16
General Discussion / Re: TransAm Stats?
« on: March 03, 2022, 10:07:03 pm »
My choice of E-W was dictated by wanting to go with a group, and the westbound self-supported AC tour was reasonably priced.
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17
General Discussion / Re: Free Air
« on: March 03, 2022, 09:56:32 pm »
A good quality pump like the Lezyne, or even the venerable Road Morph, is reliable and easy to use. Probability of failure is pretty close to zero. I’d take one pricey high quality pump rather than two lesser pumps. I’d only take a backup if I was away from civilization and traveling alone. Nix that, not even then.
I did want to rebuild my 20 year old Road Morph G, but the rebuild kits are out of stock everywhere. I did find the right O-ring for the piston at a home store and replaced that.
I did want to rebuild my 20 year old Road Morph G, but the rebuild kits are out of stock everywhere. I did find the right O-ring for the piston at a home store and replaced that.
18
Gear Talk / Re: Breaking in Brooks B17 Imperial
« on: February 22, 2022, 11:03:17 pm »
All this discussion presumes a narrow saddle. My Pro is ok, though I can't ride it long distance. The B17 I had, I hated from the start and it never shaped to me right.
But... their saddles come in different widths; see their web page for full specs. The Pro and B17 are spec'd somewhere around 175mm wide. Some models are even narrower. The B6x saddles are 210mm wide, and they are my personal favorites. If you have a wider pelvis, these wide models might work for you. Women and some men are so shaped.
Take this comment with a grain of salt: I can't ride any diamond frame bike more than 20 miles or so, before the pinched nerves in my neck put my hands beyond numbness and into pain. (Without my recumbent, I couldn't tour).
But... their saddles come in different widths; see their web page for full specs. The Pro and B17 are spec'd somewhere around 175mm wide. Some models are even narrower. The B6x saddles are 210mm wide, and they are my personal favorites. If you have a wider pelvis, these wide models might work for you. Women and some men are so shaped.
Take this comment with a grain of salt: I can't ride any diamond frame bike more than 20 miles or so, before the pinched nerves in my neck put my hands beyond numbness and into pain. (Without my recumbent, I couldn't tour).
19
Routes / Re: South Bend IN to Dunes NP
« on: February 21, 2022, 08:55:53 pm »
I default to county (or local) roads and improved trails. I use busy highways ONLY if they have adequate shoulder space and no/bike-friendly rumble strips, and there is no other way. I might use the highway if the side roads are indirect or it's getting late in the day. Sometimes I'll use the highway when the side roads are dirt or hilly.
20
Routes / Re: Delmarva
« on: February 17, 2022, 08:30:15 pm »
I’ve also asked about the policy at NY state parks, and have been told more than once that the park would try to accommodate cyclists, but no guarantees.
21
Gear Talk / Re: map case
« on: February 13, 2022, 11:06:23 am »After my Ortlieb map case yellowed with age, I switched to a one gallon ZipLoc bag taped to my Ortlieb handlebar bag with clear packing tape. Worked fine on a multi-month trip.
Hey I like that one. My difference is, no place to put a handlebar bag on an Overseat steering recumbent. I can still bag my map and tuck it in my pocket.
22
Gear Talk / Re: map case
« on: February 12, 2022, 11:22:43 pm »
I've tried making map cases by sewing the edges then applying tent seam sealer. It failed by leaking. Unless you have access to ultrasonic welding or some such, I'd just buy one, then figure out a way to hold it on top of your bag.
23
Routes / Re: Delmarva
« on: February 12, 2022, 11:20:02 pm »
If I ever do an east coast trip, I will do the same thing, stay as close to the coast as possible. For your return, you can take Amtrak directly to Philly.
From VDOT site https://www.virginiadot.org/programs/bikeped/places_to_bike.asp
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, which is not a VDOT facility, offers a shuttle van for cyclists. The cost is $13, the same as a passenger car toll. You must call ahead at least 24 hours in advance. For more information, contact:
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
32386 Lankford Highway
P.O. Box 111
Cape Charles, VA 23310-0111
Phone: 757-331-2960
Fax: 757-331-4565
From VDOT site https://www.virginiadot.org/programs/bikeped/places_to_bike.asp
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, which is not a VDOT facility, offers a shuttle van for cyclists. The cost is $13, the same as a passenger car toll. You must call ahead at least 24 hours in advance. For more information, contact:
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
32386 Lankford Highway
P.O. Box 111
Cape Charles, VA 23310-0111
Phone: 757-331-2960
Fax: 757-331-4565
24
Routes / Re: Outer Banks Route (North Carolina) -- Is there a bike shuttle?
« on: February 12, 2022, 11:08:26 pm »Canalligator: is there a route that you would suggest where the ferries could be used? That sounds like an intriguing idea.
I was thinking of DanE's route. I have no idea if there are shuttles between, say Kitty Hawk and Swan Quarter. You might have to make a loop of it like he did. Personally, I like the ferry rides.
As for camping, there are a few campgrounds, but you'll need to investigate, then confirm that they're open. Some of the villages such as Avon have no campground or motel, they're all rental properties and retail. You need to spend some time with Google Maps; search on Lodging (finds all types) or search on specific types of lodging such as Motel, Bed and Breakfast, Cabin, etc.
Watch the roads and traffic in Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills. Very heavy traffic and only two routes, you may choose to stay on 12 with the wide shoulders, the old highway closer to the ocean might be busier and more crowded.
25
Routes / Re: Outer Banks Route (North Carolina) -- Is there a bike shuttle?
« on: February 12, 2022, 09:07:55 am »
Very nice, I like riding there. Definitely go northbound. Winds are strong and mostly out of the south.
Where would you like to start? You might be able to use the ferries as part of your shuttling.
Where would you like to start? You might be able to use the ferries as part of your shuttling.
26
Gear Talk / Re: Best Water Bottle?
« on: February 08, 2022, 11:26:11 am »If you're touring or bike camping a plastic insulate bottle is only good for about 2 to 3 hours ...
That is correct, but keeping an uninsulated bottle inside a bag helps a lot. And plastic insulated bottles are better than no insulation at all. I plan to consume bike-mounted bottles first, then refill from my plastic insulated 2+L bottle, then refill from my stainless insulated 2L bottle. If the plastic is too hot to drink by the time I need it, I will go right to the stainless.
27
Gear Talk / Re: Solar battery/charger?
« on: February 05, 2022, 11:13:30 pm »
I'm still not convinced that solar charging is practical. You'd need a fairly large array and have to keep reorienting it as you made turns. And I don't want to take that extra five watts off my leg output with a dynamo, having only about 100 watts sustainable output. I choose to use neither dyamo nor solar, take less electronics along and have a power pack that's large enough to charge the phone twice. Well, I do bring a solar charged lamp for the tent.
HikeBikeCook, as for charging priority, I will do the opposite. The phone is first prio, the helmet lights second (because they won't be used often), and the ham radio third (because it's recreational). I take a two-outlet wall wart, so I can charge the phone and the power pack at the same time.
HikeBikeCook, as for charging priority, I will do the opposite. The phone is first prio, the helmet lights second (because they won't be used often), and the ham radio third (because it's recreational). I take a two-outlet wall wart, so I can charge the phone and the power pack at the same time.
28
Routes / Re: Greater Niagara Circle Route
« on: February 05, 2022, 11:00:30 pm »
I wouldn't skip Niagara Falls because of the crowding. For the space of a km or so, you might be advised to walk your bike, otherwise the trail or marked street connections are ok. If you want to add distance or see more territory (or freighters on the canal), you could do the circle. I thought the views along all the canal were interesting enough.
There's a Seaway visitor center near St. Catherines that is worth a stop, and wineries near Niagara On The Lake. The area does well in growing grapes for white wines. Along the Niagara River there is bike trail along almost all the Niagara Parkway, it is very scenic, as is the Friendship Trail along Lake Erie.
There's a Seaway visitor center near St. Catherines that is worth a stop, and wineries near Niagara On The Lake. The area does well in growing grapes for white wines. Along the Niagara River there is bike trail along almost all the Niagara Parkway, it is very scenic, as is the Friendship Trail along Lake Erie.
29
General Discussion / Re: Is it a good option for beginners to choose a bike computer from Magene?
« on: January 30, 2022, 01:48:54 pm »
I use the odometer one other way. I keep records on my exercise, and with some regularity, forget to record rides. So about twice a year, I check my records against the bike odometer readings, and add in adjustments to my records.
30
General Discussion / Re: Is it a good option for beginners to choose a bike computer from Magene?
« on: January 19, 2022, 08:33:35 pm »
I also mostly use them for the odometer function. I do use the speed when riding the tandem, my stoker is not comfortable over 25 mph so I keep it down. I also watch the speed when towing the BOB, they have a maximum speed recoammendation that I find a really good idea to abide by.
You're not going to find huge differences in reliability, maybe some are more waterproof than others, maybe some have tougher sensor cables. You will, however, see big differences in ease of operation. Try a few at your shop and see which you like best. My recommendation is for the ones with multi-line displays like the Planet Bike Protege units. On those, you don't have to remember a lot of button press sequences, or hit the buttons erroneously while riding.
That description was rather objective. Truth be told, I detest the ones with multiple button presses...
You're not going to find huge differences in reliability, maybe some are more waterproof than others, maybe some have tougher sensor cables. You will, however, see big differences in ease of operation. Try a few at your shop and see which you like best. My recommendation is for the ones with multi-line displays like the Planet Bike Protege units. On those, you don't have to remember a lot of button press sequences, or hit the buttons erroneously while riding.
That description was rather objective. Truth be told, I detest the ones with multiple button presses...