Messages

16

Routes / Pacific Coast Route advice

« on: September 28, 2007, 01:23:41 am »

In Oregon it doesn't really stop raining until June.  The temps are not really that bad so in May it's spring rain, but it's still rain.  

I've only done a little bit of the coast but I will say that I liked the hiker/biker campground at Honeyman State Park 3 miles south of Florence Oregon.

17

Routes / Water Sources in AZ and NM

« on: August 13, 2007, 02:07:49 am »

In order for a water filter to be effective you need water.  Hence, there is not much point in having a water filter in AZ and NM.  Stock up in towns.  The same goes for California and I suspect a lot of Texas.

18

Routes / Dog incidents in KY

« on: August 18, 2007, 03:11:52 pm »

I rode the Trans Am last year and I do remember the stretch between Berea and Boonesville.  I remember some dogs but I didn't feel threatened.  

In Illinois I took the Mississippi levee alternate and was chased by a group of dogs.  They weren't threatening but the incessant barking was annoying as hell.  I'm pretty slow on my 'bent so dogs tend to chase me a long way.  They followed me for about a mile.  Rather than feel guilty though, I laugh if the owners are trying to call the dog back and it won't come.  It's one little bit of cyclists revenge I enjoy.  Tee-hee.

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Routes / Crossing Missouri - Use Katy Trial?

« on: June 24, 2007, 11:11:04 pm »

I don't know about the Katy Trail but I would say that if you can avoid the Missouri portion of the Trans Am, do it.  If I do the Trans Am again I would like to find a way across the state without traffic.

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Routes / Rocky Mountain critters, red in tooth and claw?

« on: November 29, 2006, 10:04:14 pm »

Food in the Rockies is not as sparse as on the plains.  Road snacks are a good plan.  The stretch between Lander and Rawlins is kind of sparse.  There's stuff to eat but I wouldn't call it good.  The store in Muddy Gap is the best bet along that stretch.  I thought Grandma's Cafe looked like a set for a Rob Zombie movie.  If you're looking at the AC maps and looking for camping be advised that if you camp behind Grandma's Cafe you will be camping in a junk yard next to a busy highway.    

21

Routes / Trans Am, McKenzie Pass

« on: May 03, 2006, 09:28:37 pm »

For those of you planning a west to east Trans Am who will be starting soon, you should be ready to take the Santiam Pass alternate over the Cascades. As of May 3, 2006 they say there is still 10 feet of snow blocking the way and it may be "several weeks" before road 242 over McKenzie Pass opens.

22

Routes / HWY 395 in Oregon

« on: April 16, 2006, 09:16:23 pm »

Has anyone here ridden highway 395 from Lakeview to John Day?  If so, what did you think of it?  It sounds and looks from the photos I've seen like it's wonderfully desolate and almost devoid of traffic.  

I'm thinking of starting my Trans Am with a slight detour from Eugene to Crater Lake and east to Lakeview, then north to John Day to join the route.    

23

Routes / cost of campgrounds on west coast?

« on: June 23, 2005, 01:03:14 am »

I have found that in Oregon campsites range between $10 and $20 per night.  They are on the more expensive side on the coast.  Some places have special sites for bikers and hikers.  You will need to research which ones do.  Don't count on cheap unless you dive-in.  I was suprized to find that the campsites I found in the Cascades do not have special rates for bikes.    

24

Routes / Trans Am: west to east or east to west?

« on: May 20, 2005, 05:58:57 pm »

Vanick, I just did a search on Greyhound and there is a bus from Eugene to Florence.  It's only about a 60 mile ride.  You will have to find a way from the airport to downtown.  The airport is about 5 miles outside of town.  I think there are shuttles.  

One other suggestion I would make to anyone coming from Florence to Eugene is not to take Highway 126 from Florence to Eugene.  There is a lot of traffic and not much shoulder.  About 20 miles south of Florence there is a back road called Smith River Road that goes to Eugene.  It starts in a town called Gardiner.  It's a little town just before Reedsport.  The people at the bike shop in Florence will probably know about it.  It's shown on the Lane County bike map.  The maps cost $2 I believe.  I've only driven it in a car once.  I'm still fairly new to the area and I haven't ridden it myself but it has been recommended to me by more than one cyclist.  I do know there is a nice place where there are some small waterfalls and it would be a nice place for a break.  There are no food stops between the coast and Eugene if you go that way so bring something to eat.

Another option is to take 126 from Florence as far as Mapleton.  There is a hippy-dippy little store there that has really good pie and other things to eat.  From there you go north on 36 and go through Triangle Lake.  There's not much in the way of shoulder but there is not too much traffic.  This option is also on the Lane County bike map.  

This message was edited by Dan_E_Boye on 5-20-05 @ 4:47 PM

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Routes / Trans Am: west to east or east to west?

« on: May 03, 2005, 03:13:24 am »

I'm planning on doing the Trans Am in 2006.  I was thinking of going west to east since I live in Eugene, OR.  A friend of mine suggested starting in Yorktown and heading west.  He said one good reason is that by the time I would get to the Rockies I will have spent more time on the bike and be in better shape for the climbs. He also said it saves the best stuff for the second half.  Finally he said that I would be heading home when I start out.  I think his idea has merit.  

The drawbacks I think of are the prevailing west to east winds.  I also like the idea of being able to maybe send home some gear that I expect I will need in the Rockies but not beyond.

Any thoughts from those who have done it?  Anyone done both ways?  

 

26

Routes / Trans Am

« on: March 19, 2005, 10:47:47 am »

I have been reading the descriptions of this route and I notice that sometimes it says to carry extra water.  How much is extra?  I don't suppose there would be more than a day without finding water somewhere, or am I being too optimistic?  Is a gallon enough or too much?  What's the longest stretch between watering holes?  I'm planning on doing this ride self-supported.  I expect to do at least 75 miles a day except in the rockies of course.  That raises another question.  I suspect that there are plenty of streams in the high country where I can filter and purify so I won't need to lug extra water up those mountains.  Is that wishful thinking on my part?  

27

Routes / Astoria Oregon

« on: March 19, 2005, 10:32:14 am »

I hope you meant you were heading east from Astoria.  Heading west you will get very wet and there are no services until Hawaii.  

28

General Discussion / Solo touring

« on: May 08, 2007, 08:24:49 pm »

Lots of people tour solo.  I do it.  Most people are nice.  Many of them ask about your trip.  Some of them might invite you to stay at their house.  Maybe you'll meet a jerk or two, but that happens if you stay home too.

Go on your tour and have a good time.  There are a lot of people in the world scared "some thing might happen".  Who wants a life where nothing happens?

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General Discussion / good experiences with motorists

« on: May 08, 2007, 08:36:37 pm »

It seems to me that cross country truckers give more space than the local truckers do.  To some extent I understand the frustration of truckers.  If you think people are stupid around cyclists try driving a truck some time.

I like when people give the friendly honk.  You know the one.  Sometimes you see the bike rack on the car while other times you know it's there is spirit.  

Last year on my Trans Am I was dead in the water walking my bike in Kentucky.  There were a couple of guys cruising the route in a pick-up looking for any cyclists that needed help.  I sure was happy to see those guys.  They took me to Elkhorn City.  

 

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General Discussion / Bike security while camping?

« on: April 19, 2007, 10:44:29 pm »

I think a light cable would do the job.  I didn't lock mine very often but when I did it was to a tree or a picnic table.  A fairly long cable is good because you don't know what you might find to loop the cable around.