I just purchased a used redline single-speed / fixed gear, and i was thinking of riding it from Grand Rapids Michigan to Philadelphia. It is about 450 miles. I'm really not in shape and I'm wondering if anyone knows how one would go about finding a route. Right now, I was just going to get a map and pencil in an estimated route and figure it out on the road. I feel like I could break it up into 4 days of riding, even though I've never ridden long-distance before. So basically, I'm just looking for any tips, advice, etc.

Also, I have a mountain bike that is decent, I can go faster on it, but it's much heavier and older. I think the lighter-weight single-speed/fixed would be slower, but much more efficient.

I was thinking of taking a small backpack with extra tubes, bike tools, water, a mini-pump, map, small camera and maybe a notebook to document the trip. And for food, just stop at grocery stores or gas stations for fruit, veggies, jerky and whatever else strikes my fancy.

Your questions are better asked in the Touring forum. This forum would be more concerned with doing the 450 miles as a single ride in somewhere around 24 to 48 hours.

However:

Before you embark on a four-day, 115 mile/day journey, I would try riding a couple centuries on consecutive days. That should give you some idea of what you are in for. Be sure to include hills similar to what you will encounter on your route.

You didn't mention such things as extra clothes, rain gear, toiletries, etc. I suggest you have at least one change of clothes that you can alternate, washing the dirty pair each evening. Rain gear and other clothing might be useful depending on the time of year.

I assume you plan to stay in motels since you did not mention any camping equipment.

Route-making is a complex subject, somewhat more art than science. You'll probably get some help in the Touring forum.

Sounds exhilarating to set off on a trip like that, but even living on the edge and flying blind, there are probably a few things you'll want to have in place before you go.

The things that come immediately to mind are:
-A way to carry your stuff on your bike. A hundred miles with all your cargo on your back will probably make your neck extremely unhappy.
-Either a detailed atlas (might need one each for MI, OH, and PA. a 50-state one probably wouldn't have many of the roads that you might want to use) or a GPS navigation system (with excellent battery life...).
-A more conservative schedule--even if you can handle 115 miles per day, that will only get you to Johnstown. Philly is more than 700 miles from GR.
-A contingency plan in case you need to bail out.

Sounds exhilarating to set off on a trip like that, but even living on the edge and flying blind, there are probably a few things you'll want to have in place before you go.

The things that come immediately to mind are:
-A way to carry your stuff on your bike. A hundred miles with all your cargo on your back will probably make your neck extremely unhappy.
-Either a detailed atlas (might need one each for MI, OH, and PA. a 50-state one probably wouldn't have many of the roads that you might want to use) or a GPS navigation system (with excellent battery life...).
-A more conservative schedule--even if you can handle 115 miles per day, that will only get you to Johnstown. Philly is more than 700 miles from GR.
-A contingency plan in case you need to bail out.

Don't follow that route! If you're not in shape, and riding single speed, avoid the hills as much as you can.

Look up the bike routes (http://www.dot.state.pa.us/BIKE/WEB/tour_routes.htm) in Pennsylvania. Route J is remarkably flat, and follows route 11 - which is a rather major thoroughfare with a very broad shoulder, generally following the Susquehanna River. I recommend you follow the shore of Lake Erie into southern New York - roughly following I-86, and then go down route J, and then follow route S east to Philadelphia.

Have you considered joining Adventure Cycling? They have excellant maps you can purshase.


Gas, .69 cents the price of a can of beans.