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Search: Posts Made By: Big Lew
Showing results 1 to 50 of 547
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Forum: Touring
07-28-18, 03:23 PM
Replies: 26
Views: 3,853
Posted By Big Lew

You can't really compare one touring cyclist's...

You can't really compare one touring cyclist's daily average to others unless they're riding in similar terrain.
For me, I try to stay away from congested areas, preferring to ride in the country,...
Forum: Touring
07-26-18, 09:40 AM
Replies: 50
Views: 3,890
Posted By Big Lew

Wearing bells on your outfit is actually a good...

Wearing bells on your outfit is actually a good idea if your's hiking as it gives bears etc enough warning that you're approaching
under most situations. It isn't effective if hiking along a noisy...
Forum: Touring
07-26-18, 09:23 AM
Replies: 26
Views: 3,853
Posted By Big Lew

I started my serious touring when I was in my...

I started my serious touring when I was in my 40's and would train for a few weeks before leaving.
I always wished to go as far and to see as much as I could in the few weeks I could get off work....
Forum: Touring
07-21-18, 09:25 PM
Replies: 21
Views: 2,988
Posted By Big Lew

I've always traveled early in the year before the...

I've always traveled early in the year before the main tourist season. I've used Washington State ferries a few times,
and I've used BC ferries many times, including the Inside Passage Route and...
Forum: Touring
07-19-18, 10:44 PM
Replies: 50
Views: 3,890
Posted By Big Lew

I haven't done any testing of the mist type bear...

I haven't done any testing of the mist type bear spray as opposed the thick stream, but as I said earlier, if a bear is suddenly in full charge
it's not likely spray will deter it...but on the other...
Forum: Touring
07-19-18, 08:35 PM
Replies: 50
Views: 3,890
Posted By Big Lew

Yes, but as we're not allowed to carry sidearms...

Yes, but as we're not allowed to carry sidearms in BC as they are restricted, packing a 'defender' on a bike
would be problematic, especially considering the close bear encounters I experienced on...
Forum: Touring
07-19-18, 12:22 AM
Replies: 50
Views: 3,890
Posted By Big Lew

Yes, I should have had a big can of bear spray at...

Yes, I should have had a big can of bear spray at the ready on my bike when touring up north. Carrying a gun was not an option as I was
riding both in Alaska and Canada as well as parks etc.
Forum: Touring
07-18-18, 02:48 PM
Replies: 50
Views: 3,890
Posted By Big Lew

Cool! The very first live wild black bear I saw...

Cool! The very first live wild black bear I saw was in similar circumstances.
It was in 1956, I was 10 years old, and quietly making my way along a path beside Whonnock Creek in the Fraser Valley...
Forum: Touring
07-17-18, 12:27 PM
Replies: 50
Views: 3,890
Posted By Big Lew

" You are unlikely to have a problem with a bear...

" You are unlikely to have a problem with a bear feeding at the side of the road. But I wouldnt stop and take pics."

True, but as in most situations, there are exceptions.
In my 62 years prowling...
Forum: Touring
07-16-18, 11:11 PM
Replies: 50
Views: 3,890
Posted By Big Lew

I should have added that mb cycling along trails...

I should have added that mb cycling along trails in cougar country is a risky business as well.
There have been people attacked In BC while doing that. Running by or away from a predator
will...
Forum: Touring
07-15-18, 10:38 PM
Replies: 50
Views: 3,890
Posted By Big Lew

As Mountain Mitch says, out in BC most sows won't...

As Mountain Mitch says, out in BC most sows won't immediately attack a human unless their cubs are in direct danger.
Most of my recreational activities are in the back-country of BC and I've...
Forum: Touring
07-14-18, 10:11 PM
Replies: 50
Views: 3,890
Posted By Big Lew

Come and ride the country roads in British...

Come and ride the country roads in British Columbia and you'll commonly see all kinds of wildlife, including black bears.
There's a great many roads of all kinds and for all types for touring...
Forum: Touring
07-02-18, 08:50 PM
Replies: 25
Views: 2,883
Posted By Big Lew

Yes, everyone has to decide how much they take,...

Yes, everyone has to decide how much they take, and how many panniers or bags they need.
For me, I always travel with 4 panniers, and easily detachable handlebar bag containing my valuables so i can...
Forum: Touring
07-01-18, 07:36 AM
Replies: 25
Views: 2,883
Posted By Big Lew

It's all fine and dandy to explore the best...

It's all fine and dandy to explore the best equipment, clothing, and food stuffs to take while touring, that's the
advantage of today's internet people didn't have in years gone by. It doesn't make...
Forum: Touring
06-30-18, 08:18 PM
Replies: 25
Views: 2,883
Posted By Big Lew

Ha ha ha....no problem being a bit...

Ha ha ha....no problem being a bit odoriferous...if you can keep riding in front, lol!
Forum: Touring
06-30-18, 01:43 PM
Replies: 25
Views: 2,883
Posted By Big Lew

If you've got 'over-packing' under control, and...

If you've got 'over-packing' under control, and you have the necessary repair items as well as a 1st aid kit, go for it.
As you say, you're only going for a couple of days or so and you will learn...
Forum: Touring
06-25-18, 10:44 AM
Replies: 63
Views: 7,783
Posted By Big Lew

I've slept in some pretty basic accommodations...

I've slept in some pretty basic accommodations rather than in my tent in the Yukon and northern BC because of the grizzly warnings
by local COs and Rangers. I normally traveled through there in...
Forum: Touring
06-19-18, 08:09 PM
Replies: 63
Views: 7,783
Posted By Big Lew

As has basically been said many times here, "to...

As has basically been said many times here, "to each their own".
Some bicycle tour for the whole experience of seeing as much as they can and chat it up with people along the way,
doing it from a...
Forum: Touring
06-16-18, 07:14 AM
Replies: 63
Views: 7,783
Posted By Big Lew

I normally haven't toured for only 2-4 days,...

I normally haven't toured for only 2-4 days, usually 750-2500 miles at a time and try to avoid the big cities if possible.
I carry complete self sustaining equipment "just in case" but will use any...
Forum: Touring
06-13-18, 07:46 PM
Replies: 16
Views: 2,529
Posted By Big Lew

I'm not sure how much picturesque damage was done...

I'm not sure how much picturesque damage was done by forest fires lately, but following 89A south through Sedona
from Flagstaff, continuing south to Gerome and up over the mountains to Prescott and...
Forum: Touring
06-13-18, 01:20 PM
Replies: 33
Views: 3,404
Posted By Big Lew

Yes, but only on dikes, little used logging and...

Yes, but only on dikes, little used logging and forestry roads, or open country range land.
A big concern where I live is cougars, both when I used to run long distance, and for my dog and I if...
Forum: Touring
06-12-18, 10:06 AM
Replies: 70
Views: 9,196
Posted By Big Lew

My first long tour included riding on hundreds of...

My first long tour included riding on hundreds of miles of varied pavement with a lot of tarred surface cracks.
Each tarred over crack stuck up above the normal road surface. I was very glad I had...
Forum: Touring
06-11-18, 09:54 PM
Replies: 33
Views: 3,404
Posted By Big Lew

Thanks. I have a couple different types of...

Thanks. I have a couple different types of 'booties' that he's used to wearing on crystallized ice and snow that would work well.
Having said that, I've decided that the combination of my age,...
Forum: Touring
06-11-18, 01:05 PM
Replies: 77
Views: 8,608
Posted By Big Lew

I learned a lot on my first tour of approx 1500...

I learned a lot on my first tour of approx 1500 miles. Setting the correct pedal length, proper seat adjustment,
using proper stiff cycling shoes, not wearing cotton underwear with padded cycling...
Forum: Touring
06-08-18, 09:47 PM
Replies: 33
Views: 3,404
Posted By Big Lew

Yes, when pulling my heavily laden trailer on old...

Yes, when pulling my heavily laden trailer on old unused logging roads it was a big frustration trying to fit all 3 wheel tracks
around the big holes and boulders for sure. I was sitting on the...
Forum: Touring
06-08-18, 12:07 PM
Replies: 33
Views: 3,404
Posted By Big Lew

Thought of that but some of the fun for me in...

Thought of that but some of the fun for me in touring has been the adrenalin rush of racing down the far side of a mountain
after struggling to get to the top. Don't think going at any speed would...
Forum: Touring
06-08-18, 04:20 AM
Replies: 33
Views: 3,404
Posted By Big Lew

Thanks! I see from your location, hills might not...

Thanks! I see from your location, hills might not be a concern, but I live in southern British Columbia where hills and mountianous
terrain are all around me. Even on my easier tours along the west...
Forum: Touring
06-07-18, 11:19 PM
Replies: 33
Views: 3,404
Posted By Big Lew

One thing I've learned since retiring and having...

One thing I've learned since retiring and having extra time to do things is that our brains relish the new adventures
but they're not necessarily in sync with our aging bodies. Up until I had...
Forum: Touring
06-07-18, 10:08 PM
Replies: 33
Views: 3,404
Posted By Big Lew

You make many very good points. Since starting...

You make many very good points. Since starting this thread I've been researching trailers skookum enough for the job.
Even were I to make my own, the weight will be around 25-35 lbs. Adding all...
Forum: Touring
06-07-18, 02:38 PM
Replies: 33
Views: 3,404
Posted By Big Lew

I don't expect to do more than 35-50 miles a day....

I don't expect to do more than 35-50 miles a day. He's not a chore to take care of, and it's very expensive to put
a large dog in a kennel for long periods of time. Leaving a specialty trained dog...
Forum: Touring
06-07-18, 02:31 PM
Replies: 33
Views: 3,404
Posted By Big Lew

Ha Ha! He's about the same size! I'm not...

Ha Ha! He's about the same size! I'm not worried about him jumping in and out
as he's extremely well trained....unless a coon runs across our path, lol! That's
the only animal he has a bit of a...
Forum: Touring
06-07-18, 12:17 PM
Replies: 33
Views: 3,404
Posted By Big Lew

I have 2 touring bikes, the older is an old 6x3...

I have 2 touring bikes, the older is an old 6x3 spd Norco Tango that I completely upgraded with high end parts,
including titanium axles. It is already set up for towing a custom trailer when...
Forum: Touring
06-07-18, 08:58 AM
Replies: 33
Views: 3,404
Posted By Big Lew

Yes, I fully expect it will be a learning curve...

Yes, I fully expect it will be a learning curve requiring a lot of patience, especially for someone like me that was used to
traveling 60-110 miles daily on my previous tours. I'm also a lot older...
Forum: Touring
06-06-18, 10:25 PM
Replies: 12
Views: 1,590
Posted By Big Lew

I've ridden the route from Horseshoe Bay to...

I've ridden the route from Horseshoe Bay to Pemberton, and then to Lillooet several times over the years.
I highly recommend it, especially from Pemberton to Lillooet. The hwy south from Lillooet...
Forum: Touring
06-06-18, 09:44 PM
Replies: 33
Views: 3,404
Posted By Big Lew

Touring with a big dog

A bit of history...between the years 1992 and 2006 I did an extensive amount of touring over much of the western side of North America.
I usually carried 40-55 lbs of camping related weight because...
Forum: Touring
08-22-17, 06:38 PM
Replies: 29
Views: 8,688
Posted By Big Lew

Exactly! Hearing from those that have been able...

Exactly! Hearing from those that have been able to continue along, including touring,
even if there aren't that many, gives a person optimism and the drive and determination
to "get back on the...
Forum: Touring
07-31-17, 02:09 PM
Replies: 75
Views: 9,311
Posted By Big Lew

Very good post! As someone that's lived among...

Very good post! As someone that's lived among and dealt with both species most of my 71 years,
I can say you've posted a pretty accurate assessment.
Forum: Touring
07-31-17, 08:49 AM
Replies: 75
Views: 9,311
Posted By Big Lew

I've rode extensively throughout British...

I've rode extensively throughout British Columbia, and on some roads
in the Yukon as well as down the Alaskan Hwy. I've had a few concerning
incidents between both blacks and grizzles, but on each...
Forum: Classic & Vintage
07-22-17, 10:15 PM
Replies: 56
Views: 6,968
Posted By Big Lew

I went on my first multi-day tour when I was 14...

I went on my first multi-day tour when I was 14 in 1958, going with my
best friend of the same age. I rode an old 28" single speed man's CCM bike
while my friend had a brand new Raleigh 3 speed....
Forum: Touring
06-27-17, 02:53 PM
Replies: 83
Views: 8,206
Posted By Big Lew

I am curious about just how many touring cyclists...

I am curious about just how many touring cyclists have actually needed
to protect themselves. I realize several have had items stolen, and maybe
I'm wrong, but I don't believe that many have got...
Forum: Touring
06-26-17, 10:55 AM
Replies: 133
Views: 13,795
Posted By Big Lew

Unless you have health problems, 54 is still...

Unless you have health problems, 54 is still young for touring.
I didn't start seriously touring until about 45. Many of my longest tours were after 50,
including the Alaskan Hwy and several roads...
Forum: Touring
06-22-17, 09:49 PM
Replies: 85
Views: 8,348
Posted By Big Lew

If you can get permethrin, that's your best...

If you can get permethrin, that's your best defense...good post.
As I mentioned earlier, although our armed forces use it, we in Canada can't buy it or
legally bring it in across the border yet...
Forum: Touring
06-21-17, 07:52 AM
Replies: 85
Views: 8,348
Posted By Big Lew

I have seen literally dozens of ticks crawling...

I have seen literally dozens of ticks crawling over the ice at the bottom of a frozen waterfall
by Pavilion Lake in BC. In BC's Interior and Okanagan the worst time seems to be during March ...
Forum: Touring
06-20-17, 07:36 PM
Replies: 85
Views: 8,348
Posted By Big Lew

Lyme's disease has also spread across southern...

Lyme's disease has also spread across southern Canada, including eastern and
central British Columbia. I personally know of a young lady that got bit early last
fall and still is suffering...
Forum: Touring
06-20-17, 08:08 AM
Replies: 27
Views: 3,097
Posted By Big Lew

I used a stout cable lock for many tours until I...

I used a stout cable lock for many tours until I watched a video about how fast
and easy someone could clip the cable. I now use a proper heavy duty bike 'U'
lock. I also run a dark light cable...
Forum: Touring
06-09-17, 12:03 PM
Replies: 21
Views: 1,237
Posted By Big Lew

Go for it, take the advise regarding sun...

Go for it, take the advise regarding sun protection, water, and frequent stops.
I've ridden in many 75 km MS rides where 100's, even 1000's or newbe riders
completed the ride, had fun, and were...
Forum: Touring
06-08-17, 11:27 PM
Replies: 57
Views: 5,853
Posted By Big Lew

As "Happy Feet" remarked, out west in British...

As "Happy Feet" remarked, out west in British Columbia our government for some reason
doesn't have staff in their parks for nearly half a year, targeting the summer holidaying
masses instead, so...
Forum: Touring
05-22-17, 11:03 PM
Replies: 15
Views: 1,355
Posted By Big Lew

Another thing I experienced on my last tour west...

Another thing I experienced on my last tour west and north of Whitehorse was
the large number of deer and horse flies which can easily outrun anyone on a
touring bike. How they can fly so fast for...
Forum: Touring
05-22-17, 08:23 AM
Replies: 15
Views: 1,355
Posted By Big Lew

I've ridden quite a bit up north, including the...

I've ridden quite a bit up north, including the Alaskan Hwy, so will echo other's
suggestions of bringing a head net, pick up the 'The MilePost', and carefully choose your
campsites. I found that...
Forum: Touring
04-21-17, 12:29 AM
Replies: 34
Views: 3,266
Posted By Big Lew

I suppose it depends where you're traveling. ...

I suppose it depends where you're traveling.
Out in the north west, especially in Canada, finding a place to camp overnight
isn't a problem. Of course building a fire or leaving a mess isn't well...
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