Tag: bicycle touring

NR02: Banff National Park

Posted on August 4, 2017September 4, 2017 by Rich

Nice last night – rain on the tentfly. Makes the sleeping that much better. Seems like it cooled things down a lot too. We’re all up by 7 and ready to go by 8, and I bet it was in the high 40s maybe. In checking our maps, we note “only” 17 miles to breakfast, but oh my. This segment takes us up on a brutal climb to the Glacier Skywalk tourist attraction. We’re talking a sustained 9-10% grade, actually one of the toughest I’ve encountered. The views around here are stunning, including lakes, icefields, glaciers, alpine forest, monstrous mountains. It’s hard

NR01: Jasper National Park

Posted on August 3, 2017September 11, 2017 by Rich

The four of us get up early, pack the vehicles, and complete an hourlong drive to Jasper. I kept watching the car thermometer, noticing it dip into the low 40s in the low spots. Brrr. We soon find ourselves in the town of Jasper. Touristy but not nearly as crowded as I might have imagined. Bikes are readied and panniers loaded. Time to get this thing started! Linda takes a group photo and heads off on her own, with a plan to golf and spa her way around British Columbia for a couple weeks. I know she’s going to love this

UTCO3 – Escalante River

Posted on July 9, 2012August 1, 2012 by Rich

From Tropic UT to Calf’s Creek Campground UT Miles 57.5 Total Ascent 2,347 ft (ascent from www.bikeroutetoaster.com) Wonderful low sleeping temperature again last night, maybe down into the mid-50s. As it warmed up in the morning, we noticed the buzzards one by one flapping out onto a nearby bluff, landing on small trees, and spreading their wings in the morning sun. We rolled to Clarke’s again for breakfast, which they executed in much better fashion than dinner. Pancakes were bland, but the eggs were good and sausage tasty and peppery. Jack was still feeling poorly, but was hanging on trying

UTCO2 – Red Canyons

Posted on July 8, 2012August 1, 2012 by Rich

From Panguitch Lake UT to Tropic UT Miles 51.5 Total Ascent 1,461 ft (ascent from www.bikeroutetoaster.com) A late morning awakening to a full bladder. I can typically make it through the entire evening without leaving my tent, but it is always a delicate balancing act between proper hydration and over-doing it. Temps last night dropped beautifully, down into the 40s. It’s perfect sleeping weather when you can rest warm in your sleeping bag, but still breathe the cold crisp air. My tent site selection had not been ideal, since its surface had me constantly rolling into the side of my

UTCO1 – Cedar Breaks

Posted on July 7, 2012August 1, 2012 by Rich

From Cedar Creek UT to Panguitch Lake UT Miles 47.5 Total Ascent 5,273 ft (from www.bikeroutetoaster.com) My darling Linda stayed and joined us for breakfast at Main Street Grill. I use the word “darling” passionately, of course, but in this case I use it actively as well. To arrive at this starting point, Linda has driven us all the way up to Cedar City, and will drive herself back today. And then she’ll repeat the process some 18 days from today, to an even further finishing point in Colorado. A darling. After casting farewells, Jack and I were suddenly and

UTCO0 – Drive North

Posted on July 6, 2012December 16, 2015 by Rich

Today Linda, Jack and I drove up to Cedar City Utah, taking the route through Flagstaff and just missing Page. Once north of SR64 (which goes to the Grand Canyon), Linda and I were on new roads, mostly on the Navajo Reservation lands. We took 89A and 89 northward, crossing the Colorado River at the very impressive Navajo Bridge. In Utah, we took SR14 westward into Cedar City, and only then did we realize that tomorrow’s cycling route would roll eastward on this same road. I sort of disliked getting the preview. Today’s drive was the inaugural trip for our

Summer Tour: UTCO

Posted on June 25, 2012August 1, 2012 by Rich

Jesse and I have continued our Sunday Breakfast Club rides to Jim’s Coney Island Cafe in Tempe. Our regular Tuesday group has since moved there too. The food is decent, and the atmosphere and service are excellent. Any Sunday or Tuesday morning, you might catch one or more of us there – c’mon out and join us. I need to stay on the bike. Jack and I corresponded sporadically throughout the spring, talking about, but not getting serious about, a summer tour. Well, we’ve finally dared each other into it, although neither of us needed much prodding. The two of

RA94: We Made It!

Posted on September 1, 2011March 16, 2014 by Rich

East Orland ME to Bar Harbor ME – 42.2 miles We wore our civvies to breakfast this morning, walking to a place called Duffy’s right across the highway from our motel. Real friendly service and good eats. But after yesterday’s run-in with the mega pancakes, I stuck to simple eggs-bacon-toast this morning. Jack had a great looking waffle with local berries. Oops – there I go about food again. We took US1 from the motel, but soon turned onto ME176 amd ME172. These were great routes that, while adding miles, gave us pretty low-traffic downhill runs next to Toddy Pond

RA93: Almost There

Posted on August 31, 2011May 1, 2012 by Rich

Camden ME to East Orland ME – 43.1 miles Once again, excellent stars last night, although somewhat blocked by trees. I took this photograph last night aimed straight up, with the underside of the leaves lit by the flicker of our fire. Roger took off early this morning, heading for Augusta, and we said our goodbyes. Using last night’s coals, I started up a small campfire again and Jack and I moved especially slowly packing up gear, enjoying the site, taking our time in the filtered morning sunshine. We finally rolled out onto US1 northward, looking for breakfast. Our AC

RA92: Coast of Maine

Posted on August 30, 2011May 1, 2012 by Rich

Brunswick ME to Camden ME – 66.7 miles Great stars last night with an interesting overlay of clouds. Then some pretty cirrus clouds to start the morning. The Thomas Point Beach campsite had been very quiet and isolated – a good spot. Jack and I selected Friendly’s for breakfast this morning. While we enjoyed some good food, the store’s manager greeted us, then asked with real interest about our bicycle travels, wanting to know details. Christine expressed a desire to try a bicycle tour like this, even describing a dream she has had about pedaling to California to reach the