Touring - Tour Across America

Hey gang,

I plan on cycling across country from East coast to West. Possibly back East again, depending on how everything goes and how much I get to see. I am planning this trip to start at the very end of April or beginning of May, obviously weather deciding.

I wanted to know what groups if any will be cycling in my direction around the same times. I plan on doing this with at least one friend who has committed and possibly one or two more. However, we would like to meet up or ride with others if there will be any going our direction.

To anybody who has done this before, can you please release a few trail secrets. What are some of the best and most scenic routes to take. I definitely plan on traveling through the Rockies and hopefully on the way back the grand canyon. What are some routes to definitely stay away from? What are some must do's? (meaning beautiful sites) I will not be in a rush for time and expect this to take a few months, but would still like to know how long it has taken each of you. Maybe even just through certain stretches of the ride.

What are the best places to obtain section maps and trail maps to accomplish this?

Part of the trip will incorporate some heavy trail hiking, backpacking, and rock climbing. Any special equipment besides the usual for climbing and trekking that will be needed?

As far as money goes, I plan on trying to raise between 6k-12k dollars from sponsorship. I will be making a website to incorporate all of the information from my trip ongoing. People will be able to track us within 3 days of riding hopefully and plan on filming and photographing much of the trip digitally.

I would greatly appreciate any and all help that can be provided. The best resources for this stuff are ALWAYS people who have done this and have shared similar experiences. Thank you.

-Kevin

You might want to post this question on the Touring forum.

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SharpT

If you haven't done so already check out www.crazyguyonabike.com , a lot of people post their long distance cycling trips on there. There are categories or tags for the different kinds of trip such as, across the USA, long distance, 3 month, 6 month, years, etc. They also categorize down to the type of route that is taken, based on the Adventure Cycling Association interstate routes.

Also check out the Adventure Cycling Association (http://www.adventurecycling.org/), they offer maps with rider notes and what not for purchase, there are three cross country routes that I'm aware of, they also have routes up and down both coasts and a route that follows the underground railroad (from the Gulf of Mexico to Canada across middle US).

I find that the best trips seem to incorporate some of the ACA route with a little deviation here and there to suit the fancy of the rider. Not that I've done any cross country routes, I'll have to wait until I'm retired or at least until my kids are a bit older before I can get away with a trip any longer than a week. I just enjoy reading about the trips and daydreaming about my trip someday. :)

All you can do is dream, until you make it your reality. Yes, I have heard many good things about ACA and their routes. I was probably going to do exactly that. Use their trans-am route and deviate from that slightly when I want to see something cool. Thanks much for all of the info.