Messages

46

General Discussion / Re: Transitioning from road bike to touring bike

« on: May 17, 2021, 11:22:04 am »

A friend of mine rides a Gunnar Sport with 32's easily but only 28 if you want fenders. He squeezed fenders on with 32's but as you can see in the chart below that Richard Schwinn, Gunnar's owner doesn't recommend it
Gunnar Sport Specs
Description 28.6    Specification
Steerer    1 1/8 in Threadless Steerer
Axle to Crown Race    374 mm
Seatmast Measurement    Virtual Sizing
Rear Brake Type    57mm Caliper Brakes 700C
Seatpost Diam    27.2mm Seatpost
Chainring Clearance    Bump - road @ 60mm from base of miter
Tire Clearance    700 x 32C (28C plus fenders)
Seat tube Diameter    28.6 mm (Please shim to 31.8mm)
Rear Spacing    130mm Rear DO Spacing
Rear Eyelets    1 rear eyelet
Bottom Bracket Specification    68mm x 1.370 x 24 TPI

47

General Discussion / Re: Transitioning from road bike to touring bike

« on: May 15, 2021, 11:51:03 am »

It seems the real concern is how to mount some sort of bag to your bike. As has been said, nothing wrong with your current bike (other than it is carbon fiber; yes I ride only steel). I do credit card tours now that I'm 69 with a large front bag. I've also used a Carradice rear saddle bag with good results though prefer the front; it handles better on the bike I have now. You don't talk about money so if that isn't an issue a randonneuring type such as this from Waterford would be perfect
https://waterfordbikes.com/rando/ or this from Gunnar http://gunnarbikes.com/site/bikes/fast-lane/ and both are made in Wisconsin. Cheaper versions include https://velo-orange.com/collections/pass-hunter/products/pass-hunter from  Velo Orange. https://surlybikes.com/bikes/midnight_special from Surly. All these allow wider tires for comfort and safety without sacrificing speed (if supplied with the right tires). Seven has more than one https://sevencycles.com/discipline.php
I'm sure there are others that fall into the rando category.

48

General Discussion / Re: Looking for college kids/helpers to sag cars for summer Michigan trip

« on: May 15, 2021, 11:31:26 am »

The Bridge was closed to bicycles last year but I could find nothing just now to indicate the Michigan DOT is not ferrying bikes across now.
Michigan has a very active club and  might be where to look: https://www.lmb.org/ for help.

49

Routes / Re: 2 weeks in south-western British Columbia?

« on: May 10, 2021, 04:19:07 pm »

I'm glad  you asked. Here is a quick re-creation of a tour we took in 2016 https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35992794.
Not exact of what we rode; we got off main roads as much as possible and I've lost some of those details. But you get the idea. I would do it again

50

General Discussion / Re: advice for tablet or laptop for planning (rerouting) while on tour

« on: May 10, 2021, 03:31:40 pm »

I would never take a laptop on tour, but is just me. I use RWGPS then transfer to paper maps.

51

General Discussion / Re: Camping or not? Is the weight worth it?

« on: May 10, 2021, 03:29:46 pm »

" I love to stop for a diner breakfast after 10-30 miles if there is a diner"
We call that second breakfast, and often a highlight of the day; if the coffee is  good.

52

General Discussion / Re: Northern Tier 100+ miles a day

« on: May 10, 2021, 03:27:01 pm »

Why in the world would you want ride at that pace? Enlighten me please.

53

Gear Talk / Re: Dynamo - What are you using for a light?

« on: May 01, 2021, 09:17:15 pm »

Son Edelux II. No problems so far (12 months) and is great at night.

54

Gear Talk / Re: Touring bike for 80% pavement, 20% gravel/dirt

« on: May 01, 2021, 09:14:43 pm »

A regular touring bike with 700/32  will be fine in my experience for the conditions you describe. Wider if you can but at least 32.

55

General Discussion / Re: Best pre-ride supplement?

« on: May 01, 2021, 09:11:55 pm »

eat a regular low protein meal an hour before the ride.

56

General Discussion / Re: Best way to split bills while traveling with a fellow cyclist?

« on: April 16, 2021, 01:15:28 pm »

A little moonlighting business maybe. Could be done virtually I suppose.

57

Routes / Re: St Mary to Baab to Browning

« on: April 10, 2021, 06:38:21 pm »

Thanks, very helpful. We can't wait!

58

General Discussion / Re: Best way to split bills while traveling with a fellow cyclist?

« on: April 10, 2021, 06:37:16 pm »

Bring one guy who is compulsive about keeping track and is good with numbers. In our group it is the engineer. Afterwards he sends a spreadsheet with all the bills laid out and how much we owe whom. Saves the rest of us  lots of headaches!

59

General Discussion / Re: Touring after Chemotherapy

« on: April 10, 2021, 06:34:43 pm »

Good luck to  you. It will be hard but doable. The fact is regardless of chemo we lose half of our conditioning every two weeks off the bike.

60

Routes / St Mary to Baab to Browning

« on: April 07, 2021, 12:23:35 pm »

Anyone have experience with  Mt 464 highway?
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35630835
I'm not trying to save miles but here is an alternative https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35630770
Scenery and safe roads are the factors to consider. I'll have had plenty of mountains and forests.