Editor’s Note: This post is written by a member of LTV’s sponsored content team, The Leisure Explorers. Do you own a Leisure Travel Van and enjoy writing? Learn more about joining the team.

Choices, Choices, and More Choices

Everyone has their specific reasons for choosing a particular RV and specific floor plan, and we were no different. We’ve been asked multiple times and have seen it on various forums, individuals asking for recommendations on which RV brand and, more specifically, which floorplan to go with. When it comes down to it, there is no one correct answer, though I am heavily biased toward Leisure Travel Vans, and for a good reason! But everyone has different needs and requirements, which will ultimately determine which RV and floor plan are best for you.

When Teresa and I started looking at RVs, we had no idea what to expect. We went to our first RV show at the Expo Center in Dallas, Texas, and WOW, we never realized there were so many choices of manufacturers, sizes, and types of units, not to mention the assortment of floorplans! We looked at class A, not that we were serious about getting one, but we wanted to see what they offered besides size compared to the smaller units. We also looked at small teardrop trailers and pop-ups. At this point, we were trying to educate ourselves about all the various sizes and options and what was standard within those ranges. One thing we learned very quickly was that the RV business has the concept of efficiently using space down to a science!

Like many individuals, we poked around on the internet looking at various models and floor plans, and to tell you the truth, I didn’t even think we were that close or serious about getting an RV initially… it was just a fun experience to look at them, kind of like window shopping. As time passed, we started to think of buying an RV more seriously. The real pressure started when our best friends bought a travel trailer, and we spent a weekend with them glamping. Then, Teresa’s mom and dad sold their home and dove into being full-time RVers with a 44-foot class A. Quickly the prospect of owning our own RV became more attractive.

Hershey RV Show

A List of Importance

After about two years of attending our first RV show, we got introduced to Leisure Travel Vans. We really liked the quality we saw with the Leisure Travel Vans and could tell the attention to detail was much nicer than the competing manufacturers. Being the over-analyzer I am, I began researching the reviews and continued to look at various options and floorplans offered on the market. We were able to eliminate what we did not want quickly. One of the key factors in narrowing our selection was that we had a mental list of important to less important. Our “list” helped us eliminate many manufacturers and narrowed our search to the motorhome type of RV.

A mental or written list can help you to eliminate any types or styles of RV that don’t meet your requirements. I would suggest creating this list in order of importance while also realizing though that there is give and take in any RV. As an example, more interior living space typically means that you may have less storage space. Also, be prepared to compromise and re-order your list as you go.

Our list looked similar to this, and we elaborated more on each point below.

1. Coach quality
2. Ease of mobility & use
3. Storage space
4. Dry camping
5. Tank capacities
6. Interior space & layout
7. People capacity

Coach Quality

I think anyone that has looked at or owns an LTV can tell you the quality of the build is exceptional. We wanted good quality, durability, and an RV that would hold its value. Attention to detail and craftsmanship was apparent in the LTVs. Simple things such as clean and tidy wiring bundles can tell you a lot about the manufacturers’ commitment to detail and building a quality product. When we compared the LTV to a similar style and size RV, the LTV far exceeded what we saw in the other manufactured builds. Everything from quality materials for the cabinets and shades to better fixtures for lighting and faucet accessories, and all components overall. The ducted air conditioning was a differentiator, as many units of similar size provide airflow directly underneath the air conditioner. The seating and lounge coverings alone provide a sense of higher luxury and quality compared to many units of similar build and size.

Ease of Mobility & Everyday Use

When I talk about mobility and everyday use, I’m referring to the ease of driving, parking, backing up, and routine tasks such as getting fuel, maintenance, and preparing for a trip. We wanted something we could easily park on the street or a smaller lot if necessary and use to get around since we wouldn’t be towing.

The Mercedes chassis was also very appealing to us because of the ease of driving compared to a larger RV, and it has a tight turning radius for a vehicle of its size. This makes for easier access in and out of regular gas stations versus pulling into specific truck stop-type fueling areas. In addition, with the size of the Unity, we have access to many more park options than larger RVs, especially state parks, which often have a size limit geared to smaller units.

Of course, because it’s a motorhome, I don’t have to worry about the complexities of towing or backing up a trailer. As for maintenance, it’s small enough to take to some local car washes, access the roof, and change the filters if I want to.

Street parking like everyone else

Good Storage Space

Storage space is crucial in any RV. You want something that allows you to carry your ‘stuff’ and carry it where it’s easily accessible. We found the 2016 Unity Corner Bed had a good amount of storage capacity for our needs. Even though on the spec sheet it had the lowest capacity, the size, and shape of the exterior storage areas fit our needs well.  The large rear side storage area, which we call the “garage,” holds our grill, table, lawn chairs, blocks, and many other necessary RVing items. It’s also very convenient in proximity to where we typically set up our propane grill. We’ve tried to maximize the use of all the storage areas by using containers to help organize, stack, and arrange the spaces for the most efficient use. While storage is great, I think too much storage could be detrimental because too much stuff means more weight, and you should always be cautious of your overall vehicle weight.

The “Garage”

Dry Camping

Dry camping or boondocking is the ability to RV camp without the convenience of hookups, mainly water, and electricity, but also possibly sewer. We are not huge dry campers but knew that occasionally we would be in a situation requiring the need to do so. So, with that in mind, we wanted a unit that would give us the ability to be self-contained for a short period of time. LTV filled that need perfectly. The main components that allow this are the solar panels, generator, and decent tank size for fresh water and waste. Our longest excursion without hookups has been about five days, with water being the biggest limiting factor. I also feel like solar plays a big role in the dry-camping experience. Occasionally, we had to fire up the generator to boost the charge of the house batteries in situations where we didn’t get enough sunlight.  Knowing that we always have the generator if needed is a big plus for us. Last year, we ran the generator for approximately 9 hours to air-condition the unit on a 100-degree Fahrenheit temperature day when we were boondocking.

Dry-Camping in Colorado

Room Inside to Relax and Work

Both Teresa and I still hold full-time jobs, and on many of our trips, we end up working while traveling in our Unity. We wanted an interior space that allows some separation for work and relaxation, and the Unity Corner Bed perfectly fits this need. We both don’t always get up or start work at the same time, and having two separate areas for sleep and activity was a main point for us. Even though the separation is just a curtain, it has worked to allow the other to continue to sleep when one of us is up. This way, we still have most of the main living area accessible for working and cooking. We also upgraded to the U-lounge because we felt this gave us more space for more people. Our thought was that if the weather was bad outside, we could still host friends on the inside with plenty of room. We’ve hosted as many as six for dinner in our Unity Corner Bed.

As I said in the beginning, everyone has their own criteria for selecting the RV model that appeals to them and will work for them. Think about what’s important to you and how you plan to use your RV. Consider your interior and exterior needs, sleeping style, what you can get by with, and what you must have. The LTV layouts are amazing, but there may always be a little give and take involved in your selection.

Day 1 – Picking it up from the dealership.

Note: Kurt and Teresa Pennington are members of LTV’s sponsored content team, The Leisure Explorers. Do you own a Leisure Travel Van and enjoy writing? Learn more about joining the team.

Selecting a bike rack can be a daunting experience. With so many different options and brands available, sorting through all your potential choices can be quite time-consuming. Many factors can come into play when narrowing down what bike rack will work best for you. Having been a cyclist for over 30 years now, I’ll try to share some of my experiences with you and more specifically, how it relates to selecting a rack for your RV.

Criteria to think about to help you narrow your search are:

• Type
• Budget
• Weight
• Ease of use
• Security
• RV Certified

I’ll touch specifically on a few of these topics to hopefully assist you in determining the best bike rack for you.

Type

Many different types of racks are on the market these days. Everything from roof-mounted racks, hitch racks, horizontal and vertical styles to even enclosed bike carriers or cargo racks. Before owning an RV I always used a roof rack mounted to my vehicle. These racks are great options for a car, but can be difficult for an SUV and definitely not suited to the height of an RV. While some of us travel with a toad vehicle, this could potentially be an option for you. The great thing about a roof rack is that if you do have a toad, you could easily drive your bikes to a more appropriate location to start your ride. With that being said, roof racks are typically designed to carry lighter, non-motorized bikes, so lifting the bike off and on the rack is not an issue. If you happen to travel with an SUV as your toad vehicle, an inside bike fork mount could also be an option (again, this is assuming you are able to lift the bike to place inside the vehicle).

I believe for the audience of this blog, most of us will be looking at some type of hitch mount. There are many options and brands when it comes to hitch-mounted racks. If you have a toad vehicle, the hitch-mounted rack could also be attached to your toad versus directly to the RV. In our case, I’ve used three different types of hitch racks since owning our 2016 Unity. Our first bike rack was a cargo rack with bike-specific mounts added to it, which allowed us the convenience of carrying two bikes (we did have to un-mount the front wheels, but also had wheel carriers attached to the rack so that bikes and wheels were fully secured). This also provided the option in the event we didn’t bring the bikes to carry other items on the cargo rack.

I eventually got rid of the cargo rack option and switched to a true hitch rack capable of carrying 2-4 bikes, with the additional rack add-ons. Hitch rack options are probably the most popular and many different brands and styles exist. This rack has been our primary rack option and works very well; it’s light and easy enough to move from the RV to our SUV, and can be folded upright when not in use.  This type of rack also supports all bike types, and is even capable of managing the weight of electric bikes (though each brand will need to be evaluated separately to determine its weight load capabilities). When considering a hitch rack there are primarily two options, platform-style and hanging (mast-style).

Photo Source

Typically, the mast-style is less expensive and provides a hanging system of sorts for your bikes. This means that the bike may be suspended on the rack via one or two contact points. The typical issue with these types of racks is that the bike can sway, and you may need to take extra precautions to prevent the bikes from swinging into each other and/or your vehicle. I prefer to use the platform style that secures each bike separately where the wheels are supported and secured into place. These types of racks do not allow bike sway and typically do not touch the frame area, preventing any type of damage to the frame’s paint job.

Budget

The cost of racks can vary significantly, depending on the type, brand, quality, and functionality. You can find racks within the $100 US dollar range, but can also easily find higher-end quality and brand racks in the $1,500 US dollar range. My experience is that the more expensive racks provide better quality, functionality, and security features. Even so, I’ve had friends transport $10,000 bikes on inexpensive versions of racks with no issues (not something I’d feel comfortable doing, but they felt confident in their rack choice).

Weight

Weight refers to the weight of the rack and the weight of the bikes.  First of all, the weight of the rack can be a concern for both weights added to your vehicle and weight if you need to move the rack back and forth between different vehicles. Obviously, a rack built via aluminum will be lighter than steel and maybe something you wish to consider.  The bigger concern here is how much bike weight the rack can support.  Many racks will specify a weight limit per bike.  Newer modern non-electric bikes can be as light as 15lbs each, but electric bikes can run as high as 50lbs each or more.  The ballpark maximum limit of weight I’ve seen for many hitch-style bike racks is about 60lbs per bike.  These are typically the name brand, higher quality racks, but you need to verify the weight capacity of your bike rack.  One thing to consider is that some racks are RV certified and others are not.  The reason this comes into consideration is that on an RV the hitch is typically further away from the rear axle than a regular car/SUV.  This distance allows for a greater downward force (or weight) to be generated by the bikes on the rack when traveling over bumps or rough surfaces.  If your bikes are much lighter than the specified weight limit, you are probably okay, but if your bikes weigh in at the limit or beyond, there may be a cause for concern.

Our Unity with the 1Up Rack setup for four bikes

Security

Some racks provide built-in security or lock mechanisms for securing your bikes. These built-in systems are great, but extra locks or cables are a low-cost option that can help ensure the security of your bike and provide some peace of mind. Don’t be cheap when it comes to securing your bikes — a cheap lock is exactly that… cheap and most likely easily broken. Good locks can cost a few hundred dollars, but when securing thousands of dollars worth of bikes, it adds that extra sense of security for you and the bikes. Regardless, if someone really wants your bikes and has the time, most locks can be beaten, but hopefully the thieves are looking for an easy target and will move on. I carry both wheel locks, a cable and heavy chain type lock… basically three separate locking systems. Many times I will also cover the bikes with a cover to make them less tempting. Hopefully with the three different locks, anyone wishing to score a bike or two will move on to a simpler target.

Suggestions

I’m sure others have their own suggestions or favorite racks, but these two listed here are what I prefer (we currently own both of the following racks).  We’ve been using the 1Up for many years. The 1Up is lightweight and easy to use. I can easily move it from our RV to our SUV, and since we also purchased two of the add-on racks, we can carry four of our bikes at once when needed. The rack has built-in wheel lock options available and their double duty model can support up to 225lbs for 2 bikes, or 400lbs for 4 bikes. All our bikes fall in the 20lb range, so we are far from the overall limit of bike weight and the 1Up rack is RV certified.

Our other rack is a new addition. It is the Kuat Piston Pro X rack that is not even available for purchase until March 2022 (we were lucky enough to win this rack in a drawing at a cycling event we attended earlier in 2021). Kuat makes some really nice racks, and this one is no exception. This particular rack has a built-in light system that can be directly connected to the hitch light system of the LTV, thus providing additional stop and signal lights. It is also RV-certified and rated to carry 67lbs per bike. It is easily adjustable for various tire sizes and widths and has a great built-in security cable system.

Summary

As I mentioned in the beginning, there are lots of various rack options on the market these days. With more and more e-bike purchases, make sure to find a rack that fits your bikes, allows for easy loading and unloading, and supports the weight of your bikes. To clear the rear mast of your LTV you may need to add a hitch extension. I’m using an 8-inch extension for our racks. There is a lot of additional info available to help you make your choices and a good bike shop can help too.

Here are a couple of good resources.

• REI
• Bicycling

Note: The views expressed in this post are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Leisure Travel Vans.

The 2021 Rocky Mountain LTVers fall rally had a special twist – we teamed up with the Southwest Road Runners to host a dual-chapter event in Cottonwood, Arizona that we lovingly referred to as the Rocky Mountain Road Runners Verde Valley Rally. The Verde Valley is known for its striking red rock mountains, contrasting lush riverside vegetation, healing vortex powers, off-road adventures, deep mining history, and an explosion of wine tasting rooms.

Our RV basecamp was at Dead Horse Ranch State Park, just 1.5 miles from quaint downtown Cottonwood, 8 miles from historic Jerome, and 20 miles outside of Sedona. In addition to daily planned activities, we left plenty of time for rally attendees to explore on their own, partaking in the hobbies they enjoy most while traveling. Everyone was pleased with the immediate access to sightseeing, history, outdoor activities, wine trailing, shopping, biking, jeeping, and more, right from the state park.

Day 1: Welcome Dinner

Although some LTVers arrived at the state park a day or two early to enjoy the area pre-rally, most folks arrived on Tuesday, got settled, and began exploring the park. The rain became the threat of the day, and we closely monitored our weather apps as the skies grew darker and heavy downfalls were looming. The late afternoon brought the big droplets we anticipated, and lighting ensued. However, pizza was already on its way and a few of us headed down to the pavilions to receive the delivery, crossing our fingers that the storms would stop in time for the scheduled dinner. And it did.Attendees emerged from their rigs and made their way down to the pavilion to eat pizza and desserts, meet new friends and reconnect with those they already knew, learn about the activities taking place throughout the rally, and cross their fingers that they’d win an LTV raffle prize at night’s end.

Not only did the weather clear right at dinnertime, but the sky became ablaze with a brilliant rainbow and radiant sunset, embracing RVers from all over the country with the magic of the Verde Valley. We couldn’t have planned for a more spectacular welcome for the days ahead.

Day 2: Geology Hike and Verde Canyon Railroad

The first full day of the rally began with a special session led by a fellow LTVer, Mike Lane. A geologist with deep knowledge of the southwest and mining industry, Mike led a short geology hike right from his campsite in the upper loop of Dead Horse Ranch State Park. Coffee in hand, we trotted up the trail, stopping at the vista overlooking Cottonwood, Jerome, and much of the Verde Valley. In addition to providing extensive geology notes leading up to the rally, Mike gave us an overview of the area, the rock formations, and an understanding of the sights and rock formations we’d soak up throughout the week.

For the rest of the day, many rally-goers had pre-booked tickets for a Verde Canyon Railroad adventure. The 40-mile, out-and-back, route takes passengers through riverside twist and turns, all the way up to an abandoned ghost town, before turning back around. Along the way, we pass notable rock formations named after animals for which they resemble, and even petroglyphs. Being fall, we took advantage of the Oktoberfest Ales on Rails package that included a beer tasting and lunch at the charming train station prior to departure. The train was exceptional. We sat in first-class cars featuring leather conversational seating with tables, individually packaged snack trays, bottled water, and the option for more beverages on board. We all had access throughout the ride to open-air train cars where we could feel the wind in our hair, take in the canyon vistas, and snap beautiful photos. Although the leaves weren’t quite yet changing, the views were phenomenal with river bends, red rock formations, and surprises around every turn.

Day 3: Birding, Bike Ride, Pueblos, and Brews

The third day kicked off with a first-class birding experience. Eric Moore — founder of Jay’s Bird Barn and life-long birder — came all the way up from Prescott to introduce our group to bird watching, and take us on an immersive bird walk. Dead Horse Ranch State Park is a birding hotbed and even hosts a large birding festival each spring. We met by the lagoons on the east side of the state park, engaged in an introduction to Eric and the hobby of birding, and were then led on a walk around the lagoons for hands-on spotting and listening. Eric brought along his high-powered spotting scope and would occasionally stop, zero-in on a species, and we’d all rotate to take a quick look. Eric not only talked about how to maximize your bird-watching experience, but he’d also dive into particulars on each species we spotted. Although we were halfway through the fall season, we identified sixteen different species including the Belted Kingfisher, Red-Naped Sapsucker, and two different woodpeckers. In one spotting we saw both a male and female of the same species through his spotting scope, which was quite the treat and allowed us to easily see marking differences.

Following the lagoon loop, we gathered at a pavilion and Eric unloaded a fleet of optics, mostly comprised of different binoculars. He kindly took time to discuss key metrics to consider when purchasing optics, why you might want to make a particular choice over another, what to look for with quality manufacturing, and more. We all got to compare different optics and mentally pick our favorites, with a few LTVers purchasing a new pair of binoculars for their continued travels, hikes, and birding adventures. Eric was so inclusive and thorough that this session exceeded all our expectations and was certainly a rally highlight. Later in the day, Eric sent a list of all the bird species we saw so that we could start our ‘life list’ (tip: the Audubon Bird Guide app and iBird app are two top choices to identify birds and maintain your list). Next time you’re in Prescott, AZ, be sure to stop into Jay’s Bird Barn and ask for Eric for tips or pick up one of his self-published birding guides.

Additionally, some of us opted for a last-minute field trip to check out the nearby Tuzigoot National Monument. About a dozen of us gathered on our bikes — with many e-bikes present — and journeyed a short distance to the famed sight of pueblo ruins. Here we were able to walk around the old structures, and even inside and on top of one reconstructed building. One of our members, a professional photographer, showcased his skills by taking photos of each of us with the ruins trickling down the mountain behind us, highlighting the incredible history and views.

Thereafter we continued up the hill to the nearby town of Clarkdale for a mid-ride brewery stop.  Smelter Town Brewery had an outdoor patio that made it easy for us to park our bikes, grab a beer or flight, and enjoy the shade on a warm day. With an array of options from the Cleopatra Hill Pink Guava Gose and the Modern Miner Milkshake IPA to Slag-Out Stout and White Collar Cream Ale, everyone found a taste they enjoyed.

As we biked back down the hill back to Cottonwood, some of us decided to make a second brewery detour to Belfrey Brewery, just a couple miles from the state park. While we were situating our bikes on the expansive, shaded patio, it just so happened that a group of other rally-goers walked in after a day of in-town exploring. We formed a large circle with half the patio furniture and swapped stories from our day with a much larger group of friends.

Traversing back to Dead Horse Ranch State Park, some folks turned in for a restful evening while others joined in on BYO happy hour gatherings. Kurt and I made our way to the most upper loop to join some friends we made at the Rocky Mountain LTVers Garden of the Gods Rally for a margarita-infused mini-party, lots of laughter, and a heavily satisfying finish to the day.

Day 4: Jerome Fieldtrip

The fourth day featured a field trip to the historic mining town of Jerome. Looking up the mountainside from Cottonwood, Jerome seems to float just below the summit, a city in the clouds, marked with a giant ‘J’. The drive up was windy, and the streets narrow, typically not a good idea for most RVs. However, local intel let us know that there’s a huge parking lot on the outskirts, easily fitting LTVs (or our tow cars), and providing a starting point for the day’s adventures.

We began the fieldtrip with another talk led by Mike Lane, this time focused more on the mining history, mineral rights, and feuding families trying to make their claims during the boom or bust years. This presentation served to be exceptionally helpful as we continued to explore the town, providing an understanding of the mines we’d visit, the buildings around us, the local vernacular, and historic names we’d come to read about.

Folks then walked into town, some staying in smaller groups and others dispersing, exploring all that Jerome had to offer. In addition to the wineries in Cottonwood, Jerome also has notable tasting rooms, some even fuelled by viticulture graduates from the local Yavapai College. This town is not short on artisan crafts either, from sculptures to canvases to blown glass, and even a renowned kaleidoscope shop.

Alongside the still-standing hotels and the sliding jail, perhaps my favorite stop was the Jerome Historic State Park. Sitting on the site of the original Little Daisy mine, you’re able to take a tour of the Douglas Mansion and uncover even more details about the mining history of Jerome. A 30-minute video provides incredible insight, and each room displayed a special treat for us including originally kept furnishings, old images of Jerome during different periods of time, and stories of those who had a place in its past. One room featured a 3D model of the mines in the area that was color-coded to show mineral deposits and veins. A highlight was the opportunity to peer down the now-closed mineshaft and muster the courage to perch oneself on a clear covering, staring down the vastness of the deeply drilled hole.

Day 5: Tech Talk and Cottonwood Exploration

The morning of the fifth day began with a tech talk moderated by Towney Sausville, chapter head of the Southwest Road Runners. We took over the underutilized amphitheater at the state park that was conveniently situated between the upper and lower camping loops. The most popular topic of discussion was no surprise: the consideration of replacing old house batteries with lithium-ion batteries.

Several of us who did not participate in the tech talk walked into historic Old Town Cottonwood to do all the things we didn’t want to miss before we left. Traversing up and down the entire strip, we sipped local coffee, purchased artisan crafts, encouraged each other to treat ourselves with a little (or big) gift, tasted regional wines, and enjoyed a delectable lunch.

Of all the daily BYO Happy Hours, this last evening seemed to be the largest. Nearly everyone who participated made their way down to the lower loop to gather at Towney and Wendy’s site, enjoyed the warmth of their new mini propane fire pit, and further connected with a rapidly expanding circle of LTV friends.

Day 6: Farewell Brunch

The last day was planned lightly to enable everyone to pack up for departure without a rush. To make the morning a bit easier, we catered muffins, bagels, donuts, and breakfast pastries and laid out a small brunch buffet at the amphitheater between the camping loops. Folks brought their coffee and revelled in one last meal together. With a late check-out at noon, there was plenty of time for sharing stories, coercing laughs, and exchanging ‘until next times.’

Next time you travel through the Verde Valley, don’t forgo a stop in Cottonwood and Jerome, and certainly, consider a stay at Dead Horse Ranch State Park. Soak in the sights, sip on some wine, and immerse yourself in the historic and outdoor adventures the area has to offer.

Editor’s Note: Kurt and Teresa Pennington are members of LTV’s sponsored content team, The Leisure Explorers. Do you own a Leisure Travel Van and enjoy writing? Learn more about joining the team.

Many RVers have critter companions they travel with. I would venture to say that most who do travel with a critter have chosen the canine species. For us, the opposite is true; we travel with two cats, Fletcher, our black cat, and Riley, our grey one. Though there are many cat owners who travel in a RV, we typically see most owners with a dog… or two… and in some cases, more! But let’s get back to traveling with cats!

Riley checking to see if it’s okay she goes out.

For those of you who have never owned a cat, I’m not really sure that it’s possible, because in the cat’s mind you’re just another cat… a very large cat. Cats are funny animals. They have interesting habits and ways of showing you affection, which can be at times painful. Cats with claws like to dig in when you’re cuddling them and also provide what we call “love bites”. It’s easy to understand why some individuals don’t care for cats because, unlike a dog, who wishes to please you at every moment, a cat wants attention only on their schedule.

The Decision

When we first got our Unity about five years ago, we never gave much thought to traveling with the cats. We had a comfortable home the cats enjoyed and had neighbors to watch our cats for us when we were off having adventures. Most of our trips were of shorter duration, so we always knew the cats were fine being left behind with someone to tend to them. But after we moved to Colorado and really didn’t have any long-time friends in the area, we knew we would have to consider traveling with our cats more. This year, we’re also on an extended three-month excursion trip, our longest single adventure, and wanted our furry friend with us the entire trip.

Traveling with our cats was a learning experience, for them and us. Our cats have never enjoyed being in a vehicle, so every trip typically begins with their expression of letting us know how displeased they are. Over time it’s gotten a little better, though on occasion we’ve prepared by getting a relaxer from our veterinarian to help ease their anxiety. These can be purchased over the shelf or from your vet. They may come in many forms, from pills to treats and even liquid. CBD options are also available, but be warned: DO NOT cross the Canadian border with these, or you may not make it across.

Things to Consider

If you’ve never traveled with your cat but are thinking about it, consider what habits they already have at home that may or may not change in the RV. As an example, is your cat more active at night versus the daytime? Riley is perfectly content curling up and staying put at night, whereas Fletcher is a night roamer. This caused some issues in the confines of the RV, because he would be up all night. We learned we had to keep the shades up on a few windows so he could see out and get used to his constant moving from area to area, which basically meant he would be leaping on and off the bed all night.

So, what did we learn from having cats travel with us? Here are a few things:

Temperature Control

Regardless of whether it’s a dog or cat, you must plan some method of keeping the temperature acceptable within your unit. In a cooler climate, it is most likely not as much of an issue, as you can open windows and set the vent fans. Plus, they have fur – a huge advantage over us humans. The issue comes when the temperature goes through dramatic changes during the day. It may be cool in the morning, but when it gets hot outside, it gets HOT inside.

We will typically set the cooler to an adequate temperature like 77-78 degrees, and know that as the day heats up, eventually the cooler will kick on to maintain a cooler temperature inside our Unity. But this is in a situation where we have shore power – the entire situation and dynamics change if you have no shore power. Last year, we had to leave our Unity with the generator running for an extended period so that the cooling system could remain running while we were gone. But there is always the risk that something could go wrong.

As a side tip for anyone who uses their Dometic air conditioner and wants to maintain a more consistent internal temperature, change the cooling unit setting to “Lo” or “Hi” and then set the desired temperature. This allows the unit to continuously circulate air but cycle on the cooling compressor as needed. This seems to keep the internal temperature of our Unity more consistent, without the wide temperature swings that can be experienced when the thermostat is set to “Auto”. Something that may be of interest is that the newer units have self-start propane generators. This means you can set the air conditioner to a specific temperature and the generator will automatically start to maintain the desired temperature.

Cat Litter and Box

The issue we hear regarding this is, “Where do I keep it?”, and obviously it may differ based on the floor plan. Well, after many traveling experiences, we’ve decided on two locations that work for us within our Unity Corner Bed unit. The first location is right behind the passenger’s seat. This location is only used while moving. We have, on occasion, put the litter box in the shower while traveling, too.

Once we are at our destination, we relocate the litter box to just in front of the passenger’s seat. At this time, the passenger seat is swiveled around to face the lounge area, so this area becomes an un-used space anyhow. It’s easily accessible by opening the passenger’s door for placement and cleaning.

There are many types and forms of litter boxes – automated, disposable, covered, and open. We use an open-top litter box. For a while, we used a closed box (one with a lid), but this didn’t seem as acceptable to the cats and seemed to actually create more odor, plus with the lid it takes more space. The open-top container is easier to maintain and works well for our cats.

The key with the litter box is you MUST keep it maintained. This means scooping it and replacing the cat litter more frequently. I use a 40-50 gallon outdoor trash bag, laid flat within the litter box to line it. These outdoor construction or leaf bags are typically 2 millimeters or thicker, making it difficult for the cat to tear through. It makes cleaning the litter box much easier!

No matter what you do, cat litter does get tracked out. We have a small bathmat just outside the litter box where the cats enter and exit. This helps collect most of the litter, but somehow, they still manage to spread a bit throughout the unit. We sweep every morning to gather the previous night’s litter remnants, but the bathmat has helped to reduce this.

New litter is stored inside one of our outdoor compartments, inside a plastic container.

Food and Water

We’ve found a convenient nook for the food and water dish right behind the driver’s seat where the slide and the curved wall meet. It’s pretty much out of the way of traffic. Since we use a Petsafe electric water dispenser, there is an outlet right within that location to plug into. Extra food is kept in a plastic container, making it easier to store and pour.

Scratch Post

Both of our cats have their claws, so providing a scratch post location was essential. Fletcher’s first response would be to stretch and dig his claws into the easiest accessible item… which, of course, would mean the soft ultra-leather upholstery. That was not going to be tolerated. We quickly came up with a solution similar to their scratch post at home. I purchased some Cat Scratch Pads. I was then able to wrap this around our small center table post and secure with zipties.

Table post which doubles as the scratch post.

Cat Toys

I’d venture to say that every cat has its favorite toy. For our cats, it appears to be the PetCandy Squirrels Catnip Toy. We’ve purchased a few of these but have one that stays in the RV. This way we are sure there will always be a toy for them and we don’t worry about forgetting to pack it. If your feline friend has never had one of these, trust me, it’s crack for cats! Riley will lay there and lick on it till it’s completely drenched.

Riley on a high from her cat toys.

Going Extreme

Some of us may go beyond what seems reasonable to the average pet owner, and then others will only dream they could treat their travel companions so well. A case in point is something I just learned about on our last travel adventure…. the Catio!  You know, cat plus patio – Catio! I had never heard of the Catio or seen one, but it was an amazing thing! It’s basically an enclosed area that allows your cat or cats to live in luxury protection and confinement, with tunnels, ledges, and other assorted cat entertainment features to climb about… basically, it’s cat heaven. The twist with this one is that it was actually an RV Catio. This one was not on a Leisure Travel Van, but an A class RV. I can’t imagine how much storage space it consumed or time it took to assemble at each spot, but I’m sure they were the envy of every cat in the RV park.

An extravagant Catio we saw in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.

Is It Worth It?

After five years of owning our Unity and taking our cats on many of our adventures, I would say “yes”! Even though it requires patience, extra equipment, cleaning, and sacrifice at times, having our kittens with us on the road has been a great experience and comforting. They may not enjoy the ‘getting there’ part, but I’d venture to say they’ve enjoyed the new sights and smells once we’re there. I worry about them less when they’re with us and know they are being cared for properly… and besides that, they are part of the family.

Fletcher exploring at a Harvest Hosts location.

This past year was a little tough because Fletcher left us. He was always the curious one and will always have a special place in our hearts, but I do know he had some great adventures seeing new places with us and we are glad that we got to spend even more time with him by taking him on our adventures. We miss you, Fletcher.

Editor’s Note: Kurt and Teresa Pennington are members of LTV’s sponsored content team, The Leisure Explorers. Do you own a Leisure Travel Van and enjoy writing? Learn more about joining the team.

For us, 2020 still included quite a bit of travel in our Unity, but downtime also included some enhancements and upgrades. Many of the enhancements were simple and can be done in minutes. We did make a trip to Elkhart, Indiana, for a major upgrade, but we took on the task of completing two additional upgrades ourselves. While these two do-it-yourself projects are slightly more involved, they just require a little bit of time and some common tools, and may be perfect DIY candidates for you, too. Both provided us with a sense of increased comfort and safety while driving our Unity.

We own a 2016 Unity CB and have had it four years now… going on five. We never really felt the need to upgrade anything, as we purchased it with just about every upgrade component LTV offered at the time. But as we traveled more and more and met other owners, we realized there were some upgrades that could be added that would add to our driving comfort and safety.

More Bark

The first upgrade was to the factory-installed Mercedes horn. The Mercedes horn is not known for its ‘bark’… it’s more like a WEAK tweet. It really bothered me that I have this slightly large vehicle that takes a little longer to slow down or stop, but it only offered this little mini horn that didn’t quite command the respect I think it should! I wanted a horn that provided that big vehicle sound and would shock someone into taking it seriously. I began by researching various horn options, but wanted something that was easy to install and wouldn’t involve adding any extra electrical relays or other ‘special’ components. Most importantly, I wanted something loud.

I looked on Amazon and found some potential candidates, like the Wolo. But after reading various forums and such, it sounded as though some individuals had issues with connecting this option directly into the Mercedes electrical system. I could never really get a clear understanding of whether the steering wheel buttons became unusable or if others had needed to add an additional switch, or what, and to be honest, I just got tired of trying to figure it out. In reality, I believe it would have worked okay and I know of at least one individual who has installed the Wolo brand in their LTV, but I wanted something I was 100% sure would work without issue.

In the end, I decided on a pre-packaged horn unit from Agile Offroad. They make and sell various accessories for Sprinter, Transit, and Winnebago vans. They provide everything from suspension kits, lighting, and racks, to wheels and horns! Most of their accessories are more geared to the van style of vehicle, but the horn package is perfect for the Mercedes chassis. They have two versions of the horn package, depending on the year of your chassis. Since ours is a 2016, we went with the Agile Horn Upgrade Kit for the Sprinter 2007-2018. They also offer one for the 2019+ chassis.

Agile Horn Kit installed.

The kit consists of two PIAA bass horns, a bracket and hardware to mount and secure the horns, and an easy-to-install wiring harness. The twin horns are rated at a loud 112 decibels and two different tones of 330 Hertz and 400 Hertz… if you want to get nerdy about it. You could purchase the same horn on Amazon, but if you want the ease of the wiring harness and mount bracket, just spend the extra money and buy the kit.

Agile Offroad provides easy-to-follow instructions and, besides your own tools, everything is included. The tools required for the job were a T-25 Torx bit, a drill with a 3/8-inch drill bit, wire cutters, and a socket set and crescent or open-end wrench. Though the kit provides some crimp connectors, I also wrapped those with electrical tape to keep out any moisture, and used some Blue Loctite on the hardware to ensure they don’t come loose. There are also various videos on YouTube of others installing the kit. I would recommend watching at least one of these, as it gives some insight on how to access and unlatch the lower clips on the front grill. It was easy enough to do, but it’s easier to understand once you watch someone else do it. This is a good video example.

The next few images have some tips and show my arrangement.

Grill push-pins are easily removed if you pull the center piece out first.

Blue Loctite on the hardware should ensure nothing vibrates loose.

Original horn location.

New wire harness in old horn location.

All in all, the entire project took me about 30 minutes. I removed the original Mercedes horn and placed the bulk of my excess wiring harness in its location. I made sure to secure the excess wiring with some zip-ties. The Mercedes radiator shroud is all plastic, so drilling the mounting holes with the 3/8-inch drill bit is quite quick. If you’re looking for an easy way to improve the volume of your horn, I believe this kit will do it for you! Listen for yourself…

Less Wag

The other DIY project we undertook was to improve the stability of our 2016 Unity by replacing the factory original rear sway bar (also called an anti-roll bar), with a much stiffer after-market sway bar. Many owners have done this upgrade and it’s also easy enough to do yourself, though I wouldn’t expect it to cost much for a local shop to perform. Again, this project should take less than an hour with the proper tools. One tool in particular that is required is a torque wrench capable of 75-90 ft-lbs. A breaker bar is also beneficial, and you’ll need a socket size of 18 mm. If you’re not familiar with the benefits of the sway bar on your chassis, here is a short video to watch.

The sway bar that I purchased seems to be very popular among the Sprinter van-based RV community. It’s the Hellwig 7254 Rear Sway Bar kit for the years 2008-2018. I actually purchased mine from Amazon. As you can see in the following photos, it is significantly thicker in diameter than my factory sway bar. With that said, I know the newer model Mercedes chassis comes standard with a thicker sway bar, but I don’t know how it compares to this Hellwig model offered for the 2019-2020 chassis models.

As with the horn kit, the Hellwig sway bar kit comes with all the necessary parts and a good set of instructions. My kit came with new bushings, silicon grease, and Blue Loctite, but used the original U-plates (castings). It appears the new kits come with everything mine came with and NEW U-plates!

Installation is fairly easy. I found the most difficult part was squeezing under the chassis with limited space that made it difficult to get the required leverage to torque the hardware. The sway bar has some weight to it, so you might want to employ the help of a friend to assist. The Hellwig components appear to be of higher quality than the factory Mercedes parts. Besides the bar being significantly beefier, the bushing seems of much better quality than the original.

Original sway bar – plan to get dirty.

A breaker bar is very handy to loosen the bolts.

New sway bar and bushing with original U-plate.

Spacing washers included in the kit.

Conclusion

Overall, I considered both upgrades easy to do. Yes, I could have hired someone, but I figured I saved some cost, and to be honest, I just feel more comfortable with the quality of my work than others. From the standpoint of safety and comfort within the vehicle, I feel they are huge improvements. The sway bar was immediately noticeable. Being that we reside in Colorado, many of our trips take us through winding mountain paths, and I’ve noticed a significant reduction in lean and sway on the mountain roads. Not that I drive fast, but I have noticed that the vehicle feels much more secure and tight through the corners.

Just so there is some transparency here, we also have Sumo Springs installed on the front and rear. The Sumo Springs were installed before the sway bar and they also made a huge improvement in sway, but with the addition of the Hellwig sway bar, even more stability was immediately noticeable. Some may argue you don’t need both, and many other suspension systems upgrades are available and may provide the same benefits or better, but for a relatively quick and inexpensive solution, we are very pleased with the upgrades we’ve made.

Take care and happy travels! If we see you on the road, we’ll honk… LOUDLY!!

In Part I of this series, I covered Essential Accessories for Your Cycling Enjoyment. In this edition, I will cover accessories that many may consider optional, but that can add to your cycling comfort and enjoyment.

Gloves

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Cycling gloves are a smart accessory to consider. They come in many colors and many styles, from short-fingered to full coverage. Many gloves have additional padding that helps absorb the vibration transmitted from the riding surface into the handlebars and into your hands. Gloves can lessen the fatigue on your hands and make your ride more enjoyable. They also help protect your hands in an unfortunate situation if you should ever crash.

As a word of caution, thicker padding is not always better… too much padding can actually cause pressure points within your palm and lead to more discomfort with gloves than without.

Bike Shorts

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I know, nobody likes to be seen in spandex, especially in public. But bike shorts actually serve a very useful purpose. Even the most comfortable bike saddle can start to bother the tush, and bike shorts are designed to help prevent chaffing and make riding more enjoyable. They are meant to be snug in order to prevent creeping or bunching of material and also have a built-in pad, which adds to the comfort of sitting on a saddle for an extended period of time.

You can actually get regular looking shorts combined with internal spandex bike shorts. This way, you look fashionable but have the comfort of spandex bike shorts underneath and potential pockets for your other goodies.

Bike Jersey

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Bike jerseys also come in many fashions and styles. They typically are designed with extra pockets to carry your essentials like tools, phone, money, etc. Bike jerseys are usually made from a material that is designed to be breathable and quick-drying, with special wicking properties to help you stay cool on those hot days. If you prefer not to wear the spandex jerseys that many of us associate with cycling, there are also many fashionable button-down options on the market.

Shoes

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Cycling-specific shoes can also add to your comfort on the bike. Whether you’re using flat style pedals or ‘clip-in’ pedals, bike shoes have been designed for both types. Bike shoes typically have a stiff sole to help transfer as much pedal energy as possible into the pedals themselves; this is why typical cycling shoes aren’t very flexible. If your feet were to constantly flex while pedaling, this could lead to power loss or inefficiency, and overtime will fatigue the bottom of your foot.

Shoes vary in style from a very stiff version, not really meant to walk around in, to a more ‘normal’ shoe style which works well for walking. Mountain bike cycling shoes typically have an embedded cleat attachment for clip-in pedals, but also offer the convenience of being able to walk in them fairly easily. Some are even offered in a sandal style. Before deciding on a cycling shoe, take into consideration the type of riding you expect to do and the pedal style you have. A bike shop can assist you with the best choice.

Jacket

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A lightweight, compressible jacket is always a good item to have with you, especially if the weather is questionable. I carry a very light-weight jacket that will squish into the tiniest of spaces. It provides a little wind and rain protection and warmth if the weather gets slightly nasty. It is not a full rainproof jacket, but provides that little bit of extra protection so that I can either make it back home or at least to a more sheltered area if necessary. On the other hand, I have more heavy rainproof jackets, but I try my best to avoid riding in the rain. These jackets do work great though in colder weather to keep the cold out and warmth in. There are many cycling-specific jacket options available, but sometimes an everyday jacket will suffice. The benefits of a cycling-specific jacket are that typically the back tail is longer to protect your backside from rear-wheel splash, and they offer additional pockets and better breathability for various weather conditions.

Glasses

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For me, glasses are a must-have on the bike, if not for sun protection then just to eliminate the occasional bug or road dust from going into your eye, temporarily blinding you. I actually have a few pairs of glasses for cycling, but my favorite is an Oakley frame that offers the convenience of interchangeable lenses. This allows me to change from a darker lens for bright sun conditions, to a persimmon lens color for overcast or foggy days, to a clear lens for night riding. One recommendation is to avoid a polarized lens for cycling. Though polarized lenses are great for driving to help eliminate glare, they are actually not recommended for cycling. The polarization can cause the road surface to look wet or cause issues when moving from shadows to lighted areas, making the surface confusing.

Bike Computer

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If you’re interested in tracking mileage, speed, and elevation then a bike computer may be of interest to you. There are very simplistic options that track the basics and more advanced versions that have GPS functionality with Bluetooth capabilities to sync with your mobile device. These advanced bike computers can record your routes as you ride, or allow you to enter routes in advance and lead you on your outing, just as a vehicle GPS would. They also have the ability to sync your cycling data to the cloud and interact with various web-based cycling applications to track your rides and interact with your other cycling friends. Many of these web-based applications also allow you to view and download routes others have found.

Phone Holder

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If you want immediate access to your phone, whether for bike computer functions as mentioned above or just to have visibility to other applications, a phone holder may be an option you want to add. Again, many cycling apps are offered for mobile devices that can track your progress or suggest routes just like a dedicated bike computer can do. A bike holder also offers the convenience of not dropping your phone out of your pocket. One word of caution: if the phone is mounted to the bike, it may be more susceptible to the elements.

Bells

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A bell is a good addition if most of your riding will be taking place on common trail systems. It allows you to notify pedestrians that you are approaching as you come up behind them, or just ring the bell as a greeting to other cyclists or pedestrians. There are many different styles of bells, from the old school type to newer minimalistic styles. Many have quite distinctive ring tones that resonate extremely well. If you’re a mountain biker, bells make a good addition to notify hikers or other cyclists that you’re about to pass.

Chamois Butter

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This is a must for me! If you’re not familiar with chamois butter, is it basically a lube/ointment for your tush. It’s applied on your skin before the ride to prevent chaffing and/or saddle sores on your sit bone area. If your rides are short, this may not be necessary, but for longer rides it’s a good recommendation – better to stop the chafing or sores before they ever start. There are various brands available, but there is literally a brand called Chamois Butt’r. You can usually find different brands at the bike shop, but some individuals will just use some off-the-shelf ointments such as A&D ointment also.

Summary

Obviously there are many other accessories that you may find beneficial to your individual needs, in addition to these. One suggestion for us RVers that I’d recommend is to try to find items that can do double duty. Since we’re always trying to minimize the amount of stuff we carry in our RV, I look for things that I can use for multiple purposes.

Be safe out there… keep the rubber side down and we hope to see you on the trails!

No bike or cyclist is complete without some accessories! Whether to complement your style or provide additional functionality, accessories can add to the fun, safety, and comfort of your cycling adventures.

Helmet

One of the most, if not the most, essential accessories for cycling is a helmet. I remember as a kid, we never wore helmets… nobody did! But times change and as studies have shown, wearing a helmet is the smart thing to do and can save your life. One study states that helmets “provide a 63 to 88% reduction in the risk of head, brain and severe brain injury for all ages of bicyclists.” (source here)

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Helmets come in all sorts of makes and sizes; it’s not just about safety, but also about style! Some individuals go so far as having multiple helmets of various types and colors to match their bike and clothing for that particular day. The helmets of today are lightweight, provide plenty of air circulation, and best of all, protect your noggin. When searching for a helmet, make sure you get assistance in getting one that is properly fitted. Also, make sure it is comfortable for you so that you’ll actually wear it.

Lights

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You may not plan to ride at night, but even day running lights can add to your safety. A simple red flashing tail light and white flashing front light can help distracted individuals notice you while you’re cycling. Many of today’s lights are USB rechargeable and have simple mounting options that make them easy to put on and take off. Several electric bikes come with pre-installed headlights, which provide a great option in case you stray a little further than you initially planned and need that extra bit of light to make it back to your LTV.

Hydration

Hydration is an important component of cycling. Studies show that just losing two percent of water volume in the body can affect your performance by 10 percent. (source here) Now, I know most of us aren’t out to win any races, but the point is, dehydration can cause serious muscle fatigue, cognitive delays, and even worse, heatstroke. The issue is also that by the time we begin to feel thirsty, it might be too late.

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There are many options for carrying fluids while cycling. Some prefer water bottles attached to the bike via bottle cages, while others prefer the backpack style of a water bladder, which many people refer to by the name of popular brand CamelBak. The advantage of a CamelBak is that, depending on the style, it may also provide backpack capabilities for carrying other items of interest, and you can keep both hands on the handlebars while taking a sip.

Patch Kit

Flat tires on a bike are inevitable. Though it may not happen often, it will eventually happen. A small repair kit is essential to carry with you, otherwise, you may be hitch-hiking or calling Uber to get you and your bike home.

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Patch kits are inexpensive and typically come in two styles: one that comes with a liquid glue-like substance to apply patches and the other with self-stick patches. I prefer the self-stick patches. These are easy to apply and seem just as reliable. To find the puncture, remove the tube using some tire levers and add some air, listening or feeling for the hissing air. Once you’ve found the problem, seal it with your patch kit and reassemble your wheel.

Tools

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A simple bike multi-tool is a good addition to any bike kit. Bike multi-tools will have the proper wrench and hex sizes necessary for just about any bike on the market today. Many will also include a chain tool, though hopefully you never need to use it. A bike tool will allow you to adjust the seat if necessary, re-adjust handlebars, or fix anything else that comes out of alignment or loosens up while riding or during routine maintenance. As mentioned earlier, a set of tire levers is also good to have for that inevitable flat.

Bike Bag

Bike bags can serve the purpose of carrying those items that always need to be with the bike like tools, a patch kit, CO2 cartridges, or whatever else. Bike bags come in many different colors, styles, and sizes.

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If you prefer to be a minimalist, many bags are designed to fit directly under the saddle. These are perfect for the items that always need to be with you. But, if you prefer to carry more, like an extra jacket or that newly purchased stuff you found while out cruising, you may also want to consider a basket or satchel style bag, or small day pack in addition to your tool essentials bag.

Lube

One of the best maintenance tips I can give you to extend the life of your bike’s drivetrain is to keep it clean and properly lubricated. You don’t want to use plain WD40 or some other random lube, but an actual lube designed for bikes. Chain lubes come in many different brands and types – wet, dry, with Teflon, wax, etc. If you ask any bike mechanic, they will most likely have their preferred lube, but in my experience, dry lubes tend to collect less dirt.

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A good rule of thumb is to clean and lubricate the chain about every 100 miles of use, or if your bike has been sitting for an extended period of time or out in the elements. An un-maintained chain can cause issues with shifting or excessive noise, and will wear down the components more quickly.

Pump

A good bike pump is a necessity if you own a bike. Keeping the tires properly inflated will add to your enjoyment of riding and extend the life of the tires. Trust me, you want the tires to last – good bike tires can be as expensive as automobile tires!

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A good floor pump with a gauge is nice to have and takes less time and effort to fill the tires. There are also smaller handheld pump options available that are easy to carry while on the bike. If you prefer to minimize what you carry, you may wish to look at the CO2 options, but these pumps are really best for your essential bike bag option.

The maximum tire pressure is typically printed on the sidewall of the tires. Depending on the type of surfaces you plan to ride on, those pressures will differ. Make sure to adjust the pressure to match the surface and tire size.

Lock

Nobody wants to spend a fun excursion worrying about whether their bike will be there when they return from a lunch outing or some shopping. Even though we’d like to think we can trust everyone, bikes are a hot commodity and can disappear in the blink of an eye. The best option is to bring the bike with you at all times, but that is not always possible. To deter the potential bike thief, a simple bike lock can give you peace of mind.

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Locks come in all styles. For your bike ride outings, get a lighter-weight, compact lock that you can easily carry. When not in use, many can be attached to the bike itself or carried in a pocket or bike bag. Save the big hefty lock for when the bike is attached to your RV or at your campsite.

Summary

Much of what I have listed here is what I consider the essentials for bike riding. Your essentials may be different from mine, and may change as you ride and figure out what works for you. In Part II, I’ll cover what I call optional items, such as bike clothing, cycling computers, and possible upgrades that can enhance your cycling experience. Regardless, any bike shop should have the items I listed and can help you make the proper choices for your needs. These items should make your cycling journeys more enjoyable.

Find some of my advice for choosing the right bike for you here.

Be safe, and keep the rubber side down!

Biking or cycling – whichever term you wish to use, it’s a fun activity to get into and can also serve as a useful secondary form of transportation. Cycling may also introduce you to new social groups of others like yourself who are just looking for another fun activity, a way to stay fit, or just a way to expand their social circle and make new friends. If it has been a while since you’ve ridden a bike, you will most likely find that the technology of cycling, like everything else in our world, has changed. Bikes are lighter, more reliable, and offer many different options to fit your needs. From materials to electronic shifting, bikes have come a long way from the old Schwinns many of us may have grown up with.

Finding the right bike can be a daunting task, but I’m hoping to make it a little easier for you if you don’t quite know where to begin. In this first blog post, I’ll cover some of the more popular bicycle types, but there are others. One thing is for sure: regardless of the type of bike you choose, proper size and fit of your bike is one of the most important components of getting the best bike for you.

Group ride at one of our chapter rallies.

Generalities

Frames

Frames are made from various materials. At one time, bikes were most commonly made with steel tubing. Without getting too deep into the materials available for bikes today, the main materials you’ll see now if you start shopping are carbon, aluminum, steel, and even titanium, which is usually at a premium cost. All provide some difference in ride characteristics, such as stiffness and shock-absorbing capabilities, as well as weight.

Gearing

The number of gears on a bike is determined by the number of chainrings (which are attached to the crank where you pedal), multiplied by the number of cogs (the sprockets at the rear wheel). Most bikes today come with 1 or 2 chainrings, and typically 11 cogs. Back in the day, when a bike was called a 10-speed, it consisted of 2 chainrings and 5 cogs, thus making the “ten speed.” Today most shops will refer to the gearing of a bike as a “1 by” or “2 by” depending on whether there are 1 or 2 chainrings at the crank. If the number of “speeds” is important to you, think of it as an 11-speed or 22-speed: 11 gears (1 chainring x 11 cogs) or 22 gears (2 chainrings x 11 cogs). Some bikes will offer only one chainring so as to simplify the shifting and reduce weight. Gears are designed to offer easier or higher cadence pedaling for climbing, and harder or larger gearing for more speed.

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Types

Road Bike

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Let’s start with the road bike, or what many think of as the “10-speed.” (I think you would be hard-pressed to find an actual 10-speed these days unless it’s a much, much older bike.) The road bike typically has skinnier tires with more of a slick tread, and dropped handlebars. These types of bikes are still very popular today, but are typically used for, as the name suggests, riding on paved roads. Road bikes are the type of bikes you’d see used in the Tour de France and are made for riding further and with more speed, if one desires.  These bikes typically have a smaller seat and put the rider in a more aggressive posture (leaned forward with a flatter back). These bikes are great for longer road rides where the rider wishes to be more aerodynamic and have the capability to go FAST! Road bikes can handle quickly and carve through corners as though on rails. They can weigh 15 pounds or less.

• Advantages: Light, fast, great for paved surfaces
• Disadvantages: Poor on loose surfaces; aggressive seating position

Mountain Bike

Teresa on the single track near Breckenridge, CO.

My mountain bike enjoying the view at Crested Butte, CO.

Mountain bikes are designed for climbing and descending more rugged terrain. They typically have front suspension and may or may not have a rear suspension. Bikes without the rear suspension are referred to as “hardtails.” Mountain bikes normally have a flat style of handlebar and provide a more upright riding position. The tires on a mountain bike are typically aggressive, with knobbies for holding traction on a loose surface such as dirt or rocks. The tires on mountain bikes are usually wider as well, from 2 inches in width upwards, with some being as wide as 3 inches. Once you start getting above the 3-inch width, you may be moving into the fat-tire bike area, although fat-tire bikes are just another type of bike altogether.

If you plan to truly go off-road and do some serious riding through rough terrain, the mountain bike may be the choice for you. The suspension allows the wheels to maintain better contact with the ground, absorb drops, and help climb over obstacles. However, with the suspension of a mountain bike also comes added weight. If you’re just looking at the bike from a riding comfort standpoint, there may be better options with less weight.

• Advantages: Great for off-road riding; suspension to absorb the bumps
• Disadvantages: Not so great for road riding; requires more pedaling effort

Hybrid Bike

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Hybrids are really a cross between road bike and mountain bike. They typically have the flat-style bar of the mountain bike and no suspension. The frame geometry is very relaxed and should put the rider in an upright position. The tires are usually wider than the road bike, but not quite as wide as and not knobby like the mountain bike. Hybrids are a great bike for the casual rider and may have less gearing options than other styles. They are not designed to corner quickly like the road bike, and most are made for a less aggressive style of riding. Many electric bikes have taken on the geometry of the hybrid.

• Advantages: In-between tires can be suitable for packed dirt or road; casual riding style
• Disadvantages: Less gearing options; not the best for longer rides

Gravel Bike

Teresa’s gravel bike on a pedestrian/bike path near Canon, CO.

Gravel bikes are probably one of the newer configurations on the bike market. Some may confuse them with a hybrid, but the style is much more like a road bike with the drop bars.  Gravel bikes have a very similar, if not almost identical, configuration to the road bike, but typically they have a slightly more relaxed geometry, meaning they position the rider slightly more upright and not quite as aggressively as a road bike. The frame geometry is also slightly different, so as to give the rider a more comfortable ride than a typical road bike. A gravel bike can also fit wider tires, with some allowing a tire as wide as that of a mountain bike. The gearing is usually a mix between road bike gearing and mountain bike gearing, meaning you may not have the gearing to get you going as fast as a road bike, but you’ll have some easier gearing for climbing or spinning on a gravel or dirt road. Many gravel bikes also come equipped with lugs for mounting fenders and panniers, extra bottle cages, or other accessories. Gravel bikes are very popular among bike backpackers.

A gravel bike may be the one to consider if you want a bike that you can take on dirt but also works well on the road. By simply having two separate sets of wheels, you could easily switch between gravel tires or road tires. Teresa and I are actually considering using our gravel bikes for double duty – road and gravel – especially for the RV where the carrying capacity of bikes can be limited.

• Advantages: Works well on dirt or road conditions; slightly less aggressive positioning than a road bike
• Disadvantages: Not quite as fast-rolling as a road bike

Electric Bike

Photo source.

The electric bike has actually been around for about 7 or more years now, but is recently really beginning to gain in popularity. Electric bikes can come in all the previous styles mentioned, so it’s really up to you to decide how you want to use the bike in general.  Electric bike manufacturers are offering many options, from lower-cost introductory models to their high-end models. Most, if not all, major bike manufacturers are getting into the market, along with the many e-bike-only companies that have popped up over the years.

Electric bikes comes in different classes. Depending on where you plan to ride, be sure to understand the laws in regards to e-bikes. There are currently 3 categories or classes of e-bikes:

• Class I is a pedal-assist bike that provides electrical assistance up to 20 mph.
• Class II provides electrical power when pedaling or not pedaling, but stops giving electrical power when the speed reaches 20 mph.
• Class III provides electrical assistance when pedaling up to 28 mph.

Again, depending on where you’re riding, the laws of using an e-bike may differ. Some locations allow them, others do not, and the local town may have its own rules in place that contradict the state’s rules. E-bikes are great for the casual rider or older rider. With an e-bike, a “non-cyclist” will be more likely to ride, and can ride further without tiring. You can use the assist when you need it and pedal on your own when you do not.

In my opinion, I think if you’re new to cycling and not sure how much riding you’ll be doing, the e-bike may be the perfect option and make your riding much more enjoyable. E-bikes are heavy, so consider that when looking at racks and determining how you’ll be getting the bike on and off the rack. You may want to look at these two blog articles to get a little more insight on e-bikes: Gotta Have It and Gotta Have It: Fall 2019 Edition.

• Advantages: Requires less pedaling effort; allows you to ride longer/further than you may otherwise; great as a secondary mode of transportation
• Disadvantages: Heavy; may not be allowed on some paths or trails; requires charging

Summary

There is a lot more detailed info than I provided here and much can be found on the Internet, but I warn you: looking at bikes can be overwhelming. It will really come down to where and how you plan to ride your bike, and then finding the bike that fits your body and style of riding. I’ve been riding for over 30 years and own multiple bikes, and each rides differently and has a unique character all its own. My best advice to you is to stay away from the “cheap” bikes… don’t go to the big stores like Walmart or Target to find your bike. Go to a reputable bike shop, one with individuals that ride and know bikes, and spend the extra money to get a bike that fits! Good bike shops will fit you to your bike and make sure you are getting the best bike for your body type and your needs. It will be an investment that will make you happier from the beginning and make your cycling adventure much more enjoyable.

If you fish or have ever thought about giving it a try, this method of fly fishing may be the option you’ve been ‘fishing’ for.

The Past

I used to fish when I was young and living in New Mexico and Utah, but I pretty much gave up fishing when I moved to Texas. I always enjoyed fishing for trout, but my favorite style of fishing was from the bank of a mountain stream in a scenic forested area, which north Texas really didn’t offer. I had tried a little fishing on Texas lakes from the shore or a boat, but it never provided me with the same level of tranquility as mountain streams with cool air, the sound of rushing water and singing birds, and the amazing views of tall pines and rock-lined waters.

New Beginnings

After moving to Colorado about two years ago, I began to remember those fishing experiences as a younger person. I thought to myself, “I should take up fishing again… but fly fishing to be exact!” And, knowing myself, I also thought, “I need to be strategic about this whole fishing thing.” Since I was going to focus on the mountain stream type of fishing, I was looking to fish exclusively for trout. I love trout – they are pretty and they’re delicious, and if you don’t like eating fish, there is always the option of catch and release.

Nice little brown trout.

The Complexity

As I begin to research fishing equipment I quickly learned that fishing had become very expensive! Part of my thinking was to get into this inexpensively, just in case I got bored with it and those ‘young me’ memories weren’t as great as I initially thought. I looked at various entry-level fly fishing sets that are available, which basically give you the rod, reel, and some basic accessories to get you started. I thought that would most likely be the way to go. Then one day while visiting a sports consignment store, there on the shelf was a Cabela’s entry fishing combo that looked like it may have been used just once… for only $100! Fishing stores and most fishermen consider the price of an average rod with no reel to be in the range of $400 – $500, so this was a bargain for a rod, reel, some additional line, snips, and a box of flies!!

Traditional fly rod and reel, and an assortment of flies.

Now the title of my blog post says, “the easy way” and I will get to that, but first I want to tell you that traditional rod and reel fly fishing can be HARD! Not just because the fish think we are dumb and they are smart – rightly so, they are super smart – but also because there is a lot going on with fly fishing. You need to consider which fly to use, the best fly rod length and weight for the type of fishing you are doing, the best fly line for your rod, and then CASTING. Casting is a whole learning experience all by itself: roll cast, back cast, overhead, false, and the list goes on. And then there is the whole line management subject after the line is in the water.

Bugs

Just picking out which fly to use is an even more extensive topic. Walk into any fly fishing shop and they will most likely have a collection of 1,000 different flies to choose from. Many shops actually offer entomology classes, because studying bugs helps you to know which artificial fly mimics which bug, and how to choose the correct artificial fly for the exact time of year. These fish are so picky that they are only going to want a particular fly at that specific minute of the day! Of course, you can start tying your own flies and you’ll add the expense of that equipment, but it is cheaper in the long run. My friend calls fly tying “arts and crafts” for grown men… I think she’s right!

Assortment of flies in a fly fishing shop.

At this point, you’re probably saying to yourself, “EASY, huh?!” How can this possibly be easy when I’ve mentioned all of this and we haven’t even gotten to the topics of knots or reading the water. Well, I am going to tell you how the equipment can be easy but let’s face it, there is still some challenge to fishing regardless of the equipment you use, and to me, the challenge is part of the fun of it. But your initial investment can be less expensive and the need for all the additional accessories can be minimized, though there is always the opportunity to make it more complicated if you like accessories.

Finally… Simplicity

The style of fly fishing that makes it simple, or at least less equipment-dependent, is called Tenkara. Tenkara is a Japanese style of fly fishing that has been around for at least a couple of centuries. The word Tenkara literally means “from heaven” or “from the skies.” Tenkara wasn’t popular or widely known in North America until around 2009 when a small company called Tenkara USA introduced and began to popularize it. Besides being simple, it also works well for us RVers by taking up much less of our valuable storage space.

Though the rods used for Tenkara fishing are typically longer (11 – 15 feet) than western-style fly rods, they are collapsible to about 15 – 22 inches. This makes them easy to pack and easy to carry in a backpack or on a bike. They also don’t involve a reel. Tenkara rods consist of a long line made of a twisted mono-filament or other material that is typically about the length of the rod itself. Attached to the end of your line is the tippet line. This is typically a light-weight clear line, the same stuff used for regular fly fishing, that is usually cut to a length of 1 – 5 feet depending on your preference. Your artificial fly is connected to the tippet line. The best part of this simple fishing line is that it connects to the tip of the Tenkara rod with a simple type of slip-knot, the girth hitch, which you can quickly and easily attach or detach.

The girth hitch knot – easy on, easy off.

As for the flies used for Tenkara fishing, if you plan to be traditional you use the Kebari fly, a generic looking fly that works for all conditions. No more worry about what the ‘fly of the hour’ is. Using a Kebari fly is more about technique and presentation of the fly. You want the fly to land softly on the water, float with the current and mimic any common bug, assuming that if a fish is hungry it will eat your fly regardless of the fly of the day. With that said, you always have the option to try traditional western style flies and study up on your entomology!

What Now

I myself flop back and forth between western traditional and Tenkara style fly fishing. Traditional fly fishing lends itself well to places where you can get a longer cast to reach those areas on the other side of a larger river or even a lake. It also allows for more options for line configuration and is more suited for bringing in larger fish. Tenkara is better suited for small streams and rivers, where long casts are not necessary. With Tenkara you can only cast as far as the rod and line length will allow… remember there is no reel with an endless spool of line. Teresa and I have fished on lakes and rivers with success, so it does work in various locations and it’s always nice when we combine fishing with our Unity.

Fishing excursion in our Unity.

Prospecting for a new spot.

No fish caught this day, but still amazing!

The Catch

Teresa took up Tenkara because of its simplicity – less equipment to worry about and basically one knot to learn. She’s had good success too! After I saw the ease and versatility of it, I myself bought a rod from Tenkara Rod Co. Tenkara fishing lends itself to our type of lifestyle; we can easily take our equipment with us when hiking or mountain biking and this has opened up new locations for exploring that we would most likely have ignored otherwise.

My setup.

If you have an interest in fishing, but don’t like the idea of lots of equipment and studying bugs, Tenkara might be the option for you. If you want to learn more, there are plenty of websites and YouTube videos to help you get started.

It’s simple – just one rod, line, and fly choice – and gives you another excuse to enjoy the outdoors wherever you are. And isn’t that why we all love our Leisure Travel Vans? To experience more!

What was initially planned as a weekend getaway quickly transformed itself into the Rocky Mountain LTVers group Autumn Rally.

With unpredictable weather and winter approaching quickly in the Rocky Mountain states, we knew we had to act fast to organize a fall gathering.  We lucked out in that we found an RV park near Glenwood Springs, CO that could accommodate a large group of RVs if necessary and provided us with many activity options.  Glenwood Springs is a small resort town in Colorado about 30 miles from Aspen and is known for its many mineral hot springs.

Glenwood Hot Springs Resort

I can’t say enough about my wife, but she did a great job taking the lead and organizing this rally!  Teresa promptly contacted the RV park and reserved some spots.  While she did the Facebook announcements, I handled the emailers.  We planned the rally for 4 days, beginning on Friday, September 29th.  Our RV park location was at Glenwood Springs West/Colorado River KOA, which is not actually in Glenwood Springs but about 20 miles west of there, in a tiny town called Silt.  Even though the town is small, it was host one of the nicest RV parks Teresa and I have been to.  Many of us were lucky enough to get spots located right on the edge of the Colorado River.  The river spots provided a covered gazebo type structure, their own fire pit and a propane BBQ grill, and of course full hookups with cable and Wifi.

Riverside RV spots

In total, we had six units, all couples.  It was a slightly small gathering, mostly due to short notice on our part, but I believe turned out to be a great time for everyone!  We had 4 couples from Colorado but also Utah and Texas represented as well.  The Texas couple, Mia and Scott, we had met at the LTV Rally in Winkler just a few weeks before.

Saturday

The rally officially began Saturday, though one couple, Michelle and Karim came in a day early to visit Maroon Bells.  If you’ve never seen Maroon Bells and are in that area of Colorado, you won’t want to miss it.  They don’t allow cars to drive up, but they do provide shuttles.  We began the rally with a Meet & Greet Happy Hour at our RV site with BYOB and snacks.  We didn’t know it, but we’d also have a couple of bald eagles joining us… from across the river.  For dinner we had pizza delivered from the local pizza shop and followed that with fireside smores.  It was a nice way to start the rally and meet everyone… the weather was perfect and I was able to get a little fishing in too!

Fishing and Bald Eagles..

Sunday

Sunday provided a mixture of activities.  We tried to provide something for everyone, regardless of their interest.  One couple, Helene and Curtis walked to the town of Silt and enjoyed the shops and coffee.  Another couple, our Texas friends, still had to run some errands in Glenwood Springs so did their own thing.  One great thing about the LTVs is they drive much like a car and can be maneuvered around town quite easily.  Michelle, Karim, Eric, and Meg also drove their vehicles to Glenwood Springs, but they took their bikes and would meet up with the rest of us.  The ‘rest of us’ caught the shuttle bus in Silt and took the bus to Glenwood Springs.  Marie and John also had their bikes and luckily for them, the bus had a bike rack which would accommodate their bikes.  Teresa was ahead of the game and bought us all bus passes to cover the expense.

Ready to roll

Once we arrived in Glenwood Springs, eight of us met at the bike shop.  Teresa and I rented bikes and then we all began the 10-mile ride to Hanging Lake Trail Head where our hike would begin.  The bike path to Hanging Lake goes through the canyon and follows the Colorado River.  The ride is beautiful!  We stopped quite a few times and finally had to stop ourselves from stopping and taking pictures or we’d never make it.  Once we reached the trailhead, five of us started the hike.  Michelle and Karim headed back to town to get some hot springtime, while John hung out by the river and read a book.  The hike itself is relatively short, three miles round trip, but it is steep!

Bike path to Hanging Lake Trail Head

Views on the trail and Hanging Lake

After the hike, the trip back to Glenwood Springs on the bikes was quite the adventure!  The shuttle bus back to Silt at this time of year only runs a limited amount of time.  If we didn’t make the next shuttle, we’d be stuck in Glenwood until about 7 pm…. way past our planned Autumn Harvest Potluck get together.  With that, I took off ahead of everyone since I HAD to make the bus so that I could also make Teresa and my dinner for the potluck.  Teresa stayed with the rest of the group and motivated them to go fast… and keep going!  Once they got back to town, Marie and John barely made it to the bus with about 30 seconds to spare… and unfortunately, Teresa missed it after checking her rental bike back in.

The crew at Hanging Lake

All in all… it turned out well for her.  She joined Meg and Eric since they had driven their toad (jeep) and the three of them headed to hot springs before heading back to the RV park.  It also provided some humorous storytelling that night… about how they didn’t realize bathing attire was optional at the hot springs they found.

We finished the day with a potluck dinner.  The weather was perfect so we all gathered around our RV spot again and enjoyed the food and company!  I think I can say we were all exhausted by the eventful day… and the delicious food everyone made!  We ended the evening by gifting ‘door prizes’ that we made into a contest about LTV trivia and then sat around the fire pit.

Sunday Potluck Dinner

Monday

The day started with group yoga which Marie Aliotta graciously led.  It was open to anyone who wished to participate, which most individuals did except for a few of us guys.  She led the group through about an entire one-hour session with the river as the backdrop.

After yoga, we all gathered for a potluck breakfast.  Everyone brought a little something and it turned out really well!  We had everything from eggs, bacon, and fruits to pastries purchased at the local bakery and muesli with lots of fixings provided by Meg… and of course coffee.  After breakfast, everyone was free to do as they wished.  Two couples had to head back this day, some went on hikes and a couple went back to the hot springs.  Myself… I fished.

Morning Yoga with Marie

Potluck Breakfast

That evening we did another Happy Hour gathering combined with touring each others LTVs… and seeing each other’s customization or nifty gadgets.  For dinner, we finished the day with leftovers from the previous day’s potluck.

Various owners additions

Tuesday… the end

This was the last day of the rally.  Some individuals left early to get a start on the driving… others of us dragged a bit before heading out.  Teresa and I weren’t in any rush to take Pedro back to his storage location, so we headed into Glenwood Springs and went to the large hot springs resort and soaked in the mineral water for a few hours before grabbing lunch.  It was a great way to end the rally… but we sure look forward to our next one!

The end of the Rainbow