Messages

1

Routes / Re: Another way to cope with dogs

« on: July 24, 2017, 12:02:06 am »

Let me you ask this...when you're driving your car, day or night, who do you notice coming toward you first..the cyclists with or without the bright headlight?

Usually I notice the cyclist wearing the brightest colors -- orange, yellow, light green, or light red.

Amen. Rarely see the light first.  So unless it's an exceptionally bright light, don't bother.  Even then, it won't help much.

2

General Discussion / Re: Waiting for a bike ride

« on: July 13, 2017, 08:35:25 pm »

As I understand it, US residents with felony DUI convictions are barred from entering all/parts of Canada - even if they're not driving.  I don't know if the same applies to entering the US, or on re-entering Canada.  You should be able to check this on the US INS and Canada Customs websites, with a confirming phone call or two.

Barring any complications such as this, as long as you have a valid passport and can otherwise legally do so, there are no cycling-specific issues with entering the US.

If you are entering via a bridge, check the website for the intended bridge for the correct routing via bike.  At Niagara Falls, note that bikes may cross the Queenston, Rainbow and Peace bridges.  Bikes are disallowed on the Whirlpool Bridge.

One tour that might work is to circle Lake Ontario.  It took us eight days.  Or ride the Erie Canal and fly or bus back from Albany.  (Amtrak does not accomodate non-folding bikes on either Toronto or Montreal trains from Albany.)

3

Gear Talk / Re: Best Brake pads

« on: July 13, 2017, 08:14:27 pm »

Another vote for installing the drum brake.  There are steep, long grades on that route.  Without the drum, I've heated rims to the point that spittle would boil off my finger, and that hill was only a mile long.  After that, I bought a drum brake.  The small weight penalty mitigates the risk of a catastrophic failure.

4

Gear Talk / Re: Tent ground cloth?

« on: July 13, 2017, 08:06:04 pm »

My question is probably biased; i have only used inexpensive (Coleman) tents, which are heavy but sturdy.

5

Gear Talk / Re: Tent ground cloth?

« on: July 09, 2017, 12:05:20 am »

Remember to cut it just smaller than the floor, so it doesn't catch rain.

Related question: Is using a ground cloth better than just relying on a heavy waterproof floor?  That seems to work fine for me.

6

Gear Talk / Re: Tubeless Tired Stock Touring Bikes?

« on: July 08, 2017, 11:30:18 pm »

Point taken.  But is it as critical as ergonomic setup, saddle choice, or even type of bike?  Having the wrong setup or saddle has to be a lot more of a factor than tire cushioning.  I've never felt that my tires were too hard, though some are concerned about it.

7

Gear Talk / Re: Tubeless Tired Stock Touring Bikes?

« on: July 07, 2017, 09:16:42 pm »

Bike tourers are a conservative lot.  Tubeless hasn't really caught on much with us yet, as there are disadvantages as well.  Is tubeless a high priority need for you?  Make sure you carry an inner tube or two.

IMO there are much more important selection criteria, such as comfort, low enough gearing, comfort, carrying capacity, comfort, stability, comfort, reliability, comfort...

8

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / Northern Tier, Section 10, map131, 2016-2017: Detour

« on: July 07, 2017, 09:06:46 pm »

The Erie Canal Trail is closed in the vicinity of East Hernietta Rd. (NY 15A).  The trail is closed for replacement of the highway bridge which the trail passes under.  There is a posted detour on streets with moderate traffic.

The detour is scheduled to continue into the fall of 2017.

9

Gear Talk / Re: Advice for long underwear while riding?

« on: June 29, 2017, 02:19:56 pm »

... Gotta watch for the ice patches.

Winter riding is a topic unto itself.  I will strongly advise use of studded snow tires.

10

Gear Talk / Re: Advice for long underwear while riding?

« on: June 26, 2017, 09:09:08 pm »

I find that taking only three items of lower body clothing works for all conditions at freezing or above: cycling shorts, long cycling tights and nylon wind pants.  Below 45f in the rain, your exposure time might be limited to an hour or two, so if you won't have any place to warm up, take another layer or heavy rain pants.

11

ACA Mobile Route Apps / Re: Route Directions

« on: May 30, 2017, 12:14:51 am »

Some people like the map, others like turn-by-turn.  Personally, I much prefer the map.  On the paper maps, I only use the narrative when there are a lot of turns in a small space, e.g. Downtown Cleveland.  The ability to zoom negates that need, for me.  But I understand that some don't get on well with maps.

12

ACA Mobile Route Apps / Re: App Download process and update plans

« on: May 30, 2017, 12:08:46 am »

I finally took time to try out the free section.  In all, I find it easy and intuitive to use.  I have general comments.  All are from testing on iPad Mini 2.

1. Is there a way to lock it from rotating? I found myself unintentionally rotating when I meant to zoom.  Of course you'd want or need to rotate for north-south routes.
2. Unlike most online maps, you continue to display town names and route numbers when zooming in. YESSS!  It makes me nuts when I have to zoom back out to see what town I'm in.
3. OTOH, you have roads in white, like most online maps.  Thumbs down on that, they effectively become unreadable when zoomed out.
4. When using Open Cycle Map as source, the print is too small to read on my iPad Mini.
5. I think I'd vote for the one app, multiple maps approach.  I'm likely to own sections on more than one map set, as I live on the Northern Tier but will tour on other routes.

And here's another wish for the NT map set!

Good work so far.

13

Routes / Re: Looking for a 5-6 days 30 miles a day ride suggestion: New England

« on: May 10, 2017, 09:02:22 am »

Last that I knew (2014), some of the Rubel maps were out of print.  The publisher had personal problems and didn't have time to republish. We were able to find the western and eastern maps, but not the central.

They are excellent maps, showing all local roads and grades.

14

Routes / Re: Recommendation needed for Long Island/ NY

« on: May 09, 2017, 07:28:13 pm »

Using state routes is probably due to control over road conditions.  If they use other roads, they probably have to get maintenance of service agreements with the road's owner.

15

Routes / Re: Recommendation needed for Long Island/ NY

« on: May 08, 2017, 11:11:55 am »

9W through Rockland County was challenging, but doable.  The rest of Bike Route 9, from Albany to Bear Mountain Bridge is ok, as is 9W in New Jersey.  But that's not where the OP is headed.  He's going east to Port Jeff and taking the ferry to CT.

I've found most of the NY bike routes to be good rides, but each tends to have a few spots I'd avoid.  Bike 5 is good except for through Rochester and between Albany and Schenectady.  I wouldn't be too optimistic about Bike 24, cycling in Nassau County on highways generally stinks.  Compared to, say the Finger Lakes, the Adirondacks or Wisconsin.