Messages

16

General Discussion / Re: Bicycle Touring On Car Free Paths

« on: February 13, 2011, 04:29:48 pm »

I biked across WI last September and in 350 travelled miles was only on public roadways for about 40 miles.

I'd recommend this crossing to anyone looking to start bike touring.  Facilites for camping are well distributed.

I will visit your recommended website immediately.

17

General Discussion / Re: Which bike tyre should I go for please?

« on: February 08, 2011, 04:59:31 pm »

It's tough to go wrong with a Schwalbe.  The marathon series will hold up well.  The other you mention is a Panaracer product.  They both run about the same PSI rating, so rolling will feel the same.
It seems like Schwalbe has the better rep, IMO, and if priced equally or nearly so, would be the better bet.

Heavier, bulkier...  Light is nice, but durable is better.

18

General Discussion / Re: Mexico Gulf Coast: Is it safe?

« on: February 07, 2011, 11:47:44 am »

It can't be any worse than hiking in Iraq.

There are many, many other fantastic places to ride.  Don't bother traveling to/through a locale where even the police will rob you.

19

General Discussion / Re: finishing

« on: February 05, 2011, 11:24:06 am »

Bill, we're cut from the same cloth.  I've motored all over on MC's as well.  I had a KLR 650 that would take me anywhere I wanted to go, and found I enjoyed road travel and didn't need the off-road capabilites.  I bought a Buell that would take me on any road I pleased and I went, but still, somehow felt sensory-deprived.  I started biking a few years ago and last summer I put nearly three times the mileage on my Schwinn as I did the Buell.  

If the destination is more important than the journey, the MC is my first choice.  But if the goal of travel is having a great time instead of making great time* pedalling is the nicest way to do it.

*Loosely paraphrased from the Pixar movie "Cars".

I rode across Wisconsin last fall and I didn't 'know' I was going to make it until I saw Lake Michigan.  This was sort of like when our first daughter was born.  She wasn't real to me until I could see her.

20

General Discussion / Aero bars

« on: February 01, 2011, 10:43:24 am »

Hey all,

I'm looking for aero bars to use on a lite tour bike.  Right now it is between the profile Design "Century" and "Airstryke".  The main difference between them is the arm rests.  On the Century they are fixed, while on the Airstryke they flip up and out of the way.
I've used the fixed ones, but that was long ago.  Does the flip-up feature offer $30 worth of benefit?

Thanks in advance,

Awf

21

General Discussion / Re: BEST ADVICE EVER

« on: January 18, 2011, 02:27:43 pm »

The best advice I got was from Burt Munro (Anthony Hopkins) in "The World's Fastest Indian".


If you don't get going when you want to get going, by the time you get going you'll already be gone.





It inspired me to do a 350 mile tour when the "timing never seemed quite right".

22

General Discussion / Re: DIY Tips

« on: December 21, 2010, 10:00:00 am »

I found that putting my powdered Gatoraid mix in little baggies -premeasured for my drink bottles- in my fanny pack means I don't have to dig in panniers when I stop for a quick drink/refill.  I'll just refill the baggies each morning while my coffee water heats.

23

General Discussion / Re: "Off-season" training

« on: November 29, 2010, 04:35:14 pm »

This is what I used last year:

Mindy Mylrea: TriCycle [DVD]

She's a mean one.  She made me hurt.

24

General Discussion / Re: Wii training

« on: November 24, 2010, 08:33:27 am »

That will work for now!!

Thanks E Doug!!

25

General Discussion / Wii training

« on: November 23, 2010, 09:19:33 am »

So yesterday I talked to my office geek and he said I had a million dollar idea.  -This was another way of saying 'nothing like that exists'.


Let me back up:

I asked him if there was a Wii game where the controller (nunchuck) or a pair of controllers can clip to the pedals of MY exercise bike and I could go ride the Tour de France or some other such race.

All I want is something a bit more interactive than my "TriCycle" DVD for indoor training. 
I move; it moves.

I want to make use of what I already have and not spend gobs of money on indoor 'gear' with no other use.  Is there a Wii game that anyone uses or can use with an exercise bike?

26

Gear Talk / Re: Simple question: Bottle racks?

« on: July 28, 2010, 02:02:23 pm »

I simply bent my aluminum cages a bit to fit the metal bottles.

27

Gear Talk / Pannier racks for add a bike

« on: July 28, 2010, 02:00:55 pm »

Greetings!  I'm going to be doing some bike touring with the kids and have purchased an Adams add a bike tandem.  For better weight distribution I'm doing front racks on the tow bike and wondering about a rack with panniers on the add a bike.  The problem that I'm having is that the racks I'm finding are for much bigger bikes. 

Has anyone tried putting a 26"-700c rack on a bike with a 20" wheel?    Recumbants must have something similar, no?

I suppose it would help ensure the panniers stayed up off the ground...

Thanks in advance,

28

General Discussion / Re: Wikipedia links for all towns on Transamerica Trail

« on: March 22, 2010, 08:48:43 am »

I think the idea is quite smashing as well.

Different folks look at different elements of that through which they travel.  I tend to look at the physical Geography and Geology as I pass, and enjoy reading about it beforehand.  That way I know what types of features I may spot.  There are many formative features that create landscapes.

Other folks may look at the socioeconomic history of a region.  A great book that I read was "Investment Biker" (no, not that kind of bike) where he examined the economic histories and hypothosized about the future of those regions through which he passed on a round-the-world tour.

Pre-reading the ride is a great way to feel more in touch with your journey.

Kudos to you for organizing all of this info!!

29

Gear Talk / Bike style

« on: March 12, 2010, 01:48:49 pm »

Hey all, first time reader, first time poster.

I'm curious as to what bike style most folks choose for road/RR trail touring?  My bike is a hybrid (700-40) currently setup for commuting with a rear rack, lights, fenders (fully nerdified) and I plan to use it for (my first time) touring.  Will I be at a huge disadvantage compared to those folks riding a drop-bar, roadie-style bike with 700-30's??
Or, is it just about what is comfortable and familiar..?

What do people who regularily tour use and why??