Messages

1

Gear Talk / Straight vs. drop handlebars

« on: July 22, 2004, 11:02:01 am »

You've got to spend some time riding drops to see if you like them or not.  Once you get used to them you will feel very comfortable with them, and they give you lots of different hand and body positions, which is a great advantage on long rides.  More than flat bars with bar ends, I think.  But even people that are used to both don't agree on what kind is best.  Maybe you can borrow a bike from a friend for a couple weeks to ride drops and see for yourself.  Drops are my favorite for touring, and general riding.  For me they are one of the things that make my road bike so much more comfortable and efficient on the road than my mountain bike.

2

Gear Talk / Panniers

« on: April 05, 2004, 07:44:52 am »

Take a look at the Arkel panniers too.  They have a web site.

3

Gear Talk / Best touring bike buy

« on: February 24, 2004, 10:22:06 am »

Most important is how the bike feels to you when you ride it.  I had narrowed my choices down to the Trek or a Cannondale.  Then I went to a shop I could ride them both and one, (Trek), felt much better to me.  Others would have prefered the Dale, no doubt.  But once you get the field narrowed down to a few bikes, you gota ride them to decide on the one that fits you better.

4

Gear Talk / Cannondale T2000 vs. Bruce Gordon BLT ???

« on: February 09, 2004, 02:59:22 pm »

I also had a road bike with sti shifters.  Then I got a Trek touring bike with bar end shifters.  Now it's my only bike.  While I like the sti shifters I had no trouble adjusting to the bar ends, and for me it makes very little difference in riding which shifters I am using. They both have advantages.  I think you will find the lower gears to be more important than the type of shifters you have.  I know some people will disagree, but for me this is the case.  The bar end shifters are much simplier, will work with a wide range of chain rings if you wanted to adjust your gearing, and let you trim your front derailer.

5

Routes / cycle across romania

« on: June 17, 2004, 07:15:22 am »

My wife and I are going to Romania to cycle for about 4 weeks at the end of Aug.  We plan to be mostly in the transylvania area. Please post about your trip when you get back.  We'll be very interested in how your trip goes, and any tips you could give us.

6

General Discussion / Health + Accident Insurance

« on: February 20, 2005, 02:55:46 pm »

e-mail, Paul Howarth [mailto:PHowarth@specialtyrisk.com
and ask him about "short term immigrant insurance"
I am returning to the US after 6 years and find I can't get insurance until I have settled somewhere.  This is a solution for me, and it may be what you need as well.

7

General Discussion / rain gear...for your bike

« on: July 29, 2004, 11:22:11 am »

My wife and I have leather saddles and we got a couple plastic shower caps to put on them when it rains and at night.  The work really well with the elastic holding them over the saddle.

8

General Discussion / rain gear...for your bike

« on: June 28, 2004, 01:55:55 pm »

When my wife and I tour we take a tarp along.  At night we tie it over the bikes.  It not only keeps them dry, but also makes it harder for anyone to take any parts off or steal the bikes themselves.  The tarp is nice because it can also be used as an additional shelter in camp when it is raining for us as well as the bikes.

9

General Discussion / Summer Plans

« on: May 21, 2004, 06:18:26 am »

My wife and I are going to Romania this summer for 4 weeks riding around Transylvania.  Last summer we went to Hungary for 3 weeks, and year before that to Czech Republic.  We rode the Prauge-Vienna greenway and it was great trip, I would recomend it to anyone considering riding in eastern (central) Europe.  We're leaving the end of April and of course we been planning for months and wish we could leave right now.
By the way Dombrosk we are older as well I'm 58.

10

General Discussion / History of Bicycle Travel

« on: May 09, 2004, 02:37:07 pm »

Dervla Murphy should of course be on your list.  She's written several books about her travels.  Most of which involve a bicycle for all or part.
Oops, Just checked.  She didn't start til the early 60's.  Well, anyone interested in adventure should read her books anyway.

This message was edited by Don on 5-9-04 @ 10:46 AM

11

General Discussion / Touring with a guitar

« on: March 24, 2004, 10:49:15 am »

Martin makes what they call a "backpacker guitar" that is smaller and easier to carry.  I've never heard one so I don't know how they sound though.  I play the mandolin myself so I start out way smaller.  But I did get a travel mandolin that fits in my bike friday suitcase/trailor to make it easier.  Some gig bags also have straps so you could carry it as a backpack.  Doesn't sound like much fun to me though.