Messages

31

Gear Talk / Re: Rear derailleur dilemma

« on: October 04, 2023, 08:53:40 am »

I do know that when I'm under load the original rear Deore derailleur doesn't shift as well as it does with no load, not sure why that would be happening, but it could be due to the unusual amount of frame flex I was getting with the 2019 Giramondo.
...
I want a derailleur that will last a very long time and shift good when under load.

Is this just because derailleurs don't really like to shift well under load, but today's derailleurs can do that - up to a point?  I learned to shift on second generation derailleurs. long ago, and still shift under low/no load.  Which is probably better for the equipment anyway.  To me, if it shifts well under no load, I'd be satisfied.

32

Connecting ACA Routes / Re: TransAmerica Sections 4 & 5. The Teton Valley Alternate to avoid Yellowstone NP

« on: September 30, 2023, 10:14:36 pm »

Teton pass is a challenging climb, grade-wise.  But older posts do not state that on the eastern side, the old highway has been made into a lovely trail, paved even, to the summit.  I passed there westbound in 2022.  At that time, it looked like a trail was under construction on the west slope as well, but it might have been some other construction.  You can use local roads as you approach Victor, and there is a parallel path along ID 33 between Victor and Driggs.

I rather would not need to avoid Yellowstone, but this isn’t a bad ride.

33

General Discussion / Re: Barge and Bike in the USA?

« on: September 19, 2023, 08:37:44 pm »

C&O is not a complete canal.  There are only a few short sections that are watered. There may be boats on the major rivers, e.g. Mississippi, Misouri, Ohio?

34

Routes / Cross-Michigan tour?

« on: August 05, 2023, 09:18:28 am »

On a recent tour someone recommended a group tour that crosses the lower peninsula of Michigan in an east-west direction.  I can’t find such a ride on the web.  I seem to remember reading about such a tour in the past.  Any hints?

35

Routes / Re: Alternative route from Rawlins to Jeffry City WY

« on: July 30, 2023, 08:26:55 pm »

I thought the TA route via Muddy Gap was fine.  The shoulders were wide and grades manageable.

You gave your age, but not your experience or training.  There are a lot of places in that part of the world where you should be prepared to ride 70 mile days.  I regularly rode 70+ mile days on the TA at age 70, so age alone is not the determining factor.

Have a great trip.

36

General Discussion / Re: Barge and Bike in the USA?

« on: July 30, 2023, 08:15:56 pm »

I haven’t heard of those plans in the US, but you might put together your own trip with a rental boat.  Maybe members of your group could take turns piloting the boat?  Erie Canal Adventures near Rochester NY rents boats.  I think that there are other companies too.

37

Gear Talk / Re: Most compact UL down quilt or sleeping bag?

« on: July 26, 2023, 08:10:06 pm »

Using a compression sack helps a lot with reducing volume.

38

Gear Talk / Re: Shorts, Liners, Tights

« on: July 26, 2023, 08:07:12 pm »

…
For me I found bibs to be a solution looking for a problem to solve since shorts stayed up and were comfortable.  I figured bibs had a big advantage for really skinny guys (usually racers) who can't keep shorts up or guys with big guts. 
…

Bibs are also good for tall guys with a disproportionately long torso, whose lower back tends to hang out.

39

Routes / Re: GAP & C&O Trails

« on: June 22, 2023, 11:10:53 pm »

…
2) I thought if I was ever to do it again I would put a bell on my bike.
…

Another advantage to a bell is that it can generally be heard by a walker/runner even if they are wearing earbuds.

40

General Discussion / Re: Amtrak Bicycle Loading presentation

« on: June 04, 2023, 10:23:19 pm »

I don't think a lot of stations keep a big supply of boxes around.  I've been given a used Amtrak box and have given boxes to stations for giving away.

I tried the reserved rack space service this weekend.  I was riding Empire Corridor (New York) trains with Amfleet coaches.  These coaches have a dual-purpose rack, which can be configured for baggage or one bike.  My bike is a diamond frame with rear rack, small panniers, racktop bag and handlebar bag.  For loading and unloading, I removed the panniers and strapped them together.  I lifted the bike into the coach, then the conductor either handed my pans up or brought them up for me.  Removing the front wheel and hanging the bike by its rear wheel was not difficult.  My bike is pretty tall, a 24.5" or 63cm frame, so the seat stuck out into the aisle a few inches, but it did not seem to be a problem with people passing by.  In all, it was a smooth process.

They do not allow short wheelbase recumbents, and in fact, one won't fit.  Not enough overhead room to hang by its front wheel, too long to hang by its rear wheel.

41

General Discussion / Re: Amtrak Bicycle Loading presentation

« on: June 02, 2023, 10:24:18 am »

I thought the photos in the presentation did a lot to explain what could likely be accommodated.  I think it came down to: If your bike will fit in this rack space, it can go. 
It appears that any unconventional gear like trailers, trikes, LWB 'bents, tandems would need boxed.  Which starts the next discussion - does the box need to be shaped like a standard bike box?  Because the box holding something like a folding trike, or tandem, would be bigger or shaped differently than "standard".
I've been cycling since the early '80s, it's great to finally see more than a passing glance given to bicycle infrastructure and multimodal travel and transportation.

The box Amtrak sells you is shaped like a bike box, but much larger.  I did not find a maximum box size on their website.  I’d call and ask.  Be prepared for long call wait times.

42

Gear Talk / Re: Bottle Cage Allen screw Size

« on: June 01, 2023, 09:13:46 pm »

I have come to despise these 5mm screws with a 3mm hex key head, they strip too easily if overtightened or not greased.  4mm hex key heads are far more reliable.

So don’t overtighten them.  Sure, 4mm is better, but you can practice your hand to not overtighten.  Or use a small torque wrench.

One other note on stainless: don’t use stainless screws/bolts for high torque applications, such as boom clamps or seatpost bolts.  Most common grades of stainless have about 2/3 of the tensile strength of regular carbon steel.  You risk snapping off the bolt.

43

Gear Talk / Re: Sandals for colder climate?

« on: May 27, 2023, 10:44:44 pm »

As always, people who have no trouble keeping extremities warm, are offering advice that is well meant, but of little value to the other half of the population.

Frankly, I don’t believe sandals would work for me or many others.  At 20F, wearing loose fitting Sorel boots and heavy wool socks, I can only ride an hour.  I suppose I should either spring for sandals and try it, but that’s too much money just to satisfy curiosity.

BTW, 40F is NOT cold, not in the Great Lakes.  Even I can wear regular cycling shoes with wool socks at 35F.

44

General Discussion / Re: Stranded in panguitch, UT

« on: May 27, 2023, 04:52:18 pm »

You might file this hint away in case it happens again: remove the broken link and don’t use big ring.  Thatwould let you ride to a town with a bike shop.

I always bring one inner link half and two quick links.

45

General Discussion / Re: Cpap machine (powering)

« on: May 20, 2023, 09:37:20 pm »

I bought the TranScend Mini and their battery.  Interesting comments, Ray, on reduced need on a long tour.  That happened to me, largely because I was sleep deprived for almost all the three months.  I found that if I was anxious, I didn't sleep well; if I wasn't anxious, I slept like a log.  It didn't matter if I was using the CPAP or not.  I have no idea of incident count in any case.  At the 2/3 point, I decided that having more space in my pan and three pounds less load, was more important than the CPAP.  So I sent it home.

I have learned that I either need to humidify or pop a daily Zirtec.  If I don't do one or the other, I have serious sneezing fits in the morning.  And there's no way I'm going to carry or obtain distilled water, so Zirtec it is.  Did you know that a 90 tab supply of Zirtec is almost a hundred bucks?  Add that to the thousand dollars I spent on the Transcend.  Insurance generally does not cover a second machine...