Rock Island Trail Forum

I was told by a co-worker of mine who has ridden the trail that there's a bike store along the trail that sells puncture proof tubes. The tubes had an extra 1/4 thick rubber on the outer edge of the tube, he bought a pair after having 5 flats in one day. He told me he never had another flat, anyone know the bike store that sells these, or who possibly makes them?

Call the Cycle Depot and ask if they can set you up. They used to be in Hartsburg along the

Trail, but they have moved into Jefferson City: 573-636-9599. Enjoy!

I'm not sure but he may be referring to Slime tubes. There are Slime tubes, puncture sealants, tire liners, and pre-glued patches. If that is what you are looking for, another alternative beings you are in Indy would be to check out PerformanceBike.com or nashbar.com. I'm not sure about Nashbar, but Performance Bicycle has Slime products. From this websites home page, scroll down to the link for either on the left side of the page. If you order going from either store using the link from this website, the webmaster gets a cut that is used to help keep this site up.

Slime tubes work great if the added wheel weight doesn't bother you. I put slime tubes in my mountain bike for trip to the Utah desert and had no flats. So when I returned home, I left the tubes in for about a year. When I changed the tires I must have had 50(or more) thorns in my tire. Not a one penetrated the tube. This made me a big believer in Slime.



Paulie

I've had Armadillo tires put on my bike with no further flats. They have a kevlar lining to make them puncture resistant. I got my at my local bike shop...I'm sure most would either carry them or be able to order.

Puncture resistant tubes are actually quite common nowadays and, in my opinion, a must on the Katy Trail. I rode 283 miles on 700x28cc tires last October and did not have a single flat, despite pretty heavily shredded tires. Check out nashbar.com or performancebike.com as they have a wide selection of puncture resistant tires available. If your local shop has them, try and buy from them, but they may not have any. Be careful with the Slime Tires as they are usually VERY heavy.

If you value businesses along the Trail when you ride, I urge you to support those businesses.

Sure, you can order your bike supplies from nashbar or performance (the same company, by

the way). But, if you buy them from your local bike shop or from a trail shop and there is a

problem, you can be sure you will get good customer service. The Cycle Depot specializes in

equipping bikes to ride the Trail and I am quite certain they are the shop from where your

friend got the tubes mentioned. Happy riding!

And how on earth could you be "quite certain" that the Cycle Depot is "the shop from where" someones "friend got the tubes mentioned?" When there are several bike shops along the trail who "specialize" in bikes for the trail.....that seems to be quite an assumption on your part. "You can be sure you will get good customer service" if you buy something from from a local bike shop or from a trail bike shop? Seems like another wild assumption on your part. Are you a paid hawk'r for the Cycle Depot or what???

Remember, this is a lawyer doing the logic. In her defense, there are bike shops along the trail and then there was (Hartsburg) Cycle Depot. It was in a class all by itself for service, selection, and knowledge. (I say was because they are now located in Jefferson City, nowhere near the trail. So sadly, I won't be able to patronize them anymore.) They're the kind of bike shop that nashbar and performancebike are leading to extinction.

I'm aware that she hung her shingle here so we would all know that she was a logical thinking attorney. Guess I give the lot more credit than to assume that any given shop is "the shop" to solve all ills just because a lawyer bought stuff there once upon a time. Oh well.



I think online commerce leads other businesses to provide online commerce tools for their customers. Often times businesses don't need anyone to lead them to their own extinctions.....they just simply choose to live in the past as long as they can and then choose to blame someone else for their demise.



I've patronized the Cycle Depot as well as many, many other businesses along the Katy. I also patronize Performance Bike and Nashbar. I see nothing wrong with giving this sites webmaster Ray a cut from time to time.



I mentioned the two online shops for the original poster, "cycling tomcat , Indy" in hopes that he could find the product he was looking for. When someone from Kansas City won't drive to Jefferson City to patronize the Cycle Depot anymore, my guess is someone from Indy would probably order online instead of driving to Missouri. Thats my twisted nonlawyer logic though. : )

Thanks Trek Biker, I appreciate you using this website’s links to shop Performance/Nashbar. But I want to jump in before the conversation turns negative. I really want to encourage folks to support their local bike shops – I fear that the LBS’s will eventually be replaced by “big box” stores the same way that local hardware stores, bookstores, etc. have. Sure it’s cheaper to buy a bike at Walmart, but you need someone who can fit a bike to you, and someone who truly understands the equipment.



It’s especially essential to support LBS’s along the trail, because we need businesses that we can rely on when riding the trail. Many of the trail-based businesses struggle to stay above water (H’burg Cycle Depot decided they just weren’t getting enough business in Hartsburg to be economically feasible). If a shop treats customers poorly then it doesn’t deserve your business, but in general I’ve only heard good things about the trail-based bike shops.



Having said all that, I acknowledge that many people do shop for bike parts and supplies on the web. Maybe your LBS doesn’t have the part you want, or you can’t get there during business hours. For those who do want to shop Nashbar or Performance, I’ve added links on the home page of this website. By clicking these ads, you still pay the same price for everything, but Nashbar/Performance give me a small commission. Honestly this adds up to very little, but every little bit helps. Although I enjoy running the website, it would not be worth the large investment of time without getting a little something back in this manner. In effect, Nashbar/Performance subsidize this website when you click through their ads on the home page to buy stuff.



So again, please support your LBS’s, because only by giving them business can we help them stay in business. But if you’re buying from Nashbar/Performance anyway, I truly appreciate you clicking their ads on the home page.

I hope that I didn't stir up a hornets nest by mentioning the online shops again. I did say to try your local shops first but you may have to resort to an online store. We have 4 local bike shops in town and none of them had any puncture resistant tubes when I was looking. So, I had to order them online. I am all for supporting local business, but I also have to go where the product is available. When we rode the KATY trail, we made it a point to stop at as many local businesses as possible just to buy something and support them. I feel that local businesses and large stores like Wal Mart and Nashbar both serve their purpose. We will be hurting if either type store doesn't exist. Find a happy medium and support both businesses. As for customer service, there are good bike shops and bad ones. I make it a point to avoid the ones that offer no customer service and make you feel like they are doing you a favor by letting you shop there. Most shops make the majority of their profit on service, which no online store will ever be able to take over. The profit on parts is not very high. My approach is...try to buy parts from the local shop if available. If not, order them. Always use my favorite shop for service needs. And always support ALL the businesses along the KATY trail or any other Rails to Trails route. Happy riding...wherever you buy your parts!

For the record,

1) Owing to my poor wording, I may have given one the impression I am a lawyer. Proudly, I am not a lawyer (or a day trader).

2) Sharon never said she wouldn't drive to Jeff City to patronize the Cycle Depot.

3) Neither did I. I'm rolling down the trail ticking off 100+ miles per day. I may be in need of some service or parts. I'm not going to risk my life on the US-54/63 bridge and add 6 hilly (relative to the KATY) miles on legs that will be shredded at the end of the day.

4) I would expect Cycling Tomcat to ride to her LBS to get the parts she needs. The union of rdering online and driving to MO for parts is not a Venn diagram that adequately describes all possible solutions.

I too would expect most of us to patronize our local bike shops and then hit the web to get what we can't locally. If you live in Indy.....the Cycle Depot is probably not your local shop. If you want to patronize "a trail shop" as sbikes says...that is not the Cycle Depot either as they have moved off the trail. Hence, my amazement that if one values businesses along the Trail when they ride, they would be refered to a business that is not local or on the trail.

I am just not going to respond to personal attacks or negative comments, because life is

just too short. The poster asked what bike shop might have sold the puncture resistant

tubes. The answer is Cycle Depot. AND, if the poster were to call the Cycle Depot, they

would be more than happy to mail to to the poster the requested tubes. And, even though

they are not on the Trail anymore, they know very well how to equip a bike for the Trail in

ways that an out of state bike shop or an impersonal website simply does not. And, for the

record, even though I live in KC, I am a regular customer at the Cycle Depot because I can

call them for what I need and they will ship it to me...all the convenience of an on-line

store, usually at a better or equivalent price and if there is a problem, I know they stand

behind their product. My experience with Performance a/k/a Bike Nashbar is that they do

not. Happy riding!

i must've been very lucky

i rode katy full round trip on a road bike with 700 x 28 tires, not one problem, and then continue for the rest of my 3000 mile season on the same tires. no flats. only just now in then 2nd season have I had the reason to change the tires. oh well.....take this for what it's worth.

Just when you think things have been awfully quiet on my favorite website, Sharonbikes has to go and get Trek Biker all fired up...again! :) Spring is in the air!!

My 2 cents; I have used slime tubes, and Armadillo tires. I had a flat last fall with the slime tubes near Pilot Grove. Talk about a MESS! I threw away the slime tubes, deciding I will invest in some Armadillo's for the recumbent. I have put around a thousand miles on a pair mounted on my MB, with no flats.

Somethin in the air alright. I really didn't mean to jerk a knot in her spandex either. I guess I just don't understand logic that tells someone that a conversation in Indy had to be about the Cycle Depot when there are several competent bike shops along the trail. But I'm learning......sbikes shops there.....so it had to be.



And now...knowing that there are hundreds of miles of rails-to-trails conversions like the Katy.....the Cycle Depot knows "very well how to equip a bike for the Trail in ways that an out of state bike shop simply does not." Not much can be said about that but......Oooookaaay!

Back to the original post...I have found the best combination to be a puncture resistant tube mated to a tire that has a kevlar (or equivalent) belt...not to be mistaken with a kevlar bead. The belt will stop most big objects (thorns, glass, etc) and the tube will stop small objects (splinters, small chips of glass, etc). I had this combo on my trip and it worked beautifully. Plus, the weight of the tires/tubes was not bad at all.



As for customer service at Performance, I had a set of their Forte Titan wheels for about 3 years. I was riding one day and broke a spoke. I called them and they mailed me 3 new spokes. A couple weeks later I broke another spoke. Again I called them and they said that once you start breaking spokes, it''s all downhill from there (no pun intended). They said that they would send me out a brand new set of wheels. Also, I paid $200 for the wheels 3 years ago, but they are now only $150. So they credited my checking account $50 plus the cost of shipping the old wh

I didn't realize when I posted the original question that the thread would become so nasty! C'mon people, let's be a little nicer towards one another! The answer to my question is these can be found at Scenic Cycles bike shop in Marthasville MO, talk to Cathy @ (636) 433-2909. The tubes are thorn proof, not puncture proof.



Peace,



Tom

I really hate to bring this thread to the top again, but for the record: sbikes did not "hang her shingle" here. I am responsible for 'outing' her as an attorney - something I now regret!



Let's just chalk this thread up to cabin fever.



cycling tomcat: Stop in and visit here once in awhile, we usually behave better than this. :)

Although in the big scheme of things, (trying to get information about biking products based on fact instead of emotional ties to any given bike shop or online outlet) it makes no difference....but, for the record sbikes did hang her own shingle:



"Worse than networking, I was fishing for clients. I was about to be laid off from my job and so was going to hang out my shingle again (I'm a lawyer), so I" ........Sharon

- posted 9/22/2006 10:03:49 PM by sbikes , Kansas City

Tsk tsk Swift Biker Veterns for Trek. You originally claimed sbikes "hung her shingle here" and now change it to "did hang her own shingle". Rather, she told a story of how she was "going to hang" her shingle again and there is no indication that she was doing it here. If she were hanging her shingle here, there'd be a weblink, e-mail address, phone number, or some other kind of contact info.



Can't we all just get along and ride? Peace. Out.

No, she didn't solicit business here. My bad, Nails. But she did tip her hat here that she was a lawyer...that was the point....that it was her and not someone else that was "responsible for 'outing' her."



Reading up....you are the one that brought up that she was a lawyer on this thread...."Remember, this is a lawyer doing the logic." A good statement to make before following up on your last post with "Can't we all just get along and ride?" Stir the pot a bit and then stand back and be coy! lol



Someones profession was never the point. Although, when someone comes here asking for help, if we choose to post, I think we all owe it to them to provide information based on what is known to be fact and not emotional ties to a particular business.



Personally, I'm hard pressed to beleive statements like ....the Cycle Depot knows "very well how to equip a bike for the Trail in ways that an out of state bike shop simply does not." If that's true.....then whoever posts it should quantify that and educate us all. Tell us why a bike shop in any other state along a rail conversion simply does not know how to equip a bike for a Katy type trail. When they don't, or won't, explain statements like that, then I can't help but think that those statements are driven by emotion and are of little value.



I never saw that this thread turned nasty or that any of us could not get along. Happy trails folks!

enough is enough. who really gives a rats back side about who said what, or who is more qualified to give what information. i have never seen so much arguing about nothing. how bouts it folks.



ray, i think it might be time to shut this topic down. whats you think ray.



however, happy bikin folks.

Yep, I think everyone has had ample opportunity to state their views on this dead horse :-). Back to the trail....

Has anyone stayed at the Midway Budget Inn? Was it nice? We have a family of 5 and are having trouble finding accomodations for June 2 that will take kids, ages 13, 11, 9. Thank you!

Has anyone stayed at the Midway Budget Inn? Was it nice? We have a family of 5 and are having trouble finding accomodations for June 2 that will take kids, ages 13, 11, 9. Thank you!

Kay,

The Midway Budget Inn is quite a distance off the trail down U.S. 40 OR I-70 from Rocheport. I have never stayed there, so I can't speak for the motel itself.

However, access might be a problem. If you have road transport to and from the motel, that might not be too bad, but if you are planning on biking it, that could be dicey.

I would suggest staying in Boonville, where the Hotel Frederick will be open by then or at Isle of Capri hotel. Both are located right on the trail. Columbia might be a good option, too, since you can take the 8.9-mile MKT trail into downtown Columbia.

Camping at Katfish Katy's might also be a better option.

Kay,

The Midway Budget Inn is quite a distance off the trail down U.S. 40 OR I-70 from Rocheport. I have never stayed there, so I can't speak for the motel itself.

However, access might be a problem. If you have road transport to and from the motel, that might not be too bad, but if you are planning on biking it, that could be dicey.

I would suggest staying in Boonville, where the Hotel Frederick will be open by then or at Isle of Capri hotel. Both are located right on the trail. Columbia might be a good option, too, since you can take the 8.9-mile MKT trail into downtown Columbia.

Camping at Katfish Katy's might also be a better option.

We just returned from a cold trip to Rocheport and stayed at the Katy Trail Bed and Bikefest in the Carriage House which is a room over the garage. It was very spacious - it sleeps 8 with 2 queens and 2 futons. It also have a small fridge plus table and chairs. We had our children w/us - ages 8, 6, and 18 months.

We just returned from a cold trip to Rocheport and stayed at the Katy Trail Bed and Bikefest in the Carriage House which is a room over the garage. It was very spacious - it sleeps 8 with 2 queens and 2 futons. It also have a small fridge plus table and chairs. We had our children w/us - ages 8, 6, and 18 months.

Do yourself a favor and take 15 minutes to stop here. You'll find EVERYTHING and ANYTHING here. The owners are there every day and go out of their way to help you. This is the kind of store you thought only existed in Norman Rockwell paintings.

Disclaimer: I have emotional ties to this business. (wink)



I grew up in Boonville. In 1981 I went shopping in Kansas City and bought a Sony boombox for $120 (on sale at CNC Stereo). A week later a friend was admiring the boombox and asked if I had got it at Snoddy's. I was laughing until he said: "Seriously, I saw that same boombox at Snoddy's the other day for a hundred bucks."



Last fall I was helping my sister winterize her vacant house in Boonville. Orscheln's and Walmart were both out of RV antifreeze. Snoddy's had it and their price was LOWER than Walmart!



I have many more anecdotal stories I could bore you all with, but as Robert said, do yourself a favor an stop in. Snoddy's is the ideal spot to stop for groceries if you are riding eastbound and camping at the Katy Roundhouse (but buy your beer at Casey's in New Franklin after you've set up camp and are ready to relax - it's a short downhill ride back to camp and your beer won't get warm).

Rick Pankau could have had better things to do than take care of one lonely cyclist on Sunday, April 1st 2007, but he chose to do just that. I was the only guest he had that night and he made me feel right at home. He was great company and I can't wait to get back to Herman to se e him and the "Gasthaus" again. Great accomodations, wonderful breakfast, good conversation all made for a fantastic Katy Trail experience. The price was even right. Thank you Rick.



Shane Andrews

Anyone know when the DNR turns the water back on to the trailheads that have a drinking fountain?

For the DNR, the off season for state parks is November through March. My guess would be if the water isn't on today, it soon will be.

In Boonville, the water was turned back on April 2nd. Of course, with the hard freeze we are having the past few days I am not sure if they are going to turn it off until the cold snap passes or not. I know the water fountain at Boonville had sprung a leak as of a few days ago.

a st.louis friend & i met @ rocheport for lunch. didn't know where to go, so started circling town. we just came up on abigail's out of the blue and had one of the most exquisite, delicious, exciting and innovative 'just by pure luck' lunches that we venture out to find every so often. the food was fresh, presented beautifully and you could tell that what you were being served was something new, fresh and delicious but with a touch of down home cooking. srevice fantastic and just an overall pleasurable experience whil out traveling the missouri river. good road trip vittles stopping place! strongly recommend a stop! -

a st.louis friend & i met @ rocheport for lunch. didn't know where to go, so started circling town. we just came up on abigail's out of the blue and had one of the most exquisite, delicious, exciting and innovative 'just by pure luck' lunches that we venture out to find every so often. the food was fresh, presented beautifully and you could tell that what you were being served was something new, fresh and delicious but with a touch of down home cooking. srevice fantastic and just an overall pleasurable experience whil out traveling the missouri river. good road trip vittles stopping place! strongly recommend a stop! -

Loved, loved, LOVED the people of Pilot Grove. Very friendly.



The park isn't much, but the community pool was open when I visited and the lifeguard let me use the shower facility for a buck.



Local kids talked my ear off.



There are bathroom facilities, but they lock them up at night to prevent vandalism.



You are across the street from suburban homes, but nobody hasseled me. There are electrical outlets in the pavillion to charge your phone, but you have to flip the power box lever on the the utility pole west of the restroom to get them to work.



Loved, loved, loved Pilot Grove. I'd love to live there one day.

Loved, loved, LOVED the people of Pilot Grove. Very friendly.



The park isn't much, but the community pool was open when I visited and the lifeguard let me use the shower facility for a buck.



Local kids talked my ear off.



There are bathroom facilities, but they lock them up at night to prevent vandalism.



You are across the street from suburban homes, but nobody hasseled me. There are electrical outlets in the pavillion to charge your phone, but you have to flip the power box lever on the the utility pole west of the restroom to get them to work.



Loved, loved, loved Pilot Grove. I'd love to live there one day.

The little deli right off the trail was good. Nice people!

The little deli right off the trail was good. Nice people!

Defiance is a biker town, pure and simple. I've never seen anybody misbehave, but I've only been through there a dozen times. Defiance is the first stop west of St. Charles where you can fill a water bottle.



The guys at the Katy Trail bike shop absolutely rock. Super courteous quality people. Love it or hate it, you'll be glad to see Defiance for some much needed hydration and comfort services.

I agree that the bike shop is great! Even though it's a "biker town" I really liked it a lot. And I hate that type "biker" for the most part. :)

We'd have to give The Little House our AAA rating for Awesome, Awesome, and Awesome.

Rita is a friendly and terrific hostess. The house is beautifully decorated and furnished

with comfortable beds and easy chairs ... just what the doctor ordered at the end of a long

day biking on the Katy trail. You get the whole house to yourself. Rita stocked the kitchen

with fresh fruit, cheese & crackers, home-made coffee cake, cookies, juice, milk, along

with an assortment of cereals, popcorn, hot cocoa, and coffee. The house has 2

comfortable beds and the sleeper couch allows you to sleep 6 easily. Bedrooms are

equipped with terrycloth robes, slippers, and big fluffy towels. Bikers can sleep easy

knowing their bikes are securely stored in the locked shed behind the house. The Little

House is fantastic and we can't wait to come back.

We'd have to give The Little House our AAA rating for Awesome, Awesome, and Awesome.

Rita is a friendly and terrific hostess. The house is beautifully decorated and furnished

with comfortable beds and easy chairs ... just what the doctor ordered at the end of a long

day biking on the Katy trail. You get the whole house to yourself. Rita stocked the kitchen

with fresh fruit, cheese & crackers, home-made coffee cake, cookies, juice, milk, along

with an assortment of cereals, popcorn, hot cocoa, and coffee. The house has 2

comfortable beds and the sleeper couch allows you to sleep 6 easily. Bedrooms are

equipped with terrycloth robes, slippers, and big fluffy towels. Bikers can sleep easy

knowing their bikes are securely stored in the locked shed behind the house. The Little

House is fantastic and we can't wait to come back.

What a great place! My 12 year old son and I pulled into Marthasville on Saturday, 3/31/07, very wet, tired, and hungry. We rode up to the Little House, and read the nice welcome note from the hosts, who arrived 5 minutes after a quick call.



The place is literally a Little House. You have the whole place to yourself. It was clean, neat, and there was plenty of FRESH food. We locked our bikes in the building out back, and went off to explore.



They tried hard to make us feel at home, and it worked! I would certainly recommend the Little House if you're in Marthasville.



DPN

What a great place! My 12 year old son and I pulled into Marthasville on Saturday, 3/31/07, very wet, tired, and hungry. We rode up to the Little House, and read the nice welcome note from the hosts, who arrived 5 minutes after a quick call.



The place is literally a Little House. You have the whole place to yourself. It was clean, neat, and there was plenty of FRESH food. We locked our bikes in the building out back, and went off to explore.



They tried hard to make us feel at home, and it worked! I would certainly recommend the Little House if you're in Marthasville.



DPN

We stayed at the Little House on our last night of riding the Katy (Clinton to St. Charles) in September 2006. We thought it the best of all the places we stayed. We were able to completely relax. We liked it so much that when we began planning for our ride from St. Charles to Clinton this spring, the Little House was a must, and will be our first stop. Rita is a great hostess and makes this truly a home away from home.

We stayed at the Little House on our last night of riding the Katy (Clinton to St. Charles) in September 2006. We thought it the best of all the places we stayed. We were able to completely relax. We liked it so much that when we began planning for our ride from St. Charles to Clinton this spring, the Little House was a must, and will be our first stop. Rita is a great hostess and makes this truly a home away from home.

H.H. Fortmann & Co. is great. Good food, good atmosphere and they're open from 6AM to 10PM seven days a week. We were there for lunch and the place was really busy with locals and bikies. We'll be back...

H.H. Fortmann & Co. is great. Good food, good atmosphere and they're open from 6AM to 10PM seven days a week. We were there for lunch and the place was really busy with locals and bikies. We'll be back...

This is a great place! My son and I pulled into Marthasville this past Saturday (3/31/07) very wet, very tired, and very hungry. After getting set up at the Little House B & B (another great place!), we walked down to H.H. Fortmann & Co. The owner was there, the place was clean, the service was excellent, the prices were reasonable, and the food was delicious. My 12 year old said that was the best burger he'd ever had, and he's an expert!



We also ate breakfast there the next morning! My only complaint was they didn't have grits! (grin...)



DPN

This is a great place! My son and I pulled into Marthasville this past Saturday (3/31/07) very wet, very tired, and very hungry. After getting set up at the Little House B & B (another great place!), we walked down to H.H. Fortmann & Co. The owner was there, the place was clean, the service was excellent, the prices were reasonable, and the food was delicious. My 12 year old said that was the best burger he'd ever had, and he's an expert!



We also ate breakfast there the next morning! My only complaint was they didn't have grits! (grin...)



DPN

Anyone on the trail around St. Charles this weekend? I was just wondering how wet/muddy the trail is between Machens and Weldon Spring.

The trail was fine last Sunday (biked to St. Charles), some muddy spots but nothing major. Today's T'storms will muddy stuff up again but it should dry out in time for the coming weekend. Saw quite a few snakes (Black) this weekend onthe trail.

Oh well, guess it's a mute point after the rain today (ha ha)

Loved being at the Frederick - The feel of the old tile underfoot, the great clock in the entryway - the ambiance of the dining room, Imagining times and peoples past - And the food - How does one make cornbread the consistency of angel food cake, anyway??? :) Pastalaya - Perfection of textures and spice - The entire experience was a most excellent treat I will indulge in again soon.

Loved being at the Frederick - The feel of the old tile underfoot, the great clock in the entryway - the ambiance of the dining room, Imagining times and peoples past - And the food - How does one make cornbread the consistency of angel food cake, anyway??? :) Pastalaya - Perfection of textures and spice - The entire experience was a most excellent treat I will indulge in again soon.

Just wondering......the wife is joining me this year on the DNR Katy Trail ride. We're taking our tandem bike......how many other tandem riders out there registered for the ride? Had a GREAT time last year, looking forward the 2007 ride!



Don

Cant help you, Don.



I will take this oportunity to ask a tandem rider a few questions.



Overall is it more energy efficient for a man and wife to ride a tandem while touring or to

ride two seperate bikes?



For example, if you and your wife were going to ride 75 miles in a day would you get done

faster with a tandem versus two single bikes?

Our tandem is more of an equalizer.....I ride more than my wife, and so naturally my riding endurance is much better. The tandem equalizes us where she can enjoy group rides with me, where riding solo, the pace and distances are a bit too much for her. She is fine when we are alone on the local trails where I can slow down to accomodate her, but it's different on a group ride. We're in training now to build her endurance up where she will be able to stay on the bike for 6-8 hours a day. On flat ground the tandem is slightly faster with the same effort I've noticed. Going up hill is slower, but not a problem, we just gear down and crank. Going down hill the bike really picks up speed quickly. Our's is a Trek T-900 with several modifications to suit us better. Great bike for the price, and it's performed flawlessly so far..... But the REAL test is still to come.



Don

Just for reference, there was an article from this couple from California that rode the entire length of the Katy Trail going West to East that you might enjoy. I was looking for it but couldn't find their travelogue. I think the article gives you a good idea of what riding on a tandem would be like - they had a Santana tandem. Maybe you are better than me at searching for the article. Not sure what your age is but these folks were probably in their 50's or 60's.



My wife and I were talking about doing the 2007 DNR Ride. We have a Santana tandem. At 58 years young, we've rediscovered biking. Last summer I rode the trail West to East with my son in the summer - the heat took a little getting used.



Does anyone have any info on bike thefts along the trail - we kind of worry about our bike being a target for thieves because Santana's carry a pretty lofty price tag and the bike is worth every cent we paid. Although we carry a lock wherever we go - we still worry about it.



Would like to learn more about other tandem riders as well. And look forward to other replies.

The wife and I are in our mid 50's. I've only rode the Katy Trail with the DNR ride and theft was NEVER a concern. I never worried about theft when stopping along the trail either at the various towns. Maybe with clipless pedals theives couldn't just ride off with your bike.



Don