Travel advice

kirejos · 25-03-07 00:45:51

That, and sports markets are so saturated now. its hard for a new sport to gain much momentum. A perfect example would be football in America, what we call "soccer". It just can't compete for attention against our other more poular sports. It's really too bad.

Baseball isn't even as big in the US (proportionately) as it is in some parts of Latin America. I find baseball interesting mostly because of its history, and tradition, which is odd for me, considering I'm not exactly a flag-waving, "freedom-fry" eating patriot.

I've always been curious about cricket, when/if I ever make my way over to the UK I'll have to invest some of my time into becoming more aquainted with it. It looks fun!

Khanada Faye · 25-03-07 01:42:42

kirejos wrote:

Baseball isn't even as big in the US (proportionately) as it is in some parts of Latin America. I find baseball interesting mostly because of its history, and tradition, which is odd for me, considering I'm not exactly a flag-waving, "freedom-fry" eating patriot.

Well, I don't know if baseball is necessarily entirely flag-waving and freedom-fry eating. I mean, I know there are less than savory aspects of its history (a.k.a. the entire Kenesaw Mountain Landis period), but baseball did integrate long before the Civil Rights Act and the end of legally-enforceable segregation, which I think is kind of cool . But I know what you mean. I'm rather tired of the way Republicans have basically attempted to co-opt anything they can get their hands on. They've totally co-opted religion, and they even tried to claim Johnny Cash!

So I'm with you, kirejos. I don't eat freedom-fries, either.

Desertgirl44 · 25-03-07 03:08:58

I suspect this thread's been hijacked!

Khanada Faye · 25-03-07 03:18:38

Desertgirl44 wrote:

I suspect this thread's been hijacked!

That's right! Put your hands up and gimme all your candy!

kirejos · 25-03-07 03:33:42

I hope the Republicans don't try to co-opt my gummi bears too.

Khanada Faye · 25-03-07 03:49:46

kirejos wrote:

I hope the Republicans don't try to co-opt my gummi bears too.
http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/8117 … ndstl6.jpg

I bet they will try to co-opt your bicycle to prove they care for the environment. You know, because it's entirely up to the citizens to reduce emissions by riding bicycles, so if you drive your gas-guzzling-Republican-sponsored- tax-deductible SUV to work, you hate freedom! It's not the government's job to regulate such things and force the automobile industry, for once, to take responsibility for its actions. Hell no!

Ugh.

..........The hijacking continues I think I'm hyper!

kirejos · 25-03-07 04:58:36

Khanada Faye wrote:

It's not the government's job to regulate such things and force the automobile industry, for once, to take responsibility for its actions. Hell no!

Why would they regulate the automobile industry when there are more important things to do like perpetuate the development of a corporate aristocracy, or chip away at the seperation of church and state?

If they started caring about the environment, they would have to start caring about people too. That's crazy talk.

There will never be Republican-environmentalists (an oxymoron) because that would mean that they would have to accept that global warming exists.

Don't you know that God selected George W. Bush for this job. It's all taken care of. He knows what he's doing. He's gettin' "the terrorists". He's gonna smoke 'em out!

They've got better things to do than to try and co-opt my bicycle to prove that they care about the environment. I would never let them anyway. My bike is sacred.

Khanada Faye · 25-03-07 05:04:16

kirejos wrote:

Khanada Faye wrote:
It's not the government's job to regulate such things and force the automobile industry, for once, to take responsibility for its actions. Hell no!
They've got better things to do than to try and co-opt my bicycle to prove that they care about the environment. I would never let them anyway. My bike is sacred.

Agreed with everything above. But I bet they would co-opt your bicycle (and what a nice bicycle it is!) in order to distract us from the torturing and the killing and the constitution-whipping. They've proven to be quite adept at this (anyone remember that proposed marriage amendment?). Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!

Um... I'm starting to feel kind of bad for hijacking this thread (sorry, everybody!). Have I breached IFM etiquette? I had a beer, and those things tend to go straight to my head.

Last edited by Khanada Faye (25-03-07 05:07:20)

kirejos · 25-03-07 05:16:43

Khanada Faye wrote:

But I bet they would co-opt your bicycle (and what a nice bicycle it is!) in order to distract us from the torturing and the killing and the constitution-whipping.

And the bribing, and the lying, and the cheating, and the stealing.

They know they'll get away with it though, as long as Americans care more about who wins American Idol than about how many Iraqis get slaughtered every day.

Don't feel bad about the thread, it wouldn't be the first time one became a little diverted. It was a group effort anyway.

kirejos · 25-03-07 05:23:32

Khanada Faye wrote:

(and what a nice bicycle it is!)

Thank you! I'll post a photo of the real thing on the next sunny day. I'll ask a travel question, hopefully the others haven't completely given up on this thread.

Has anyone ever taken a bicycling vacation? Where? Have you ever wanted to? Have any advice?

ms4766 · 25-03-07 23:07:43

Desertgirl44 wrote:

ms4766, I've not forgotten you. If you go to my journal website you'll get all my travel thoughts plus hyperlinks to get you started on your trip planning for Australia. Let me know if any of the links don't work, I've typed it all up rather quickly. Thought the entry was overly long for IFM so opted to leave it on the blog.
Happy travelling!

Wow! Thanks a lot Desertgirl! That's really great information you got me there. Looks like I need at least 4 weeks. If you ever need more extended advice for Germany, let me know.

Desertgirl44 · 26-03-07 07:04:52

Kirejos asked about cycling vacations. There are a number of travel companies in the USA and Canada that specialize in these (both escorted and supported), and cycling holidays in the UK and Europe are also popular. Just do a google search and you'll start churning up heaps of info. There's also a few companies in Australia that offer escorted cycling tours. I considered doing a tour in the US a few years ago but something happened and I didn't get to go. Google should also offer you touring cyclists' travel diaries - they're worth a read for information and inspiration.

I think cycling is a lovely way of seeing an area at a nice, relaxed pace, not to mention you get to see a whole lot more of the scenery up close and personal.

Australia has something called Rail Trails where the old, disused railway lines have been sealed and turned into cycling/walking trails. The Murray to Mountains Rail Trail in Victoria is 97km long and has the option of cycling one way and being bussed back (with your bike) to the town of your choice on the trail. I would assume there is something similar in the US and UK??? I think the trails are great because there are no cars on them so that's one less worry. But quiet country back roads are fine. The trick is to ride with confidence.

Choose your bike carefully, make sure it's a comfortable one that fits you. I ride a Giatex stretching bike because it's the first bike I've owned that actually fits me and I don't get back aches or other aches. It's also handy for travelling on planes and trains and cars. However, I am seriously considering purchasing a recumbent trike or human powered vehicle (HPV) for their superior comfort and easier ride. See here for more info on these.

What I like most about cycling is that it's eco friendly and fitness building. And cheap.

kirejos · 26-03-07 17:32:26

Desertgirl44 wrote:

Choose your bike carefully, make sure it's a comfortable one that fits you. I ride a Giatex stretching bike because it's the first bike I've owned that actually fits me and I don't get back aches or other aches. It's also handy for travelling on planes and trains and cars. However, I am seriously considering purchasing a recumbent trike or human powered vehicle (HPV) for their superior comfort and easier ride. See here for more info on these.
What I like most about cycling is that it's eco friendly and fitness building. And cheap.

Thanks for the trail tips desertgirl, sounds like a great way to see Australia! Here in NY State we have a trail that runs the full length of the Erie Canal. Absolutely beautiful, especially during autumn.

Good point about finding the bike that's right for you. Most of my bikes are vintage racing bikes that are quick and great for getting around town, but I also have an old English 3-speed that I restored (Robin Hood) that's great for cruising around. A touring bike (randonneur) is perfect for a long haul like a cycling vacation. I have a good friend who only rides recumbents, he has two of them and let's me borrow one from time to time. It is so relaxing, and comfortable. But a problem with some of them, is that it's a major project to adjust the length for different sized riders. You have to shorten/lengthen the chain, shorten/lengthen the frame, etc. I've heard that they're selling them with adjustable seats now though, eliminating that hassle.

The only drawback with HPV's I've heard is that they're wide and low on the road (use a flag), and that they have a wide-ish turning radius. But, they are the most comfortable.

Cycling=Serenity Eco-friendly, fitness building, cheap.

Last edited by kirejos (26-03-07 17:41:00)

#26 25-03-07 00:45:51

Re: Travel advice

#27 25-03-07 01:42:42

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#28 25-03-07 03:08:58

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#29 25-03-07 03:18:38

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#30 25-03-07 03:33:42

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#31 25-03-07 03:49:46

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#32 25-03-07 04:58:36

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#33 25-03-07 05:04:16

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#34 25-03-07 05:16:43

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#35 25-03-07 05:23:32

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#36 25-03-07 23:07:43

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#37 26-03-07 07:04:52

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#38 26-03-07 17:32:26

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