Touring - The Life's Too Short Tour

Fellow Tourers:
This is my first post on this forum. I am a 43-year-old guy in NYC who is about to embark on a solo transcontinental bicycle trek. The tour begins in about 5 or 6 weeks, going from NYC to Santa Cruz, Cali.

I have dreamed about such a trek all my life, but always put if off, waiting for the "best time." Thing is, that best time never came and the dream stayed on the back burner all these years.

But all that changed this week when my cousin died suddenly. He was 44, we were close, and so it has been a very sorrowful experience. I spent all this week in the funeral activities with the family, and wrote and delivered the eulogy. His sudden passing has caused me to question the very foundations of my life. Why was I always too busy to visit him? Was anything I ever did worth not seeing him? The answer came to me like an epiphany, and like Marlon Brando said in Apocalypse Now, the realization hit me "like a diamond bullet right through my forehead" that I have been living too mired in my own pursuits of career and money, and that it has been an utter waste of time, because life is simply to short. It's time to quit worrying about the small stuff, living in fear really, and get living, today.

Hence the Life's Too Short Tour. Whenever anyone asks why I'm biking across the country I will say "because life's too short." I am hoping this journey will give me the time I need to get my head straight after this great loss.

I bought an old Trek 520 for the journey. It is a 1984, a real old bike, but it rides like a Cadillac. It has old school shifters on the frame, old school toe clips, and old school 27-inch wheels. I made some upgrades: new brake levers, new saddle, raised handle bars. Front and back racks are being installed today. Next I will buy waterproof panniers. I am upgrading to fatter tires, perhaps 30s or 32s from the 28s which are on it now.

I am in halfway decent shape, but I know I will struggle the first weeks. Then again I am in no hurry, and will gladly accept 30 to 50-mile days at first. I will stay in both motels and camping out with a tent and sleeping bag with a camp stove. I will bring my laptop so that I can continue my work (freelance writer) and maintain a blog about the trek.

Any advice?
About the route?
About which tires to get? (my local shop recommended Continental Gator Skin kevlar-lined tires).
Anything you can offer in advice is much-welcomed.

Thanks,
Thomas

sorry for your loss...Sometimes our neglect of those close to us are for reasons more trivial than just career. Sometimes, just totally careless and self-absorption.. We tend to be overly critical and maybe your cousin knew how important he was to you..
Don't think your hardly alone in this area. Many of us never know.. And many live a life of deserved regret.
.. You are going from East to West. Most go in the opposite direction.. Which route are you taking the Colorado route or Southern one. The Colorado route will require you be super fit....
... . Are you considering climate. It's likely already too late for the southern route. Don't think eastern Oregon, northern Nevada can't be a hot box much after May...
Congratulations and hope you find yourself on your journey.. Many of us never do. I know I have some concerns about my regrets over my Dad's death.. The lesson will be in always remembering. Live life like there's no tomorrow. And congratulations.. I think your choice of a bike tour after a big loss is exactly what the shrink would have ordered - for many of us...

Thanks cyclezealot. Thanks for your good and insightful words.
I do not know which route to take. I am just now fleshing that out. It's likely that the Colorado route is the one I'll take, not too far south or north. I had not considered climate and weather and such, this is the kind of advice I'm hoping to generate. So thanks, because now I know that I need to research the route and figure this out.

Holly Roller. As to routing, check out Adventure Cycling they publish maps for cyclists.. I'd love to join someone/sometime, in such a tour.. Sometime/somewhere I want to cross a continent on a bike..
Colorado requires super fitness, as you likley know. By the time you get there, you'll be ok.. Besides the heat. Should you be going alone, remember ; out west there are vast distances with no services.. Guess that's what they make cell phones for. Some undeveloped areas can be more than a days ride between civilization.
A book I recommend.. "The Complete Book of Long Distance Cycling."by Edmund Burke and Ed Pavelka.. I am sure you know this is just not something , someone does without preparation. Best of luck, you're cousin would be proud.

Condolences, Holy Roller. With a journey like this, you'll have a lot of time to think, and I hope it takes you to a higher level.

You'll find a cross-country cycling trip is about the people -- the ones you meet, the ones who approach you out of interest and curiosity, the ones you join on the road. I think if you are open to why you're doing this trip, you'll find that most people go through an identical catharsis, some younger, some older. We generally don't talk about these turns in our lives... You'll have the opportunity to share their stories.

5 or 6 weeks -- that's just about enough time to dig deep into the journals on crazyguyonabike (http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/)(CGOAB). Most of the questions (fitness, gear, routes, etc.) are answered in there, but the stories will rope you in. On that site, search for "TransAm" or "Western Express".

The logical first choice for your trip is the Adventure Cycling (http://www.adventurecycling.org/)(ACA) TransAmerica and Western Express routes. The comment above about "most people going W-E" isn't accurate, it's about half-half. If you start in mid-May (even a little earlier if possible), it's ideal for going E-W. The thing to watch out for is -- if you take the Western Express route across Utah/Nevada -- try to plan on that before mid-July. Any year can present different weather conditions, but that will give you a good chance of not expiring in the desert heat...

Another choice is to take the TransAm to Oregon and ride down the coast -- obviously more miles and time. But you'd avoid the long desert stretches.

The benefits of going E-W with a start in April or May is to escape the east coast heat and humidity of mid-summer. For a complete TransAm, generally aim to cross the Rockies (Colorado-Wyoming-Montana) in mid-July, no matter which direction you're going. Your plan fits in to this (starting on the west coast, you're looking at mid-June). Nevertheless, everybody has schedules and reasons for deviating a bit.

Look over the ACA and CGOAB sites. And this one. Lots of good info to get you started.

-- Mark

Holy Roller,

My sympathy for your loss, my best wishes for a successful tour.

I second the idea of using the Adventure Cycling Routes (http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/index.cfm). You can stitch together much of your ride from AC routes. The AC routes don't just represent a set of directions. The maps have lots of local information that should prove useful on your journey.

You'll need to figure out what equipment to bring. Searching here on Bike Forums you can find other people's equipment lists. Another useful site is crazyguyonabike (http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/). They have a link that will lead you to other people's equipment lists, and reading some of the tour journals will give you an idea of what to expect, and probably some inspiration as well.

Good luck!
Speedo

Holy Roller

I also want to express my condolences to you. Also, I want to thank you for writing about life and how we tend to muddle through it.

I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your close friend/relative. Its a difficult thing to deal with :( and life is such a fragile balance.

I wish you the best of luck on your trip, I'm very jealous ;)

For your route, if you choose to head diagonally down so your route takes you kinda through the south tip of colorado. I would highly recommend visiting Moab Utah, the grand canyon, zion national park utah, the hoover dam, Las vegas, etc.

If you choose to ride along the north through the dakotas, etc. Check out yellowston national park, sunvalley idaho, bend oregon, the owyhee canyon idaho, hells canyon idaho, then the whole highway 101 from oregon south to mexico is gorgeous and filled with lots of cozy little sea side towns.

If you choose to come this way through the PNW send me a PM and I can help you with the route and I would be more than happy to provide a place to stay for a night or two.:thumb:

Sorry to hear about your cousin. Life is, indeed, too short.

I too came to that realization somewhere in 2004-2005 when two young friends died of cancer and one survived.

I am in halfway decent shape, but I know I will struggle the first weeks. Then again I am in no hurry, and will gladly accept 30 to 50-mile days at first. I will stay in both motels and camping out with a tent and sleeping bag with a camp stove. I will bring my laptop so that I can continue my work (freelance writer) and maintain a blog about the trek.

Any advice?


I think a good portion of cycle touring is mental and sounds like you have both some motivation and a reasonable attitude towards the trip. As far as advice goes, a good mental attitude and some problem solving ability can get you through a lot of different things. So my advice would be more to think through a few things that if they happened would make it pretty tough and take some extra steps to avoid. For example:
-- Climate; most parts of the US will be fine this summer. I wouldn't swing too far south in the extreme deserts, though US 50 across Nevada is tolerable (I rode it once 4th of July week: http://www.mvermeulen.com/nevada/index.htm, and it got hot in the afternoons but was still ok in mornings).
-- Crash or bicycle stolen; No need to be paranoid, but have some reasonable road riding skills and avoid doing stupid stuff like riding at night without lights. Have awareness of your surroundings to avoid theft (probably less likely in the small towns than bigger urban areas)
-- Strained knees/physical; have your bike well fitted, avoid getting caught in the "must meet schedule"

Condolences. If there is any "gift" out of such events it is the one you have arrived at -- the realization that our materialistic society gives no rewards or accolades for inner growth.

I've been lucky to have discovered the joy of long-distance cycling from a very early age ... and the lessons one can absorb on the road. I chose to ride alone as well, finding it leaves one open more to serendipity and people/events one meets along the way.

May I suggest you might find some info and inspiration at the stories and touring section of VeloWeb? I'll soon be expanding the touring section.

Once your bike is ready to ride and you have some gear, I recommend you travel somewhere near NYC with hills and camping opportunities because early in your trip you will face the Appalachians and grades there can be challenging (10% to 20%). I don't know NY well, but from the map it looks like Harriman State Park or South Mountain Reservation may be good candidates for loaded (panniers and gear) training rides with good, steep hills to work your lungs, e.g.,

http://www.mapmyride.com/find-ride/united-states/ny/harriman

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Around-South-Mountain-Reservation

Also, if camping is possible at those locations, try that too for the experience. It will help you identify what is needed and what isn't.

http://tsteven4.qwestoffice.net/

i feel for your loss, life is too short!

much luck on your Journey, hope you discover clues in your quest!

i am in simular shoes, but humanly unique! i am planning my 2nd x-USA, this time west to east, am exploring bikecentennial-Adv/Cycling's souther tier, Fall 2010, post masters degree. first x-USA was in 1982 (age 22, e-w).

i have toured with groups, but now mostly self-contained. i encourage you to explore options of group inclusion for first trip. there are lots of details and techniques about touring to learn and the
group will (should) assist!

kevlar works!

welcome to BF! check out crazyguyonabike.org (or .com) for more ideas and have a great tour!!

pm for more specifics.

tomg

Sorry for your sorrows. I appreciate and understand your enlightened take on life. I've been talking about the same trip since '76. I should be on the road the same time you'll be.
If I took the advice of " fully load your bike and do a trial run'', I probably never would have done my last loaded trip of only three hundred miles. The first six miles were killer, thought I'd die,didn't have a triple, but eventually found a rhythm and made my destination in time for a wedding. Load and go. May the wind be at your back. ;-))

I am hoping this journey will give me the time I need to get my head straight after this great loss.

Sounds like you're already on your way. Enjoy the ride.

I'm very sorry for your loss.

Yes, life is too short to waste a minute of it. I had some losses that motivated me to make big changes too. Treat yourself gently for a while, it's a confusing time. Big permanent decisions might be better left unmade for a while.

Putting the lowest gears you can get on the bike within your budget would be the best upgrade I could recommend.

Tailwinds to you.

Keep the passion alive!




You won't regret it. I myself allow a spectrum of time rather than miles. Where I end up who firkin cares. I use libraries as I go. Plotting and finding things along my way.

Shorter 3 day trips of course a destination is in order.


as recommended use and abuse your stuff before hand. Knowing what you need and what you want is paramount.

To the OP: Kudos for finally living your dream. What good is life if you just mire yourself in the rat race. I will take your courage to take that leap and use it when I hand in my letter of resignation at work. You rock. With adversity comes opportunity. Bon voyage mon frere.

My condolences for your loss. And good skill on your tour!

I, too, will add my condolences.

And my congratulations, for getting out and doing your ride!

I think you'll find the best thing about touring is meeting people. If you go a day without meeting cool people, you're doing something wrong.

Motels are great, camping out is great, and so on. But check this out: www.warmshowers.org.

When are you leaving?

Suggestions: Spend some extra time seeing California. It's a beautiful state.

It's great to get off the treadmill of hurrying.

Thank you all for your wonderful responses. Angels, every one of you.

I am on a different name and account (my third one) now because I could not sign into my original account, I tried everything. So I created another, and the same thing happened to the second account, after I can sign in once, but then it just keeps saying "wrong password" when it isn't. So I created a third account (this one) just to come back and say thanks to you all. But I won't be back because this account will likely do the same as the other two and won't let me sign in after the first time. I have no idea why.
Follow my journey on www.lifestooshorttour.net (http://www.lifestooshorttour.net)
The tour begins in mid-May.
The site isn't up and running yet, but will be shortly.
Contact me here. (christpathassembly@gmail.com)

I know now that I'll be taking the ACA's Transamerica route, and then the ACA's Western Express.

Hey, we'd love to have you around here - why don't you try contacting an admin or mod and seeing if they can help you sort out what happened. It might be a browser setting, a cookie, caps-lock, spaces in the name... if you can log back in, before you click the login button, check the "stay logged in" checkbox (or whatever it is called) - maybe that will help?

good luck with your tour and everything.

Sorry to hear about your loss. It sounds like you have a good bike, no worries with a 520. Next up is racks, luggage, and camping gear (if you're going to camp).

If you can afford it, Ortlieb is the way to go - I have four roller panniers and fully expect them to outlive me. Whartever your budget, don't buy cheap luggage or racks (expecially racks).

Browsing the forum here is an excellent way to get your bearings, as is Crazy Guy on a Bike (http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/) - I suggest you browse the journals there. There are also a lot of worthwhile cycle touring blogs out there. (Keep an eye on people's sigs, you'll pick up a few links that way ontop of what you can google.) Feel free to browse my touring bookmarks (http://delicious.com/neilfein/touring) as well.

Machka started a thread about positive experiences with vendors (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=257790) you might find useful.

Emkbarking on a life-changing experience like this is a very healthy response to a loss. Touring can be a wonderful and, at times, transcendent experience; I wish you the best of luck.

If you can afford it, Ortlieb is the way to go - I have four roller panniers and fully expect them to outlive me. Whartever your budget, don't buy cheap luggage or racks (expecially racks).
I will give a dissenting opinion here. If you are well funded and want the best, knock yourself out with Tubus racks and Ortleib panniers, but... It is far from a necessity.

You can get a very adequate Blackburn EX-1 rear rack under $40 and maybe under $30 if you watch the sales and/or use a 10-20% discount code from the coupon code forum. I don't think I gave up anything by using this rack. http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/ProductPopupView?catalogId=10052&storeId=10053&productId=157151&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=200319&top_category=200280
A Nashbar or Performance version of the Blackburn lowrider is a nice rack for a low price. They are on sale right now for $19.99 and you can probably get an additional 10% off. Ours were fine on our TransAmerica on all three bikes. No complaints at all. http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_167572_-1_201353_10000_201354
I like the waterproof panniers from Nashbar or Performance.
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=23828&item=20-4786&slitrk=search&slisearch=true
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=23827&item=20-4785&slitrk=search&slisearch=true
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_172282_-1_16500_10000_16502
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_172248_-1___14003
I also like these which, I used on the rear of my bike:
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=23923&item=20-4781&slitrk=search&slisearch=true
Check for coupon codes for either place at:
http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=228
for additional 10-20% off most of the time.

We outfitted three bikes for the TransAmerica with this stuff and I found it more than adequate. It is generally still like new after 4244 miles of the TA and two years of commuting on one of the bikes. I expect it to all last many more long tours. I can afford to buy more expensive stuff, but do not see the need.

Check out our journal's "What worked and what didn't" section for more details.
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/staehling2007

Don't worry your pretty little head, I am building my own website to document the tour:

www.lifestooshorttour.net

Blogspot is a nice place to host a journal especially if you don't see your audience as being primarily the touring community. Family and friends may find blogspot a good choice.

Crazy Guy is good if you want to write to the touring community as your primary audience. More bicycle tourists will find it there than anywhere else that I know of.

The other difference is whether you like a blog format (most recent first) or a journal format (earliest first most recent last). They both have advantages and disadvantages.

I will give a dissenting opinion here. If you are well funded and want the best, knock yourself out with Tubus racks and Ortleib panniers, but... It is far from a necessity.

True, you don't need to spend big bucks to get decent panniers. I toured with a pair of Banjo Brothers grocery panniers for a year, and they worked well... until they wore out.

Ortlieb rollers are very waterproof - you could probably immerse them and they'd be fine. If you don't cycle in the rain much and don't plan on heavy use (such as repeated touring, commuting, etc)... it'd be money wasted.

Get what you're comfortable with, it'll be fine. You can always get rain covers for less-than-waterproof luggage.

Adventure Cycling's Transamerica Trail into the The Western Express route ends in San Francisco, and you could veer southwest to Santa Cruz near the end. You have pretty much two choices to get started from NY: Hop on the Atlantic Coast route and pick up the TA trail in VA. You could ride the East Coast Greenway across NJ to Philadelphia, then cross PA towards Cumberland. You can then get on the Great Allegheny Passage, then take it to Pittsburgh. From Pittsburgh you can pick up the Underground Railroad route to the TA trail.

I forgot to say:
Have a great tour. A coast to coast tour can be a wonderful experience. I know that it was for me and hope it is for you as well.

It's too bad that the thread to my post has turned sour. I had no intention of posting about faith, here or on crazyguy. I came here to discuss touring and gear. No offense to you Historian, but, amazingly, you've managed to demonstrate so clearly and precisely the pettiness in life I seek to leave behind.

And so I shall..

www.lifestooshorttour.net (http://www.lifestooshorttour.net)

:D

Cleaned the thread up some for you.
Don't leave, it's an inspiring tour.

thanks neil, those are some route details i needed. and thanks allen for riding herd ;)

As posted on my blog:
The route I'll take has finally become a bit clearer in my mind today. In preparing the map on my blog I went through Google for info on the East Coast Greenway, per others suggestions. It is ideal.

I'll ride first into Newark (still haven't nailed down the precise roads in that leg yet), then on to Trenton, N.J. and Philadelphia before dropping down into Wilmington, Del.

From Delaware, something I'm looking forward to awaits: the Eastern Shore of Maryland. I'll start in Elkton, where I once worked as a daily newspaper reporter for the Cecil Whig newspaper, and down through Chesapeake City, Galena and over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

A few years ago I lived in Chesapeake City, and so I know the Eastern Shore well. I find that it's beautiful. An seldom-talked-about gem, of bucolic horse and crop farms, marinas, quaint small towns, and rolling countryside. It is a mix of woodland and maritime environments. I look forward to that leg.

Once across the Chesapeake Bay its through Washington D.C. and south toward Fredericksburg, until I intersect with the Adventure Cycling Association's TransAmerica route -- headed west. I'll need to secure an ACA map to navigate my blog map from there.
With the front and back racks finally installed, tonight on my ride I tested the handling parameters of the Trek 520 in a few situations: braking downhill; manuvering through tight turns; and banking around bends.

Due to the extra weight I experienced the imfamous "shimmy" while performing the tests, and I tested its parameters. It could be dangerous going down a hill fully loaded, but now that I rode through it a few a times, inducing it, then recovering from it, I'm ready to move into testing it with the weight of the full cargo. The shimmy is to be expected on a bike with such repsonsiveness as this. It's agile for an old timer! I like the steel bike.

Before I bought the 520, I researched touring bikes for months online, then when into the shops in the city and looked at a few. In the end, I found this 520 on Craigslist, for sale by a guy in the Poconos, and so I drove the two hours to the Delaware Water Gap, up a knarled mountainside, and took it off his hands for...hmm, I can't remember what I paid. Maybe $100 or $150. I knew I needed a real tourer, but wasn't so sure I needed to pay $1200 to get it. So I'll resurrect this old bike on a transcontinental ride.

Ok the tour blog/website is basically complete, up and running. www.lifestooshorttour.net (http://www.lifestooshorttour.net)
There is a map there tracing my route, as yet unfinished. On the satellite image I can actually see the terrain I'll be tackling.

Sound like a good route. You'll be riding right past my house!

Bikes aren't allowed on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. They offer a driver's assistance (http://www.cbbt.com/faq.html) program for peopel with a fear of heights, to prevent accidents. It might be worth a call to see if they'd take you with your bike across.

The only option I know of to get from NYC into NJ on a bike is really the George Washington Bridge. You could take a ferry to the Hoboken area, or take the train to Newark, of course.

The 520 is a tried and true touring bike; you shouldn't be getting shimmy. Sounds like you may be balanced or top-heavy; are you keeping your heavy stuff in the bottom of the panniers? Can we see a picture of yoru rig?

Bikes aren't allowed on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.

Isn't he planning to use the Chesapeake Bay Bridge (as opposed to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel) ?

Isn't he planning to use the Chesapeake Bay Bridge (as opposed to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel) ?

Looking at the map... yes, he is.

I better check into the Chesapeake Bay Bridge rules, if no bikes are allowed I may have to try something different, or plan for a ride across somehow.
I'm not talking about Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel, which is different, but Chesapeake Bay Bridge (Route 50). The Greenway route shows the Eastern Shore as what appears to be an alternate route, have to check into that.
Actually, now that I'm researching this, I'm not seeing any bridge across the bay, or the Susquehanna River to the north, which allows bikes. People online are talking about calling ahead for a cop to take them across te bay, etc. Have to figure this one out.

Here is picture of my bike (http://sites.google.com/site/thelifestooshorttour1/my-bike), but its not loaded since I don't have panniers yet.
That shimmy I'm talking about was self induced, its there if you look for it. Nothing to worry about.

Today I'm looking into tires. I was looking at kevlar tires, which sound like a good idea, but the Gator Skins my shop recommended are absolutely slick (http://media.rei.com/media/mm/09502f4f-c95b-436a-812a-71f58ead6313.jpg), no tread at all. I don't get that. I'm leary of putting slick tires on!
You folks ever use these?

I better check into the Chesapeake Bay Bridge rules, if no bikes are allowed I may have to try something different, or plan for a ride across somehow. The Greenway route shows the Eastern Shore as what appears to be an alternate route, have to check into that.


The State of Maryland refers cyclists to a shuttle service to get over the Bay Bridge. Check the website for the bridge. Or hitchhike; I understand from reading journals that other cyclists have successfully used that method.

I've never tried it, but will do so one day, so I'd like to know about the following anyway.

One way or another, I'm sure you can get across that bridge. The state of MD hands out a fairly good bike route map, on which it says MTA maintenance staff, if available, will drive bicyclists across for the cost of the toll (one way); you have to call ahead and you have to be prepared for some delay. Needless to say, they've left themselves plenty of wiggle room, and the service may be defunct. You might try calling the Maryland Transportation Authority at 410-537-1017 or 866-713-1596, or email mdta@mdtransportationauthority.com.

I better check into the Chesapeake Bay Bridge rules, if no bikes are allowed I may have to try something different, or plan for a ride across somehow. The Greenway route shows the Eastern Shore as what appears to be an alternate route, have to check into that.
I think you used to be able to call ahead and they shuttled you across, but they discontinued that service. I think there is a private pay service, but I am not sure. Also hanging around with a sign offering to pay toll at a stop close to there might yield a ride.

You might dig around at:
http://www.thirdwave-websites.com/bike/chesapeake-bay-tour.cfm
and
http://www.baybridge.com/

...
Due to the extra weight I experienced the imfamous "shimmy" while performing the tests, and I tested its parameters. ...
Loose hub cones, loose headset, and less-than-perfectly true wheels can also cause this shimmy.


Ok the tour blog/website is basically complete, up and running. www.lifetooshorttour.net (http://www.lifetooshorttour.net)
...

You might want to edit that link, it's missing an "s", like so: www.lifestooshorttour.net (http://www.lifestooshorttour.net)

If I can't get a shuttle. I'll hitchhike. If I can't hitchhike, something will...just happen.
In fact that is the real plan for this entire trek anyway, that things will...just happen.

And they already are...
Today Banjo Brothers, a major pannier manufacturer, has agreed to sponsor the Life's Too Short Tour with a set of waterproof panniers (http://www.banjobrothers.com/products/01110.php) and a handlebar bag! I'm blown away by the out pouring of generousity. Trek 520 will get a big fat Banjo Brothers sticker on it somewhere, you can bet on that.
Others have genorously offered a place to stay the night, thanks for those offers, I'll be taking some of you up on them.

Next is to order the TransAmerica map from ACA. To get a tent, pad, bag and cooking solution. Also need a cell phone recharge solution and some of the solar chargers look good.
Tires are the next big upgrade for Trek 520. I will go with 32s, still weighing options about kevlar, etc.
One other important thing is to learn how to change a spoke. I'll have to ask one of the mechanics at a local shop for a lesson.

rhm, thanks for alerting me to that typo.

My condolences too. In the spirit of enjoying life to the fullest, I once posted this:


I once had a memorable lunch-time discussion with two doctors that turned to the vicissitudes of life, e.g. sudden death, or trivial symptoms that are harbingers of a serious disease. The best conclusion we could come up with was the old chestnut to live each day to the fullest. As we were leaving, the surgeon, a Marathon runner, said, “Well any day that has a run in it is a good day for me.” That clicked for me that any day with a bike ride in it is a good day.

Maybe it’s just the endorphins talking, but IMO, cycling embraces a philosophy as well as technology and physiology.

My wife and I fortunately had the opportunity to do a cross-country tour on our honeymoon in 1977, so we can consider that dream fulfilled and put up with the relatively hum-drum life since. You have gotten a lot of good advice from knowledgeable cyclists and such posts really bring back the memories. If I may add this quote, which for me really captures the extended bike touring experience:


A thought or two, based on personal experience...

Also, what's the hurry? One of the joys of touring is the singleness of purpose and absence of demands. All you have to do is get there: you don't have to get there fast or get their first - and if you are touring with camping gear, odds are you can be incredibly flexible about what "getting there" means on any given day. Embrace that. Don't let your tour become an exercise in trading one rat-race for another.

I'll look forward to reading your blog.

I'd check out those 27" wheels to make sure the hubs and good, the spokes well adjusted and the rims are crack free. If they look good I'd buy some new 27" tyres and take some tyre boots in case of mishap. I don't know of a folding 27" tyre to take as a spare and it will be difficult to buy 27" tyres on the road, but a tyre boot should see you to somewhere you can order one.

Also a personal blog is a great idea, but a CGOAB blog is even better as it has some nice tools and you'll get a lot of traffic. The personal blog is more expressive and I can understand the desire to create something that looks a bit nicer than CGOAB, but the format of CGOAB is well thought out, far better than the standard blog that presents the latest stuff first.

Today I'm looking into tires. I was looking at kevlar tires, which sound like a good idea, but the Gator Skins my shop recommended are absolutely slick (http://media.rei.com/media/mm/09502f4f-c95b-436a-812a-71f58ead6313.jpg), no tread at all. I don't get that. I'm leary of putting slick tires on!
You folks ever use these?


Those gatorskins are about 28mm wide on the bike and good for road touring, but I'd use a tyre with a bit of tread on it just in case you have to ride on some tracks so get the Schwalbe Marathons in 27 x 1 1/4


http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/tires/630.html

Today I'm looking into tires. I was looking at kevlar tires, which sound like a good idea, but the Gator Skins my shop recommended are absolutely slick (http://media.rei.com/media/mm/09502f4f-c95b-436a-812a-71f58ead6313.jpg), no tread at all. I don't get that. I'm leary of putting slick tires on!
You folks ever use these?
Yes I prefer slicks on asphalt and like the Gatorskins pretty well. They don't hydroplane on wet pavement if that is your concern. See the following for an explaination why:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tires.html#hydroplaning
and
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tires.html#tread

Off road tread helps, but slicks are decent many dry off road surfaces and some wet ones.

I toured through both PA and WVA and did not find 10-20% grades to be that common - in fact I doubt that I hit over 10% at all. You can go on somewhat busier highways if needed to get through the hilly sections, as state highways will generally have a more limited grade. You can use a site such as bikeroutetoaster.com, veloroutes.org, etc. to check your preliminary route so you can see any grade issues.

Today I'm looking into tires. I was looking at kevlar tires, which sound like a good idea, but the Gator Skins my shop recommended are absolutely slick (http://media.rei.com/media/mm/09502f4f-c95b-436a-812a-71f58ead6313.jpg), no tread at all. I don't get that. I'm leary of putting slick tires on!
You folks ever use these?

Tire tread works a bit differently on bike tires than on car tires. Slick bike tires will have better grip on roads than tread tires, in rain or otherwise. Tread can come in handy if you'll be doing a lot of riding on deformable surfaces (like grass or dirt trails). A quick story: Growing up I only had a mountain bike so I rode it on both trails and roads. I got sick of my knobby tires because they wore down quickly, made a lot of road noise, and really slowed me down. I bought a pair of slicks and loved them. Durable, quiet, fast, with lots of traction on the road. I still loved riding trails so I kept riding those rocky, rooty, dirty trails with the slick tires. They slipped up when I slipped up: mashing my pedal strokes or taking a bad line in a corner. It took some practice but I became a much smoother rider and could go just as fast on the dirt with slicks as I could with treads! It also taught me how to keep control even when I would lose traction, a valuable lesson regardless of surface.

Thanks for the great responses.
I went with the Cont. Gator Skins 32s, they rode great tonight on my ride. I was worried about the slicks, goes to show how much I know. I'm glad to have puncture resistant tires, what could be better than that.

I spent the whole day adjusting my racks. The mechanics just slopped them on, too high, too far back, not level, all that. I had to do some self-fabrication with aluminum to get them installed correctly, but they are on now very well and ready for panniers.

Thanks for all the suggestions, and the great advice about taking my time (I'm already there), this tour is slowly taking shape.

I'm wiped out from a training run just now. Time to crash. Until tomorrow...

Good morning...first time I slept 8 hours in years.

I've been riding hard on my training runs so that I will not be sore and fatigued (as much) out there on the road. I was a soldier, an athlete, in my life, but being in my mid-40s means I can't push like I once could (welcome to the club, I hear you say). My body isn't spry like it once was, but my mind still remembers how to push, endure, keep going. One thing I know I can do out there on that road is endure. But I will go slow, and don't be surprised if you see me walking my bike up an Appalachian grade, no qualms.

I don't go slow on my training runs though. I push it hard, and I'm getting better and better at handling the Trek 520. What a bike. I have never ridden such a smooth and precise machine. I bet the new touring bikes are great too, but I can't see how they can be better than my 1984 Trek 520. I was not able to shell out $1200 for a new one, but I feel connected to this old bike in a way some sparkling new one could not duplicate.

I almost feel like there are two of us taking this tour, me and the Trek 520.

Besides, this old bike fits this tour perfectly. It is an old bike that is being resurrected for a transcontinental tour, a tour this bike never thought it would see -- just like me.

I went with the Cont. Gator Skins 32s, they rode great tonight on my ride.

I hope they work out well for you, but did you mean 28s? I didn't think they made a 32. Or are your's maybe the 27 x 1 1/4 inch which are about 32mm?