Recent Posts

Pages: [1] 2 3 ... 10
1
Routes / Re: Alternative route from Rawlins to Jeffry City WY
« Last post by jamawani on May 28, 2023, 09:49:37 pm »
Stop!
Stop using GPS or Google Maps or any other app anywhere west of Denver.
It's an app for Pete's sake - totally clueless and without a single human thought.

You don't post a link - so I can only guess.
But Crook's Gap Road is unpaved and incredibly remote.
Any mileage saved will be more than made up by exhuastion -
esp. if you get lost and have no water.
Some of those dirt roads may have one or two vehicles a week.

As for Ute Pass Road -
Don't know when it opens in the spring. Don't know when you'll be doing it.
Correction - It's only 2700 ft up from Silverthorne - and it's now all paved.
8 miles savings - some serious climbing 8% to 10% grades.
Very scenic and Hwy 9 does have lots of traffic.

BTW - I've lived in Wyoming for 30+ years and know the roads well.

2
Routes / Alternative route from Rawlins to Jeffry City WY
« Last post by TeresaC on May 28, 2023, 08:14:08 pm »
Hi Cyclists,

I've been GPSing the routes along the TransAm and often alternatives to the TransAm appear.  One segment that has had me uneasy is Rawlins to Jeffrey City WY.  TransAm route is 75 miles; GPS alternative is is 66.  Nine miles at the end of the day is a lot for a 69 y.o.  Has anyone done the road that goes through Crooks Gap instead of Muddy Gap?

I've already decided to take the Ute Mountain Highway from Silverthorn, CO   to Hot Sulfur Springs, CO instead of taking the highway through Kremmling.  Has anyone done that? 

I appreciate your contributions to the forum.  THX!
3
Gear Talk / Re: Sandals for colder climate?
« Last post by canalligators on May 27, 2023, 10:44:44 pm »
As always, people who have no trouble keeping extremities warm, are offering advice that is well meant, but of little value to the other half of the population.

Frankly, I don’t believe sandals would work for me or many others.  At 20F, wearing loose fitting Sorel boots and heavy wool socks, I can only ride an hour.  I suppose I should either spring for sandals and try it, but that’s too much money just to satisfy curiosity.

BTW, 40F is NOT cold, not in the Great Lakes.  Even I can wear regular cycling shoes with wool socks at 35F.
4
International / Re: Re-assemble bike at Heathrow in London?
« Last post by Mark Manley on May 27, 2023, 08:21:26 pm »
I have deboxed and ridden off from Heathrow after asking a helpful member of staff where I could dump the box, it could have been that I was lucky and didn't get an unhelpful jobsworth but it worked well for me.
5
General Discussion / Re: Stranded in panguitch, UT
« Last post by canalligators on May 27, 2023, 04:52:18 pm »
You might file this hint away in case it happens again: remove the broken link and don’t use big ring.  Thatwould let you ride to a town with a bike shop.

I always bring one inner link half and two quick links.
6
General Discussion / Re: Amtrak Bicycle Loading presentation
« Last post by mobilemail on May 27, 2023, 06:00:09 am »
I thought the photos in the presentation did a lot to explain what could likely be accommodated.  I think it came down to: If your bike will fit in this rack space, it can go. 
It appears that any unconventional gear like trailers, trikes, LWB 'bents, tandems would need boxed.  Which starts the next discussion - does the box need to be shaped like a standard bike box?  Because the box holding something like a folding trike, or tandem, would be bigger or shaped differently than "standard".
I've been cycling since the early '80s, it's great to finally see more than a passing glance given to bicycle infrastructure and multimodal travel and transportation.
7
General Discussion / Re: Stranded in panguitch, UT
« Last post by ray b on May 26, 2023, 09:54:42 am »
Sorry you found this sometimes frustrating type of adventure in adventure cycling....

Thanks for sharing. A couple of lessons in essential tools/parts and logistics for everyone. ("For want of a nail....")

E.g., I carry a spare tire on longer trips, but I recall deciding to overnight new tires to small town New Mexico during an off-road trip a few years ago. It took two days for UPS to find the place, but I met some great people and got a couple days of recovery that improved my mileage the next couple of weeks - so in the end, gained a few friends and fitness and nothing lost but the money.

Like many, I'm not a fan of Amazon, but I have to admit, the free overnight service of Amazon Prime is pretty reliable in a pinch.
8
General Discussion / Re: Amtrak Bicycle Loading presentation
« Last post by jwrushman on May 26, 2023, 09:49:27 am »
Yes
9
General Discussion / Re: Amtrak Bicycle Loading presentation
« Last post by ray b on May 26, 2023, 09:27:47 am »
Quote from: jwrushman on May 23, 2023, 07:46:43 am
Did anyone else participate in the bicycle loading presentation by Amtrak? ....
Is this one from the League the one you to which you refer?

https://youtu.be/YE6oJ7quCnM

I agree.
10
General Discussion / Re: cost per day to tour
« Last post by staehpj1 on May 26, 2023, 06:54:37 am »
That $60 estimate sounds quite high to me based on my experiences where with trips where seldom paid for campsites, but I am kind of a cheapskate when on the road so maybe $60 per day or more reflects a large portion of the touring community.

In some areas campsites are quite expensive and if you stay in an official campsite every night that can be a factor.  Where there are cheap hiker biker sites or free camping it makes a big differences.  That may depend on how good you are at finding it or on what is in the area you are in.  Are you good at finding free places to camp in plain sight?  Do you stealth camp?  I found I was able to camp for free without the need for stealth much of the time on my tours.

Similarly motels/hotels can vary widely in cost both by location and by where you choose to stay.  I don't mind staying in cheap places and asking for a discount.  At the very least I get an AARP discount.  Sometimes the "I am biking across the country" story gets a bigger discount.  The same variability by location and choice applies to food, maybe to a lesser extent, but I do treat myself to some extra nice meals here and there.
Pages: [1] 2 3 ... 10