Search found 66 matches

by jjpeterberger
13 May 2014, 5:58am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Surviving Norway?
Replies: 57
Views: 9422

Re: Surviving Norway?

FarOeuf wrote:
jjpeterberger wrote:Does anyone have a link for the ferry between Stavanger and Bergen?

Thanks,
Jay


I was in Stavanger a couple of weeks ago, asking about this ferry at Tourist Information. The ferry has been stopped, and it didn't take bicycles even when it was running.

cheers,


Thanks. That explains why I hadn't found anything...

Jay
by jjpeterberger
12 May 2014, 10:37pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Surviving Norway?
Replies: 57
Views: 9422

Re: Surviving Norway?

Pete Jack wrote:I agree. A couple of years ago I tried to follow the North Sea Cycle Route south from Stavanger in late May. It was horrible,the signage was lousy, much of it single track mountain bike stuff really, cold, rain and howling headwinds. After about 50 miles of that rubbish and a freezing night in a tent I abandoned it and caught a train to Kristiansand and the the ferry to Denmark ("We drink coffee at home" when I asked where I could get a cup of coffee.) The train was a typical arm and a leg deal, it cost me a child's ticket for the bike.

I attempted to start in Bergen, which has a good YMCA hostel BTW. I couldn't find a hint of the NSCR which is supposed to terminate in Bergen. Nobody seemed to have heard of it. The traffic (and rain of course ) was horrible so I caught the ferry to Stavanger.


Does anyone have a link for the ferry between Stavanger and Bergen?

Thanks,
Jay
by jjpeterberger
7 May 2014, 4:50am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Surviving Norway?
Replies: 57
Views: 9422

Re: Surviving Norway?

We'll be starting our year-long tour in Oslo in just over a month...too nervous and excited to even think about it!!!
by jjpeterberger
7 May 2014, 4:47am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: new zealand end to end
Replies: 17
Views: 6705

Re: new zealand end to end

My wife and I plan to ride a loop around the south island next January-March and then on the the east coast of Australia for a few weeks. We'll be flying in and out of Christchurch, staying with relatives for Christmas and/or New Years!!! I've been looking into possible routes, especially the off-pavement varieties, I'm really looking forward to this part of our tour.

For those that have been around the south island, would you recommend a CW or CCW loop?

Thanks for the help and enjoy the ride,
Jay
by jjpeterberger
30 Apr 2014, 2:17am
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Clikstand
Replies: 9
Views: 2073

Re: Clikstand

We love our Clickstand and use it with a set of MSR Alpine stainless steel pots...many years on the cookset and the the Clickstand works better than any other I've tried for the Trangia burner.

Enjoy the ride,
Jay
by jjpeterberger
8 Apr 2014, 4:55pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Schengen restrictions for UK citizens
Replies: 3
Views: 1824

Schengen restrictions for UK citizens

Hello from across the pond!
My wife (UK) and I (US) will soon be starting a year-long trip. Our plan is to start in Scandanavia, head southeast through Europe and then fly to SE Asia.

We've both been doing a bit of research regarding limitations of duration in countries that are signatories to the Schengen Agreement. While it seems apparent (to me anyway) that we are both limited to traveling in these countries for a total of 90 days in a 180 day period, my wife has been told that, as a UK citizen, she is able to spend as much time as she likes and I, as her spouse, am able to accompany her.

Obviously this will have a major impact on our plans as our initial routing has us riding for nearly 100 days before leaving the Schengen Zone. We've been searching for any "official" guidance from different government sites with no responses yet.

Anyone have pertinent experience using a UK passport and a Schengen visa exemption?

Thanks and enjoy the ride,
Jay
by jjpeterberger
21 Mar 2014, 12:17am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Round the world blogging
Replies: 25
Views: 26179

Re: Round the world blogging

My wife and I will be leaving in early June on a 14 month trip that will likely cover parts of Scandanavia, Europe, Australia, NZ, SE Asia and the US. We have a blog going at Peterberger Bike Adventures and the nuts and bolts will be updated at Off On A Bike Ride.

Fell free to stop by and say hello!

Enjoy the ride,
Jay
by jjpeterberger
3 Mar 2014, 8:04am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Are mountain bike cycling shoes necessary for cycle touring?
Replies: 46
Views: 17297

Re: Are mountain bike cycling shoes necessary for cycle tour

Over the past 3+ decades, I've used nearly all the clipless pedal systems available. The original Look system was my favorite on the road until 5 years ago, or so. My mountain bike still has Shimano M737 pedals that are probably close to 20 years old now.

For touring, I prefer to be able to get on and off the bike without thinking about my footwear...I'm on tour and there's so much more to it than just riding all day. So I've settled into decent quality MKS flat pedals http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_919607_langId_-1_categoryId_273937, the most recent pair purchased in the middle of our Wales tour in the summer of 2012. In the past few years I've toured in Crocs and these trail runners https://www.salomon.com/us/product/xa-pro-3d-ultra-2-gtx.html. I've not had any problems with my feet, knees or hips using these relatively flexible shoes. They are stiff for running but much more flexible than SPD-style shoes.

During our upcoming year-long trip, I'll likely start with the trail runners and replace them, when needed, with whatever I find along the way...most likely a light-weight low- or mid-cut hiking shoe.

Ultimately, choose which shoes you prefer to ride in and enjoy the ride.

Jay
by jjpeterberger
10 Nov 2013, 4:46pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Bar end levers - why?
Replies: 118
Views: 59873

Re: Bar end levers - why?

Since this is the Touring & Expedition subforum...

I've been using barend and downtube shifters since the mid-70's. When index shifting became available to me in the early 80's, I tried it but went back to friction only on my road and touring bikes just a few years later. Only my mountain bikes kept indexing beyond that time due to the increased number of factors trying to put me in the dirt!

I find the basic simplicity and reliability of non-index shifters more than meet my needs to pull on a wire to shift gears. While touring or road riding for fun, I'm never shifting under duress of a breakaway and I pay attention to terrain changes and my own cadence so I don't panic shift when the roadway turns up. I learned to shift gears correctly (it's not difficult) not just click a lever.

Any reference to shifting and braking at the same time, efficiency in shifting or not wanting to take a hand off the hoods seems a bit misplaced on THIS subforum. If we were racing or pretending to be racing and there was a paycheck on the line, the arguments may hold some water.

Again, these statements are in the context of THIS subforum, YMMV.

Enjoy the ride,
Jay
by jjpeterberger
7 Nov 2013, 3:39am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Carmarthen to Haverfordwest via Celtic Trail West
Replies: 4
Views: 2690

Re: Carmarthen to Haverfordwest via Celtic Trail West

Gisborn wrote:Doing a bit of research on a possible route for next weekend. Keen to cycle a chunk of Celtic Route West (Sustrans Route 4) from Carmarthen to Haverfordwest through Tenby and Pembroke Dock. Does anyone know if the path is suitable for road-bikes? Sustrans isn't too clear and there seems to be conflicting reports on local tourism sites. Thanks in advance!


Last summer, my wife and I rode that very route as part of our three week tour of Wales. We rode Surly LHTs, fully loaded, with no problems anywhere.

Enjoy the ride,
Jay
by jjpeterberger
24 Aug 2013, 5:19am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Undiscovered touring gems?
Replies: 32
Views: 3919

Re: Undiscovered touring gems?

the colonies???

Enjoy the ride,
Jay
by jjpeterberger
15 Aug 2013, 7:39pm
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Items with double use...
Replies: 48
Views: 4039

Re: Items with double use...

pjclinch wrote:J Cloth - general purpose absorbent cleaning cloth, typically comes on a roll, multi use. Sort of thing folk do their washing-up, dusting etc. with.


Thanks PJ. I noticed you're from Dundee. I live in the Dundee Hills of Oregon!!!
by jjpeterberger
15 Aug 2013, 2:51am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Steel frames and rain...
Replies: 49
Views: 6833

Re: Steel frames and rain...

My primary 2 road bikes are steel, bought new in 1986 and 1987 and they've never received any type of frame treatment. Much of that time I've lived in the Pacific NorthWet. They've been stored inside when not being ridden but I'm not a stickler for cleaning the bikes beyond occasionally a merely functional wipe down and lube.

The only place where any visible corrosion exists is on my touring bike where the paint was chipped long ago and not touched up. I intend to continue riding these bikes for another few decades.

Enjoy the ride,
Jay
by jjpeterberger
15 Aug 2013, 2:43am
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Tents - To fold or to stuff?
Replies: 17
Views: 2726

Re: Tents - To fold or to stuff?

Dale,
This is another of the many choices that come down to personal preference. Most people have their favorite method and swear up and down that it's the right way. In the end, decent tents fail due to being stored wet (mildew), used carelessly (burned, cut...) or, best of all, worn through by heavy use.

Enjoy the ride,
Jay
by jjpeterberger
15 Aug 2013, 2:38am
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Items with double use...
Replies: 48
Views: 4039

Re: Items with double use...

For those of use across the pond...what is a J cloth?

Enjoy the ride,
Jay