Fixed Touring (SF to LA)
 

I am planning on going on some trips in California (sf to la and sf to chico) with my fixed gear. Anyone have advice for touring the Coast?

Also, I am looking for a new saddle and possibly different bars. Any suggestions? Anyone done this before?

Thanks.

Brooks. Mustache bars. And get some better lights for touring. Maybe a generator?

where on the coast? we got mountains here ya know

sf to la on the coast, and probably sf to chico inland.
trying to see if anyone has done it, what gear ratio and what not...

wtf way to ruin a gtb

what's the longest ride you have ever done? i ask because your bike looks uncomfortable for any decent distance riding. its aluminum, for one, but the drop of the bars and the decline of those GT top tubes could mean discomfort after a could day's riding. i had a GT Pulse, and it was def made for the track, though you could ride it on the street, but anything over maybe 30/40 miles, i dont know. seriously, SF to LA can be done fixed but I would seriously consider a different ride.

are you saying that i have to move all my stuff onto a new bike? that pump took me 20 minutes to install and i don't want to even talk about the ulock... my finger nail is still bruised.

just dont push yourself too hard, and you will be ok. take it easy, and you can tour with any bike, beat up old 50lb three speed beach cruiser to pimped messenger fixie. pack light, and you can go far. backpack or panneirs, or both. f*ck the naysayers.

Before I wrecked the bike.. :/

http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/5...40um7ib1hk.jpg

I second the brooks. From what i hear, they are super comfy. However, you'd want it to be broken in before you leave, so anything you can ride all day would be good. I've heard that moustache bars aren't very good for anything over 50 miles. Maybe some randonneur style bars. Have you ever ridden down route 1 from SF to LA? There are some pretty treacherous roads and some big hills. You might even want to run 2 brakes.

I went Banden OR to Monterey Ca last year, on a geared bike.
Yes, there are some mountains, and just south of SF can be a nightmare, mountains, no shoulder, lots of traffic. You don't want to screw around.
Also, I live in Big Sur right now, also hilly in every direction so you want to make sure you're really comfy for the long (and long and up and long) haul.

Oh and can you get a rack on there to carry your crap?

re: SF to Chico: MAN - there's a lot of fields and boringness. What route would you be taking? The coastal trip (LA to SF) will be pretty but I've done the drive to chico (in a car) on both the 5 and the 99 freeway several times a year for the last 11 years- it's REALLY boring.

It's also HOT. Get it done now before it gets worse, or wait til late September.

I suggest Humboldt county (north coastal CA) - it's cooler and much more scenic.

In any case, I hope you take pictures!

credit card or unsupported tour?

heres more of the story...

ignore the pictures for now. my bike will be set up differently. well im debating a switch of frames, but then i would have to sell this one and what not... i don't know if people want a frame i have dinged up a lot.

i am currently a messenger in sf, so i ride about 30-40 miles 3 days a week when i work. although its on and off riding for 8 hours and not a few hours on.

i want to figure out gear ratios people have used or suggest.

as for the saddle im not going brooks. being vegan it would be weird to be sitting directly on cow skin. plus i would have to buy a brand new one to form to me.

also debating bars, racks front or back, and i can't remember what else.

ill be traveling light since i wear the same clothes for a week even when working. and i will be doing this cheaply. if you got anything else im open to hear it.

I'm glad fixedude mentioned Gordon Taylor. If you visit the site www.crazyguyonabike.com and search on "single speed" you'll find a few travel reports by a single speed bike tourist.

YOur plan is doable provided you aren't in a hurry and plan your stopovers accordingly.