Touring - 50 States/North America Tour

I'm planning this monster bike (and some hiking) tour... All 50 US States, Canada, and Mexico! Early estimates are 15,000-20,000 miles, 18-24 months duration. All self-contained, continous w/ mostly camping. Probably couldn't depart until May of 2007... as I have MUCH more planning to do, sponsors/money to raise, etc. [I have 3,200 miles bike touring and thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2003]

I'm always tweaking the route to find the most scenic hwys, backroads, trails, campsites possible...

Any thoughts/suggestions on this route? (or other routes?)
Is anyone interested in going?

As you can see...this trek is NOT for the faint-of-heart! :love:

You are NUTS! But I'll probably be interested in doing some of it with ya. I would love to do Prudhoe Bay south again. Nice Map!

Dave

:eek:


All those zig zags are making me dizzy! Whew! :D

Anyway, have you thought about doing that Lake Michigan bike route- it's not all bike trail, but it's bike friendly, and it's supposed to take you through Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana (there might be another state, but I can't remember offhand). I heard it was good stuff. You may want to drop Catfish a PM- I think he knows a lot about that route.

Good luck with it all! It sounds great! If you're passing through Chicago, feel free to stop through for a couple of days (extra sofa bed), hang out at Yojimbo's with some of the Chicago forum fixtures and do some riding in Chicago.

Koffee

P.S. Whoops- where's Hawaii in all this?

Dave- yeah, you gotta be a little NUTTY to even think of doing this! LoL! Map is but 1 screen shot of big PowerPoint presentation I've been working on when daydreaming at my last job! Koffee, Hawaii (below Texas on map) would be the last state to ride...

Dave-did you finish your tour? You did a pretty ambitious tour w/ foreign countries and language barriers involved. That seems tougher to me... :)

Jimbo

Ok, Jim. Got it. I thought maybe it was Hawaii, but I just had to ask anyways.

Sounds good. Hang onto my PM and let me know if you need a place to hang up your dawgs for a day or two while touring. :)

Koffee

Dave-did you finish your tour? You did a pretty ambitious tour w/ foreign countries and language barriers involved. That seems tougher to me... :)


Well, yes. For now. I made it down to Panama City. Today I just shipped off my bike. It was a pretty surreal feeling taking it all apart, losening up all those crusty parts. I am going to do the 3rd part of the trip, South America, maybe in a couple years. I think this time of the year would be a good time to start, and take a year to do it. Something like that. I just think I need some time to reflect on my past journey, and focus on new projects. My mind and body need a bit of rest from the trip as well. Its all good!
I'll be putting up the last bike updates soon.

Peace

Dave

what like of work are you in since a tour of this magnitude requires mucho dinero not to mention the opportunity cost of not working for 2 years.

4130phile

what like of work are you in since a tour of this magnitude requires mucho dinero not to mention the opportunity cost of not working for 2 years.


Good Question

Better plan an alternative route for the ferry ride from Upper Michigan over to Isle Royale and on to MN. The Park Service won't let you bring a bike any where near the Isle.