2014 - Touring Plans = Where Are You Going?
#76
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 592 Times
in
326 Posts
There are a lot of pretty extravagant tours people are talking about on here. I don't know that I'll ever get to that point, but it would be neat to build up to some long distance treks here in the US.
This is my first year riding. My goal is a few over-night to 3 day trips, preferably camping, but I'll see what one of my riding buddies has in mind too. Mileage-wise I'd be in the 1-200 mile range as one of the treks I have mapped out is about 54 miles one way, so 108 out/back.
This is my first year riding. My goal is a few over-night to 3 day trips, preferably camping, but I'll see what one of my riding buddies has in mind too. Mileage-wise I'd be in the 1-200 mile range as one of the treks I have mapped out is about 54 miles one way, so 108 out/back.
The short tours are good too ... and so we've got a thread especially for them.

https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/92...ort-tours.html
__________________
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
#77
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 38,157
Mentioned: 209 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17782 Post(s)
Liked 14,147 Times
in
6,715 Posts
Just booked a flight to Missoula for June 19th. The plan is (starting on the 20th) Darby (or Sula), Wisdom, Divide via Wise River, Twin Bridges, Ennis, Butte, Philipsburg, Hamilton then back to Missoula.
The trip will be a variation of what I planned in 2011. This version collapses one day into two and visits an additional town (Ennis). A couple of difficult days, but I think I can hack it. Hoping that I won't have to make an adjustment like in 2011. Skalkaho Pass between Philipsburg and Hamilton was washed out. We had to take a detour. It was a very pretty detour, but I really want to ride Skalkaho, in part because the rode passes Gem Mountian, where you can buy a bucket of dirt and pan for saphires. I like kitsch like that.
Booking a non-refundable flight really is a good motivator.
The trip will be a variation of what I planned in 2011. This version collapses one day into two and visits an additional town (Ennis). A couple of difficult days, but I think I can hack it. Hoping that I won't have to make an adjustment like in 2011. Skalkaho Pass between Philipsburg and Hamilton was washed out. We had to take a detour. It was a very pretty detour, but I really want to ride Skalkaho, in part because the rode passes Gem Mountian, where you can buy a bucket of dirt and pan for saphires. I like kitsch like that.
Booking a non-refundable flight really is a good motivator.
#78
Senior Member
Bike camping trip Memorial Day weekend. 50ish miles to a campground, camp overnight, and ride back home making for 100ish miles total fully loaded. A prep ride for what's coming up the last week of July. A two week bike adventure/tour from Niagara Falls to Albany NY (self supported) then the PTNY organized Hudson Valley tour from Albany down to NYC..assuming nothing comes up health, family, or business wise between now and then.
#80
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 592 Times
in
326 Posts
In March we're doing a small loop (ten days) northern Belgium and western Holland than back home.
In June we've 3 weeks to cycle from Perugia, Italy via Munich back home to Maastricht, NL.
And in the end of September begining October we've 3 weeks for a loop to Berlin and back.
In June we've 3 weeks to cycle from Perugia, Italy via Munich back home to Maastricht, NL.
And in the end of September begining October we've 3 weeks for a loop to Berlin and back.
__________________
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
#81
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Harlingen, TX Warmshowers Host
Posts: 449
Bikes: Fuji, Specialized, Surly, BMC
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
First Tour
Well, finished my first tour in early March.
Read about it here. Sorry pics might be upside down on some devices.
Can't wait until my next tour (maybe late this year) and retirement.
crazyguyonabike.com: Bicycle Touring: Three Guys in West Texas - "Tom's Ride", by Richard Cavin
Yes I had a blast.
Read about it here. Sorry pics might be upside down on some devices.
Can't wait until my next tour (maybe late this year) and retirement.
crazyguyonabike.com: Bicycle Touring: Three Guys in West Texas - "Tom's Ride", by Richard Cavin
Yes I had a blast.
#82
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Western New York
Posts: 68
Bikes: 2008 Jamis Aurora; 2013 Surly Cross-Check
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 27 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Wilmington, NC to Buffalo, NY, early Fall. I need to stay in Wilm for the summer, but take care of my mother in Buffalo thruout the winter. Then, in April-ish, I ride back to NC for the summer. This routine might go on for each of several years. “Mandatory Fun!” Hopefully I can reduce my carbon footprint a little by cycling instead of driving my Corolla. Tent camping & grocery store meals all the way.
The trip up North should be a breeze. With the foundation of my daily bicycle commuting thru the summer (110 miles a week) & a few weekend camping trips, I think I can make 100 miles / day, at least until I hit the Pennsylvania hills. That’s my aspirational goal. However, riding back to NC in the spring might take longer, as I won’t have as much of a foundation. Plus, headwinds are likely then.
Picked up a Surly Cross-Check last week, for dependability & lightness, compared to my other touring bikes.
The trip up North should be a breeze. With the foundation of my daily bicycle commuting thru the summer (110 miles a week) & a few weekend camping trips, I think I can make 100 miles / day, at least until I hit the Pennsylvania hills. That’s my aspirational goal. However, riding back to NC in the spring might take longer, as I won’t have as much of a foundation. Plus, headwinds are likely then.
Picked up a Surly Cross-Check last week, for dependability & lightness, compared to my other touring bikes.
#84
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Gig Harbor, WA
Posts: 2,470
Bikes: Surly Long Haul Trucker, Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo, Dahon Mu P 24 , Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Rodriguez Tandem, Wheeler MTB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 32 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm considering a tour to Yellowknife , leaving late June to mid July
#85
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Maastricht, NL
Posts: 584
Bikes: Gazelle Playa
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hi Machka, unfortunately the March tour did not happen. Till now we only managed a 3 day ride about 3 weeks ago, just to check out the gear, and to get out for a bit.
Hopefully nothing goes wrong with our June tour, in 2 weeks from this coming Monday. We've got the boxes already
We are really looking forward to this tour because so much has happened and we need to get out of here for a while.
We hope your plans are going ok.
cheers
Hopefully nothing goes wrong with our June tour, in 2 weeks from this coming Monday. We've got the boxes already

We are really looking forward to this tour because so much has happened and we need to get out of here for a while.
We hope your plans are going ok.
cheers
#88
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: North Georgia Mountains
Posts: 19
Bikes: Trek 7.5 Hybrid, Specialized
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I have signed up to do a tour in Alaska with Alaska Bike. Anyone done this? Anything that I should know? This is my first tour and I am excited. I am doing their multi sport tour, so the rides will be short, but I think beautiful......
Dee
Dee
#90
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 592 Times
in
326 Posts
July: Amtrak with my bike and camping gear to Portland, Oregon, for 4th of July, stay in a hostel, bike around Portland area and camp somewhere, then Amtrack down to Eugene for the Oregon Country Fair and camping adjacent to it for a few days, then Amtrack back to San Jose and bus to Santa Cruz. I probably will go from Portland to McMinnville to see the Spruce Goose airplane and camp near there. I'd also like to stop by the site of the hardware store and bike path in Tigard that were the subject of the landmark Supreme Court case Dolan v. Tigard in 1994 (Dolan v. City of Tigard - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia), which established additional limits on the taking of private property for a public use. In Eugene, I plan to tour the Bike Friday folding-bike factory.
If you'd like to join me in July, let me know by commenting here.
If you'd like to join me in July, let me know by commenting here.
__________________
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
#91
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Durham, NC
Posts: 458
Bikes: LHT + FreeRadical
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
We have a 10-month-old whose put a serious dent in riding over the past year. However, he's getting to the age where a day or two away from electricity and running water isn't going to kill him so I'm planning a tour for our family for this fall. Right now considering an out-and-back from Cedar Island, NC to Cape Hatteras on the Outer Banks. Just not fully excited about the wind potential.
#92
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Santa Cruz, CA, US
Posts: 250
Bikes: 3 folders, 2 recumbents (1 is electric), 1 recumbent trike, 1 touring, 1 mountain, 1 road bike -- So many bicycles, so little time.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
The ride through Willamette Valley, Oregon, from Portland to Eugene has been postponed until July 2015. It is now a future event on a Meetup group: https://www.meetup.com/norcal-biketou...nts/184585802/. Here's the group's home page: https://www.meetup.com/norcal-biketouring/ .
#93
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 592 Times
in
326 Posts
The ride through Willamette Valley, Oregon, from Portland to Eugene has been postponed until July 2015. It is now a future event on a Meetup group: https://www.meetup.com/norcal-biketou...nts/184585802/. Here's the group's home page: https://www.meetup.com/norcal-biketouring/ .

__________________
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
#94
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 592 Times
in
326 Posts
Has anyone else been on their planned tours yet.

__________________
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
#95
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 592 Times
in
326 Posts
Does anyone have July tours on ... or maybe wrapping up June tours?

__________________
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
#96
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 38,157
Mentioned: 209 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17782 Post(s)
Liked 14,147 Times
in
6,715 Posts
Last month in Montana:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/davez2...7645062932708/
Missoula-Sula-Jackson via Gibbons Pass-Divide Bridge via Big Hole Pass & Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway-Twin Bridges-Butte via Pipe Stone Pass-Philipsburg-Hamilton via Skalkaho Rd.-Missoula
Got rained, hailed and snowed on coming down the Byway (nearly 30 mile descent) to Wise River. Saw about a dozen participants in the GDMBR on that stretch. Got rained on very hard coming down from Sklalkaho (another nearly 30 mile descent) after panning for sapphires at Gem Mountain. Couple other days with short shower events and some hail while in camp at Sula. No exotic quadrapeds except one Dahl sheep, but I did see lots of birds, including two common snipes that put on quite a show when I startled them. Several free range ruminants on the unpaved rode between Melrose and Twin Bridges.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/davez2...7645062932708/
Missoula-Sula-Jackson via Gibbons Pass-Divide Bridge via Big Hole Pass & Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway-Twin Bridges-Butte via Pipe Stone Pass-Philipsburg-Hamilton via Skalkaho Rd.-Missoula
Got rained, hailed and snowed on coming down the Byway (nearly 30 mile descent) to Wise River. Saw about a dozen participants in the GDMBR on that stretch. Got rained on very hard coming down from Sklalkaho (another nearly 30 mile descent) after panning for sapphires at Gem Mountain. Couple other days with short shower events and some hail while in camp at Sula. No exotic quadrapeds except one Dahl sheep, but I did see lots of birds, including two common snipes that put on quite a show when I startled them. Several free range ruminants on the unpaved rode between Melrose and Twin Bridges.
#97
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 592 Times
in
326 Posts
Last month in Montana:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/davez2...7645062932708/
Missoula-Sula-Jackson via Gibbons Pass-Divide Bridge via Big Hole Pass & Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway-Twin Bridges-Butte via Pipe Stone Pass-Philipsburg-Hamilton via Skalkaho Rd.-Missoula
Got rained, hailed and snowed on coming down the Byway (nearly 30 mile descent) to Wise River. Saw about a dozen participants in the GDMBR on that stretch. Got rained on very hard coming down from Sklalkaho (another nearly 30 mile descent) after panning for sapphires at Gem Mountain. Couple other days with short shower events and some hail while in camp at Sula. No exotic quadrapeds except one Dahl sheep, but I did see lots of birds, including two common snipes that put on quite a show when I startled them. Several free range ruminants on the unpaved rode between Melrose and Twin Bridges.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/davez2...7645062932708/
Missoula-Sula-Jackson via Gibbons Pass-Divide Bridge via Big Hole Pass & Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway-Twin Bridges-Butte via Pipe Stone Pass-Philipsburg-Hamilton via Skalkaho Rd.-Missoula
Got rained, hailed and snowed on coming down the Byway (nearly 30 mile descent) to Wise River. Saw about a dozen participants in the GDMBR on that stretch. Got rained on very hard coming down from Sklalkaho (another nearly 30 mile descent) after panning for sapphires at Gem Mountain. Couple other days with short shower events and some hail while in camp at Sula. No exotic quadrapeds except one Dahl sheep, but I did see lots of birds, including two common snipes that put on quite a show when I startled them. Several free range ruminants on the unpaved rode between Melrose and Twin Bridges.

__________________
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
#98
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 38,157
Mentioned: 209 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17782 Post(s)
Liked 14,147 Times
in
6,715 Posts
Supposed to start Vienna, OH home to Philly in a couple of weeks. Looking at South Dakota and NW Nebraska for next year.
#99
Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 36
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
June: I'd like to do one of the naked bike rides, perhaps in San Francisco. Never did it, but have been to a nude beach or two many years ago. It sounds like some outrageous fun.
Reminds me of my first tour back in '88 or 89 in Vermont. We checked in to the Shorham Inn to do a foliage tour (it was beautiful). A 6o something year old woman very politly introduced herself, and it kinda creeped us out a bit (we were in our mid 20's). She couldn't get our names straight (John and Don). Anyhow, as we went upstairs to get settled in, we saw 3 black and white pictures of naked bicycle riders, and thought OMG! we are on the wrong tour! Great tour, and still around as I understand it too!
Reminds me of my first tour back in '88 or 89 in Vermont. We checked in to the Shorham Inn to do a foliage tour (it was beautiful). A 6o something year old woman very politly introduced herself, and it kinda creeped us out a bit (we were in our mid 20's). She couldn't get our names straight (John and Don). Anyhow, as we went upstairs to get settled in, we saw 3 black and white pictures of naked bicycle riders, and thought OMG! we are on the wrong tour! Great tour, and still around as I understand it too!

#100
Senior Member
One year I rode south from Badlands NP to Gordon NE and on west through Chadron and Harrison into WY. Really nice. North central NE is pleasant also, particularly the Niobrara River east of Valentine. You can follow some cool dirt roads right through the National Scenic River Preserve and beyond.
Niobrara National Scenic River (U.S. National Park Service)
Niobrara National Scenic River (U.S. National Park Service)