Touring - all 48 states

This is a rough estimate of the route that i want to take: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=746609

The distance is actually about 10,000 miles since the route is not actually accurate right now.

If any of you live near the proposed route i would appreciate any advice on what highways are good, or what roads will cut down the distance. So any information about good towns to go through, bad roads, which mountain pass to over, or which big cities to avoid would be nice. I have about 75 days to do this.

thanks

If any of you live near the proposed route i would appreciate any advice on what highways are good, or what roads will cut down the distance.

The map won't let me adequately zoom in without automatically rezooming to a large size (what's up with that?!?) and I don't know if you're heading clockwise or not but west of Harrison Arkansas it looks like you swing significantly south before you head north to Rogers in NW AR instead of following 62: it looks to me like it adds miles.

62 is very hilly so maybe that's why you veer south. It's also quite scenic though and goes through Eureka Springs which is a nice historical little town. Be advised there is a lot of tourist traffic during the summer months: marginally competent RV drivers and their ilk.

I live about 30 miles west of Eureka close to the intersection of 62 and 72 and if you're not the type that will move in indefinitely :D and the timing works I could put you up for a night.

I have very spartan quarters but it keeps the rain off. Let me know if you're interested and time frames, etc.

Good luck and have a great trip: I'm jealous.


Mike

75 days? You realize thats an average of over 130 miles per day right?

75 days? You realize thats an average of over 130 miles per day right?
Originally my friend and I were going to do the ACA's west coast, souther tier, east coast, and northern tier which would be 11,000 miles. But going through all 48 states seems more interesting and the distance is less.
I wanted to do 150 miles a day, but my friend convinced me that we should do no more than 130-135 a day.

I wasn't sure if he meant 75 days to prepare or do the tour.

Even more good luck to you, dantheman1.

This won't be a stimulating ride. Not compared to your original plan of doing those more traveled routes. I say that because it seems to me that in going through 48 states just for the sake of going through 48 states you'll sacrifice a bit in the way of landmarks, scenic routes, and good riding.

This is a rough estimate of the route that i want to take: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=746609

The distance is actually about 10,000 miles since the route is not actually accurate right now.

If any of you live near the proposed route i would appreciate any advice on what highways are good, or what roads will cut down the distance. So any information about good towns to go through, bad roads, which mountain pass to over, or which big cities to avoid would be nice. I have about 75 days to do this.

thanks

Will you have a SAG vehicle or are you doing it unsupported? If its unsupported will you be staying in hotels?

Man, I just can't see any rider I've ever known do this ride, even with a lot of money, sag wagon, light touring road bike, ect.....

Try a 400 mile weekend training ride first-- 200 miles out, sleep in ditch with a space blanket, 200 mile hammerfest home. Total suffering...and total fun.

But don't let all my negitive feedback stop you from trying. Training is the key....

Man, I just can't see any rider I've ever known do this ride, even with a lot of money, sag wagon, light touring road bike, ect.....

Try a 400 mile weekend training ride first-- 200 miles out, sleep in ditch with a space blanket, 200 mile hammerfest home. Total suffering...and total fun.

But don't let all my negitive feedback stop you from trying. Training is the key....

That was my thinking too. So whats the deal SAG Wagon, credit card, or camping.......what are you doing
130 miles a day on, it sounds even tougher than the TdF

That was my thinking too. So whats the deal SAG Wagon, credit card, or camping.......what are you doing
130 miles a day on, it sounds even tougher than the TdF
It'll be unsupported. My friend and I are trying hard to get the gear as light as possible (hopefully 15-18pounds), but still be comfortable enough to recover and not break down. We are planning on using aluminum road bikes with just rear panniers. It will be primarily camping, but we will try to find a place to stay before hand, or plan to go to a motel at least once a week.

I got another question: It is either this route, or the ACA's West, southern, east, and north routes. Right now the 48 states is about 1000 miles less, but there will be crappy roads, unknown terrain, and not the ease of mind knowing where bike shops, hotels, and campgrounds are. Plus the mileage might turn out to be equal after we plan the route according to which roads are good.

The reason we have to do it in 75 days is that are summer break is only 81 days.

So how many back-to-back century rides have you done so far to see if this is really feasible? What have you ridden per day in prior tours? That 133 miles per day doesn't account for any rest days, weather conditions, or sightseeing or anything. Burning yourself out is no way to enjoy touring. You'll be riding for at least 8-10 hours a day. That, and as mentioned, you're going to miss the best of what's out there on the route you mapped.

go for it. i'm assuming your young, and already realitively fit. just keep a calling card and a credit card handy in case you gots to bail your self out of any situations..

It'll be unsupported. My friend and I are trying hard to get the gear as light as possible (hopefully 15-18pounds), but still be comfortable enough to recover and not break down. We are planning on using aluminum road bikes with just rear panniers. It will be primarily camping, but we will try to find a place to stay before hand, or plan to go to a motel at least once a week.

I got another question: It is either this route, or the ACA's West, southern, east, and north routes. Right now the 48 states is about 1000 miles less, but there will be crappy roads, unknown terrain, and not the ease of mind knowing where bike shops, hotels, and campgrounds are. Plus the mileage might turn out to be equal after we plan the route according to which roads are good.

The reason we have to do it in 75 days is that are summer break is only 81 days.

Yes go for it, I'm assuming you are college age and already experienced cyclists. If I'm wrong, and you've never done a Century before, I'd offer words of caution that you are being more than a bit ambitious, but whatever happens it will be a trip to remember

FYI look at the following links for ideas on lightweight gear and insane trips.

http://web.archive.org/web/20041211045554/http://www.koopmann.lightup.net/crane/

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=271722

This won't be a stimulating ride. Not compared to your original plan of doing those more traveled routes. I say that because it seems to me that in going through 48 states just for the sake of going through 48 states you'll sacrifice a bit in the way of landmarks, scenic routes, and good riding.


Yeah I hate to rain on your parade too but what is the point, other then saying you did it? I think this is an excellent opportunity to really see a good portion of this country. Something that many people never get a chance to do. I'd cut back on the miles (assuming you can't add to the time) and actually ride through a number of states instead of just touching them. I can tell you that PA and WV are beautiful, especially in the fall and of course there is the whole north east. Then there all of those beautiful states in the west.

As others said that is 133 miles a day, assuming you have good weather and you are both feeling fit every day.

I hope you reconsider and scale back but if you don't the best of luck to you. It actually would be kind of cool to hit all of the lower 48.

That is such an AWESOME idea!!!!

Just go for it. If you burn out, suffer injury or otherwise can't make, you'll at least had a remarkable run for it. My only thought is that the daily mileage and the length of time you propose to maintain that mileage would make me crazy after about a week (if I even lasted that long).

There ain't much zen in what you propose but we all have our own karma to carry...

So I am actually 50/50 between this route and the ACA routes.
The reason why I was thinking all 48 states is becuase this trip is to raise money to build schools in south east asia, so I was trying to think of what would get hte most attension. With the time constraints it actually might be faster to do the ACA's west, south, east and north routes. I'm thinking of trying to keep the daily milage between 120-125 miles a day.

Owen

So I am actually 50/50 between this route and the ACA routes.
The reason why I was thinking all 48 states is becuase this trip is to raise money to build schools in south east asia, so I was trying to think of what would get hte most attension. With the time constraints it actually might be faster to do the ACA's west, south, east and north routes. I'm thinking of trying to keep the daily milage between 120-125 miles a day.

Owen

That's a great goal. So what cycling experience do you have? If we know that we can probably be of more help.

Since you did not ask my opinion if this was a good idea or not, and you did ask for opinions about roads. I will comment on Hwy 98 across part of Mississippi. It not the best road from Natchez to Hattiesburg but it is OK. From Hattiesburg to Mobile, AL it is referred to as "Bloody 98" I would recommend you look for an alternate route. The Southern Tier Route across Mississippi is not too bad.

J

Looks like fun, I just hated the Oklahoma panhandle. Sits in my mind as my least favorite day ever on a bike. Good luck with that trip!

This is a rough estimate of the route that i want to take: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=746609

The distance is actually about 10,000 miles since the route is not actually accurate right now.

If any of you live near the proposed route i would appreciate any advice on what highways are good, or what roads will cut down the distance. So any information about good towns to go through, bad roads, which mountain pass to over, or which big cities to avoid would be nice. I have about 75 days to do this.

thanks

So Dan, anymore info on what bike you intend to use and your level of cycling experience so we can offer more help.

For the Chicago area, if you go to this website, you can download a cue sheet and maps for the Grand Illinois Trail which will take you through Chicago and Northern Illinois.....
http://www.bikelib.org/git/index.htm

And if you go to the Illinois Dept of Transportation, you can order free bicycle maps for the entire state which highlights the best roads to take......
http://www.dot.state.il.us/bikemap/STATE.HTM

If you want to go through the actual city of Chicago, you can order a free bicycle map from the city....
http://www.chicagobikes.org/forms/bikemaprequest.php

I just re-read your initial post and if you are trying to cut down on days and mileage, I would avoid Chicago and it's suburbs altogether. Order some of the maps from the IDOT and you should be able to make up a quick route through Illinois...
http://www.dot.state.il.us/maps/distmaps.asp

So Dan, anymore info on what bike you intend to use and your level of cycling experience so we can offer more help.

I intend to use the lightest bike i can find that will last for 10,000 miles. If i only have 15 pounds in my rear panniers, would a 32 or 36 spoke rear wheel be good?
I am in very good shape right now. I'm probably doing about 300-350 miles a week, plus a lot of swimming and running since I am a triathlete. 30 miles a day is with 20 pound panniers.
My friend does not bike as much as I do, but he got 15 months to train seriously. He probably will be up to it.

Also, how is I 10 in florida from welborn to jacksonville, or is there a better highway?
Since we are going to go around to US, instead of all 48 states now, are there any good routes to get from New York, NY to Buffalo, NY?

Owen

I'd get a coach right away. Work on your cadence, get used to the saddle time-- maybe yoga to help keep flexible. Good mental health would really be the key.

I'd also start rounding up support. Contact bike clubs around the country for route choices. See if you can get more riders, even if it's just for parts of the route. Unless you can keep out of the wind in peleton, you won't ever make this trip.

i'd also sell you bed and start sleeping on the floor. You need to learn to suffer. Start cutting your sleep down to 4-5 a night. As far as training rides, hammer 300 miles without getting off the bike. Riding all night though a snowstorm would be a good start.

I intend to use the lightest bike i can find that will last for 10,000 miles. If i only have 15 pounds in my rear panniers, would a 32 or 36 spoke rear wheel be good?
I am in very good shape right now. I'm probably doing about 300-350 miles a week, plus a lot of swimming and running since I am a triathlete. 30 miles a day is with 20 pound panniers.
My friend does not bike as much as I do, but he got 15 months to train seriously. He probably will be up to it.

Also, how is I 10 in florida from welborn to jacksonville, or is there a better highway?
Since we are going to go around to US, instead of all 48 states now, are there any good routes to get from New York, NY to Buffalo, NY?

Owen

I don't want to be negative and I hope you prove me wrong, but I think you might be being optimistic in your planning, have you done many back to back centuries? It sounds as if you are very fit, but going from 300 miles/wk to the 600 or 700 of your schedule is a big jump. That sort of milage is what the fast cross country rides organized by ABB (http://www.abbike.com/fast.shtml) do and that is fully supported. If you manage to complete your route as planned it will be a big achievement. How do you plan to keep your gear down to 15lbs and sleep in comfort, have you thought of the shelter, cooking and sleeping stuff you'll need. If you go ultralight I can see a 15lb load, but doing it for 80 days will be tough.

i'd also sell you bed and start sleeping on the floor. You need to learn to suffer. Start cutting your sleep down to 4-5 a night. As far as training rides, hammer 300 miles without getting off the bike. Riding all night though a snowstorm would be a good start.

:eek: :eek: :eek:

any other suggestions to post since the beatings will continue until morale improves?

centerwoody,

I know a few RAAM riders and Randoneers.... one lived in his motorhome for 3 months riding all, night, every night, all for the Race Across America....only to crash out before the Rockies (fell asleep on the bike)

dantheman1 has two choices, he can get pissed off for me making fun of him, (and I am, really) or he's a real long distance rider and he'll think up a traning routine that's so hard, so barbaric, so insane, that he has a small chance of going the distance.

Maybe the Crane Brothers could have done this ride? It's possible, I'd guess, if you were the greatest distance cyclist/andventure monkey of all time.

But 48 states in 10,000 miles in 75 days? dang near impossible for a dozen reasons anyone who's done more than 3 centuries can tell you. Realisticly you'de need a sag wagon, $10,000 in cash, a support team, the abilty to ride you bike down the Rockies with 40 mph winds and driving rain, ect....

I'm sure you have an idea what a double century in summer in E. Texas would be like.. :)

Cedar City, Ut down into AZ and across Northern NM will have long stretches of extremely limited services and very restrictive cell access (Long areas of none at all!), so plan accordingly for water and emergencies. You'll find the Native Americans through the area very hospitable, but be real careful about riding after dark. Wouldn't want to mix it up with a drunk driver.

130 miles a day X 75 straight days, nope, not going to happen. 300-350 miles a week is not quite the same as 900 a week and then your going to attempt that for 11 weeks. And with only 15 lbs of total gear ?and I thought I packed light:) Best of luck

centerwoody,

Maybe the Crane Brothers could have done this ride? It's possible, I'd guess, if you were the greatest distance cyclist/andventure monkey of all time.



Well the OP has one thing going for him, that his trip is in the USA and not Tibet. However, I don't think that
even the Crane Bros could achieve what the OP is planning. The 15lbs of gear is possible for a summer trip,
but the trip is like doing unsupported back to back TdFs, it just isn't going to happen.

It sounds like the OP is not very experienced when it comes to long distance or touring cycling, he may be
a triathlete and do a few hundred miles a week, but after a week of centuries and no support he'll be hurting.

Well the OP has one thing going for him, that his trip is in the USA and not Tibet. However, I don't think that
even the Crane Bros could achieve what the OP is planning. The 15lbs of gear is possible for a summer trip,
but the trip is like doing unsupported back to back TdFs, it just isn't going to happen.

It sounds like the OP is not very experienced when it comes to long distance or touring cycling, he may be
a triathlete and do a few hundred miles a week, but after a week of centuries and no support he'll be hurting.
Frankly, the OP could probably get a reality show aired based on this ride idea that would fund full support and team! Supported, doing this type of tour, I have my doubts. I crewed RAAM and saw what that did to the riders....and crews!:eek: Hell, last Summer, Juri Robic collapsed due to pulmonary problems and he's 1 tough cyclist!

dantheman1, if you do pull this tour off unsupported, or even supported fully, my helmet will be tipped to you, that's for certain!

Frankly, the OP could probably get a reality show aired based on this ride idea that would fund full support and team! Supported, doing this type of tour, I have my doubts. I crewed RAAM and saw what that did to the riders....and crews!:eek: Hell, last Summer, Juri Robic collapsed due to pulmonary problems and he's 1 tough cyclist!

dantheman1, if you do pull this tour off unsupported, or even supported fully, my helmet will be tipped to you, that's for certain!

The OP isn't quite planning a RAAM, I think he intends to ride 130 miles every day and then sleep through the night http://www.bikeforums.net/images/smilies/eek.gif. Still its an insane schedule. If he was proposing to take longer to do his trip so that the average milage was below 100 I'd give him a chance, but I think his very optimistic average milage and lack of details about equipment point to a lack of experience.

I'm sure you have an idea what a double century in summer in E. Texas would be like.. :)

yes, and you couldn't pay me to ride one...I do most of my distance the months before & after July, August & September. During those months, if I have to be here in Texas, I'll ride at dawn or go to spinning classes.

Gotta admire the kid's ambition and I think he should just go for it. What he learns from the experience will be invaluable and what he earns will be a good contribution...

reminds me of a ol' guy I ran into on a German train 30 years ago: he told me that traveling while young was good because when you're young, you have the 'want to' and the time but no money. Midway through your life you have the 'want to' and the money but no time. When you're old you have the time, the money but don't 'want to'.

Maybe we could set this guy up with 'flic'.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=252098

The OP isn't quite planning a RAAM, I think he intends to ride 130 miles every day and then sleep through the night http://www.bikeforums.net/images/smilies/eek.gif. Still its an insane schedule. If he was proposing to take longer to do his trip so that the average milage was below 100 I'd give him a chance, but I think his very optimistic average milage and lack of details about equipment point to a lack of experience.
I know he's not planning a RAAM attempt, but doing this long of a ride at the pace he's proposing will be every bit as tough. 130 miles a day for 75 days vs 280 miles a day for a 12 day finish of RAAM to be a finisher and not a DNF.....

Either way an incredibly tough challenge!:o

I talked with a buddy last night about the whole 48 states--10,000 miles--75 day run, and here's what we came up as realistic.

Make the ride a team ride, 4-5 cyclists, at least 3 of them very strong riders. Extra replacement riders could be picked up along the way.

Get a van and pimp it out for the sag wagon. Put in a couple bunks, a bike stand, wheel truing stand, lots of rack space for bikes (6-8 maybe?) spare parts, wheels, ect.

The goal would be to have at least one rider out frount for all 10,000 miles. Team members not currently riding would drive, rest, sleep in sag van. This setup would allow the riders to keep going 24 hours aday if weather permitted.

I think it would be possible to average 10 mph X 24 hours= around 40 days? Take a couple days off and it's possible to ride though 48 states in 48 days. Pretty darn cool....and possible.

I like it "48 states in 48 days"

Does anyone know a good, direct route from the New York City outskirts to Buffalo?