Messages

1

Connecting ACA Routes / Looking for America

« on: October 09, 2006, 06:17:30 pm »

Before we left on our trip, a friend at work asked me two questions about our tour- the first was, "Will you have some sort of refrigeration unit to keep your food cold?" ...and a few days later, "What do you plan to do about the locusts?" (I hadn't considered locusts).  So, when we were riding through North Dakota we would yell at each other, "Locusts! Quick, turn on the refrigeration units!"  (Locusts hate that)

2

Connecting ACA Routes / Looking for America

« on: October 04, 2006, 04:06:47 pm »

My wife and I just completed a ride from Astoria, Oregon to Boston, Mass.  We used ACA maps (Lewis and Clark and Northern Tier) plus some of our own.  We had a grand time and if anyone out there has any questions, I would be glad to respond.-EC

3

Routes / San Francisco to San Diego ride

« on: January 23, 2007, 04:36:05 pm »

Be prepared for cool (maybe cold), misty days.  It can be very hot five miles inland and feel like winter on the coast.  As far as camping, there are lots of places, but they don't always have showers.  Good luck, traffic along Hwy 1 should be moderate in the spring.

4

Routes / Crossing Wisconsin

« on: March 28, 2006, 05:24:51 pm »

Thanks to everyone- I'll stick to the convoluted route a plotted out on the DOT maps- EC

5

Routes / Crossing Wisconsin

« on: March 22, 2006, 04:57:47 pm »

I could use some advice on the best routes across Wisconsin from St. Croix Falls to Manitowoc.  I have some VERY detailed maps from the WI DOT that show bike routes, but there appear to be some more direct ways to cross the state- for example, Rt. 8 or 64 seem pretty good on the map, but are not color coded as good bike routes.  Any help would be very welcome.

6

Routes / Lewis and Clark section 4- HELP!

« on: January 23, 2006, 03:52:14 pm »

I am interested in getting some info about the section of L&C between Jordan, Montana and Fort Peck.  Specifically, maps 61 through 64 of section 4- Williston to Great Falls.  This is about 90 miles in the "middle of nowhere".  I'm curious to hear from people who have ridden this section- how are the camping opportunities?  I can see one place that is noted on the map, but it is a few miles off the main road.  I'm thinking we will try to cover the entire distance (we are headed east) from Jordan to Ft. Peck, but you never know...Any info I can get will be a lot more than I currently have, so thanks in advance.

7

Routes / Alaska Routes

« on: October 30, 2005, 09:00:58 pm »

My wife and I did 950 miles in alaska the summer before last- see my reply in "touring Alaska" post.  The previous summer we drove to Prince Rupert and took the ferry though the inside passage to Sitka- we ended up breaking down (long story) but that motivated us to return on bikes.  One thing I want to pass on is it rains A LOT in that part of Alaska. The bike touring would in my opinion be very limited (small towns- few roads going nowhere).  It would primarily be a series of ferry rides alternating with bike rides around small towns.  If that is what you're looking for, then by all means go- it's beautiful.  If you want a more prolonged tour, then I'd be looking at riding out of Anchorage and staying either to the Parks Hwy (north) or the Seward/Sterling Hwys (south).  If you'd like any more info, Id be glad to provide it.  Good luck.

8

Routes / Ticonderoga NY to Western Mass.

« on: November 02, 2005, 10:29:43 am »

Thanks Fred- I'll take another look at the map- it looks like we may be entering Mass. along the Con.River maybe, but who knows- there are many little roads, and most are probably beautiful.

9

Routes / Ticonderoga NY to Western Mass.

« on: November 01, 2005, 10:52:50 pm »

Thanks, I'll go upstairs and check it out right now.

10

Routes / Ticonderoga NY to Western Mass.

« on: November 01, 2005, 10:45:28 am »

Thanks- we will eventually go to Boston.  I bought Rudell maps of Mass. so I feel pretty good about once we get to Mass.  I just don't want to get stuck on high traffic roads getting there.  Thanks for the info.

11

Routes / Ticonderoga NY to Western Mass.

« on: October 27, 2005, 11:24:04 pm »

Does anyone out there have any experience/knowledge about the best route south from Ticonderoga NY to Western Mass.?  I'm looking particularly at route 22 vs. 22A.  Any help would be great- thanks.

12

Routes / Across the Great Lakes

« on: October 27, 2005, 11:25:25 pm »

Thanks everyone- very helpful info.  I really like the link.- EC

13

Routes / Across the Great Lakes

« on: October 25, 2005, 11:53:43 pm »

My wife and I are doing a cross country tour next summer from Oregon to Mass.  We're using a combination of the Lewis and Clark route and the N. Tier going west to east.  We are thinking of trying to take ferries across the Great Lakes rather than going down and around to Buffalo NY.  Does anyone have any experience with this approach?  Any ideas?

14

Routes / Touring Alaska

« on: October 27, 2005, 11:53:54 pm »

My wife and I did a 950 mile tour in Alaska the summer before last.  We flew to Anchorage then rode north to Denali.  After a few days there, we went back to Anchorage, then south to Homer.  It was really great, but there were a few things that I learned:
1. The Milepost is great for cars, but only basic for bikes.  Go to the REI in Anchorage for better maps.
2.  By all means, avoid riding the Sterling Hwy from Cooper Landing south during normal hours.  Stay over in Cooper Landing, get up before dawn and ride early to avoid traffic.  The Parks Hwy north from Wasilla is good.
3.  You are expected to ride on the sidewalk in Anchorage.  There are a lot of bike trails (the Tony Knowles is fantastic), but they never seem to go where you want to go (out of town)and they tend to end abruptly.
4.  Bring lots of mosquito repellent, and either tablets or a water filter.
5.  Unless you are under 30 years old and like to drink to excess, avoid Seward on the 4th of July.
6.  Finally, Alaska is great for bike touring- you will not regret it- people are friendly and generous and the scenery is awesome.  Allow lots of time for just hanging out and maybe a side trip (a floatplane trip to see the bears at Brook's River for example or a trip over to Seldovia from Homer).
Good luck.

15

General Discussion / FIRST BIKE TO IRELAND

« on: January 29, 2006, 11:09:25 pm »

Don't count on there being a bike store in Ennis.  You will probably have to assemble the bikes at the airport (I'm assuming you'll have a rental car) or if you get a large enough car you might be able to keep the bikes in the boxes until you get to where you're going.  You should be able to store the boxes with someone in Ennis.  If you think you'll do this again, you might think about investing in some re-usable boxes.  Have fun, Ireland is grand.