2nd Annual RR Fan Bike Tour

[MQT1223]

My house to Caledonia is paved on the thornapple and I've ridden it a number of times. We can certainly consider it for a different day. Even some Friday night, a couple of us could meet at my place and ride the 10 miles out to Caledonia and back. Mqt1223, think you can get your bike to Bloomingdale for the 20th?

I don't see why not... If anyone will let me carpool with them that would help. Might be tough to fit my bike into the CR-V.

[Jetlink]

I am good to go for Aug 20th at Bloomingdale. I prefer the 5pm meetup. Probably better for you too with your camping schedule I'd guess. Should be a good ride out to South Haven and back.

Musketawa in a couple months sounds good too for a ride.

Since no one else mentioned any other opinion I would prefer the evening ride too. So lets plan on that.


Saturday, August 20, 5:00 PM in Bloomingdale at the parking lot near the caboose at the main cross roads/blinker light.

All are welcome, bring a friend or two. Leisurely ride to South Haven on the Kal-Haven Trail. Layover and grab some food in South Haven then return to Bloomingdale arriving approximately at dark . Trail surface is crushed limestone in excellent condition. Some portions paved, mostly in or near towns.

[J T]

I don't see why not... If anyone will let me carpool with them that would help. Might be tough to fit my bike into the CR-V.

Take the front wheel off. With the front wheel removed, most bikes will fit even in a small vehicle.

[MQT1223]

I don't see why not... If anyone will let me carpool with them that would help. Might be tough to fit my bike into the CR-V.

Take the front wheel off. With the front wheel removed, most bikes will fit even in a small vehicle.

Will do!

[GreatLakesRailfan]

My house to Caledonia is paved on the thornapple and I've ridden it a number of times. We can certainly consider it for a different day. Even some Friday night, a couple of us could meet at my place and ride the 10 miles out to Caledonia and back. Mqt1223, think you can get your bike to Bloomingdale for the 20th?

I don't see why not... If anyone will let me carpool with them that would help. Might be tough to fit my bike into the CR-V.

Consider purchasing a bike rack for the CR-V. I picked one up at Target several years ago that could be mounted on the trunk of a car. I understand that the CR-V doesn't have a trunk, but I've used the thing with several cars and SUVs now and it works on all of them. It's not hitch mounted, it just straps to the sides of the surface it's mounted on.

This is similar to what I have, although I think mine will hold 4 bikes. Even though the picture shows a car, you should be able to use it on your CR-V as well, it's just a matter of making sure the straps are tight and stay tight.

For what it's worth, the rack has carried my bikes to/from college in northern Indiana, as well as to/from a friends' home near Logansport, Indiana (about a 5-6 hour ride at freeway speeds from my home on the east side of the state). I've had no problems whatsoever traveling at freeway speeds with this mounted on my current car (Ford Escape).

Also, even though it kind of turned into a spur-of-the-moment purchase when I bought mine, it's turned into something I still use years later, and it's still working well, with no additional investment (other than the lock and chain I bought before leaving the bike attached to the car overnight in a hotel parking lot last year, but that's really a totally different purchase).

[Saturnalia]

You can also use your bike rack to bring along your step ladder for railfan shoots.


*looks at JT*

[MQT1223]

I have a bike rack for a trailer hitch... Which I don't have.

[AARR]

If there's trees around there's no need for a ladder

You can also use your bike rack to bring along your step ladder for railfan shoots.


*looks at JT*

[~Z~]

Currently showing a 90% chance of rain on Saturday, currently showing thunderstorms from 5am-midnight per Intellicast. Let's hope that improves dramatically as biking in the storms does not comply.

[AARR]

On some of my longer rides I've been caught in rural areas in thunderstorms and if it's warm out it's not as bad as you might think BUT I wouldn't recommend purposely doing it.

Currently showing a 90% chance of rain on Saturday, currently showing thunderstorms from 5am-midnight per Intellicast. Let's hope that improves dramatically as biking in the storms does not comply.

[hoborich]

Walmart has vinyl rain ponchos for $4.00. Don't leave home without one.

[J T]

If there are trees around there's no need for a ladder

You can also use your bike rack to bring along your step ladder for railfan shoots.


*looks at JT*

Unfortunately, there aren't always trees where you need them (but quite often there are trees where you DON'T need them).

[Jetlink]

Hi again Folks,

Looks like a fairly good chance of rain tomorrow. I think we are all adults here and can personally decide if we want to attempt to ride or not ride individually based on the weather information available to all of us. I know at least three others beside myself were probably going to ride tomorrow. I would need to leave around 3:30 at the latest in order to make it to Bloomingdale on time. I will post on this thread between 3:00 and 3:15 if I will be traveling for the ride. If it is light rain or even a spotty chance I will still go. I've been wet before and expect to make a full recovery if I get wet again. Green on the Radar is light and often isn't even raining at the surface. If it is a steady heavy rain or severe weather I will likely not go. In the event a majority of us don't opt to ride I would consider a rain date of this Sunday or the next weekend depending on feedback from other participants. If anyone was planning to go and would like to exchange cell #'s please send me a PM.

[J T]

Have fun, guys!

[Jetlink]

Hmmm looks like the rain is forecasted to have passed by 5:00 pm. Weather Underground showing less than 20% chance in South Haven after 5:00pm and radar looking good after current band passes. Thinking it might still actually be a go. Yes I'm being serious. will post my final update in about an hour.

[Jetlink]

Cancelled due to rain and multiple Tornado Warnings in effect.

Let's try again for Tomorrow August 21, 2016 5:00 pm in Bloomingdale.

[~Z~]

I'm in for 5pm at Bloomingdale today(sunday). See ya there!