice to all parties that may enter the property. All gates, fence corners, and all boundaries that lay along waterways must have posted notices of proper size and composition. The postings can be no more than 500 feet apart. If no notice of trespassing is posted on a piece of property and the party cannot know who owns the land, the party may not be able to be assumed to be a trespasser. This may change the party's status in liability for damages for harm that may befall that individual. Certain facilities require different wording in the posted notices, and a different penalty for the person caught trespassing.

2

General Discussion / Re: Touring with my dog.

« on: January 11, 2011, 09:17:46 pm »

Novel Dog Bike Trailer. I have the full size version for my 60lb pointer, who loves it. There's also a smaller version but it might be too small for a 40 lb dog

http://www.doggyride.com/us/en/P2/Novel-Dog-Bike-Trailer.aspx

3

Routes / Re: Florida 3-day circular route?

« on: November 25, 2010, 10:53:21 am »

Thanks! I can start/stop anywhere... I'll be driving up from South Florida. The map you attached is great... thinking maybe to start in Mt. Dora, go counter clockwise, spending a night in Inverness at Fort Cooper and Clermont on the second night, maybe staying at Lake Louisa State Park?

Another suggestion I had heard was to start in Zephyrhills, bike north to Inverness then south and west to Starkey Wilderness, then back to Zephyrhills. It's mostly bike trails on the first two days but going from Starkey to Zephyrhills doesn't look very good... are the roads good?

Thanks for your help. It's good to have someone with some local knowledge.

4

Routes / Florida 3-day circular route?

« on: November 24, 2010, 08:54:53 am »

I'd like to take a three day circular route (beginning and ending at the same point... OK... maybe it's a triangle) in Central Florida over Martin Luther King weekend. Any suggestions? 160-180 miles would be ideal, camping preferred over hotels. I have some friends camping at Fort Cooper SP near Inverness so if I'm there one night that would be great... but not required if you know a good route that doesn't include that. Can do anything south of Ocala. All suggestions welcome!  

5

General Discussion / Re: looking for touring shoes with a wide fit

« on: November 23, 2010, 02:20:52 pm »

I just went through this and you're right... it's not all that easy to find a good, wide fit cycling shoe. I just got a pair of Specialized "Tahoe" mtn shoes and love the wide fit. I think it'll be a nice touring shoe. When walking in them the spd cleat is recessed enough to not scrape on the floor. Only worn them on a few rides but am very happy. Here's a link... was happy to see they were available at my LBS.
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=47115
Not shown in the picture is a top velcro strap to keep the laces out of your chainring.

6

General Discussion / Re: East to West 80 days?

« on: November 05, 2010, 08:43:26 pm »

geeg... thank you. That was priceless. I'm planning my first tour (Atlantic Coast) for early next summer and I'm going to post your comment on my wall.

7

Routes / Re: Rear Vier Mirror

« on: September 04, 2010, 09:39:56 am »

I've also tried the glasses mounted and helmet mounted mirrors and never got used to them. Constant adjusting was a pain in the neck (literally) as well. Bar mounted mirrors always seemed to loosen up and were very prone to road vibrations. My favorite mirror now is the Blackburn Road Mirror that fits over the brake hoods. It's very easy to attach or detach and since I have multiple bikes it's a snap to change it from one bike to another. It doesn't seem to be as prone to vibrations as other mirrors I've tried. If I'm on a particularly bumpy patch of road I can minimize vibration by placing my hand over the brake hood... a natural riding position. It's on Nashbar.

8

General Discussion / Re: What is the best bike to tour with?

« on: June 10, 2010, 01:45:15 pm »

I've done short tours on my Trek Pilot 700x23 wheels pulling a BOB. I was constantly worried about my wheels. Flats really aren't the issue... I don't think I had any more flats than I have road biking unloaded. Gearing is an issue though. I looked into changing my gearing and beefing up my wheels but decided that I like my road bike the way it is so I took the plunge and bought another bike specifically for touring (the very affordable Surly LHT). I love the Surly and in retrospect I'm really glad I got the second bike. It's really nice having a bike set up specifically for tour and one specifically for road biking.

9

General Discussion / Re: Florida Heritage Overseas Bicycle Trail

« on: May 10, 2010, 04:18:03 pm »

Is there a journal on crazyguyonabike.com?

10

General Discussion / Re: Florida Heritage Overseas Bicycle Trail

« on: May 10, 2010, 04:14:07 pm »

Have you posted the photographs? It would be great to see them.

11

General Discussion / Re: bike security while sleeping

« on: April 15, 2010, 04:33:26 pm »

I've heard of people running one of their rain fly lines from the tent through the bike before securing it to a tent stake. I guess the idea is that if someone messes with the bike it will rustle the tent (or knock it down?!), thus waking you up to catch the perpetrator. Haven't tried it.

12

General Discussion / Re: Gators in FL

« on: March 02, 2010, 05:29:57 pm »

I bike regularly in the Everglades both in the lower part of the park down to Flamingo as well as Shark Valley. I also bike the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail and all over Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. I've seen literally hundreds of gators and never ever seen one that had any interest in me what-so-ever. In Shark Valley you literally have to swerve around sunning gators on the trail to avoid hitting them... especially in the dry season when that part of the park is crowded with gators. I've camped in Flamingo and along the Peace River in Central Florida and seen gators by the dozens... never any interest. Basically, they just like to sit out in the sun, warming their bodies. If you get too close they slip into the water. At night once, on the Peace River I shone my flashlight across the water and saw a few sets of eyes shining back at me from gators floating in the water. Kinda creepy since my tent was about 15 feet off the bank of the river. But I lived to tell you about it and no footprints around my campsite the next morning. Once had an armadillo that kept me up all night though... but that's another story. Use a little common sense... don't dangle your feet into the water over a low bridge or fallen tree, don't throw meat into the water, don't swim when you know there are gators in there, etc... and you will be fine. They are actually amazing animals to look at.

13

General Discussion / Re: Florida

« on: January 28, 2010, 08:33:24 pm »

That may be the funniest post I have ever read!

14

General Discussion / Re: Florida

« on: January 21, 2010, 08:45:22 am »

I've lived and bicycled in the Tampa Bay area for 35 years. Besides the Pinellas, Suncoast, Withlacoochee and Nature Coast Trails there is superb cycling in eastern Pasco County - lots of lightly used country roads around Dade City, Brooksville and San Antonio. Park at the little league complex in San Antonio and you can bicycle a different route every week of the year.

[/i][/color]

Litespeed, I live down in Ft. Lauderdale and would like to do a little three day (two nights) self contained camping trip. If I were to start, as you suggested in San Antonio on day one, is there a loop that you would suggest, between 40 and 50 miles each day where I could end in San Antonio on day three and camp each night? I rode the Withlacoochie trail last month and it was beautiful. Riding up in your neck of the woods is so much nicer than down here.

15

General Discussion / Re: Bike Rack Reviews

« on: January 12, 2010, 05:33:37 pm »

I can't help you with the website but there is a really good article in the current issue (December/January 2010) of Adventure Cyclist; "The Good Rack," by Jan Heine. I'm new to touring so the article was especially helpful to me. After reading the article it helped me decide on a rack for my bike by helping me better understand what to look for and what qualities are most important. I ended up with the Surly Nice Rack (for my LHT) and after one short trip am very satisfied with the selection (so far).  Good Luck!