Messages

31

International / Re: Suggested Routes or Tours in the Netherlands?

« on: September 30, 2012, 02:55:45 pm »

Sorry to be so slow replying to this message, because there is so little traffic in the International forum, I wanted to add a few thoughts for other folks coming here.

Definitely tour in the Netherlands.  I think it's an experience every bike tourist should experience, imagine a land where bikes take precedence over cars, where you can go (almost) anywhere more easily by bike than by car.  My big "I'm not in Kansas anymore" moment was realizing that the bike route system begins at the terminal in Schiphol... as you can see in this photo:


I've done two tours so far

Schiphol - Haarlem, then north to Hoorn and Enkhuizen, before coming back south across the long causeway to Lelystad, then down to Otterlo and the Hoge Veluwe National Park (REALLY nice), then down along the River Maas to Roermond before turning into Germany heading for the Mosel.

2nd Trip was Schiphol - Utrecht, then down the Rhine into Germany (to Cologne, back up through near Munster to the Netherlands), then Amersfoort - Deventer - Drents-Freise Wold National Park, then north to the island of Schiermonnikoog (spectacular) - then south to Zwolle.

Schiphol is a very bike-friendly airport.  If you fly back from there they sell cardboard bike boxes for a reasonable price, very similar to the Amtrak box if you're familiar with it.

For navigation in the Netherlands you need to learn the 'Knopppunkt' system.  While there are long-distance routes (LF numbered) you have a lot more flexibility going point to point.  At every intersection you will find signage to the other points onward from there. 

Like this


My daily riding plan tended to be a cyptic list of numbers tucked into my handlebar bag.



For an on-line routing tool here's a great site:
http://www.fietsersbond.nl/fietsersbond-routeplanner

(hint, if you use Google Chrome it doesn some auto translation for you)

For map purchase in the US I've had good experiences with these folks
http://www.omnimap.com/

Happy planning and riding!

32

Gear Talk / Re: Surly and Jeff Jones H-Bars

« on: September 30, 2012, 02:26:07 pm »

Drop bars vs. alternatives tends to be a personal choice that lots of folks have strong opinions on. 

I prefer more upright riding positions, much closer to fully vertical than an aerodynamic tuck.  Also, I like to be able to stretch my back and neck by rolling forward and back while riding.

There is a real issue with a variety of riding positions, no matter what kind of bars you ride on. 

When I looked at the photo you posted I did have some concerns about that.  My solution to a varied riding positions is bar-ends mounted at a fairly steep angle.  I can mix up left and right hands up and down them, cup my palms on top of them to get fully upright, and pull back against them on ascents to get more leverage.

I wasn't sure how well bar-ends would fit onto the Jeff Jones bars.

FYI, here are some photos of my setup

33

Gear Talk / Re: Panniers - dry bag vs. traditional

« on: September 30, 2012, 02:12:26 pm »

I'd been using a pair of Jandd bags for year round commuting and touring, and faced the decision you're up against a few years ago when I wanted bags that would come on and off more quickly for European touring.

The damp cloth issue that BikeFreak mentioned put a real wet blanket on the dry-bag for me.  I've been on tour a LOT where I'm making and breaking camp in a steady rain.  I like drysacks inside of a bag that can breath.  I also like pockets... it really helps me keep track of stuff to have a number of them.

I ended up keeping my Jandd front bags... they get no use commuting so they're in good shape.  Also, I keep my camping gear in them so if I'm staying in a hotel where they let me keep the bike indoors in the hotel (has happened a surprising number of times in Germany and the Netherlands.) I just leave them on the bike.

For rear bags I got the nice Arkel bags.  I've liked their small handlebar bag and tailrider bag, and in general like doing business with them as a company, even more so now that they have a good relationship with my local bike shop.  Sometimes for me my purchases revolve around 'voting with my dollars' for a business I like supporting.

I've done three tours with the Arkels now and have zero regrets.

But as you pointed out... definitely a personal choice.

34

General Discussion / Re: Health/Medical Insurance while cycling abroad

« on: September 30, 2012, 01:59:12 pm »

When I spent a month in South Africa a few years ago, one of the requirements of the sponsoring organization was insurance that provided 'medical evacuation'... to cover a situation where you might need to get back home for continuing care, but a standard airline seat would  not be OK.

Since then, I've NOT purchased additional coverage while travelling... my regular coverage is OK for me overseas.  But if I were to be looking at policies I'd definitely check out their coverage of medical evacuation.

Safe riding, everyone!

35

Gear Talk / Re: Surley Troll

« on: July 06, 2012, 08:44:52 am »

We just returned from our first tour with my wife riding her new Surley Troll.  While it has been a good commuting/recreational bike, I was anxious to see how it rode loaded with front and rear panniers.  The handling was excellent and she kept exclaiming during the trip how much she liked the bike!

Her Troll is set up with Planet Bike fenders, Surley Nice Rack (front), Jannd Expedition rack (rear), Schwalbe Marathon Supreme tires, and a Rohloff.   If you're thinking of a 26" wheel bike, I'd definitely consider a Troll.

36

General Discussion / Re: What do you use for sunscreen?

« on: June 29, 2012, 08:13:45 am »

For folks with 'non-reactive' skin, almost any sunscreen may work fine.  If, like me, you tend to be prone to rashes, it gets more difficult.

Here's one to try:  Aveeno Face SPF 30... although it's sold for face I use it as my primary sunscreen without having any skin reactions.  In the past I've had good luck with some of the fragrance-free Neutrogenas.

37

Gear Talk / Re: Need a large lightweight bag

« on: April 18, 2012, 05:41:16 am »

On my last tour in Europe I was able to get an amazing amount into a North Face Base Camp duffel
http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/sc-gear/equipment-luggage_duffels-filter-category-carry/base-camp-duffel-large.html
It's not something you'd want to throw away... I took a 12x12" cardboard box (flat in the duffel) with me and then mailed it to my last-night-stay from the airport in Amsterdam. 
Probably too expensive for some folks, but I've found it handy for other uses than bike touring.  I like having something sturdy enough to put trekking poles and hiking boots into with no worries about tearing.

38

Gear Talk / Re: Surley Troll

« on: January 15, 2012, 11:09:48 am »

I don't have any experience with the Troll, but am also interested in the bike. 

My wife is considering getting one as a commuting/touring/all-around bicycle.  Upright handlebar riding position and Rohloff-ability are both nice features.  She did test ride a stock model and was very happy with the ride and handling.

Here are some resources I've stumbled upon, I'd love to hear other 'opinings'!

 http://www.pushingthepedals.com/2011/07/review-aarons-surly-troll-with-rohloff-speedhub/

http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-780680.html
 
http://whileoutriding.com/2011/02/23/a-troll-is-born-in-costa-rica/
 
 
 

39

Gear Talk / Re: shoe covers for cold weather

« on: December 11, 2011, 08:36:50 am »

I've been bike-commuting through the winter for six years now in Minnesota, riding about an hour each way.  Here are a few things that help me stay happy.

1.  Exact temperature matters.   I dress very differently at 35 than at 20 degrees.  Above 20 I think in 10 degree bands, once it gets below 20 then every five degrees makes a difference.

2.  Warm feet and hands have a lot to do with warm ankles and wrists.  Those are the places that blood flows through to get to our fingers and toes.  For my ankles, I've taken to wearing smartwool nordic socks that come up over my calf quite a way, then pulling my tights on over the socks to create a double layer.  Below 30 I'll usually add rain/wind pants on top of that.

3.  Above 30 I ride in my leather Keen bike shoes, adding neoprene toe covers which are the bottoms of old worn out shoe covers that I cut off.  (Thanks LBS for that tip!)  Sometimes I'll add Showers Pass shoe covers over that, especially if it's damp out.   Yes, the shoe covers don't breathe, but for an hour that's not been an issue for me.

4.  Below 30 for many years I wore Shimano gore-tex 'winter' shoes which had little insulation but were somehow quite warm, adding the toe covers and shoe covers as needed. 

5.  The chemical 'toe warmers' really do work, as do the hand warmers.  But it has to get down close to or below zero for me to need those.

6.  Last year I picked up a pair of Lake winter shoes at an end-of-season sale... I'd heard they were magical and that's been my experience with them.  Last week I rode in 5 degrees with just my medium-weight nordic socks and the Lake shoes and was fine for an hour.  With both fingers and toes, I find it's really important to do a lot of wiggling around to keep the blood flowing.  Because I could only find road style shoes in my size I bought them, but they are not easy to walk in so if buying full price for touring/commuting I'd go with the mountain style shoe.

7.  Although it's not about warm feet, staying upright is a big part of a happy, safe, bicycling experience, and if you live in a part of the country that has ice/snow, consider the nokian studded tires. They understand winter riding in Finland!

Riding in the winter seems crazy until you try it... and the best way to do that is to keep riding through the fall to gradually acclimate and adjust your gear.  But having an owl 10 feet in front of me,  silently pacing me in my headlight beam through a soft falling snow in the pre-dawn darkness is worth having to wiggle my toes.

I think of bike commuting as the tour that never ends.  Happy riding in all seasons!

40

Gear Talk / Re: Rohloff- two questions

« on: November 21, 2011, 05:53:37 am »

Because I started this thread, I thought I should give an update on how my decision went.  I decided to get my frame built up for a Rohloff, and have no regrets at all.

I'm a daily bicycle commuter (10 miles each way) and did a 700 mile tour this summer through Germany and the Netherlands.  With the first snow I've finally retired the new bike for the winter and pulled out my rusty old diamondback with studded tires, and I miss the Rohloff already. 

The noise issue has been a non-issue for me.  At times, it's been a plus as I'm coasting up on a pedestrian and they can here me before I ding my little bell, but it's not significantly louder than other freewheels.

For gearing, I went to the absolute lowest ratios possible and my old knees have thanked me for that.  I tend to pedal as slow as 4 mph uphill, and the Rohloff has handled that just fine.  On the top end, pedalling maxes out a bit above 20 mph.  That's fine by me, faster than that and I'm usually coasting.

Being able to shift at a stop turned out to be a bigger advantage than I expected.  Yes, we all know to shift in advance of a stop... but sometimes a car or pedestrian does appear in front of us... or we forget.  It's kind of magical to be able to spin into any gear.

I was nervous about the grip shifter, but the triangular design has been very easy to handle, even with heavy cold weather gloves or heavy rain.

My chain life is definitely improved thanks to the lack of stress put onto it.

It was interesting to notice how many cyclists in Germany noticed my Rohloff.  Many were surprised that Americans had heard of it.  In many cases it was the first thing they noticed about the bike.

Summing up, yes it was expensive.  But I'm satisfied that the price is fair for the quality of the unit and I expect to get many years of service and happy riding.

41

Gear Talk / Re: Changing a Rohloff Wheel

« on: November 20, 2011, 09:13:58 am »

For me it's a lot easier to take off a rear wheel with my Rohloff...

...some people seem to be able to thread their chain onto that rear derailleur without cursing, but not I.  But my Rohloff just involves loosening a couple of thumbscrews and the wheel just slides out.

I'll be posting a longer comment into a thread I started back in the spring, but short version: if you're thinking of a Rohloff I'd recommend getting it.

42

General Discussion / Re: Whitefish, MT lodging

« on: October 13, 2011, 06:36:10 am »

When I went through Whitefish on the Northern Tier a few years ago I stayed at the Super-8.  I'd been camping in the rain for about a week and made good use of the guest laundry!   The motel is a bit south of downtown, more of a short bike ride than a walk.  I was able to wheel my bike right into the room, always a plus.

There were places closer to the train station and downtown that looked more expensive.  I have fond memories of a visit to Glacier Cyclery, a great bike shop near the train station.  Happy travels!

43

Gear Talk / Re: info overload, help!

« on: September 12, 2011, 06:56:51 am »

Lots of good advice already here... I want to focus on three things.

First,  the 5' 9" height angle.

Happens to be my height also, and for bicycles that can be a tricky fit situation, especially if you want an upright riding position.  I really wanted a Surley LHT, but couldn't make it work with an upright riding position due to a tall stand-over height (painful combination with short legs).  For a few years I toured in a modified Surley Cross-Check, but while the stand-over height was good, the frame geometry was a bit too 'lively' for me, I wanted more stability for touring.

Stand-over height is a frame dimension which most cyclists don't need to worry about... but it can eliminate a lot of frames for those of us with a certain size shape.

Next, the 650B issue.

Not unrelated to the height.  Turns out that Surley LHT's come in 700c and 26" frame sizes, and I am kind of perfectly in-between those two.  If I were shorter, the 26" LHT would be great.  If I were taller... but actually I've reached the age where my height is dropping and my shoe size is increasing!

I looked for 650B bikes, and was struck by the Yves Gomez by Rivendell, because another part of getting older is finding a step-through frame really helpful.  But my local bike shop employs a young man who's just starting out as a framebuilder, so I asked him to build me a custom 650B mixte frame... after 6 months of commuting and a 700 mile tour in Europe it's still my favorite bike ever. 

Here's a photo of the bike:
http://atraincycles.com/touringcity-bikes/

Finally, for us no-longer spring chickens... buying a bike is a bit different when you are trying to adapt to an aging body while also considering the possibility that this may be your last bike purchase.  For me that meant designing a frame that could adjust to an increasingly upright riding position and a step-through mount.  It also meant spending more money to get exactly what I wanted.  At a certain point it doesn't make a lot of sense to wait for 'later'.

Happy shopping and happy touring!

44

Gear Talk / Re: RX Cycling Sunglasses

« on: September 05, 2011, 10:48:50 am »

I'd echo the positive comments on Rudy Project... I've had Rudy Project glasses with prescription bi-focal inserts for eight or so years now... love them and had my optician make the prescription inserts (and remake them when my RX changed.)  Many 'Rudy's" take RX implants, so I'd get to a bike shop that carries them if you can and try on a bunch.  I found huge differences in comfort and one that was immediately 'right' --- only trying them on would have done that for me.

The biggest advantage I've found with this style of sport glasses is keeping wind/dust out of my eyes.  Also, the Rudy lens material is somehow hydrophobic and easy to wipe clean in the rain even with a wet glove.

For lenses, I'd avoid any kind of 'transition' lens.... my choices are:

Red - daily riding... oddly enough they cut the glare but make it easier to see in the shade.
Yellow - rainy day riding.... make every day a sunny day.
Dark grey- open prairie / alpine / snow
Clear / Smoked - just eye protection for headlight riding

They are expensive, but if you get 10 years plus of use, the expense is worth it to me.

45

Gear Talk / Re: clean hydration pack

« on: September 01, 2011, 08:26:49 pm »

There's an old saying that everybody 'eats a peck of dirt' in their life.

For whatever it's worth, I've been on quite a few monthlong tours with a camelbak that I shook out and refilled every day without ever cleaning or drying it.

Your results may vary, but it's possible that advertising has made us bacteria-phobic.