Cycling the Eastern US

[majikesj]

I've done a little cycling in the past. Compared to the folks on this forum, I think you'd call me a novice.

But I recently had Leukemia and have a new lease on life. I'm back in shape; did a century ride this year. I'm trying to plan out a bike ride from the Gulf of Mexico to Lake Ontario. This is going to be a charity ride to raise awareness and research funds for Type 1 Diabetes. (My cancer had a 40% survival rate a few years ago and now is about 90%. My little nephew has Type 1 Diabetes and I want to give him the same medical advances that saved my life.) So I want to go to near different cities (not avoid them) to get on T.V., radio, newspapers.

Anyway, I have some questions about setting up a 1600 mile ride. If anyone has any ideas, I'd greatly appreciate it.

I would like to plan on 100 mile days. Is that too much? I have done a few centuries and done them in under 7 hours elapsed time.

Are there any good sources for planning the route so that I don't pick bad roads? Are there software programs or reports that give an idea of the safety of roads to ride?

Thanks
John Majikes

[valygrl]

Congratulations on your recovery!

You could try posting in the touring forum as well as here, there is a lot of specific route knowledge there. I think there even have been a few threads exploring the idea of riding for charity, and how one might do that.

Check out http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/network.cfm for maps & routes, (their "great rivers" and "underground railroad" routes might be of particular interest) and www.crazyguyonabike.com for touring journals. Also, mosts state departments of transportation have traffic volume maps, and some have bicycle route maps. Some are available online, others by mail.

100 miles a day is more than many tourists choose to ride - I think 60 is "average" if there is an "average". although it varies hugely. 100 can be done, but doesn't leave much time for other activities. Your distance will also be impacted by what you are carrying - full touring/camping/cooking gear is a lot heavier (slower) than a light credit-card/hotel/restaurant or sagged setup.

Good luck in your planning and your riding!

[Godwin]

This past August I rode from Portland ME to Lake Ontario which was the bulk of my ride from Halifax to Toronto. Most of the main roads were great, smooth with giant clear shoulders. You can check out the route I took here: http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/canada/halifax/654694896 and my report here: http://allthesecenturies.blogspot.com/.

[ebrady]

Adventure cycling has mapped out the "Underground Railroad Tour" which is very similar to what you are wanting to do. Here is a link to the map:

http://www.adv-cycling.org/routes/ugrrmap.cfm

Adventure cycling is listed at:
http://www.adv-cycling.org

Congratulations on your recovery and good luck with increasing awareness....

[NJ2NC]

Majikesj - congrats on your recovery! Also, thank you for considering this ride to raise awareness of Type 1 diabetes in honor of your newphew. My 6 year old daughter was dx'd with T1 a little over a year ago. Although I would never compare it to cancer, it is a horrbile disease for a child to live with. We need more medical advancement and ultimately a cure! Good luck and thank you.

[Dellphinus]

Congrats, and continued success! So very sorry to hear about your nephew, kids shouldn't have to deal with anything more than a cold. Do you have a sponsorship/contribution site set up?
100 miles a day is probably at the upper end of the tour reports I've seen. Most are 60-70 mpd average.

[majikesj]

I've contacted DOT's and gotten some maps from them.

Does anyone have any ideas of route planning software? What really works? I really like google maps because they allow you to change the routes. But I thought there might be a non-web base, pay-for software that people use when planning routes.

Thanks
John