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Search: Posts Made By: mev
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Forum: Touring
03-27-24, 06:23 PM
Replies: 11
Views: 153
Posted By mev

I know this was said in jest... but I was curious...

I know this was said in jest... but I was curious so I asked the following:

> I'm going on a van supported bicycle tour. The night time temperatures will be in the low 40s. Is a 1 man tent better...
Forum: Touring
03-27-24, 03:13 PM
Replies: 11
Views: 153
Posted By mev

For those more familiar with the east coast, here...

For those more familiar with the east coast, here is what I got when I asked:

> Develop and itinerary and guide for a bicycle trip via the C&O Canal tow path from Cumberland to Washington. Include...
Forum: Touring
03-27-24, 02:46 PM
Replies: 11
Views: 153
Posted By mev

Using AI to plan a bicycle trip...

For fun, I did an experiment to see how well a local chatbot could plan an upcoming bicycle trip. I was using a local copy of "LM Studio" on my PC and picked the Mistral Instruct 7B model. Overall...
Forum: Touring
03-27-24, 11:09 AM
Replies: 5
Views: 108
Posted By mev

No pillow. Instead I put a few clothes into the...

No pillow.
Instead I put a few clothes into the stuff sack from my sleeping bag. I may also drape over a fleece over the outside of the stuff sack.
Forum: Touring
03-26-24, 08:00 AM
Replies: 3
Views: 106
Posted By mev

Here is the thread when this came up last June:...

Here is the thread when this came up last June: https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/1275295-fort-madison-bridge-bikes-allowed.html
Forum: Touring
03-25-24, 05:25 AM
Replies: 37
Views: 1,034
Posted By mev

Agree on average though still useful to be...

Agree on average though still useful to be cautious. Two counter examples:
1) As a hobby, my brother has designed and had built a variety of customized folding bicycles. He had one stolen in...
Forum: Touring
03-23-24, 07:08 PM
Replies: 54
Views: 1,843
Posted By mev

In 2013 I went on a supported TDA ride from Cairo...

In 2013 I went on a supported TDA ride from Cairo to Capetown (~12000km). There were ~50 of us who were on the entire trip. The number of flat tires varied per person with a few having zero flats...
Forum: Touring
03-21-24, 05:31 AM
Replies: 18
Views: 391
Posted By mev

Miles from Nowhere by Barbara Savage.

Miles from Nowhere by Barbara Savage.
Forum: Touring
03-19-24, 02:27 PM
Replies: 22
Views: 579
Posted By mev

I bought a Cannondale Trek T1000 in 1991 and...

I bought a Cannondale Trek T1000 in 1991 and cycled across the USA in 1992, across Canada in 1997 and half-way around Australia in 2001 - as well as many week-long shorter trips in the decade. The...
Forum: Touring
03-19-24, 09:05 AM
Replies: 45
Views: 1,230
Posted By mev

I have my share of tech toys: laptop,...

I have my share of tech toys: laptop, kindle/tablet, phone. I have brought a heavier camera in the past, though more recently used a cell phone camera.

On a longer trip, I have also occasionally...
Forum: Touring
03-18-24, 02:30 PM
Replies: 54
Views: 1,843
Posted By mev

For what it is worth, I have cycled across six...

For what it is worth, I have cycled across six continents. The Africa (Cairo to Capetown) trip was a supported ride, but I have crossed longer stretches including riding across Russia (Amsterdam to...
Forum: Touring
03-18-24, 03:53 AM
Replies: 54
Views: 1,843
Posted By mev

Note that the article you linked assumes 26-36...

Note that the article you linked assumes 26-36 pounds is the bicycle and the rest is gear. The discussion above is only 60 pounds of gear. So the comparison is more like:

86-96 pounds vs 55-110...
Forum: Touring
03-14-24, 08:54 AM
Replies: 5
Views: 263
Posted By mev

Do you have any fixed dates, e.g. either arrival...

Do you have any fixed dates, e.g. either arrival or departure days - or is your arrival/departure variable and you might have some late flexibility on when you arrive/depart?

I don't know the...
Forum: Touring
03-13-24, 08:12 AM
Replies: 43
Views: 1,322
Posted By mev

The wheels are off and the handlebars are off....

The wheels are off and the handlebars are off. Otherwise taped together and wrapped by baggage handlers in Bangalore airport with that saran wrap they otherwise use for suitcases. From Bangalore to...
Forum: Touring
03-12-24, 12:47 PM
Replies: 2
Views: 100
Posted By mev

I cycled in 2017 as part of a supported ride. I...

I cycled in 2017 as part of a supported ride. I started unsupported in Prudhoe Bay but did the stretch from Puerto Montt to Ushuaia as part of a supported ride.

My suggestion would be to at least...
Forum: Touring
03-12-24, 10:51 AM
Replies: 37
Views: 1,034
Posted By mev

I carry a basic lock that looks like below ...

I carry a basic lock that looks like below
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikeforums.net-vbulletin/679x639/lock_d2ade4807cc582ba7370eb95e4934a12d6dec8e8.jpg
Otherwise it really depends on the...
Forum: Touring
03-12-24, 07:31 AM
Replies: 29
Views: 857
Posted By mev

A suggestion at least until you get past Chicago...

A suggestion at least until you get past Chicago is to use the mode of "auto avoid highways". The reason is there are some more remote unpaved roads you can find yourself on in New Mexico. Going up...
Forum: Touring
03-11-24, 09:39 AM
Replies: 36
Views: 1,440
Posted By mev

Both the Phil Woods rear hub and Surly front rack...

Both the Phil Woods rear hub and Surly front rack failures are areas where there was subsequent design improvements that may have also addressed some of the issues I saw:
-- I used a 48-spoke Phil...
Forum: Touring
03-11-24, 07:42 AM
Replies: 36
Views: 1,440
Posted By mev

The following mechanical summaries is from an...

The following mechanical summaries is from an 18-month/27000km trip from Prudhoe Bay to Ushuaia in 2016/2017:Reflections:

Disc brakes: I have become a big fan of disc brakes – mainly because of a...
Forum: Touring
03-11-24, 07:29 AM
Replies: 36
Views: 1,440
Posted By mev

Not broken, but I have replaced three cranks...

Not broken, but I have replaced three cranks while on tour:
- Most dramatic was just before Christmas 2018 between Kerrville and Junction TX where the crank arm snapped. A combination of...
Forum: Touring
03-09-24, 04:34 PM
Replies: 43
Views: 1,322
Posted By mev

I don't know if this is still the case, but I...

I don't know if this is still the case, but I have flown on Lufthansa with a bicycle not in a box. That is also at odds with what I see on their web site right now...
Forum: Touring
03-08-24, 09:10 AM
Replies: 18
Views: 555
Posted By mev

I have also been pleasantly surprised with border...

I have also been pleasantly surprised with border crossings through Central America and Latin America in general. So this change in Ecuador would be a concern. Bolivia has some much more stringent...
Forum: Touring
03-08-24, 08:03 AM
Replies: 29
Views: 857
Posted By mev

Seems reasonable. You are leaving late enough to...

Seems reasonable. You are leaving late enough to not have as many issues with snow in the northern reaches. My guess is the largest weather issue to watch for weather will be further south in New...
Forum: Touring
03-06-24, 02:09 PM
Replies: 29
Views: 857
Posted By mev

Amtrak's route network is here:...

Amtrak's route network is here: https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/Maps/Amtrak-System-Map-1018.pdf
Prior to Chicago, any of the three trains you would likely...
Forum: Touring
03-06-24, 07:34 AM
Replies: 54
Views: 1,843
Posted By mev

I am heavier and haven't gotten over 10,000km on...

I am heavier and haven't gotten over 10,000km on a Marathon Plus tire but typically get close. However, agree they last longer than other tires that I have used. Photo below of an old tire I had worn...
Forum: Touring
03-05-24, 05:46 PM
Replies: 29
Views: 857
Posted By mev

There are quite a few baggage station stops...

There are quite a few baggage station stops earlier as well leaving some flexiblity, e.g. El Paso, Albuquerue, Kansas City, Omaha, St Louis and Chicago all come to mind...Most of these would be a...
Forum: Touring
03-05-24, 03:54 PM
Replies: 25
Views: 1,125
Posted By mev

I see ultra-endurance racing as a different...

I see ultra-endurance racing as a different preference. Not mine but I am also not bothered with portrayals of others doing it.

In a strange way, similar to how I see some people doing long bike...
Forum: Touring
03-05-24, 06:49 AM
Replies: 18
Views: 555
Posted By mev

I also haven't had much difficulty crossing...

I also haven't had much difficulty crossing between US and Canada with a bike. Among my times:
- Crossing from Haines AK on the road to Haines Junction YT, they gave me mixed messages about bear...
Forum: Touring
03-04-24, 04:55 PM
Replies: 18
Views: 555
Posted By mev

Sounds like it could be a real mess and/or an...

Sounds like it could be a real mess and/or an excuse if they want to exclude you for other reasons. I crossed from Colombia to Tulcan Ecuador in 2017 before the pandemic. At the time, this crossing...
Forum: Touring
03-01-24, 06:17 PM
Replies: 29
Views: 857
Posted By mev

The Katy Trail and OTET are two longer trails on...

The Katy Trail and OTET are two longer trails on your route to consider.

I don't know what time of year you expect to finish the GDMBR but if it were me, the other factor I would take into account...
Forum: Touring
02-28-24, 06:50 PM
Replies: 23
Views: 589
Posted By mev

I am not the OP, but interpreted the sentence "We...

I am not the OP, but interpreted the sentence "We have reserved a pick up truck for us to drive us and our bikes and gear to Plattburgh" as one-way rental car probably dropping off at the Plattsburgh...
Forum: Touring
02-27-24, 06:45 PM
Replies: 45
Views: 1,770
Posted By mev

I expect there has always been a variety of...

I expect there has always been a variety of "touring" that is done. For example:
- some on paved roads, some on gravel roads, some on trails, some on single-track
- some where you carry all your...
Forum: Touring
02-26-24, 04:02 PM
Replies: 23
Views: 589
Posted By mev

In 2023 I was looking for the ferry that went...

In 2023 I was looking for the ferry that went from Burlington to Plattsburgh and apparently it was still closed from 2022 on -...
Forum: Touring
02-26-24, 01:22 PM
Replies: 37
Views: 1,115
Posted By mev

With multiple route failures (described here in...

With multiple route failures (described here in this thread - https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/1278431-why-i-don-t-trust-route-choices-ride-gps.html) - I find it useful to sanity check with the...
Forum: Touring
02-26-24, 09:35 AM
Replies: 37
Views: 1,115
Posted By mev

I never saw it, but also didn't try too hard to...

I never saw it, but also didn't try too hard to find it.

Not sure in this situation, but one technique that also gets done is A-B testing on a live site. You subject some subset of the population...
Forum: Touring
02-25-24, 05:28 PM
Replies: 37
Views: 1,115
Posted By mev

Looking at other routes can be interesting,...

Looking at other routes can be interesting, though I always take it with a grain of salt...

I typically have plotted my own routes and then adjusted them with heat map information from the...
Forum: Touring
02-24-24, 04:16 AM
Replies: 33
Views: 1,308
Posted By mev

Thinking of a shorter ride from Alamogordo NM to...

Thinking of a shorter ride from Alamogordo NM to Lubbock TX but in April before it gets as hot. Not as certain of summer yet.
Forum: Touring
02-17-24, 03:11 AM
Replies: 31
Views: 959
Posted By mev

Unfortunately learned that the hard way through...

Unfortunately learned that the hard way through my own stupidity...

This was on a trip where we flew into Tbilisi Georgia. I was jet lagged and had the bike upside down. Somehow the combination...
Forum: Touring
02-15-24, 02:59 PM
Replies: 31
Views: 959
Posted By mev

Frustrating. The Delta flight I mentioned was...

Frustrating. The Delta flight I mentioned was outbound from the US to Colombia. Two weeks earlier I had flown inbound from Panama to the US, also on Delta and via Atlanta. I got caught in the...
Forum: Touring
02-15-24, 08:06 AM
Replies: 31
Views: 959
Posted By mev

For what it is worth, I was unimpressed by Delta...

For what it is worth, I was unimpressed by Delta on several counts on international flight from Denver to Cartagena, Colombia via Atlanta...

- On the outbound, I went to get a bike box in the...
Forum: Touring
02-14-24, 01:50 PM
Replies: 26
Views: 975
Posted By mev

I have an older sea to summit 4L bladder. Not...

I have an older sea to summit 4L bladder. Not often for every day but useful in those cases where I am going through arid areas and need extra water. Crossing Russia my riding partner had a 10l...
Forum: Touring
02-09-24, 06:07 PM
Replies: 31
Views: 959
Posted By mev

I don't know more about fees in general than what...

I don't know more about fees in general than what I find in a web search - https://www.orucase.com/blogs/news/the-ultimate-guide-to-bicycle-airline-fees

As far as multi-segment flights go, I've...
Forum: Touring
02-08-24, 10:50 AM
Replies: 169
Views: 9,006
Posted By mev

Hysteria over Jade Helm made national press -...

Hysteria over Jade Helm made national press - https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jade-helm-15-army-war-simulation-in-texas-sparks-fear-response-from-governor/ reinforced in part when the Texas governor...
Forum: Touring
02-08-24, 07:50 AM
Replies: 169
Views: 9,006
Posted By mev

Not there anymore but in 2018 someone had also...

Not there anymore but in 2018 someone had also created the world's smallest Target store between Alpine and Marathon...
Forum: Touring
02-07-24, 06:10 PM
Replies: 169
Views: 9,006
Posted By mev

For what it is worth, I rode some of that...

For what it is worth, I rode some of that pavement in December 2019. My trip report - https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/22685

If you go by Hachita you can camp for free inside the community...
Forum: Touring
02-07-24, 05:32 PM
Replies: 169
Views: 9,006
Posted By mev

I last cycled from El Paso to Austin in 2018. ...

I last cycled from El Paso to Austin in 2018. Here is my journal for that trip -https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/mevtexas2018 As tcs mentions you want to pick your time of year. My 2018 trip...
Forum: Touring
02-06-24, 03:43 PM
Replies: 169
Views: 9,006
Posted By mev

I expect it to be determined by the tag that is...

I expect it to be determined by the tag that is put on the bike/box when it is checked in. For example with some train-to-train connections I have done...

1) I traveled from Portland to San Diego...
Forum: Touring
02-06-24, 12:44 PM
Replies: 169
Views: 9,006
Posted By mev

?? I am 6' 4" and (barely) fit on the...

??
I am 6' 4" and (barely) fit on the downstairs when the seats are folded down and mattress is placed on top and can stretch completely. I sleep poorly in airline seats, OK in Amtrak seats and...
Forum: Touring
02-06-24, 09:11 AM
Replies: 169
Views: 9,006
Posted By mev

No space in a rooomette. The entire dimensions...

No space in a rooomette. The entire dimensions are 3.5ft by 6.5ft (https://www.amtrak.com/difference-between-a-roomette-a-bedroom). In that are two seats facing each other and above a bunk that...
Forum: Touring
02-05-24, 12:23 PM
Replies: 26
Views: 903
Posted By mev

This varies with the duration of the trip, e.g....

This varies with the duration of the trip, e.g. what you do in a five-day trip vs multiple months.

I don't plan out rest days much in advance and instead do them on the fly. The reason is the most...
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