Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Clyde Crosses Country

My route on my cross country ride this summer will be from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh via the PA S route, across southern Ohio, to West Laffayete, IN, through IL, MO, KS, CO, AZ, and CA, arriving in Orange County, CA. Anyone care to ride with me partway? Be sure to look for me on the road:

http://lh3.google.com/neil.thehistorian/R1QV-3_nG1I/AAAAAAAAAbc/F34THHmWjuQ/s400/Pedalwest%20Destiny%20logo.jpg

Wow, very cool. Your too far north for me, but good luck. That is a long way, but would love to do it one day.

Wow, very cool. Your too far north for me, but good luck. That is a long way, but would love to do it one day.

Sometimes a force we don't understand draws us to touring:

http://lh6.google.com/neil.thehistorian/R1TkFn_nG3I/AAAAAAAAAcQ/oykcT31K6JU/s800/night.jpg

Where exactly are you going to be in Missouri? If things would work out, I would be willing to try and make it happen. I am in Iowa, but I live in southwest Iowa. Some of Missouri's roads are paved for a bicycle to ride on the outside of the white line and have plenty of room to ride there.

Enjoy the ride and post often with pictures!!!!

Depending on the date of the tour I would be happy to tag along for a leg or two across PA. It would have to be before July though.

Where exactly are you going to be in Missouri? If things would work out, I would be willing to try and make it happen. I am in Iowa, but I live in southwest Iowa. Some of Missouri's roads are paved for a bicycle to ride on the outside of the white line and have plenty of room to ride there.

Enjoy the ride and post often with pictures!!!!

I'm leaving sometime in June. I haven't set a date yet. There are still many details to work out. I've tentatively chosen the RAAM 2007 route, but in reverse. It's possible I'll switch to the Transamerica in the midwest, which would take me through Iowa.

Depending on the date of the tour I would be happy to tag along for a leg or two across PA. It would have to be before July though.

It will be before July. I'd be happy to have an outdoorsman with me. I've never been camping. I need someone around who knows how to prepare wild game. :-)

It will be before July. I'd be happy to have an outdoorsman with me. I've never been camping. I need someone around who knows how to prepare wild game. :-)

Awesome, the camping and woods I can handle. Keep me posted.

bau

I might be able to tag along for part or all of the Ohio section.

Question, East to west? Remember, From eastern Ohio west there is little terrain to block the prevailing winds, you are going to be getting some wicked resistance across Ohio, Indiana, Illinois ect.

The first real windbreak west of my home here in Ohio is the hills on the west side of the Mississippi in Iowa, 430 some odd miles away. :D

It looks like the RAAM routes stay on major roads. It's the fastest way for a race, especially with a chase vehicle to block the traffic. Taking back roads would be more complicated, but a much better tour.

The winds don't stop in Iowa either, so just press on through. :)

I will have to look at the RAAM road maps.

You will be waaayyyyy south of me if you use RAAM. Good luck and seriously keep us posted.

Sometimes a force we don't understand draws us to touring:

http://lh6.google.com/neil.thehistorian/R1TkFn_nG3I/AAAAAAAAAcQ/oykcT31K6JU/s800/night.jpg


The images I've used in this thread are courtesy Neil Fein.

I'd be up for some road time in KS more than likely, could probably even supply a place to snag a shower and such.

Neil, I have secondary road maps of every paved county road in Indiana. Shoot me a list of counties and I'll email you scans of the various county maps in either jpeg or pdf. :D Howzatt?

I'd be up for some road time in KS more than likely, could probably even supply a place to snag a shower and such.

Deal. Here's the route through Kansas:

http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/transamerica.cfm?pg=detail&s=7

http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/transamerica.cfm?pg=detail&s=8

My route on my cross country ride this summer will be from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh via the PA S route, across southern Ohio, to West Laffayete, IN, through IL, MO, KS, CO, AZ, and CA, arriving in Orange County, CA. Anyone care to ride with me partway? Be sure to look for me on the road:

http://lh3.google.com/neil.thehistorian/R1QV-3_nG1I/AAAAAAAAAbc/F34THHmWjuQ/s400/Pedalwest%20Destiny%20logo.jpg

Disregard. It's going to be the Trans-America route once I reach IL.

Neil, I have secondary road maps of every paved county road in Indiana. Shoot me a list of counties and I'll email you scans of the various county maps in either jpeg or pdf. :D Howzatt?

Great. Will do.

I could ride with you part of the way across Ohio. I'm near London Ohio just west of Columbus.

Shog

So, what will your route be in or around Iowa?

Wow! Didn't you just start biking this year? What a goal you have set for yourself. I don't have the time to tour the US, but best of luck to you. How many days are you planning to do this?

I'm no longer in PA. :(

I may be up for part of Missouri as well but it will depend on dates and my vacation situation. Let me know what route you'll be using. I'm right on the Katy trail in case you want to ride part of that. You'd certainly be welcome to spend the night at my house.

Joe

Wow! Didn't you just start biking this year? What a goal you have set for yourself. I don't have the time to tour the US, but best of luck to you. How many days are you planning to do this?

As long as it takes. :-)

I may be up for part of Missouri as well but it will depend on dates and my vacation situation. Let me know what route you'll be using. I'm right on the Katy trail in case you want to ride part of that. You'd certainly be welcome to spend the night at my house.

Joe

Thanks. I'll be riding the Trans-America route through MO.

So, what will your route be in or around Iowa?

Closest I come is IL or MO.

http://www.adv-cycling.org/routes/transamerica.cfm?pg=detail&s=9

I'm no longer in PA. :(

Pity. I hope you are somewhere warm; PA is an icebox now.

You will be about 6 hours south of me in Missouri. Good luck, and I am sure you will meet up with other riders as the time gets closer. I wish I had the time and finances for such a thing.

You will be about 6 hours south of me in Missouri. Good luck, and I am sure you will meet up with other riders as the time gets closer. I wish I had the time and finances for such a thing.

There are advantages to being single and not having family. :-) As far as money goes, I'm working on that part.

Maybe we'll see you on the road. We're leaving NY in May/June to head to San Francisco and will angle South through Trenton to DC before catching the bikepath to Pittsburgh (not as hilly) and points beyond.

Happy tailwinds to you.

Pity. I hope you are somewhere warm; PA is an icebox now.

Nah, I'm in North Dakota right now which is plenty cold. Will be in Texas in a month though!

Nah, I'm in North Dakota right now which is plenty cold. Will be in Texas in a month though!

Texas is the place I'd really love to be but.............All my exes live in Texas.......... Historian.. if u are truly doing across America, then u need to "get your kicks on Rt 66" U gotta at least hit the panhandle. "Amarillo by morning" Just kidding Neil, but if u feel like the extra legwork, It might be worthwhile...

if u are truly doing across America, then u need to "get your kicks on Rt 66" U gotta at least hit the panhandle. "Amarillo by morning"

+1, but with better spllng.

I will be in northeastern New Mexico shortly and wouldn't mind tagging along through the CO/NM area. Keep me posted.

Hey Historian!

How do the fenders look on the 7.5?

Hey Historian!

How do the fenders look on the 7.5?

Not installed yet. Busy at work, and the weather has been lousy.

Hey Historian!

How do the fenders look on the 7.5?

Can't you wait until I get out there?

Folks, meet my host in California, 'the driver.'

Can't you wait until I get out there?

Folks, meet my host in California, 'the driver.'

The Driver and NeilFein continue to have gentle fun at my expense. Please see the attachment.

I will be in northeastern New Mexico shortly and wouldn't mind tagging along through the CO/NM area. Keep me posted.

Will do!

Time to revisit this idea.

You should do it. I am trying to get money saved up so I can do it hopefully next year.

If you are crossing AZ on I-40 I could meet you in Kingman and buy you a hot meal.

You should do it. I am trying to get money saved up so I can do it hopefully next year.

Same here.

But a bigger problem than money is uncertainty. I need to quit my job, give up my living arrangement, and put all my belongings in storage to do this. My fear is that I'll wind up destitute somewhere. There was a three week period when I lived out of my car; I was a lot younger then and this time I won't have a car with me.

I don't have any strong ties to PA to hold me back, but that also means I don't have a support structure. I'm single and don't have any family I can talk to. (I've not spoken to my brothers and sisters in 17 years, and thinking on the abuse I suffered at their hands, it's not a great loss.) This trip isn't a two month vacation for me. It's a complete change of life. The unknown scares me.

Here's what a friend sent me recently when I asked for guidance:

************
Okay, so here is the short version of my advice: choose the path of greatest resistance.

Long version: Do what drives you. Do the hard thing. When the pain of not doing what you dream of becomes greater than the pain of staying the same, you will know that you need to just do it. There is comfort in working the job, paying the bills, staying the same, and not rocking the boat. It is also boring.

I think you already know the answer to what you need to do. You have already planned. You have already mulled. You have already considered this thing. All that is left is the doing. Unfortunately, all the planning, mulling, and considering can be undone at the very last moment by deciding to not throw your leg over the top tube. It's as simple as that.

OR, you could throw your leg over the top tube and let events unfold.

Face your biggest fear.

************

BTW, I blame Mr. Sayre 21.75 MPH for reminding me by example of what I should be doing.

My offer still stands for a leg or two across PA.

Same here.

But a bigger problem than money is uncertainty. I need to quit my job, give up my living arrangement, and put all my belongings in storage to do this. My fear is that I'll wind up destitute somewhere. There was a three week period when I lived out of my car; I was a lot younger then and this time I won't have a car with me.

I don't have any strong ties to PA to hold me back, but that also means I don't have a support structure. I'm single and don't have any family I can talk to. (I've not spoken to my brothers and sisters in 17 years, and thinking on the abuse I suffered at their hands, it's not a great loss.) This trip isn't a two month vacation for me. It's a complete change of life. The unknown scares me.

Here's what a friend sent me recently when I asked for guidance:

************
Okay, so here is the short version of my advice: choose the path of greatest resistance.

Long version: Do what drives you. Do the hard thing. When the pain of not doing what you dream of becomes greater than the pain of staying the same, you will know that you need to just do it. There is comfort in working the job, paying the bills, staying the same, and not rocking the boat. It is also boring.

I think you already know the answer to what you need to do. You have already planned. You have already mulled. You have already considered this thing. All that is left is the doing. Unfortunately, all the planning, mulling, and considering can be undone at the very last moment by deciding to not throw your leg over the top tube. It's as simple as that.

OR, you could throw your leg over the top tube and let events unfold.

Face your biggest fear.

************

BTW, I blame Mr. Sayre 21.75 MPH for reminding me by example of what I should be doing.

Wow, this is heavy stuff. I don't think I'd have the courage to make a change like the one you are contemplating, but I wish I did. I have a few comments, though.

I've known several people who left everything they had to drive across the country, travel around the world, hike the AT, or surf couches to work for justice. None of them has regretted it. I think the character they showed by making a choice like that from pure intention, rather than desperation, is a sign that they will succeed and continue to thrive as they move forward. It's not a small accomplishment to leave what you have and what you know to grab what you want.

You are obviously the kind of person who makes friends. I bet you send birthday cards on time. That kind of person can find work and support wherever he is.

Over the last few years you have become a new person here in front of us. That person can do as he chooses. Seriously.

Wow, this is heavy stuff. I don't think I'd have the courage to make a change like the one you are contemplating, but I wish I did. I have a few comments, though.

I've known several people who left everything they had to drive across the country, travel around the world, hike the AT, or surf couches to work for justice. None of them has regretted it. I think the character they showed by making a choice like that from pure intention, rather than desperation, is a sign that they will succeed and continue to thrive as they move forward. It's not a small accomplishment to leave what you have and what you know to grab what you want.

You are obviously the kind of person who makes friends. I bet you send birthday cards on time. That kind of person can find work and support wherever he is.

Over the last few years you have become a new person here in front of us. That person can do as he chooses. Seriously.

I'm sure there's a degree of desperation in this. I hate my job, I'm not happy living here in PA, I regret the years I lost being fat and immobile.... and I turn 45 in two months. Oh, and my weight is up, but we've all heard that whine. :-(

Wow, this is heavy stuff.

I unpack my heart, and all I get are fat jokes. :-)

I'm glad you are revisiting this. Next year is too far out for me to make definite plans, but I'd like to tag along through Indiana (and maybe part of Ohio or Illinois?)

Should I ride my LHT or 'bent? :)

Neil, there was a couple that did a cross country ride on their honeymoon;

http://www.kissingwithhelmets.com/blog/category/cross-country-honeymoon/page/7/

Good stuff and a few good ideas of the problems of the road.

Good luck, and know that we all are rooting for you.

Since I've let the Clyde, err, cat out of the bag, here's what I'm planning.

I'm leaving on or about May 1. I'll be camping along the way and dining on whatever I can fix in camp. Any free camping I can come across - churches, town squares, etc, - I'll utilize. Ditto anyone who wants to put me up a night or two.

My destination is Washington State, where a Bike Forums member has said he'd put me up a couple of night. He also wrote that he thinks the nearby BF posters might host me for a few days. After a week, I can decide if I should relocate out there. I'd need to return to PA to get my car and belongings, both of which will be in storage.

The route is from somewhere in Western PA, crossing the Ohio River at East Liverpool, heading up to Michigan, crossing the lake on the ferry, heading west across WI, MN, ID, and WA. I want to add Indiana to the trip so I can finally meet Tom Stormcrowe, but that adds five days of riding. I'll use bike paths whereever possible.

Since I've let the Clyde, err, cat out of the bag, here's what I'm planning.

I'm leaving on or about May 1. I'll be camping along the way and dining on whatever I can fix in camp. Any free camping I can come across - churches, town squares, etc, - I'll utilize. Ditto anyone who wants to put me up a night or two.

My destination is Washington State, where a Bike Forums member has said he'd put me up a couple of night. He also wrote that he thinks the nearby BF posters might host me for a few days. After a week, I can decide if I should relocate out there. I'd need to return to PA to get my car and belongings, both of which will be in storage.

The route is from somewhere in Western PA, crossing the Ohio River at East Liverpool, heading up to Michigan, crossing the lake on the ferry, heading west across WI, MN, ID, and WA. I want to add Indiana to the trip so I can finally meet Tom Stormcrowe, but that adds five days of riding. I'll use bike paths whereever possible.

I've invited two friends along, but I think at least one of them is going to be a naysayre.