Messages

16

General Discussion / Loading for touring

« on: January 09, 2005, 11:20:22 pm »

I organize my panniers "functionally", and tend not to worry as much about balance. One front pannier has only food/snacks in it; the other has all my cooking gear. When I arrive in camp, it's easy get at when preparing the meal. It also makes it easy to stow the food etc. from critters; I can hang the front panniers very easily.

In the most accessable rear pannier (my left) I put my rain gear, warm clothes I might want during the day, and the clothes I expect to put on at camp. The other rear pannier has the rest of my clothes, camp shoes, maps I am not using, and generally things I won't need during the day. I line the rear panniers with garbage bags, and also use pannier rain covers. Things *have* to stay dry, like tickets & maps get thier own plastic bag.

I use a handlebar bag for things that must be secure, and things I use during the day; my wallet, camera, first aid kit, sunglasses, mosquito repellant/sun screen, and binoculars.

My tent, sleeping bag, and pad are strapped to the back rack. My tools are in a seat bag.

This load travels pretty well.

This message was edited by alh on 1-9-05 @ 7:21 PM

17

General Discussion / Cyclocross Bike for the Divide...

« on: October 17, 2004, 04:39:32 pm »

I know of one rider who started the Great Divide route on a cyclocross bike; he replaced the cyclocross bike about 2 weeks into the trip with a mountain bike. (He did finish the trip and had a ball..)

That said, I did the Great Divide using an unsuspended mountain bike with dropped handlebars and 1-1/2" inverted tread tires. There were stretches that were awkward to ride with this bike, but there were also spots where this combination was like a magic carpet.

The bike is very comfortable for me to ride. In the tricky terrain extra effort was required to control the bike; the narrow handlebars, forward braking position, and tires all contributed. I also used panniers for the trip. I am a fairly skilled mountain biker, which allowed me to make the combination work. On the other hand, the bike is a gas to ride on hard packed dirt roads.

18

General Discussion / camp grounds

« on: September 15, 2004, 02:32:12 am »

Check sites that offer tourist information where you are touring. This summer I travelled in New Brunswick, Canada. The provincial tourism web site was loaded with all kinds of useful info, including campgrounds. The typical entry had a link, if available, E-mail address, phone number, address and a detailed listing of available services.