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Search: Posts Made By: axolotl
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Forum: Touring
03-05-24, 10:31 AM
Replies: 18
Views: 471
Posted By axolotl

I've never been hassled returning to the US, but...

I've never been hassled returning to the US, but one time after flying home following a bike tour in Laos & Thailand, the immigration agent seemed to think that was suspicious and told me I had to go...
Forum: Touring
03-05-24, 07:00 AM
Replies: 18
Views: 471
Posted By axolotl

Nobody said they find Canadian border personnel...

Nobody said they find Canadian border personnel to be worse than their American counterparts.

My sense is that there is equal opportunity harassment by border officials of both countries, but...
Forum: Touring
03-04-24, 06:32 PM
Replies: 18
Views: 471
Posted By axolotl

Both Canada & the USA routinely refuse entry to...

Both Canada & the USA routinely refuse entry to each other's citizens who have a DWI or DUI on their record. Once when I was entering Canada in a car, I encountered a nasty Canada Border Security...
Forum: Touring
02-13-24, 12:39 AM
Replies: 36
Views: 2,754
Posted By axolotl

I think it's reasonable for someone to be annoyed...

I think it's reasonable for someone to be annoyed if they're not even getting responses to hosting requests, especially if the person making the request has hosted a lot of cyclists him or herself. I...
Forum: Touring
02-12-24, 02:00 PM
Replies: 14
Views: 721
Posted By axolotl

In France , I find that IGN 1/100,000 maps are...

In France , I find that IGN 1/100,000 maps are even better than Michelin maps. But if you're sticking to eurovelo routes, you probably don't need the extra detail.
Forum: Touring
02-12-24, 01:53 PM
Replies: 36
Views: 2,754
Posted By axolotl

I had zero hosting requests last year, and only...

I had zero hosting requests last year, and only one request the year before. Before covid I used to get at least a couple of requests each year, and I usually said yes. I've also read complaints...
Forum: Touring
02-04-24, 02:57 PM
Replies: 44
Views: 1,236
Posted By axolotl

I toured on the west coast of Scotland during the...

I toured on the west coast of Scotland during the first half of June and I don't recall any midges. We had virtually no rain, however.
Forum: Touring
01-31-24, 10:39 AM
Replies: 44
Views: 1,236
Posted By axolotl

My suggestion is that you get into the eastern...

My suggestion is that you get into the eastern part of the Douro valley and follow along the river, passing through Paso de Regua. It's a beautiful valley and doesn't have a lot of steep climbs as...
Forum: Touring
01-30-24, 11:44 AM
Replies: 44
Views: 1,236
Posted By axolotl

It's a shame that you are bypassing the Douro...

It's a shame that you are bypassing the Douro valley in Portugal.

If those 5 weeks for cycling from Lisbon to Madrid begin around June 23, Andalucia (southern Spain around Seville & Granada) is...
Forum: Touring
01-28-24, 09:50 AM
Replies: 27
Views: 1,119
Posted By axolotl

To each their own, but I think it's pretty sad to...

To each their own, but I think it's pretty sad to travel to SE Asia and not enjoy the wonderful local food, and instead seek out overpriced western junk food. And then complain that the Western junk...
Forum: Touring
01-26-24, 09:37 PM
Replies: 27
Views: 1,119
Posted By axolotl

But I did continue north from Luang Prabang...

But I did continue north from Luang Prabang almost to the Chinese border, and then west to the Thai border. All of that was much easier than the 3 day stretch with multiple mountain climbs from Vang...
Forum: Touring
01-26-24, 03:28 PM
Replies: 27
Views: 1,119
Posted By axolotl

I think it would generally be difficult to avoid...

I think it would generally be difficult to avoid fish sauce if you can't speak the local language. Two exceptions are Singapore and the western part of peninsular Malaysia, because both have a...
Forum: Touring
01-26-24, 03:20 PM
Replies: 27
Views: 1,119
Posted By axolotl

Utter nonsense. Are the Vietnamese people...

Utter nonsense. Are the Vietnamese people shorter, on average, than in most developed countries? Yes. But to say that all Vietnamese are 5 feet tall is ridiculous. You lose all credibility when you...
Forum: Touring
01-25-24, 12:04 PM
Replies: 27
Views: 1,119
Posted By axolotl

You've previously made similar absurd comments...

You've previously made similar absurd comments about food portions throughout SE Asia. The friends I biked with in SE Asia as well as myself, got plenty of calories by eating 3 meals a day in SE...
Forum: Touring
01-24-24, 09:24 AM
Replies: 11
Views: 350
Posted By axolotl

You can avoid heat by riding northward within...

You can avoid heat by riding northward within Portugal and then riding in northern Spain. I've toured in both and enjoyed both. The climate on the Atlantic coast of Spain is much cooler (and much...
Forum: Touring
01-11-24, 05:18 PM
Replies: 28
Views: 1,216
Posted By axolotl

That's an absurd blanket statement you made...

That's an absurd blanket statement you made concerning paper maps. My absolute favorite paper maps are the French I.G.N. 1:100,000 scale. I count about 80 different pieces of information these maps...
Forum: Touring
01-08-24, 11:50 AM
Replies: 28
Views: 1,216
Posted By axolotl

A friend & I toured in Portugal quite a few years...

A friend & I toured in Portugal quite a few years ago and I don't recall all of the specifics of our route. However, I do recall that by far our favorite area was the Douro valley. The Douro largely...
Forum: Touring
12-26-23, 06:24 AM
Replies: 50
Views: 2,754
Posted By axolotl

Two regions in France with gentle terrain are the...

Two regions in France with gentle terrain are the Loire valley and the Rhone valley. Both have good train connections which would allow you to easily do a one-way tour. Both regions also have...
Forum: Touring
12-24-23, 10:31 AM
Replies: 50
Views: 2,754
Posted By axolotl

You can also close the loop by train, rather than...

You can also close the loop by train, rather than by cycling. Most regional trains ("ter" trains) in France have places for bikes. These regional trains usually allow you to roll on your bike for...
Forum: Touring
12-20-23, 01:42 PM
Replies: 50
Views: 2,754
Posted By axolotl

If someone doesn't ride a recumbent at home, much...

If someone doesn't ride a recumbent at home, much less a recumbent trike, it seems to me to be an extremely bad idea to suddenly switch to a recumbent for a tour in a foreign country.
Forum: Touring
12-20-23, 07:33 AM
Replies: 25
Views: 1,356
Posted By axolotl

I think you're confusing northern Chile/northern...

I think you're confusing northern Chile/northern Argentina with Patagonia, which is in the southern part of both countries. The roads are not particularly high in Patagonia.
Forum: Touring
12-06-23, 05:54 PM
Replies: 30
Views: 1,445
Posted By axolotl

You're right, no direct flights from CDG to...

You're right, no direct flights from CDG to Perpignan. So the OP can either take the RER from CDG to Orly (admittedly a shlep), or take the TGV directly from Terminal 2 at CDG to Perpignan, with a...
Forum: Touring
12-06-23, 02:54 PM
Replies: 30
Views: 1,445
Posted By axolotl

The simplest solution may be to fly to Perpignan...

The simplest solution may be to fly to Perpignan near your friends. Leave the case at their place. Then take a train with your bike to your first starting point. Of course, you're going to have to...
Forum: Touring
12-06-23, 05:32 AM
Replies: 10
Views: 536
Posted By axolotl

Listen to your spouse. Ireland is a cold and wet...

Listen to your spouse. Ireland is a cold and wet place.
Forum: Touring
11-21-23, 12:48 PM
Replies: 12
Views: 686
Posted By axolotl

A friend & I toured in western Scotland. My...

A friend & I toured in western Scotland. My favorite part was the isle of Mull. Everywhere on that island was gorgeous. We took a ferry from Tobermory to the Ardnamurchan peninsula and continued up...
Forum: Touring
11-17-23, 02:51 PM
Replies: 79
Views: 3,323
Posted By axolotl

There's a big difference between folders. A...

There's a big difference between folders. A folder like a Bike Friday New World Tourist, which is designed for serious touring, rides very much like a "regular" touring bike including when loaded...
Forum: Touring
11-17-23, 09:08 AM
Replies: 79
Views: 3,323
Posted By axolotl

I like nopales a lot. They have a mild but...

I like nopales a lot. They have a mild but pleasant flavor and add a bit of texture to some Mexican dishes. Now that I think about it, the same can be said for chapulines.
Forum: Touring
11-08-23, 07:46 AM
Replies: 79
Views: 3,323
Posted By axolotl

I use the same Ortlieb rear panniers and Ortlieb...

I use the same Ortlieb rear panniers and Ortlieb handlebar bag on my Bike Friday New World Tourist, as on my old touring bike with 700c wheels. I've never used front paniers on any bike.

After...
Forum: Touring
11-04-23, 07:28 PM
Replies: 22
Views: 1,142
Posted By axolotl

The solution is obvious. I'm going to let you...

The solution is obvious. I'm going to let you think about that for a bit.

Actually, you can think about that forever, because you are astonishingly rude.
Forum: Touring
11-04-23, 06:43 AM
Replies: 22
Views: 1,142
Posted By axolotl

Ask a park ranger. Anyway, people leave...

Ask a park ranger. Anyway, people leave unattended vehicles in national parks all the time. What are you so worried about?
Forum: Touring
10-27-23, 01:40 PM
Replies: 6
Views: 607
Posted By axolotl

Didn't we resolve this previously? RER lines...

Didn't we resolve this previously?

RER lines go to all of Paris' SNCF train stations including the Gare de Lyon. You can take RER line B from CDG airport and transfer at Chatelet to lines A or D,...
Forum: Touring
10-22-23, 08:38 AM
Replies: 41
Views: 1,849
Posted By axolotl

I just returned from touring in Sardinia, Lazio,...

I just returned from touring in Sardinia, Lazio, & Umbria. I found that young Italians generally speak a fair bit of English these days, even in small untouristed towns. In hotels & restaurants, even...
Forum: Touring
10-22-23, 08:15 AM
Replies: 41
Views: 1,849
Posted By axolotl

emphasis mine You're judging the OP with no...

emphasis mine

You're judging the OP with no basis. My reading of what the OP wrote is that he very much is attempting to find a solution which works not just for him, but for his wife and friend...
Forum: Touring
10-16-23, 01:14 PM
Replies: 41
Views: 1,849
Posted By axolotl

I'm just finishing up 3 weeks of individual...

I'm just finishing up 3 weeks of individual credit card touring in Italy, plus a few days in Rome.. This was intended mainly as a tour of Sardinia, but I expected to have 7-10 days afterwards for...
Forum: Touring
09-11-23, 07:31 AM
Replies: 46
Views: 2,154
Posted By axolotl

It's that newfangled craze called Motionless...

It's that newfangled craze called Motionless Touring.
Forum: Touring
09-09-23, 01:09 PM
Replies: 59
Views: 3,669
Posted By axolotl

I suspect that a "3 hour tour" is longer than...

I suspect that a "3 hour tour" is longer than what will actually happen.
Forum: Touring
09-06-23, 08:18 AM
Replies: 46
Views: 2,154
Posted By axolotl

Flippin', did you ever go on that tour of Central...

Flippin', did you ever go on that tour of Central & South America? A few years ago you wrote: "I'm 100% doing this trip, just not sure if I want to do bicycle or scooter."
Forum: Touring
08-20-23, 06:23 AM
Replies: 14
Views: 723
Posted By axolotl

Very nice photos, raybo.

Very nice photos, raybo.
Forum: Touring
07-16-23, 05:48 AM
Replies: 74
Views: 2,783
Posted By axolotl

I think that Morgantown-Roanoke would be brutal. ...

I think that Morgantown-Roanoke would be brutal. Look at the topography of West Virginia. Constant long climbs and quick descents. Rinse and repeat. Most cyclists say that crossing the Appalachian...
Forum: Touring
07-14-23, 12:42 PM
Replies: 74
Views: 2,783
Posted By axolotl

The actual google map which comes up, as opposed...

The actual google map which comes up, as opposed to the sheet, does not show you going through Morgantown, West Virginia, which is a good thing IMO, It shows you taking the GAP Trail to Cumberland,...
Forum: Touring
07-11-23, 10:25 AM
Replies: 12
Views: 949
Posted By axolotl

While the Pine Creek Trail is lovely, you're not...

While the Pine Creek Trail is lovely, you're not going to find playgrounds, ice cream, or just about any other amenities other than the campground mentioned. The GAP is not flat and as someone...
Forum: Touring
06-26-23, 10:00 AM
Replies: 71
Views: 5,489
Posted By axolotl

The best time to go is during an extended dry...

The best time to go is during an extended dry period. Of course, that's typically not known in advance. Finishing riding on the canal about 6 days ago would have been ideal. Beginning to ride on the...
Forum: Touring
06-13-23, 10:04 AM
Replies: 13
Views: 849
Posted By axolotl

I rode up the Maloja Pass in late July. A few...

I rode up the Maloja Pass in late July. A few years later, I rode down the pass in early June. I had great weather both times.
Forum: Touring
06-11-23, 12:12 PM
Replies: 13
Views: 849
Posted By axolotl

I've toured on part of your route. It sounds...

I've toured on part of your route. It sounds like you'll be doing the route counter-clockwise. I've biked from La Punt (downriver from St. Moritz) thru St. Moritz, then over the Maloja Pass down to...
Forum: Touring
06-01-23, 06:25 AM
Replies: 12
Views: 653
Posted By axolotl

Maybe this link will work, but the article is...

Maybe this link will work, but the article is probably behind a paywall.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2023/05/31/road-trip-weather-70-degrees/

I like maps and statistics so I found...
Forum: Touring
05-18-23, 03:06 PM
Replies: 74
Views: 2,783
Posted By axolotl

In mid-summer, the heat & humidity are likely to...

In mid-summer, the heat & humidity are likely to be pretty miserable on most of both routes, but not life-threatening. Since you want to spend time in some cities, the first route would be my...
Forum: Touring
04-23-23, 05:15 PM
Replies: 12
Views: 790
Posted By axolotl

I've got a Bike Friday NWT folder which has 20"...

I've got a Bike Friday NWT folder which has 20" wheels. I've toured on it a lot, but I'm guessing that by "trekking" you mean something more akin to a mountain bike tour. Some of my touring has been...
Forum: Touring
04-12-23, 11:51 AM
Replies: 32
Views: 1,336
Posted By axolotl

Here is a link to a relief map of Pennsylvania. ...

Here is a link to a relief map of Pennsylvania. State College is right in the middle of the state. There will be lots of climbing & descending going east-west. Roads in the western US are...
Forum: Touring
04-12-23, 05:50 AM
Replies: 32
Views: 1,336
Posted By axolotl

I doubt that Tioga Pass in Yosemite will open...

I doubt that Tioga Pass in Yosemite will open this year before the end of June because of the enormous quantity of snow which has fallen in the Sierra Nevada this winter.

I'm curious why you are...
Forum: Touring
03-25-23, 07:27 AM
Replies: 35
Views: 1,326
Posted By axolotl

Great theory, until it doesn't work out. The one...

Great theory, until it doesn't work out. The one time I put my bike in a clear bag, one of my wheels got pretzeled. (Fortunately it happened on my flight home so it didn't affect my tour.) ...
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