[pct-l] Fwd: Re: 1 hiker + 1 cyclist synch'd along the PCT; advice? (not what you think)

[AsABat]

There is a book called Pacific Crest Bicycle Trail by Bil Paul that should help. I think its out of print but easily available online. 

I have some PCT vhf ham repeaters at www.qsl.net/aa6j/pct . Updates encouraged.


AsABat
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"David Lippke" <lippke.list at gmail.com> wrote:

>This year my wife (Seminole, AT-thru 2010) will attempt a PCT thru
>hike.
>Meanwhile, I'll be roughly paralleling her course riding a mountain
>tandem
>bike (solo) on roads and jeep tracks.   We'll be trying to meet up at
>road
>crossings as often as practical.   Sometimes I'll bring her a bit of
>resupply, sometimes she'll throw her pack on the BOB and we'll cycle
>into
>town, and sometimes we'll just chat, etc.   If interested in the "why?"
>of
>this, see the background info after my sig, but the net is that it's
>less
>about support than simply sharing the experience as best we can.
>
>We operated somewhat this way along the AT last year, except that I was
>in a
>jeep and I operated a sort of "migratory angel" service running 27K
>miles up
>and down the trail dispensing honey buns (2500+), chocolate milks
>(1500+),
>riding hikers around and so on.
>
>That was a blast but I got fat while my wife got thin!  :-}   So now
>I'm
>doing it via bicycle and, while I'll probably bike 3-4X the trail's
>miles
>doing it, I can't do all the exploring ahead that the 12X miles in the
>jeep
>allowed.   Thus, as typical of an AT->PCT transition, more up front
>planning
>is required.
>
>I could use some advice and pointers from anyone who has cycled (or has
>simply looked at with a cyclist's eyes) the roads paralleling and
>crossing
>the trail.   In particular, are there any roads that maps might tempt
>me to
>bike on but are actually too hazardous or difficult for a solo-powered
>tour-loaded tandem to traverse?   For example, I've read here that the
>road
>to VVR is rough and potentially dangerous yet this is a road I would be
>drawn to attempt -- should I forget it or is it likely okay if I keep a
>close eye on my mirror and my ears at full attention?
>
>I could also use some input from anyone who's been involved in any PCT
>run
>that required a great deal of synchronization / communication with
>someone
>off trail.   On the AT we used many methods and, in aggregate, those
>worked
>well but I think they will not work quite as well on the PCT.
>
>Further, if there are any HAM operators here who could speak to the
>continuity of relevant VHF & UHF repeaters along the trail, that'd also
>be
>great.   I've always heard that there's a strong repeater presence out
>there
>in the desert.  But further north?
>
>And then there are all those things I should be told but don't know I
>should
>be told.   Have at it.  :)
>
>Thanks much -- any input, on or off list, will be greatly appreciated.
>
>All the best,
>   David aka "White Jeep"
>
>p.s. Why this way?   A week before my wife and I were scheduled to
>begin a
>2009 AT thru hike attempt I was in a severe ATV accident which
>shattered my
>left tibia (as in tiny little shards).   Consequently I spent 5 months
>in
>surgeries and rehab instead of 5 months of walking -- same time frame,
>different adventure!  :-P .. Anyway, I'm left with a knee that I can do
>a
>few hiking miles on but not these type miles.  However, I'm a strong
>cyclist
>and there is no problem doing that ... so that's what I do!
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