Recent Posts

91

Connecting ACA Routes / Re: How to connect Transamerica (west) with Great America Rail Trail (east)

« Last post by tjdale on February 09, 2025, 08:47:33 am »

This is an old post but here is how I connected the Great American Rail Trail to ACA TA/L&C/PPP routes (and included RAGBRAI 2023):    https://ridewithgps.com/collections/2331277

92

Connecting ACA Routes / Re: Connecting Trans Am (Yorktown) to Delmarva

« Last post by tjdale on February 09, 2025, 08:36:54 am »

This is an older post but here is my plan for a route York Town to Virginia Beach and the Bay Bridge Tunnel/Delmarvahttps://ridewithgps.com/routes/47877522?privacy_code=0Sj3a5tECL5CKRbQC8KdGCfFirlfYcF2

93

Routes / Re: How many people ride the Northern Tier each year?

« Last post by canalligators on February 09, 2025, 08:21:44 am »

I'd say that both unofficial and official hostility to dirtbag travel in general is much higher today than ten or more years ago.  This is all even more noticeable if you aren't traveling a popular route.

I avoid the issue altogether, by not looking like a homeless or poor person.  I usually shave daily and wear clothing that looks like athletic wear.  This way people don’t hassle me, or worse yet, try to give me money - I have heard of this happening.

94

General Discussion / Re: Most dangerous roads

« Last post by Westinghouse on February 08, 2025, 11:30:50 pm »

"caught out in remote places in lightning storms with heavy rain" One of the most exciting parts of the Northern Tier for me was seeing the lightning flash across the whole horizon in Montana in just such weather. I eventually cowered in a gas station market (there was nowhere else to shelter) for about an hour until it eased up. But that lightning was spectacular!

Lightning on the horizon is fine so long as it stays there. When it is crackling and exploding and slamming to earth all around, and turns dark night to brighter than broad daylight, that is a life or death situation. When, at the same time, wind is blowing heavy rain parallel to the road at 70 mph and bringing all traffic to a dead halt and pushing trucks over on their sides it is nothing at all like exciting. When an animal you see is killed instantly by lightning 50 feet away, to me it is mortifying and extremely scary. If I go on a long bicycle tour again, a top priority will be to check weather forecasts regularly every day.

95

Gear Talk / Re: Have Trek 920 frame, need to (re)build bike.

« Last post by dkoloko on February 08, 2025, 10:33:07 am »

Much information on that bike here: https://99spokes.com/en-NL/bikes/trek/2019/920

I see no reason not to have hydraulic brakes, as the bike is built for them. 

"It was pretty clear nobody (at the shop) really toured long distances." Not unexpected; what you can find (in my experience) is a shop that knows what is needed from doing work for experienced long distance cyclists. It may be worth shipping your bike to a recommended shop.

96

Routes / Re: Oskosh, WI area Tour Suggestions

« Last post by Fargo on February 07, 2025, 02:46:44 pm »

I've ridden it several times. 

During AirVenture, Knapp Road will be quite busy but there will be quite a few bikers, ATV's, golf carts, RV's and just about anything else you can imagine on it.  People expect to be going slow.  I don't think there is a better way to get in by bike.  Coming in from the north during the event there will be bumper-to-bumper traffic for miles.

97

Gear Talk / Re: Have Trek 920 frame, need to (re)build bike.

« Last post by natethegreat on February 07, 2025, 02:39:29 pm »

I have been riding for over 40 years, toured a bit, done most of my mechanic work, and have the basic tools.
In general most mods I have done worked,.. a few failed. 
The basement is covered in bike parts since the days of Mafac brakes.
I have built 5 wheels, 1 bike, can tap and mill. Most mods have held up OK.
I thought about frame repair/repaint, but this was what was offered by Trek. 

I considered having the shop do things. The shop wanted me to put the stock 28H wheels of this 920 model (discon) on this bike, (and just reading the reviews of the 920, a few people have had problems with 28H rim spoke design). Even with 32H wheels on my bikes I broke spokes. The shop wanted electronic shifters, and hydraulic brakes. It was pretty clear nobody really toured long distances.

I want to enjoy the scenery, have low maintenance and be mechanically fixable out in the field. A few pounds extra will not kill me by going with more conservative stuff. I always carry multi tools.

We learn   by reading the forums, bike reviews and talking to other experienced wrench friends and posts like this.

If you roll your own, you will be capable of adjusting/fixing most things out on the road. Your bike will be designed as you need it.
Having that competent knowledge is priceless.

98

Routes / Re: Oskosh, WI area Tour Suggestions

« Last post by OHRider on February 07, 2025, 01:55:30 pm »

The bike path from Sheboygan to Fond du Lac is paved all the way.  Here is the route I would take from the trail end to Paul's Woods at AirVenture: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49650521.

Thanks- that looks like a good route.  Should be able to get to Sheboygan from Manitowac in one day depending on the ferry schedule.  Maybe we will go around the northern end of the lake in one direction and the southern in the other direction.

99

Routes / Re: Oskosh, WI area Tour Suggestions

« Last post by Fargo on February 07, 2025, 12:43:09 pm »

The bike path from Sheboygan to Fond du Lac is paved all the way.  Here is the route I would take from the trail end to Paul's Woods at AirVenture: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49650521.

100

Gear Talk / Re: Have Trek 920 frame, need to (re)build bike.

« Last post by driftlessregion on February 07, 2025, 12:20:49 pm »

Have you considered having it repaired by a competent person?