2014 - Your Short Tours
#51
just another gosling
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,535
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3889 Post(s)
Liked 1,938 Times
in
1,383 Posts
We drove through that area in 2012 and thought it might make for some nice touring. There were, as I recall, sections of paved bicycle path along side the highway in places ... near Kalispell, Polson (a little further north than where you were), and Missoula.
Do you have photos of that tour?
Do you have photos of that tour?
GT2014
though we should have stayed on 200 on the last day.
Slideshow:
GT 2014 Slideshow by Carbonfiberboy | Photobucket
#52
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 6
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hello! I am a brand new member and this is my first post!
We are taking our first tour in a little less than two weeks and we're very excited! We are from La Crosse, WI and will ride the La Crosse River State Trail to Sparta (Bicycle capital of America!) which is 25 miles, then check in at our hot tub suite! The next day we will ride the Elroy Sparta Trail (first Rails to Trails. Kind of a big deal in these parts) to Elroy and back which is 64 miles, and the next day we will ride home!
This trip will get our feet wet. We're going to get rear racks, but not panniers. Instead we will loop the backpack straps around the seat posts then bungee our backpacks to the racks. We don't need more than our backpacks, and it'll be easy to grab and go when the time comes. If this is a success we will start working out our camping system. And I'll be on here a lot learning from all of you!
We are taking our first tour in a little less than two weeks and we're very excited! We are from La Crosse, WI and will ride the La Crosse River State Trail to Sparta (Bicycle capital of America!) which is 25 miles, then check in at our hot tub suite! The next day we will ride the Elroy Sparta Trail (first Rails to Trails. Kind of a big deal in these parts) to Elroy and back which is 64 miles, and the next day we will ride home!
This trip will get our feet wet. We're going to get rear racks, but not panniers. Instead we will loop the backpack straps around the seat posts then bungee our backpacks to the racks. We don't need more than our backpacks, and it'll be easy to grab and go when the time comes. If this is a success we will start working out our camping system. And I'll be on here a lot learning from all of you!
#53
Senior Member
Enjoy your first tour. Backpacks and bungees will work fine on a short tour like your planning. Have a great time.
#54
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 67
Bikes: Raleigh Detour 3.5,
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My wife and I did our very first mini-mini 3 night credit card tour. We kept it simple and inexpensive to see how we'd like it.
First, we simply used our hybrids- mine a Raleigh Detour 3.5 and my wife has a Raleigh C40.
I have added bar ends to the bikes, racks, changed out the tires for Nashbar Streetwise Kevlar 700x35 (added easier role and about 2mph). We kept initial cost down with Nashbar Panniers (I use a set of front panniers) and each a trunk bag.
We packed very light...I carried about 16lbs and my wife about 13lbs.
The first day we parked at my sister-in-laws and we rode only about 13 miles from Branch, WI to Mishicot, WI and spent the night at Fox Hills Resort. Even tho we were not loaded heavy, it still felt different but once we settled in it felt good to be out and about. We did our first day!
The next day we rode to Point Beach State Forest and spent about 2 hrs just reading and relaxing along Lake Michigan. We then rode to the Best Western Maritime Inn in Manitowoc, WI and spent the night. It was about a 23.5 mile day. After a whirlpool and a break in the indoor pool, it was a shower and out for some dinner and a stop for ice cream. We both thought it was fun and going well.
The third day was a nice 9 mile ride back to my sister-in-laws and spent the night at the in-laws.
While finishing the ride I asked my wife if she enjoyed it and she said she really did and would do it again.
We now have a 7 day ride planned for the week of Labor Day in Door County, WI.
Does this make us official tourers???
First, we simply used our hybrids- mine a Raleigh Detour 3.5 and my wife has a Raleigh C40.
I have added bar ends to the bikes, racks, changed out the tires for Nashbar Streetwise Kevlar 700x35 (added easier role and about 2mph). We kept initial cost down with Nashbar Panniers (I use a set of front panniers) and each a trunk bag.
We packed very light...I carried about 16lbs and my wife about 13lbs.
The first day we parked at my sister-in-laws and we rode only about 13 miles from Branch, WI to Mishicot, WI and spent the night at Fox Hills Resort. Even tho we were not loaded heavy, it still felt different but once we settled in it felt good to be out and about. We did our first day!
The next day we rode to Point Beach State Forest and spent about 2 hrs just reading and relaxing along Lake Michigan. We then rode to the Best Western Maritime Inn in Manitowoc, WI and spent the night. It was about a 23.5 mile day. After a whirlpool and a break in the indoor pool, it was a shower and out for some dinner and a stop for ice cream. We both thought it was fun and going well.
The third day was a nice 9 mile ride back to my sister-in-laws and spent the night at the in-laws.
While finishing the ride I asked my wife if she enjoyed it and she said she really did and would do it again.
We now have a 7 day ride planned for the week of Labor Day in Door County, WI.
Does this make us official tourers???
Last edited by 2travelers; 08-08-14 at 07:35 PM.
#55
In Real Life
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 596 Times
in
329 Posts
My wife and I did our very first mini-mini 3 night credit card tour. We kept it simple and inexpensive to see how we'd like it.
First, we simply used our hybrids- mine a Raleigh Detour 3.5 and my wife has a Raleigh C40.
I have added bar ends to the bikes, racks, changed out the tires for Nashbar Streetwise Kevlar 700x35 (added easier role and about 2mph). We kept initial cost down with Nashbar Panniers (I use a set of front panniers) and each a trunk bag.
We packed very light...I carried about 16lbs and my wife about 13lbs.
The first day we parked at my sister-in-laws and we rode only about 13 miles from Branch, WI to Mishicot, WI and spent the night at Fox Hills Resort. Even tho we were not loaded heavy, it still felt different but once we settled in it felt good to be out and about. We did our first day!
The next day we rode to Point Beach State Forest and spent about 2 hrs just reading and relaxing along Lake Michigan. We then rode to the Best Western Maritime Inn in Manitowoc, WI and spent the night. It was about a 23.5 mile day. After a whirlpool and a break in the indoor pool, it was a shower and out for some dinner and a stop for ice cream. We both thought it was fun and going well.
The third day was a nice 9 mile ride back to my sister-in-laws and spent the night at the in-laws.
While finishing the ride I asked my wife if she enjoyed it and she said she really did and would do it again.
We now have a 7 day ride planned for the week of Labor Day in Door County, WI.
Does this make us official tourers???
First, we simply used our hybrids- mine a Raleigh Detour 3.5 and my wife has a Raleigh C40.
I have added bar ends to the bikes, racks, changed out the tires for Nashbar Streetwise Kevlar 700x35 (added easier role and about 2mph). We kept initial cost down with Nashbar Panniers (I use a set of front panniers) and each a trunk bag.
We packed very light...I carried about 16lbs and my wife about 13lbs.
The first day we parked at my sister-in-laws and we rode only about 13 miles from Branch, WI to Mishicot, WI and spent the night at Fox Hills Resort. Even tho we were not loaded heavy, it still felt different but once we settled in it felt good to be out and about. We did our first day!
The next day we rode to Point Beach State Forest and spent about 2 hrs just reading and relaxing along Lake Michigan. We then rode to the Best Western Maritime Inn in Manitowoc, WI and spent the night. It was about a 23.5 mile day. After a whirlpool and a break in the indoor pool, it was a shower and out for some dinner and a stop for ice cream. We both thought it was fun and going well.
The third day was a nice 9 mile ride back to my sister-in-laws and spent the night at the in-laws.
While finishing the ride I asked my wife if she enjoyed it and she said she really did and would do it again.
We now have a 7 day ride planned for the week of Labor Day in Door County, WI.
Does this make us official tourers???
Yep ... it makes you official tourers. Tours don't have to be huge epic things, they can be short and sweet.
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
#56
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 109
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Currently in the greek islands as part of a 6 week european trip combining the folders with ferries and a hire car we pick up in Bulgaria next week. Great riding here, photos taken on Santorini island.
#57
In Real Life
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 596 Times
in
329 Posts
Got any autumn ... or spring ... tours coming up?
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
#58
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 67
Bikes: Raleigh Detour 3.5,
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My wife and I have completed our 4 day tour ~ a loop of Door County, Wi. If you'd like to read our journal, you can click this link.....
Personal Trip Journal - Door County Inn to Inn
Personal Trip Journal - Door County Inn to Inn
#59
Senior Member
My forty-mile trip from Port Chester, NY to Milford, CT this past Saturday filled in the final gap of my route across the southern shore of Connecticut. Actually, the first five miles was all I needed to reach this milestone, but the entire ride was such a pleasure I can't stop thinking and talking about it.
I know this is small potatoes to those of you who do REAL bike tours, but as of Saturday, I have now ridden the entire CT coast, from Greenwich to Westerly, RI (and beyond). If you ever have a chance to do this, don't miss the opportunity. With very few exceptions, it is a gorgeous ride if you find all the back roads and waterside routes.
I know this is small potatoes to those of you who do REAL bike tours, but as of Saturday, I have now ridden the entire CT coast, from Greenwich to Westerly, RI (and beyond). If you ever have a chance to do this, don't miss the opportunity. With very few exceptions, it is a gorgeous ride if you find all the back roads and waterside routes.
#60
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Mpls. Minnesota
Posts: 252
Bikes: 2008 Trek 7500, 1982 Schwinn Voyageur 11.8, 1982 Schwinn Voyageur 11.8 Chrome
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
In my neck of the woods, there are three county forest preserves with camping all within 20 miles of my house. It's fun to just take off for an over-nighter to enjoy some good weather or test out some new gear. If I have a little more time, I like to get on the Jane Addams Trail and head north into Wisconsin, then join the Badger State Trail and finally, the Sugar River trail and so to the state park in New Glarus.
#61
Senior Member
I just finished a 4-day credit card of the Olympic Peninsula--tons of fun! A few shots from the trip:
https://500px.com/photo/84282213/lak...m=user_library
https://500px.com/photo/84262651/sea...m=user_library
https://500px.com/photo/84262649/rai...m=user_library
https://500px.com/photo/84262647/dri...m=user_library
https://500px.com/photo/84262645/lak...m=user_library
https://500px.com/photo/84262643/bea...m=user_library
https://500px.com/photo/84522063/spa...m=user_library
https://500px.com/photo/84396933/sea...m=user_library
And a link to the start of a CGOAB blog: Circling the Olympic Peninsula: Planning the tour: Too many choices?
https://500px.com/photo/84282213/lak...m=user_library
https://500px.com/photo/84262651/sea...m=user_library
https://500px.com/photo/84262649/rai...m=user_library
https://500px.com/photo/84262647/dri...m=user_library
https://500px.com/photo/84262645/lak...m=user_library
https://500px.com/photo/84262643/bea...m=user_library
https://500px.com/photo/84522063/spa...m=user_library
https://500px.com/photo/84396933/sea...m=user_library
And a link to the start of a CGOAB blog: Circling the Olympic Peninsula: Planning the tour: Too many choices?
__________________
Knows the weight of my bike to the nearest 10 pounds.
Knows the weight of my bike to the nearest 10 pounds.
Last edited by mulveyr; 09-26-14 at 02:14 PM.
#62
In Real Life
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 596 Times
in
329 Posts
I just finished a 4-day credit card of the Olympic Peninsula--tons of fun! A few shots from the trip:
https://500px.com/photo/84282213/lak...m=user_library
https://500px.com/photo/84262651/sea...m=user_library
https://500px.com/photo/84262649/rai...m=user_library
https://500px.com/photo/84262647/dri...m=user_library
https://500px.com/photo/84262645/lak...m=user_library
https://500px.com/photo/84262643/bea...m=user_library
https://500px.com/photo/84522063/spa...m=user_library
https://500px.com/photo/84396933/sea...m=user_library
And a link to the start of a CGOAB blog: Circling the Olympic Peninsula: Planning the tour: Too many choices?
https://500px.com/photo/84282213/lak...m=user_library
https://500px.com/photo/84262651/sea...m=user_library
https://500px.com/photo/84262649/rai...m=user_library
https://500px.com/photo/84262647/dri...m=user_library
https://500px.com/photo/84262645/lak...m=user_library
https://500px.com/photo/84262643/bea...m=user_library
https://500px.com/photo/84522063/spa...m=user_library
https://500px.com/photo/84396933/sea...m=user_library
And a link to the start of a CGOAB blog: Circling the Olympic Peninsula: Planning the tour: Too many choices?
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
#63
Shifting is fun!
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: South Holland, NL
Posts: 11,006
Bikes: Yes, please.
Mentioned: 280 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2198 Post(s)
Liked 4,601 Times
in
1,764 Posts
Mrs non-fixie and I did a couple of short tours in France this year. A week in June using Arles, in the Provence, as a hub.
Circumnavigating the Camargue:
At 100 degrees in the shade, where available:
In September it was the Medoc, with stays in Pauillac and St Medard-en-Jalles.
The Place de la Bourse in Bordeaux:
And vineyards, lots of vineyards. This is at the château Margaux:
Circumnavigating the Camargue:
At 100 degrees in the shade, where available:
In September it was the Medoc, with stays in Pauillac and St Medard-en-Jalles.
The Place de la Bourse in Bordeaux:
And vineyards, lots of vineyards. This is at the château Margaux:
#64
In Real Life
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 596 Times
in
329 Posts
Nice!!
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
#65
In Real Life
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 596 Times
in
329 Posts
Anyone doing a long weekend tour over this Canadian Thanksgiving weekend?
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
#66
Shifting is fun!
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: South Holland, NL
Posts: 11,006
Bikes: Yes, please.
Mentioned: 280 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2198 Post(s)
Liked 4,601 Times
in
1,764 Posts
#67
Heretic
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posts: 2,246
Bikes: Specialized Sirrus, Giant OCR3, Giant CRS3
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2827 Post(s)
Liked 561 Times
in
429 Posts
Did one three day solo tour on west coast of Ireland from North Mayo down to Galway in September. Very enjoyable in good weather but came home with lots of insect bites. Next time I'll wear some repellent.
Four days with two other guys in North Wales at start of October. Round the edge of Snowdonia National Park and back to ferry staying in hotels/B&Bs. Nice place, friendly Welsh speaking people, good roads and off-road cycle paths, great scenery. Anyone doing a tour of Ireland could easily fit in a few days in Wales.
Four days with two other guys in North Wales at start of October. Round the edge of Snowdonia National Park and back to ferry staying in hotels/B&Bs. Nice place, friendly Welsh speaking people, good roads and off-road cycle paths, great scenery. Anyone doing a tour of Ireland could easily fit in a few days in Wales.
#69
In Real Life
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 596 Times
in
329 Posts
Four days with two other guys in North Wales at start of October. Round the edge of Snowdonia National Park and back to ferry staying in hotels/B&Bs. Nice place, friendly Welsh speaking people, good roads and off-road cycle paths, great scenery. Anyone doing a tour of Ireland could easily fit in a few days in Wales.
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
#70
Senior Member
Gonna do a shakedown ride from east of Charlotte, NC, USA, 50+ miles to Mt. Morrow State Park, camp overnight and ride back, maybe next week? If that goes well, I'll drive to Nashville to bike the Natchez Trace both ways, hopefully before real cold weather (or what passes for cold weather down south) hits.
#71
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Southern California
Posts: 10
Bikes: 2013 Salsa Vaya 3, 2010 Surly Cross Check
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Just got back from a fall foliage tour. Day 1 went from Boston, MA to Worcester, MA. Day 2 Worcester, MA to Providence, RI. Day 3 Providence to Newport, RI. Day 4 we rode from Newport, RI to Lakeville, MA to catch a commuter rail back into Boston. I had such a great time with a group of 7 others. We stayed at Warm Shower and Couch Surfing hosts. Highly recommend it.
#72
In Real Life
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 596 Times
in
329 Posts
Anyone doing a long weekend tour over this American Thanksgiving weekend?
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
#73
Senior Member
The weather here in Michigan sucks to the Nth degree, it's changing from a foot of snow to rain and freezing rain and back again, so I am planning next years agenda while I wax my skis. I plan to take a week long trip each month from April through August. Tentatively:
April-Gap/CO trail Pitt to DC (crossing my fingers on the weather),
May- Moab Ut for a week.
June-KC to Stlouis partly on the Katy trail
July- to central Illinois and back for a 45th year class reunion.
August-Laurentians in Quebec.
Marc
April-Gap/CO trail Pitt to DC (crossing my fingers on the weather),
May- Moab Ut for a week.
June-KC to Stlouis partly on the Katy trail
July- to central Illinois and back for a 45th year class reunion.
August-Laurentians in Quebec.
Marc
#74
In Real Life
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 596 Times
in
329 Posts
Any last minute short tours to round out 2014?
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
#75
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 111
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I did a four-day jaunt in the Golan Heights last March: March 2014: The Golan Trail - Julian Bender - Travels and Photos Other than that it's all been hiking trips...