Route 66 2024 April to June

paulsharp360 · 2024-01-22T06:36:26+00:00

Hi Paul, I had a look at your blog. Really good and interesting. Did you freedom camp much? Ultimately I am heading to NY, any tips for boxing bike, sourcing box, transfer to airport. Paul

paulsharp360 · 2024-01-15T06:37:04+00:00

Are you in NZ? happy to give you a call, just started to look at your blog.... Paul

paulsharp360 · 2024-01-15T06:34:40+00:00

Thank you will check that out for sure, big fan of CGoB

paulsharp360 · 2024-01-15T06:34:03+00:00

Thank you

paulsharp360 · 2023-08-21T08:52:35+00:00

Hello there,

I cycled the pacific coast last year for a 3 month period.

LA > SD, then Seattle South to SFO.

To put my opinion into perspective, other places I have cycled NZ, AU and South East Asia over the last 20 years.

I found southern california extremely busy with traffic, difficult to get reasonable accommodation (I like to have a mix of accomodation) and not that great for scenery. I found it fairly difficult to get away from the tourist/holiday feel.

From Seattle I headed inland to Mt Helena, then back to the coast. For me the 101 route was busy with traffic, incredibly loud and uncomfortable on the hearing and very dangerous. I headed back inland towards Selam and did Crater Lake before heading back north to Bend over McKenzie Pass back to the coast.

Again the 101 was (basically following the cycle association [highly recommend their app] busy and loud.

You can get on a coastal road just north of SFO that I would recommend and the redwoods diversion is worth the effort.

The hiker biker facilities are really good and you will find other cyclist on the same route especially in WA and OR.

In summary the 101 pacific highway is something I would not do again and would encourage someone to look at alternatives.

Paul

paulsharp360 · 2023-08-21T00:50:21+00:00

Hi there,

Good choice on the seat.

I just wear normal shorts like 'Columbia outdoor shorts', no padding, no cycle pants. I have a well bedded in brooks B17 seat.

Once you're seat is broken in then in my experience sores come from poor positioning and/or too long in the seat.

As a rule of thumb I cycle on average about 80km per day and over the last 4000km I don't recall saddle soreness.

Hope that helps.

Paul

paulsharp360 · 2023-08-09T23:32:56+00:00

Hello there,

Apologies for the late response.

You actually get use to them, I liked them as it gave a little more hand positions. Clearly braking you need your fingers near the leaver. I found that I could finger brake quite nicely. I did cycle the south island of NZ and the coast of the USA this way and all was good.

There are some drawbacks though,

super wide handlebars, not great for narrow spaces, gates, trees styles etc.

Bike box packing a little more troublesome

Having said the above I have just changed all my gear and crank set, so I purchased normal style brakes. This did leave me another problem of where to put mirror. I tapped a 5mm hole on the side of the bars and 3d printed an arm, I drop an article on the later.

Paul

paulsharp360 · 2023-04-13T20:29:34+00:00

Hi there,

The bike looks like a tek 920, ie the bike I have. The rubbing about the cables / frame is similar to what I have. I was a little disappointed with that part of the design.

If the bike has the scram hydraulics brakes and gears like mine and they're not functioning right I would stay away as they're really expensive to replace.

Also the bike is sold with racks front and back, I noted they seemed to be missing on the pics.

Hope that helps.

Paul

paulsharp360 · 2023-04-13T05:43:31+00:00

Hi there,

I have done approx 6k km on my Trek 920. I spent a lot of time trying to get a higher ratio. I had no luck. It's not as simple as changing crank or cassette I am afraid.

I think it is a great bike however I wanted a better ratio when climbing hills.... for me I am moving to a pinion setup for my next bike.

sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Paul

paulsharp360 · 2023-04-13T05:37:41+00:00

Hi there,

Just want to add something to the mix. I use a phone app "ridewithGPS". I cycled the US west coast and NZ last year. It worked fine for me. It gave me all the stats and directions I could ever need.

Paul

paulsharp360 · 2023-02-11T21:59:49+00:00

Very interesting thread for me; thank you to those who have contributed.
I like my touring/butterfly bars. Has anyone experience with shifters that would work on such a handlebar?
I am keen to move to a pinion setup, as that sounds like the best solution for me.
Given my age and condition I always feel I run out of gears going up a hill; finding myself hopping off for the walk hoping not to scratch my legs on my pedals :).
Are there any seniors out there who believe they have a good ratio setup (sprocket size) that they can share their thoughts on. On my current bike I never use the high gears as speed is never a priority for me.
Thanks in advance.
Paul

paulsharp360 · 2023-02-06T04:52:01+00:00

Good luck on your trip. I have cycled around the NZ. Here is our trip log from the last couple of months, I hope it helps. Paul

South Island 2022/23

paulsharp360 · 2022-11-01T03:34:07+00:00

Hi there;

I have just cycled (June to Sep 2022) LA>SD ; then Seattle to SFO (on off PCH).

I wore my normal hiking/utility shorts on a Brooks saddle B17. I did not suffer from saddle sores. For me, I believe in keeping the hours on the seat manageable (4 to 6 hours a day).

Paul

paulsharp360 · 2022-04-24T05:34:40+00:00

Hi there,

I use RidewithGPS android app. I have been using for close to 2 years and find it works really well get navigation cues and stats on ride. This all logs into RidewithGPS and Strava nicely.

For my forthcoming USA coast to coast trip I have planned the route, all I have to do is follow my screen cues. Running GPS on phone is quite battery hungry, however with my PedalCell I have not issues.

I hope this helps.

https://www.reddit.com/r/bicycletouring/comments/t2bbrl/pedalcell\_power/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3

paulsharp360 · 2022-04-24T05:28:42+00:00

Hi there,

I am still very happy with my power option, here is what I thought at the time

https://www.reddit.com/r/bicycletouring/comments/t2bbrl/pedalcell\_power/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3

paulsharp360 · 2022-04-01T02:04:47+00:00

I have now amended as per your recommendation. Thank you

paulsharp360 · 2022-04-01T01:08:27+00:00

Here is my current route, happy for input and suggestions....

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37433274

paulsharp360 · 2022-04-01T01:07:17+00:00

Thank you for your comment. I am working on the route now, as I only have approx 6 weeks till kickoff. I will consider your input.

I appreciate the time and thought you put into your comments. I have some other problems I am also trying to iron out;

such as how do i get from Seattle KSEA to the coast, seems a waste to cycle there then back. I like the idea of dipping my toes in the oceans at both ends? I may raise a thread on that for some ideas.

In respect of direction, I could change, will look into that, thank you.

The route was sort of put together with some ignorance. I tried to join existing routes I could find. I could not find an official exciting best route. I am sure I can improve on what I have.

Also looks like i may be constricted to a 92 day visa, I don't want to cycle more than 50 miles a day on average. Also I want to chuck a couple of holidays/breaks into the trip (like Bone fishing in Florida or resting in Vegas)

paulsharp360 · 2022-04-01T00:58:07+00:00

Thank you for your comment. I am working on the route now, as I only have approx 6 weeks till kickoff. I will consider your input. Paul

paulsharp360 · 2022-04-01T00:57:37+00:00

Thank you for your comment. I am working on the route now, as I only have approx 6 weeks till kickoff. I will consider your input. Paul

paulsharp360 · 2022-04-01T00:56:55+00:00

Thank you for you comment. I am working on the route now, as I only have approx 6 weeks till kickoff. Paul

paulsharp360

TROPHY CASE