Recent Posts

1

Gear Talk / Re: 1X, 2X, or 3X

« Last post by froze on September 23, 2021, 08:53:35 pm »

Depends on the terrain you'll be riding, if there is a lot of mountain roads and you'll be packing medium to heavy loads then 3x is the only the way to fly, unless you track racer legs than a 1x is fine! But you want to spin fairly easily and effortlessly (I know, nothing is effortless in touring), so to save your knees go with the 3x.  Heck even if you will not be riding in mountains a 3x is good go have just in case in the future you find yourself riding in mountains. 

3x is not that more difficult to take care of than a 2x, and they are both extremely reliable.  I'm sure you have a bike now with 2x gearing, so ask yourself when the last time that front derailleur went bad?  NEVER!!

2

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / Re: Southern Tier Sec. 1, maps 5-15 major detour Jan. 2021

« Last post by John Nettles on September 23, 2021, 09:47:48 am »

DRH, it is best not to leave your phone number on here since I learned the hard way that there are some ways that it can be scanned some how by "bots" and then you start getting a bunch of spam calls.  Maybe alter the sequence, i.e spell out some numbers and put the 602 elsewhere.  I sure hate spammers.

3

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / Re: Southern Tier Sec. 1, maps 5-15 major detour Jan. 2021

« Last post by DRH on September 23, 2021, 09:35:12 am »

Danny -  DRH here.  Same offer as to Jeremy.  We live in central Phoenix next to the AZ Canal on the S. Tier route.  Let me know a day or two in advance if you need a place one night.  6   0.  2 On Warm showers 5.  7.  6 David Hicks. 5  xxx4 xxx  0 xxx    8

4

Gear Talk / Re: Best Water Bottle?

« Last post by staehpj1 on September 23, 2021, 07:10:36 am »

I normally just take 2 generic water bottles on tour and if there are long distances between stops i keep 2 of the Platypus water bags mentioned earlier.

But there’s something I did last time I took a route that I was likely to hit very hot weather and long days that might be of interest to you. I am normally quite the weight-weenie but on  that trip I packed 2 stainless steel 32oz thermoses. The brand I bought was Hydro Flask but they are probably  all the same. These things are pretty amazing, load them up w ice and set off across the desert and they still got ice in them at the end of the day. And you can’t break them and mine never leaked. I  still have my regular tepid water bottles in the bottle cages, breaking out the thermoses later in the heat of the day when the ice water really hits the spot.

I just weighed mine, 14 ozs a piece. I can’t tell you how I agonized over carrying 2 extra pounds! But there were many times on that trip where they earned their keep.

I can relate.  I count ounces and pack crazy light, but can understand that there are times and places where a cold drink is worth almost anything.  I can remember times I would have given $50 for a bottle of cold water. rather than drink from my warm/hot bottles.  I have a Camelbak brand 40 oz thermos that weighs 18.8 ounces.  I have never carried it on tour, but I can see where someone might in the desert southwest.

Cold water can be such a treat that I vividly remember times LONG ago when someone stopped their car (or motorcycle) on a scorching hot day to give us an ice cold bottle of water. from their cooler.

5

Gear Talk / Re: 1X, 2X, or 3X

« Last post by ray b on September 22, 2021, 10:31:34 pm »

Reminder - everyone's different. In research, we talk a lot about results for the average subject. Might be a good place to start, but should not be mistaken for a goal.

Important heading in the second article -
"Proper... Cadence Depends On The IIndividual"

6

Gear Talk / Re: Best Water Bottle?

« Last post by zzzz on September 22, 2021, 09:59:21 pm »

I normally just take 2 generic water bottles on tour and if there are long distances between stops i keep 2 of the Platypus water bags mentioned earlier.

But there’s something I did last time I took a route that I was likely to hit very hot weather and long days that might be of interest to you. I am normally quite the weight-weenie but on  that trip I packed 2 stainless steel 32oz thermoses. The brand I bought was Hydro Flask but they are probably  all the same. These things are pretty amazing, load them up w ice and set off across the desert and they still got ice in them at the end of the day. And you can’t break them and mine never leaked. I  still have my regular tepid water bottles in the bottle cages, breaking out the thermoses later in the heat of the day when the ice water really hits the spot.

I just weighed mine, 14 ozs a piece. I can’t tell you how I agonized over carrying 2 extra pounds! But there were many times on that trip where they earned their keep.

7

General Discussion / Re: Riding boot recommendation

« Last post by canalligators on September 22, 2021, 08:30:01 pm »

It sounds like you are looking for motorcycling advice.  This is a bicycle touring site.

8

General Discussion / Riding boot recommendation

« Last post by blusky.a88 on September 22, 2021, 08:11:20 pm »

Howdy everybody, all things considered, my companion and I are planning to take a trip along the Pacific route. We are doing good research and looking forward to a wonderful trip. We are using old boots now and looking for new pairs before the trip.

Looking for recommendations.

Thanks in advance

9

Gear Talk / Re: Best Water Bottle?

« Last post by jrswenberger on September 22, 2021, 07:49:33 pm »

I'm a huge fan of the Specialized Purist waterbottles, regardless of who is selling it. They add much less of the plasticy taste to the water, I've not had any issues with growth on the inside and they have all been leak-proof (as long as the cap is screwed on completely).  They may cost a bit more but they last longer as well.

Jay

10

Routes / Re: Southern Tier Interstate-highway segments: your experience?

« Last post by staehpj1 on September 22, 2021, 04:21:13 pm »

My personal opinion, but if doing it again I might ride a lot more on US90.  I rode US 90 more than the AC route used as it was.  I might even look into picking it up in Van Horn TX and riding it all the way to the east coast.