Messages

16

Routes / Re: Nova Scotia with five year old on piccolo

« on: April 27, 2010, 01:14:29 am »

http://www.novascotia.com/en/home/gettinghereandaround/gettingaround/scenic_travelways/cabot_trail/map.aspx

Consider the Cabot Trail. The hills will provide you a challenge, but excellent views. Great campsites. A great ride to consider. Lots of uphill.

17

Routes / Natchez Trace?

« on: April 24, 2010, 06:56:14 pm »

Anyone have experience biking the Nathcez Trace from Nashville, TN to Natchez, MS?  Any thoughts or suggestions?

18

Youth Bicyle Travel / Natchez Trace with a 10 year old

« on: April 23, 2010, 11:55:21 pm »

I am planning a 8 day ride from Nashville, TN to Natchez, Mississippi with my 10 year old. The Trace is a park road and not too isolated. We will travel about 50 miles a day....450 miles total.  Apparently there are lots of riders on this road.  Does anyone have any thoughts on issues of biking with a child on the Natchez Trace?

19

Classifieds / Re: New Pedicab Company beginning in San Francisco

« on: April 22, 2010, 12:06:30 pm »

How much of this riding is up hill trailing 800-1000 lbs?

20

Classifieds / 60cm touring bike wanted

« on: April 21, 2010, 08:33:41 am »

I am wanting to buy a 58 cm 60cm touring bike in the next two months.
Any one have one to sell?

21

International / Re: Cycling in Taiwan

« on: April 21, 2010, 08:27:48 am »

Cycling in Taipei is great.  I am planning on circumnavigating the island this summer.

22

Gear Talk / Re: stove or no?

« on: April 19, 2010, 11:09:38 am »

Great question that every bike tourer must answer.
When I leave the stove at home, invariably I wish I had it. When I carry the stove with me, I use it all the time.

Light weight stove that uses coleman fuel does the trick as long as there are at least two in your party. One to carry the cooking gear, the other to carry the food. One to cook, the other to clean.

On my recent tour last summer, I found that I cooked oatmeal in the a.m., tea at lunch, and then noodles, at dinner.

Eating in cafes became uninsping and the camp ground was our preferred dining spot. That being said, occasionally when you came across a great diner, with terrific food, we just strapped it on and ate our faces off.

I am planning on biking the Natchez Trace with my 10 year old son this summer and I can't wait.

23

Urban Cycling / Re: Taipei Taiwan

« on: April 17, 2010, 07:22:58 am »

Much better air now than even 10 years ago. Much of the manufacturing that used to pollute the Taiwan air is now polluting Vietnam air, China Air, Malaysia, Phillipines, you name it. Although Taiwan still have a great deal of manufacturing, much of the manufacturing has moved on to cheaper countries. You get the sense here that Taiwan is trying to boost its banking, its tourism and its education industry, all of which will allow the air to continue to improve. They also need to work on some of the river pollution. But in general, it is great.

24

Urban Cycling / Taipei Taiwan

« on: April 16, 2010, 08:00:40 pm »

Taipei, Taiwan is quickly becoming a world leader in urban biking.
Already a world leader in bike manufacturing the biking industry has taken hold of the popular imagination and bike lanes, bike trails, and urban riders of all sorts are on the roads.

The northern suburb of Tienmu is surrounded by a national park, Yanmingshan National Park, a mountain park with mountain roads, hot springs, incredible vistas, waterfalls.  The roads are usually lightly travelled and now have ample riders at nearly any time of day.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yangmingshan

The city government is also finishing a series of urban bike trails along the rivers in town so you can bike for over a hundred kilometers without crossing a road. Going from downtown, Taipei 101, the zoo, the world trade center, out to Danshuei and the North Coast without hassle.

In Taipei, there are plenty of family bikers, road bikers, casual bikers and now we are even seeing more bike tourers You can circumnavigate the island in a couple of weeks.  There is some great mountain biking for the technical mtn bike set.

The roads are still a bit crazy. Lots of cars, but traffic doesn't move so fast as to threaten bikers. Their are scooters all over which can be a bit disorienting. But it is improving regularly.

There are also so many great bike shops in town....from high end racing bike to low end foldable bikes.

Taipei is a biker's dreams.