Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: Near miss with truck on Trans-Am

« on: July 04, 2012, 02:40:30 pm »

I had a situation happen to me on the Cycle Utah ride. Going up steep curving hill with passing lane and no shoulder. A double bottom truck being passed by a class A RV towing an SUV whizzed by and I looked death in the eye. Shaking I got off road and walked the rest of that hill until there was a shoulder again.  Because of the sight line and the situation the truck driver saved my ass.

It happens and there is not a whole hell of a lot you can do about it. 

2

Routes / Re: Northern Tier September

« on: June 30, 2012, 12:41:39 pm »

Thanks for the info especially about the closure of Going-to-the-Sun road. For some reason I had got the impression from the Chuck Haney article in the ACA magazine that they were done with the construction.

I am totally clueless about is the Northeast weather on the Northern Tier. All the journals I have found going east to west start in the spring or early summer. Maybe I should pay more attention to those journals going west to east and their endings as you suggest.

Thanks

3

Routes / Northern Tier September

« on: June 30, 2012, 12:40:10 am »

I was wondering what to expect weather wise starting in Bar Harbor in early September. I would end some place around Minneapolis that year.
The following year I would again start in early September from the west and finish in East Glacier. Again with an early September start.
Appreciate any comments and information.

4

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / Re: Western Express Section 3 Map 31 - 2012 road closure

« on: June 28, 2012, 12:28:09 am »

" enter Parowan (all services) and turn right onto E 200 S/SR 143. Begin climb. " Just a word of caution. Was on the Cycle Utah tour and we came down that 10 mile 13% grade . First there was a one lane section controlled by stop lights. Could make things interesting if you don't clear the one way in time going up a 13% grade.

5

Gear Talk / Re: help choosing a bike

« on: June 27, 2012, 07:49:58 pm »

Just my opinion but the frame is probably less of a concern for me than everything else you hang off of it starting with the wheels and drive chain. Given my choice of those components they would play well off any of the mentioned frames and many more from customs to Nashbar and do the job. The Long Haul Trucker seems to me to be the "go to touring bike" these days.

6

General Discussion / Re: Is the ST Near Mexico Safe?

« on: May 08, 2012, 10:47:58 am »

Pete you went so fast through on your ST I was kinda wondering if you got to see anything.

7

General Discussion / Re: Is the ST Near Mexico Safe?

« on: May 07, 2012, 11:50:14 pm »

Just spent a few days riding in the Big Bend area down around the border. Marfa to Presidio, the river road, national park and back up to Marathon and Alpine. Did not have a single incident to cause any concern regarding being threatened. Oh yes the herd of javelinas at night in Fort Davis State Park was interesting though. And saw a bear in Chisos Basin too.

8

General Discussion / Re: "inexpensive" supported tour

« on: March 30, 2012, 05:59:22 pm »

Am I missing something. ACA has quite a few supported tours. I have signed up for two this year and standing by for a third.

9

Gear Talk / Re: Old Touring Bicycles

« on: March 23, 2012, 06:35:10 pm »

"Does any one have any experiences with older bikes?" I have owned and used two 1980 vintage Fuji America touring bikes. Great  bikes in their day.

"Would it serve me as well as a Surly Long Hauler?" As a fully loaded touring bike it would not.

"Have there been any significant changes to touring bikes through the years?" Most definitely. Just about every component that you hang off of a frame has been improved. Also most touring bikes have moved toward wider mountain bike rear hubs for strength, 9 speed gearing with lower ratios, and more mounting points for racks and other stuff. Also most will have larger tubing too to reduce frame flex.

"Basically, is this a good idea? "I don't think so personally. For me I don't want to search for the parts to keep the bikes running. As it will be pointed out all of those parts can be found in time. But not most likely at your LBS or any bicycle shop you are going to come across on a tour. Also your end result will still not have the utility of a LHT.

10

General Discussion / Re: overseas travel

« on: March 04, 2012, 08:53:05 pm »

Mostly likely taking as baggage with you. Otherwise you will most likely will end up with some import/export hassles as you move around. Think Bike Friday.

11

Gear Talk / Re: Chain selection

« on: February 29, 2012, 04:07:24 pm »

My Bad. I don't ever recall thinking in terms of pins versus links. I just remember the nearest pin at or past 12"
Anyway a good read on the subject http://sheldonbrown.com/chains.html

12

Gear Talk / Re: Chain selection

« on: February 29, 2012, 03:41:57 pm »

@DaveB I have always used 12 links and not 24. Is there a reason to do 24 versus 12 links. I can measure 12 links with the chain on the bike where it is under tension.
24 links means I have to remove the chain to measure for wear.

I am of the school where I don't clean my chain. I wipe it down after every ride and lube when it "talks" to me.

13

Gear Talk / Re: Cycling Shorts vs. Padded Liners?

« on: February 29, 2012, 03:31:05 pm »

Has anyone used liners on tours? If so, were they successful? I realize, also, that comfort will depend not only on shorts but also on my saddle and distance, but I thought I'd ask, at least.

I did a 5 week tour in Europe wearing Dockers and http://www.andiamounderwear.com/mens/briefs.php padded briefs without any issues. I was on a Brooks Conquest saddle. But not all padded briefs are equal. Doing it again I probably would have brought some Tilly shorts.

Last October I did a tour along the Big Sur area using J&G touring shorts and coolmax briefs riding a B17 saddle. No issues either.

Sunday,however, I missed a powering up clip in and as I skated across the intersection riding the top tube of my Scattante carbon fiber road bike wearing my Performance Elite bibs I was very grateful for the chamois

14

Gear Talk / Re: Chain selection

« on: February 29, 2012, 11:42:51 am »

As far as I can tell the more a chain cost the less it weighs and the more bling but not much difference in the wear characteristics. Weather, dust, and maintenance affects chain life mostly. I once bought a bunch of no-name take off chains from JensonUsa for I believe around $8-9 each and they are lasting as well as any other chain I've used. And I use the Connex master link with them as well.

15

GPS & Digital Data Discussion / Re: Cue Sheets

« on: February 27, 2012, 11:55:28 pm »

You could print the ACA narrative in large type if your map case has room for it. They offer the narrative in text form to purchasers of the Great Divide route now. If they see some demand, they might do this for other routes. Meanwhile, someone with a computer and a scanner could enlarge the text from their paper map and paste up a cue sheet.

There was discussion about using this approach on CGOAB http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/forum/board/message/?o=1&thread_id=254988&page=1&nested=0&v=S