Bugging out by bicycle ...

flipit said:
Nice ride surly makes a strong reliable bike, I like there single speeds for off season training.And nice knife,but a felony at the end of your trip.I live on the coast in CA. NO fixed blade carry.
But there is no size limit on folders.Good luck and have fun.
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correction, you can carry a fixed blade of any size as long as it is exposed, concealed of larger than 3 inches is a no no but who is going to check his back pack or bike pack
 
silverbullets said:
correction, you can carry a fixed blade of any size as long as it is exposed, concealed of larger than 3 inches is a no no but who is going to check his back pack or bike pack
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I would have thought that with it in the bottom of my bicycle pannier I would not be "carrying" it, but rather "transporting" it between campgrounds. Much the same as one would have to be legally able transport a large kitchen knife home from the store in the trunk of their car (but not tucked in their belt). I suspect I've passed the only place I was likely to be searched, though, having gotten through the border unscathed. Thankfully they didn't care to search me, since I didn't want to have to put all my stuff back together again - it's like some kind of puzzle.

If you've not already figured it out, I am posting this from the road. I'll be updating the blog next with a few pictures and a couple of days worth of travel diary.

I stayed Sunday night at the Deception Pass state park campground. I got lucky and had nice weather right up until I was ready to go to bed. The rain that happened overnight stopped just before I wanted to get up, so although my stuff got wet, I didn't.

My ride today was just cool enough most of the way to stay comfortable. I hit lots of hills (including a few nasty ones not on my intended path - oops) so my distance wasn't amazing, but I put in a lot of time. I left Deception Pass around 9AM and arrived here, in Paulsbo, WA around 8PM. Other than a half hour for lunch and a couple of short ferry trips, I was riding pretty much that whole time. I almost got stranded on the wrong side of the Hood Canal, the temporary shuttle ferry having been canceled due to weather until just before I arrived.

It was getting late in the day, and I really had to stop somewhere, so I took the closest option. I spent more than I'd have liked to for a motel in Paulsbo, but man, I've never appreciated an overpriced motel (with a king sized jacuzzi) so much. And WiFi, obviously. It gives me an opportunity to spread out my tent and sleeping bag and hopefully get everything dry, too. Once I get into climates where I'm less likely to get rained on, it should be easier to camp outside several nights in a row.

Going good so far, though. I really can't complain. If I keep up like this, I'll do fine.
 
I'm enjoying reading your blog posts. Stay safe and good journeys.
 
I just got back from the Huntington Beach police department and sorry that I'm NOT WRONG BUT NO FIXT BLAED CARY IN CA................................
Only exception is camping hunting fishing.Not trying to be a ass just would hate to see you have any hassle.
 
I'm following your blog and have a few ideas for you.

Try to make a list of things (during the trip as you think of them) that could make things better or easier for you if you have an opportunity to pick them up along the way. I don't know if you posted all the things you

Some examples:

- a good road map in case you miss another turn or get off course
- a GPS to track mileage/speed/avg speed and put some waypoints in for places you should go past

As someone posted before, water. Long trips can dehydrate you and decrease your performance. You might be drinking mcuh during the day-long rides, but try to drink much before falling asleep and as soon as you wake up. As good as water is, try to drink some sports drinks such as Powerade or Gatorade.

I hope it continues to go well for you.



p.s. Eat all the good food you can afford. You'll burn it off anyway. :thumbsup:
 
Nice bicycle. Brave trip!

I like to read more details about the bicycle like; kind of wheels, rims, spokes (pattern), tires and tubes (wear flats mileage), gears, chain (lube and problems if any)

Also road, traffic, and people problems.

I am planning a much shorter trip along the C&O Canal in Maryland (western)

The C&O Canal runs from Washington DC to Cumberland Maryland about 184 miles my plan covers the last 84 miles or so through Western Maryland. I will be using a Mountain Style Bicycle as the canal path is mostly hard packed stone.

I am now considering a BUSSE knife for the trip ; )
 
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It's an epidemic! :D

When I got back to HWY 101 and was reviewing my map and compass, a woman on a Surly Cross Check, loaded nearly as heavily as my Long Haul Trucker, pulled up and said hello. Apparently she had toured from Texas to New York in April, and having flown from there to Seattle, was now undertaking a similar trek down the coast as myself.
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BillyJoeBobJim said:
- a good road map in case you miss another turn or get off course
- a GPS to track mileage/speed/avg speed and put some waypoints in for places you should go past

As someone posted before, water.

p.s. Eat all the good food you can afford. You'll burn it off anyway. :thumbsup:
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A normal road map is a tricky one for this trip. It would take several maps to provide useful detail for a route going all the way down the Pacific Coast. That's where these cycling specific maps come in handy ... as long as I use 'em correctly. I did find myself thinking today that even a simple GPS unit would help provide me with a little more confidence that I'm going the right way and haven't passed a critical turn. I won't do it now, but before I do another trip like this I'll get a cycling computer / odometer. The directions on the maps are divided up by mileage, so it would be helpful to know distances I've traveled. Once I get to the part of the route that is right on the coast, though, I suspect it will be hard to get too lost. You know, go West until you find water ... then go South. :D

I am carrying a good amount of water, and have the means to carry a lot more, when I get into hotter climates if I need it. It's a compromise between weight and hydration, though. Ultimately, I won't sacrifice the essential hydration.

As far as the food part ... I'm loving being able to, and even having a very good and legitimate excuse for pigging out like I wouldn't under any other circumstances. I feel sorry for any buffet owners whose businesses I encounter.

wildjim said:
Nice bicycle. Brave trip!

I like to read more details about the bicycle like; kind of wheels, rims, spokes (pattern), tires and tubes (wear flats mileage), gears, chain (lube and problems if any)

Also road, traffic, and people problems.

I am now considering a BUSSE knife for the trip ; )
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That's a lot of details! First of all, I'd say the Busse is a good choice, I gave it lots of thought before settling on the Skinny ASH as being light enough to carry but strong enough to chop down a telephone pole. I think it was the right choice to cover a wide range of functions.

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I don't know all the little details of the bicycle off the top of my head (and it's in a motel room, right now - I'm in a coffee shop). I didn't build it, it was put together by North Park Bike Shop in Victoria, BC. It's the Surly frame, and their recommended set of mostly Campagnolo components. The tires are Schwalbe Marathon Plus and in spite of a couple of flats now, I'd guess are still a good choice. I'm using an alcohol based graphite chain lube that is working very nicely to keep things running smoothly and quietly. I've been applying it every morning, since things keep getting wet.

I can't really offer the most insightful recommendations, not having a great deal of experience to compare to. This is inspiring me to learn more about bicycle mechanics, though. It's kind of fun to tinker with this stuff. When you have a problem it's easy to just look at it and see what's causing it. It's more fun, to me, than working on cars or motorcycles. I could see myself building or repairing bicycles professionally some day.

As far as road, traffic and people problems ... well, none of those have caused too many problems yet. Most traffic is very respectful, giving me lots of clearance. Only a few times have people passed too close for comfort. I've got a long way left to go, though, so I'm sure there are problems yet to come. One problem I have right now is that my shoes are soaking wet. My rain jacket works well, and my pants dry very quickly, but my shoes take some effort to dry. It rained on me so heavily today that I cut the day very short and stopped at a motel in Elma, WA. Tomorrow I'm going to plastic bag my feet inside my shoes so I can hopefully stay comfortable pedaling through what is likely to be another rainy day.

Best of luck with your own travel plans. Be sure to take lots of pictures, and post an account of your own trip somewhere, and bring it to our attention. It's fun to read this kind of stuff. It was reading about other peoples' tours on Crazy Guy on a Bike that inspired me to do this myself.
 
Monkey guy, go to the next bike shop you come to on your route; and specifically ask them for Mr Tuffy Tire Liners + No more flats to the Mexican Border!! I used 1 set for ALL 3 of my cross country bike rides and never had a flat, just changed the tubes at each end of the ride! Also, some tubes are prone to 'snakebite', no, not that kind, the kind where they get pinched inisde the rim by a sharp edge. If you experience a set of flats in one day, then suspect the rim, if it's not actual debris stuck in your tires. When you change your flat out, run a gloved hand inside the tire casing to check for any more sharp debris. Just because you *think* you 'pulled out' whatever caused your flat; don't think you did! even a tiny thorn tip floating around inside a tire casing can poke another hole in your inner tube, and deflate the fun ride of the day!

Read your map the night before you start out, and reference it frequently, noting the significant markers. I used those maps, and though they are'nt flawless, they beat a car map hands down!! Only a fool would use a car map to ride a bicycle anywhere. These maps are designed to guide you AWAY from heavily trafficed areas when possible. Be sure and send some photos back up to Missoula, MT so they can post them on the wall. Looking good, don't sweat the small stuff; another few days and it'll be one long road to warm weather and bikiniville!
 
I agree with the OP response and that of 1Tracker, but my suggestion for road maps and/or GPS is to provide help IF the OP accidentally gets off course by missing a turn or taking a wrong turn.

The last time I hiked the full AT (southbound), I enjoyed being able to check the GPS every once in while to see what towns were nearby. I didn't rely on it for navigation, but checked my exact location against the maps at least once every three days.
 
nice bike choice!

I also live in victoria and love biking. Cool to see another knife fan here:)

Good luck on your trip bro
 
BillyJoeBobJim said:
I agree with the OP response and that of 1Tracker, but my suggestion for road maps and/or GPS is to provide help IF the OP accidentally gets off course by missing a turn or taking a wrong turn.

The last time I hiked the full AT (southbound), I enjoyed being able to check the GPS every once in while to see what towns were nearby. I didn't rely on it for navigation, but checked my exact location against the maps at least once every three days.
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Don't take it as a slight to your suggestion of a GPS. But until you've actually ridden long distance on a bicycle, you really don't understand 'The Road'. It's very different from backpacking the AT, which I've done piecemeal over the years. I have backpacked the Long Trail end to end, and did not feel the need to carry a GPS.

On a bike the fun is in 'going with the flow' of what you happen upon on a daily basis. Just as the OP is doing it's about 'The Road/Ride' not about 'efficiency' IMO/E. Having ridden my motorcycle cross country without a GPS I can tell you I don't own one or want one, your choice is to use one. A Road Trip worthy of 'Blue Highways' (read the book!) is one that just 'happens' as you drive, walk, bike it, without being planned.:thumbup:

I can probably build a bike in a few hours still today. After riding my bike over 20,000 miles, I got pretty close to being a good bike mechanic IMO/E.
 
1Tracker said:
Don't take it as a slight to your suggestion of a GPS. But until you've actually ridden long distance on a bicycle, you really don't understand 'The Road'. It's very different from backpacking the AT, which I've done piecemeal over the years. I have backpacked the Long Trail end to end, and did not feel the need to carry a GPS.

On a bike the fun is in 'going with the flow' of what you happen upon on a daily basis. Just as the OP is doing it's about 'The Road/Ride' not about 'efficiency' IMO/E. Having ridden my motorcycle cross country without a GPS I can tell you I don't own one or want one, your choice is to use one. A Road Trip worthy of 'Blue Highways' (read the book!) is one that just 'happens' as you drive, walk, bike it, without being planned.:thumbup:

I can probably build a bike in a few hours still today. After riding my bike over 20,000 miles, I got pretty close to being a good bike mechanic IMO/E.
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It was just an idea based on the following quotes from his blog:
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"(I don't have a bicycle computer, so my quoted distances come from Google Maps - they reflect a more direct route, but I think they also include ferry distances)"

"I thought I'd find food earlier so I didn't have breakfast and by the time I hit Coupeville I was starving"

"Then I took a significant detour (by accident), which while it didn't increase my distance much, certainly increased the number of major hills I had to climb"

"although I don't think the maps I'm carrying called for traveling so much on HWY 3"

"I got back on HWY 3 out of Bremerton, and happened through sheer luck back onto the recommended bicycle route from there"

"I took a severe wrong turn (or rather, failed to take a turn) at HWY 106, and went many miles West that I did not need to. I passed Twanoh State Park ... my maps said there should have been a campground there, and I would have stayed there, had that been correct. Fortunately, it was very nice riding terrain with beautiful scenery. Ultimately I found my way back on route through the directions of a nice storekeeper who also sold me a burrito."

"At the very least, I'm going to try hard to stay on the recommended route. My maps don't show much other than their cycling route, so when you go off it, you quickly run out of directions."
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You are correct in that a GPS is not needed. To each his own. :)

I didn't even have a compass on my first trip on the AT (northbound) until almost VA. :o Oh well.


:thumbup: Forget the idea about GPS or other maps. :thumbup:


To OP: Do you have a water filter or purification method?
 
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You probably already know about Camelback for hydration holds enough water for a six hour ride,lite and cheep.looks like your having a great time.Be safe and have a great ride!
 
Hey folks, just a quick update from borrowed WiFi ... maybe time tomorrow to update the blog, but for now you get the scoop.

I'm in Westport, Oregon. I didn't expect to make it to Oregon today, so I think I'm doing pretty well. Haven't gotten significantly lost in a couple of days, so I think my maps are going to be sufficient. The key change I made was to move 'em into my pocket where I could reference them more frequently than from my pannier.

I do have some water purification tablets, but only intended as an emergency backup. So long as I follow the recommended route I don't get too far from civilization, and I fill my bottles everywhere I can. I'm also carrying a four liter water bladder which I will fill at least partly before tackling any of the longer, more desert stretches down south. I'm not wearing it, or anything else on my back, though. I'm really enjoying having the panniers to take the weight off me. The only things I'm carrying on myself are my camera, map and ID / cash.

I bought a bottle of Powerade today to supplement my water, and it was welcomed. It's been a BEAUTIFUL and sunny, but warm day. First short sleeve day of the trip. Shorts too, tomorrow, from the sounds of it. I'm facing a big uphill to start the day.

Thalestin, hi! Nice to see another Victorian on here. :)
 
Nothing will sweat you to death on a bike like a Camelback type hydration rig. MUCH better to be using your water bottles and keeping that weight in the cages on the tubes IME. Take breaks going up the really steep hills. There is no glory in blowing out one's knees to 'make a hill'; only to have to give up the rest of the ride! I generally walked the first major hills I came to in the begining of my rides, until I had about 300 road miles on my legs, then they could pump all day.
 
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