Fifty Plus (50+) - Man up ---- Calling Blues Dawg

I am a member of ACA. I love watching the Ride the Divide video about the unsupported unofficial no reward ride from Banff to Antelope Wells, NM.

In 2010 I did the C&O Canal/GAP from D. C. to Pittsburgh.

So now I'm thinking and wondering about this. No Entry Fees - No Prizes - No Support......but you are somewhat close to civilization.

Oh yeah, no grizzlies reported in the area.

http://alleghenymountainsloop.blogspot.com/2012/01/allegheny-mountains-loop-2012.html

Hmm. Thanks, but I'm not sure why you are calling me out on this. Looks kind of interesting, but not the kind of thing I've ever thought about doing. I don't have a suitable bike for loaded touring, nor the right kind of camping gear. Probably won't be getting either anytime soon.

But have fun. I'll enjoy hearing about your exploits.

I thought you were into mountain biking, you're only an eastern state or two states away, and it's not for a touring bike.

Would I will I? Who knows.

I thought you were into mountain biking, you're only an eastern state or two states away, and it's not for a touring bike.

Would I will I? Who knows.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding the nature of the event. Not a lot of background info at the site you linked and what I found through Google was mostly accounts of people on loaded touring bikes following the ACA route. The route looks like more of a mix of paved and gravel roads than mountain biking terrain. I've never given much thought about how to carry a lot of gear on my Stumpjumper.

Maybe I'll do some more investigating before ruling it out completely. Wish I could come up with some extra bucks to buy a Salsa Fargo (or maybe a Vaya). ;)

This idea is growing on me. There is not a wealth of information about this route out there, but I'm finding enough to start getting some idea what the ride might be like. Here are the most interesting reports I've found:
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=1&page_id=53771&v=Dg
http://www.adventurecycling.org/store/index.cfm/product/308_81/allegheny-mountains-loop-you-print.cfm#reviews
http://www.adventurecycling.org/forums/index.php?topic=8937.msg45530#msg45530

I'm still not sure what bike I would take on such a trip. I could probably come up with ways to haul enough clothing and camping gear on either the Stumpjumper or the Casseroll. From the ride reports and reading between the lines, I'm thinking the Casseroll with its 34mm tires might me great for most of the route, but I'm not sure it would be up to snuff on a couple of sections. I'm sure the Stumpy could handle it all, but I'm not too excited about spending hours riding paved roads on a full suspension MTB. I think the Vaya would be great for this ride IF I can find a way to afford a new bike by then.

Who knows if this is something I'll want to really make happen? But it is intriguing to think about.

I'm still not sure what bike I would take on such a trip. I could probably come up with ways to haul enough clothing and camping gear on either the Stumpjumper or the Casseroll. From the ride reports and reading between the lines, I'm thinking the Casseroll with its 34mm tires might me great for most of the route, but I'm not sure it would be up to snuff on a couple of sections. I'm sure the Stumpy could handle it all, but I'm not too excited about spending hours riding paved roads on a full suspension MTB. I think the Vaya would be great for this ride IF I can find a way to afford a new bike by then.

Who knows if this is something I'll want to really make happen? But it is intriguing to think about.

Just an idea: Install a Surly Long Haul Trucker fork on the Casseroll. You not only get mid-blade mounts for a front rack, you could put a 700x40 on the front.

Running a bigger tire in the front makes the bike more stable and provides a little more tire on toughest sections.

On Crazyguyonabike there is a journal of a person(woman) who did the route towing a Bob trailer.