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Post by bluefish on Jul 7, 2020 3:59:01 GMT -8
Well, maybe. Though I'm still fighting hard to get my kidneys back and reduce my blood cancer, my physical abilities are still reduced. I decided to build some gravel bikes from older road models, rack them and do some bike packing. The UL camping gear we've upgraded to over time actually only fills one rear pannier with our tent, sleeping gear, cookset and rain gear, and the basket and racks will be plenty, plenty of room for everything else. Radical difference from the bike touring I did in the 70's and 80's. Anyone indulge in this? Any tips ? I'm also interested in some trips out around the Finger Lakes and the Tug Hill Plateau, if anyone has any suggestions for Western NY, or anywhere else in the NE for that matter. Can do rail trails and mild gravel, i.e. graded logging roads, no mountain bike trails. I'm also limited to 2 night trips. In the late 70's I did a ton of work on a steel frame road bike to turn it into something for all the dirt roads in the Owens Valley and surrounding area out to Death Valley. Only limited by the water you had to carry. Actually would love to return and do that again, someday. At this point, I feel pretty de-barked, kinda like a Bristlecone. Riding in the Whites to visit them would be awesome. Local, first. For some reason, pedaling is easier than hiking for me, I seem to be more along with my recovery when I'm on 2 wheels.
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Post by bradmacmt on Jul 7, 2020 5:15:26 GMT -8
I toured all around New England on my old steel framed Peugeot in the 70's. I have no advice for you, but I do have hearty well wishes and a big "God Bless You" for you!
Keep us in the loop on what you do and I'd love to see some pics too.
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Post by bluefish on Jul 7, 2020 16:04:46 GMT -8
Brad, thank you, and my bike is a Peugeot I bought in '77. Still going after all these years.
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Post by bradmacmt on Jul 7, 2020 20:30:43 GMT -8
No way! Mine was a 75’... wish I still had it.
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Post by swmtnbackpacker on Jul 8, 2020 6:35:21 GMT -8
I’ve met some bikepackers out west on mostly gravel bikes, but some other models too ...including a folding commuter bike (the ones with tiny wheels) with a military duffel bag bungied to the back rack going from Los Angeles to Las Vegas after riding from Seattle. If some make a big trip riding something like that (pre-COVID fwiw), the big thing is to get out there.
Having UL gear means you really just need back bicycle bags (or panniers), potentiality doubling daily mileage. With the explosion of microbreweries linked with grills, you could go without carrying too much food if restaurants are within your budget. Make sure you know the ranges of your potential mileages first if trying that.
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rangewalker
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Post by rangewalker on Jul 8, 2020 7:32:10 GMT -8
My emergence into cycle touring is just starting, but my environment is much more like you Owens Valley to Bishop country experience than NY and New England bluefish . For some reason, pedaling is easier than hiking for me As I age I am finding that true too. The only tip I can offer as you have already discovered the UL camp gear is a perfect fit for 2020 gravel touring, is you do not need aero racing cycle clothing. I wear my hiking swag with lined shorts or bibs under. Yes, the road master's snear a bit at the flappy "hipster" plaids and fishing shirts but you are cooler, less stank and less chafe than the black lycra skin casing. Another accommodation to age and body, with too many years of stupid human tricks after a career in the oil fields, is more upright position on the bikes using more ergonomic bars like Jones, other H, or swept back almost cruiser styles rather than drop or aero racing bars. I can align my back and shoulders at almost floating rest position that does not stress my hands, knees or back. The H type bars also give yous some room to tuck down when needed. I took a b/w photo of my 2020 steel frame Surly Bridge Club with its swept back Jones bars, and other than the monster 12x cassette, it could be from a catalog from 100 years ago when they designed bikes around the human form and a transportation machine instead of taking on a euro road race. |
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jul 8, 2020 8:54:03 GMT -8
rangewalker, with regard to clothing for biking, I’ll just urge that if you are using roads at all (shared with cars), wear a safety-neon shirt or vest.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Jul 8, 2020 9:32:50 GMT -8
And a helmet.
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Post by bradmacmt on Jul 8, 2020 9:56:19 GMT -8
While I don't want to be the one to rain on a parade, I came to to the decision some years ago that I won't road ride anymore. There's just too many distracted drivers in the age of the cellphone. Pity.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jul 8, 2020 11:24:16 GMT -8
Goes without saying, I hope. |
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jul 8, 2020 11:26:56 GMT -8
While I don't want to be the one to rain on a parade, I came to to the decision some years ago that I won't road ride anymore. There's just too many distracted drivers in the age of the cellphone. Pity. Brad, believe me when I say that I am struggling with this. Road riding has long been a major form of exercise and a pleasure as well as transportation. I’m not ready to give it up, at least as transport. But most of the pleasure is gone, most of the time. And while I don’t have the skills or the desire to ride single-track, I am thinking about getting a good gravel bike and switching to dirt roads. The thing is, one of the best parts about road riding is starting from my own front door, no TH transport needed. |
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rangewalker
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Post by rangewalker on Jul 8, 2020 12:27:06 GMT -8
with regard to clothing for biking, I’ll just urge that if you are using roads at all (shared with cars), wear a safety-neon shirt or vest. I do. Some of the best stuff comes from the hunting section of the sporting goods stores. Mesh safety vests from Walmart too. I use the same swag hiking in Wyoming kill season Sep-Dec. I have been yelled at and then complimented by some law and citizens on my lighting. And I am going to admit to not seeing some cyclists as a motorists, and that is scary too. Helmets: I have a fleet and deploy them even for the two block ride to the grocer. There finally is better standard than Snell from the 60's, MIPS, And the MTB designs that envelope more of them that envelope more to the skull are great. Snowboard helmet in winter. rebeccad The biggest safety issue with County and gravel roads is age and complacency of the local residents. The teens hotdogging it around the sweepers and the old timers that have been driving the same lanes since dirt come upon something they don't normally encounter, like a slot car with a pebble in the track, and they freak and over react. I have come into corners with big blind cut and fill, heard them coming, and just get off the road. |
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Post by bradmacmt on Jul 8, 2020 14:29:36 GMT -8
Brad, believe me when I say that I am struggling with this. Road riding has long been a major form of exercise and a pleasure as well as transportation. I’m not ready to give it up, at least as transport. But most of the pleasure is gone, most of the time. And while I don’t have the skills or the desire to ride single-track, I am thinking about getting a good gravel bike and switching to dirt roads. The thing is, one of the best parts about road riding is starting from my own front door, no TH transport needed. Rebecca, I can only imagine the turmoil a topic like this creates for you. It's easy to sit in the cheap seats and pontificate, but you're living with the reality of these kinds of decisions. I hope (think) you know how much I think of you... blessings on you sister. |
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Post by bradmacmt on Jul 8, 2020 14:46:32 GMT -8
I would add it's a terrible thing to take a life. As God's children we're not made for it I can assure you. PTSD is real, and comes from these sort of events.
As a teen I was going home late one dark night when a massive summer thunderstorm sprang up. The sheets of rain made visibility almost impossible. All the power and lights were out and I was just creeping along the road trying to stay in my lane. Suddenly a flash appeared in front of me while my car's windshield simultaneously caved in. I had hit a pedestrian crossing a railroad track. He died several hours later on the operating table. Turns out he was the "town drunk" and was out in the weather completely blotto, crossing the street illegally. But my teenage brain and emotions didn't know I hadn't done anything "wrong." All I knew was a man was dead at my hands. I was on the front page of the local paper, and his grieving sister was calling my house pouring out her wrath on me.
I suppose I became an old soul at age 17...
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Post by hikerjer on Jul 8, 2020 18:29:27 GMT -8
So sorry to hear that Brad. It’s a tragedy that could easily happen to any of us regardless of how careful we are. In fact, I may worry more about injuring others than I do about hurting myself. Years ago I had a close friend who struck and killed a teen-ager who was riding his bike. He was totally exonerated of all guilt but never really got over it and still plays the “only if” game.
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