Sounds like a great trip.Cold and wet is not a great way to spend the day. I'd seriously consider something to fend that off.
https://www.sierratradingpost.com/marmot-optima-gore-tex-pants-waterproof-for-men~p~6786n/?filterString=s~mens-waterproof-pants%2F#specsSection On Monday, May 14, 2018 at 9:39:26 AM UTC-4, Bill Schairer wrote: > Thank you everyone for your words of encouragement!! I did feel I could > probably safely post here without being told I am courting disaster and > should be riding a suspended mountain bike with 3" minimum tires and > bikepacking setup. "Rent a proper mountain bike." No, I want to ride MY > bike, that's why I have it. Some of my anxiety about my choice of gear was > relieved a bit when my AC materials suggested no narrower than 42mm tires > and recommended front and rear racked panniers, *not* a "bikepacking" > setup. I'm good there. > > Deacon, thank you for your offer and I am sure I will be getting back with > you either on or off list. I know you have so much more off pavement > experience than I so I am sure I can pick up some good pointers. Ah, and I > can only dream about documenting my ride as beautifully as you document > yours! > > As for the pants, I will confess that I was mostly just trying to throw in > a bit more RBW content and it was a bit careless. *I do use my MUSA > pants both on and off bike frequently and fully expect to on this trip as > well. I know from experience that they are NOT waterproof but they do dry > out very quickly. However, to me, rain gear is about staying warm not dry. > I don't believe there is any such thing as "waterproof" despite what > Ortlieb fanatics say. I also confess that I am not altogether settled yet > on the staying warm part. * If I review my pictures of a tandem tour on > the Icefields Parkway in July of 82, I will see pictures of us straddling > our bike wearing down jackets and still looking miserable! I think it > snowed the night we camped in Waterton. > > On Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 5:30:01 AM UTC-7, Mark in Beacon wrote: >> >> Definitely not waterproof, which would likely make them hot and >> uncomfortable. But the nylon dries super fast. >> >> On Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 6:25:42 AM UTC-4, Eric Daume wrote: >>> >>> I haven’t found my MUSA pants to be at all waterproof. Maybe add a spray >>> on coating? >>> >>> Enjoy the trip! >>> >>> On Friday, May 11, 2018, Bill Schairer <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>>> Just received final confirmation (on my 65th birthday) from AC that our >>>> tour from Banff to Whitefish on the GDMBR is officially a go. I have been >>>> excitedly prepping myself and my Atlantis for this adventure. Hanging from >>>> the frame will be: >>>> >>>> >>>> Bruce Gordon front and rear racks >>>> >>>> VO decaleur front rack >>>> >>>> 3 cheapo/clearance water bottle cages from Nashbar >>>> >>>> B17 saddle, very well broken in and so comfortable >>>> >>>> Sugino triple 46/36/24 >>>> >>>> Shimano A530 pedals (spd one side, platform the other) >>>> >>>> Suntour Cyclone FD >>>> >>>> Suntour VGT RD >>>> >>>> Suntour bar-end friction shifters >>>> >>>> Shimano HG-400-9 12-36 cassette >>>> >>>> Crane Creek brake levers on Specialized 40mm drop bars (swapped from >>>> stoker position on tandem for Albastache) >>>> >>>> Shimano cantilever brakes >>>> >>>> Deore LX 32/36 hubs laced by RL to Velocity Synergy 700C rims >>>> >>>> Schwalbe Mondial 50mm tires (measure at 47-48 @ 40 psi on the Velocity >>>> rims) >>>> >>>> >>>> I’ve decided against fenders because clearance is so tight, I am not >>>> sure I can fit them in the bike box, it will simplify break down and >>>> reassembly (which I’ll be doing myself), and it will reduce toe overlap. I >>>> may decide to borrow 40 hole, White Industries, Velocity Dyad front wheel >>>> from tandem but probably not. I’ll box the bike myself in a Bikeflights >>>> cardboard box and check for $25 on Alaskan Airlines. >>>> >>>> May opt for a smaller water bottle on the bottom - that’s pretty tight. >>>> 40+ year old Kirtland handlebar bag, Beckman front and rear panniers. I >>>> suspect there will be some modifications yet as I ride and fiddle. >>>> Certainly, this is no UL rig but I can and have lifted it over obstacles >>>> as >>>> much as 2 ft high. Maybe I'll be lucky and get a "whatever it takes" >>>> comment. >>>> >>>> I have plenty of touring experience but do not have a lot of >>>> off-pavement experience. I have been doing some practicing here in San >>>> Diego to try to get ready. I have successfully taken this unloaded up a >>>> about half-mile 15-22% gravel grade but only made it up about half way on >>>> my one and only loaded attempt. Pushing the rest of the way was no picnic. >>>> I will try again doubtlessly. I’m a little concerned about climbs like >>>> this >>>> at altitude but one way or another, I’ll manage. Interestingly (to me), >>>> I’ve found riding loaded on gravel is easier for me (except for steepest >>>> grades) than unloaded. I don’t have to concentrate so much on keeping my >>>> weight back or worry about lifting the front wheel. The load also seems to >>>> smooth out the rough a bit and the ride feels more stable to me. It is >>>> harder to correct my line if I lose it though, especially climbing. >>>> >>>> >>>> As excited as I am, my wife is a bit peeved as I start on her birthday. >>>> I’ve tried to explain that this is when the tour is offered so there >>>> really >>>> wasn’t any choice and I’m getting to the point in life where I have to >>>> stop >>>> dreaming of doing these things and just do them. >>>> >>>> >>>> Oh, and other RBW content, MUSA pants will double as my off bike pants >>>> and rain/wind pants. My wife even gave me another pair for my birthday >>>> because she knows I like them so much. Sorry for the length of post but >>>> I’m >>>> excited! >>>> >>>> >>>> Unloaded and loaded (projected) attached? >>>> >>>> >>>> Bill >>>> >>>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>> an email to [email protected]. >>>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>>> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. >>>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>>> >>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
