Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#186131 - 07/13/14 01:47 AM "THE Bicycle Diaries" (emphasis added)
kevonionia Offline
member

Registered: 04/17/06
Posts: 1322
Loc: Dallas, TX
Just finished reading David Krooshtma's account (published in 2014) of his epic bicycle ride from Palo Alto to BELOW Tierra del Fuego. A great adventure read, that between his ride's entries, makes a great statement on climate change, the 'purpose' of his ride.

(Interestingly, he recounts a Belgian cyclist riding alongside him in Peru or Bolivia and commenting -- paraphrasing -- "You Americans always ride with a 'cause', why can't you just RIDE?" You can't help but like someone who would include that in their book.)

I love reading any book about a trek, be it the PCT, the CDT, a solo sail around the world. I've only read a few I didn't like, I guess, because I can close my eyes and live the adventure with them. Got this as a short-term offer as a free book on Kindle. But well worth the price.

"The Bicycle Diaries," an obvious take on Che's "The Motorcycle Diaries."

(And By-The-Way, Henry Shire's Tarptent provided him with his tents -- in this case a Rainbow -- for his 21K-mile trip. And he loved them, I love them, we're all happy.) The pix in this book are outstanding.
_________________________
- kevon

(avatar: raptor, Lake Dillon)


Top
#186132 - 07/13/14 05:34 AM Re: "THE Bicycle Diaries" (emphasis added) [Re: kevonionia]
Gershon Offline
member

Registered: 07/08/11
Posts: 1110
Loc: Colorado
Thanks for the book recommendation. A week or two ago, I met a guy in Pueblo, Co who is riding around the world. He started in Dead Horse, Alaska. Now he is in Texas. [url=Here]http://www.selfpoweredtravel.com/[/url] is his blog.

Years ago I read a comment by an Englishman about American bicyclists. He said that by the time Americans put on their riding gear, the English are done with the ride.

_________________________
http://48statehike.blogspot.com/

Top
#186148 - 07/14/14 11:53 AM Re: "THE Bicycle Diaries" (emphasis added) [Re: Gershon]
4evrplan Offline
member

Registered: 01/16/13
Posts: 913
Loc: Nacogdoches, TX, USA
Originally Posted By Gershon
Years ago I read a comment by an Englishman about American bicyclists. He said that by the time Americans put on their riding gear, the English are done with the ride.


I've often thought people insisting on all this specialized gear was kinda silly. But, I've never been a distance rider either. The closest I've come is 8 miles one way, to and from school, and that was going on 20 years ago. I guess if you're really putting on the miles it'd help with chafing and moister management and all that, but at that point you're turning it from a fun casual pastime into a rich man's game. $$$
_________________________
The journey is more important than the destination.

Top
#186149 - 07/14/14 12:33 PM Re: "THE Bicycle Diaries" (emphasis added) [Re: kevonionia]
GrumpyGord Offline
member

Registered: 01/05/02
Posts: 945
Loc: Michigan
The problem with the biking is that I do not think that I could wear the purple tights and the yellow shoes. I think it was Thoreau who said beware of any endeavor requiring new clothes. LOL

Top
#186159 - 07/15/14 12:41 AM Re: "THE Bicycle Diaries" (emphasis added) [Re: GrumpyGord]
kevonionia Offline
member

Registered: 04/17/06
Posts: 1322
Loc: Dallas, TX
GG: Wouldn't it have been fun to ride alongside Thoreau -- he'd have had on a pair of overalls and ridden an old Schwinn.

(BTW, the reason for the emphasis on THE is that there are 3 books out with (slight) variations of the title. The most popular one is about a guy riding his bike in NYC, which is an accomplishment, as I'd think it would be.
_________________________
- kevon

(avatar: raptor, Lake Dillon)


Top

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
0 registered (), 38 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum