AdamDZ

I'm obsessed with this idea and I think I just have to do this. Likely not this year, it's too late, but next year is possible. I can take some leave of absence, I already mentioned at work that I want to go on extended leave, 4-5 months maybe.

Although I like riding solo, I think doing such a long ride would be easier if done with a group and with an experienced leader. Has anyone here done this with ACA or any other group?

As far as preparations go, I'm in OK shape, riding 16 miles every day and doing as many weekend rides as possible and I plan to basically ride as much as possible this year. I should also be able to do a two-week tour and several overnighters in the next few months. I'm building a Surly Disc Trucker and I already have most of the gear needed.

I also wonder if its possible to do the TransAm tour without any cooking and without hauling much food except for some snacks. I'm really a lousy cook and I don't enjoy cooking. I imagine there are plenty of resources along the traditional ACA TransAm route?

I've read lots of Journals too on CGOAB but if anyone has any additional resources to recommend I would certainly appreciate that. I'm still not entirely sure what kind of weather conditions to expect during the tour and how to prepare in terms of clothing and sleeping. I think the range of temperatures may be really wide.

Thanks!

staehpj1

Personally I vote for going solo on this one unless there is someone you just want to ride with. You will meet quite a few other riders along the way if you go at a normal time for your direction of travel and will have ample change to make friends and camp with them. You might even ride with them if that suits you.

I rode with a nice young guy who preferred to not ride alone on the ST. We were not together the whole trip, but went our separate ways for some sections. Thinking back, I enjoyed his company when we were together, but most of my memories and stories about people I met and places I saw were from the parts of the tour where I was alone. Riding with him part of the time was a nice mix though.

On the cooking issue. There will definitely be places where you will have to eat without the benefit of a restaurant, but you can manage without cooking if you want. I do prefer to take cooking gear, but my preference is to mostly eat stuff that requires minimal fuss in preparing and cleaning up after. For that I manage with cooking gear and eating kit that weighs in at about 9 ounces. That said there is definitely no need to cook if you don't want to.

Not sure what kind of daily mileage you prefer, but 4-5 months would allow for a lot of low or zero mileage days. We took 73 days, but then again we didn't take any full days off. We did take fairly regular "half days". Personally I don't think I'd want more than 90 days for the Trans America unless I had side trips or lots of off bike stuff in mind.

AdamDZ

No, there is no particular person I want to ride with. I'm just a little afraid if I can really pull this off on my own I really need to start doing tours, even just overnighters to build up confidence. The logistics of such undertaking are a little overwhelming. I haven't done anything last year. My longest tour was 10 days in 2010.

Good point about meeting people along the way. Many people on CGOAB mentioned that too.

I can carry a small stove and maybe some dry food for those times when I may need it. But I am also perfectly happy eating sandwiches, I don't require cooked food every day.

Yeah, I wouldn't want to rush this and I'd like to have a day off every week, and perhaps a few longer breaks in interesting places. I think I can do 50-60 miles a day easy, more if it's flat. I'm thinking 3 months for the tour.

Oh, would you stick to the ACA route?

staehpj1

Personal preference, but yeah I would, at least mostly. I tend to improvise a bit here and there, but generally think the route makers made good choices with the TA.

oldskoolwrench

Adam,

Good for you! I really hope your TransAm trip comes to fruition; like you, I've always wanted to do the TransAm, and one day hopefully I'll make the leap and plan it.

It is nicer to have folks with you on the trip to enjoy the shared experience, but choose your riding partners carefully. If you're the solitary type of personality then I think you'll do just fine.

Like staehpj1 said... you can eat out the majority of the time, but there will probably be times where you'll have to (or even want to) prepare your own food. If it comes down to sandwich fixin's that's just fine... that will get you down the road just as easily as another meal. Finding something like a fresh veggie stand or some local delicacy is always a welcome treat on a tour.

With your time frame taking a couple days off here and there will work fine. On a tour I did down the West Coast we rode six days a week, and took Sundays off for laundry, maintenance, etc. But at the same time, we did take a one or two day detour to check out other attractions from time to time.

Read up, collect info, research your route thoroughly. Half the fun is in planning the trip!

Alan

fietsbob

I've done 3 solo tours in Europe. more planning on packing my household stuff into storage,
than what to do once I arrived.. once I re assembled the bike at the airport
I asked the people I met a few questions ..

starting after dark in Ireland 2-97
gas station attendant even jumped in his car leading the way
to show me a roadside Lay By to put up my tent.

was not as cold as I anticipated, so next morning I mailed clothing home.

AdamDZ

It's well documented so that would make it a bit easier.

Yeah, ever since my Adirondacks tour in 2010 I can't stop thinking about this. I would have probably done it this year, but I had some health issues late last year (won't affect my cycling).

I am a solitary type. Absolutely. An introvert. And I'd likely be much happier doing this mostly on my own while meeting people along the way. Probably being attached and committed to a group would wear me out.

I'm going to get the ACA maps and study them and read all I can. I really like to be prepared and know where I'm going.

I don't really mind the planning. It's fun in itself.

staehpj1

If that works for you that is great. I will say that it definitely is not a requirement especially on an AC route though. We (my daughter, a college friend of hers, and me) took off on the TA (our first tour) after just a few weeks of notice with zero planning other than figuring out what we wanted to carry and having a general notion of how long it would take. If going with minimal planning and an open ended schedule appeals to you, it helps to get air travel out of the way up front so you can have an open ended schedule.

Booger1

I've ridden with my brother a few times from L.A.-Frisco and back.I don't like riding long distance with somebody.It's hard to find somebody that rides the same.We would just meet up at night at the campgrounds.

I sure would not enjoy riding with a pack of people,I'm trying to get away from them....

I'm not an ACA type guy either.The farthest I've gone is from L.A. - Denver and back.....Many years ago,I didn't even know ACA existed.Back then I used AAA triptix for long distance,now I just use maps.

If I was going for my first big trip nowdays,I would use ACA maps for sure,takes alot of guess work and wondering out of the equation.You can always make some side trips from their maps.

These days I enjoy the wonderment and quessing,that's the fun part.I don't want to know what's around the corner....

Either way,with a group or without,go for it.It's hard work at times but it's the most fun you can have on a bicycle.

Cyclebum

The ACA maps will likely save you their cost in free camping suggestions. And the local interest notes are useful for understanding the history of an area. Not to mention all the planning they save. I don't use them as I find the tedium of following them not to may taste, but that's just me. More a wing it sort.

As for food, the few times you'll find yourself out of convenient reach of a commercial source you can make do just fine without cooking. I stock high density, high calorie stuff for just that. Cheese, peanut butter, Snicker bars, trail mix, cookies, etc. If hot and sweating a lot, I chug a can of V-8 daily to balance the diet and for the minerals, but only when doing a lot of eating out of my bags.

It might get a little cool at night in the western mountains, but nothing too serious if there in August. Bit of cool weather gear mailed ahead to general delivery, or bought when needed, solves the long haul weight/bulk issue.

alan s 

Most of my riding now is solo, with occasional group rides or rides with friends/family. As this is my preference, I expect a similar pattern for a long distance tour would work best - meeting other riders along the way, meeting up with relatives and friends, but basically riding solo. Riding the entire way across the US with an organized group or even one other person would probably not work for me. However, if I was in a really remote area, having others around would be nice for security and sharing of resources (spares, tools, maps, accommodations).

mev

Several of these things are personal preference. You've already gotten some sense in reading CGOAB journals as well.

The other thing to note is that in US you are never very far from points of civilization so there is some room to adjust as you learn more. For example, bring too much gear - send some home; decide you wanted a stove after all - pick one up, etc.

As far as my own points of preference goes - a group or experienced leader can add some structure. That can be good and bad. In the US, I like the freedom of not having that structure and not having to travel on days I might not feel 100% or go extra long on other occasions. I like being able to alter things. I've gone with organized groups in special situations mostly overseas where language was a bigger issue (e.g. China) or other logistics. I've also gone with one other person for extended trip (five months) across Russia where again language was a factor. However, for US and on an established route, there will be some people you might meet along the way and this is something that can be varied after starting out if you start along and decide to ride with someone else for a while.

As far as no-cook goes. I found myself switching to a no-cook model after a ride through Dempster Highway where I rode for 3 days before getting to first civilization point (Eagle Motel) and found I was as happy picking up and eating the no cook things I'd brought along. Again, there are ways to make that work and I've done that mostly in my touring, though can be a little more expensive.

As far as how much to stick to the route or vary from it. I like the ACA maps, but I'm also pretty comfortable navigating from state highways as well. So, I'll use them as it makes sense but also vary as I hear from other locals or sometimes since I want to try what looks like an intriging shortcut or alternative.

It is an adventure and there are some larger choices to get right up front (e.g. choice of seasons/timing) and reasonable equipment to start out with. However if you get the big things in place up front, there is also a bunch you can alter as you learn more about your own preferences, styles and adjust to things you find along the way. This is particularly true in US where you'll have language, local contacts and pretty much never very far from civilization.

indyfabz

My first trip was ACA's Northern Tier, unsupported group trip. There are pros and cons. On the group trip, you will be required to cook dinner once a week or so. You typically get paired up with another in the group to shop and cook dinner. (One or two other would generally help with transporting groceries. If we had to stop to shop before our day's destination, the supplies were split among everyone. When it's your turn to cook, you also have to wash the group cooking gear after dinner as well as anything used the next morning to make breakfast and/or lunch. ACA supplies the group cooking gear, which you divide among the members, so you don't have to carry an entire cooking kit yourself. They also supply a tool/repair kit. In our case, the leader carried that.

I like to be able to cook dinner so I can have more control over what, when and where I eat. Unless you get into the "backcountry'," you are typically not going to have to carry several days worth of food as there is usually some place to get groceries each day, although the selection may be limited at times and you might have to carry stuff for a few miles to get to camp. However, if you stay in towns of decent size, you can often find groceries in town. My strategy is shop early if the food source in the overnight town in suspect. For example, last year we passed through Hamilton, MT on the way to the much smaller town of Darby, where we would camp. I knew there was a local grocery store in Darby, but we had no idea of its hours and selection. In Hamilton, there was a large Safeway with everything we needed. We opted to shop in Hamilton and carry the supplies 16 or so miles rather than take our chances in Darby.

One major downside is that you are thrown together with 12 or so other people who you have never met. Some of those people might get on your nerves. Our group included a racist alcoholic and a guy who tried to shirk his cooking and cleaning duties whenever possible, often leaving camp early before the morning chores were done. Not a nice thing to do to your partner or the person who carried the pot that was used to heat water for dishes. When it came to splitting up groceries among the group, that guy would also rush to the cart and grab the lightest things he could (think a bag of tortilla chips instead of the pasta sauce jar(s)) in order to lessen his burden.

Another upside is that you don't have to manage money as much. Camping and group food is paid for. On the downside, you are pretty much stuck with "majority rules." For example, if the majority wants to stay in a commercial campground instead of a more rustic U.S.F.S. campground you are stuck with that decision. You can take a few sidetrips, but they are on your own dime. I.e., you don't get the per diem for the days you decide to leave the group.

I went with ACA because I had never done any unsupported touring and had never once camped. I learned a thing or two or three from the experience and used that to do two long, solo trips the following year. I now tour with a partner, but I don't think I would ever do another unsupported group trip.

AdamDZ

I think I'm convinced that I'd prefer to do this alone. I don't want to cook at the end of the day, period. I don't eat cooked diners, ever. And I would be very uncomfortable with people that I don't like. I can get along pretty well and fit into reasonable rules but I can't stand rude and dumb people, that would wreck my experience. I think I'd much set my own rules and face the consequences on my own.

Thanks for all other the tips as well.

SFGary

Adam, check these guys out for one or two "no camping" or CC trips: Mike Noonan, https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/directory/?user=msnoonan, Ron Wallenfang https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/directory/?o=1&user=roboron&v=D.

Also very fast traveling...truly amazing at their ages.

andrewclaus

Good for you for going alone. Me too. Much more affordable that way, too.

I've been a stoveless backpacker for many seasons now and am convinced it's a great way to camp. You don't have to stick with sandwiches. Rolled oats can be eaten without cooking, since they're already parboiled in processing. Add cold water, powdered milk if desired, raisins and nuts. Instant mashed potatoes rehydrate with cold water in a few minutes. Same with instant refried beans, though they're harder to find, and they're great with corn chips. Ramen can be eaten cold (already fried) as a large, cheap cracker. Add peanut butter if desired. Tortillas and cheese (and sausage if you eat meat) last days in a pack. Crackers with dried hummus if you can find it are excellent. Fig newtons, cashews, candy bars if you eat those, and fruit and raw vegetables work very well.

Stoveless won't save you all that much weight since you tend to carry more water weight in food, but there's a much lower futz factor. You don't have to find fuel, you use less water in dry camps, no clean up, you can eat under a tarp or tent in any kind of weather, and I think it's easier to buy food.

AdamDZ

I have JetBoil and I liked it a lot on my short tours but I understand the gas containers are hard to come by outside of large urban areas. It's great for boiling water quickly to make tea and to prepare dried foods.

pdlamb

While I did the TransAm without a group, the ACA group that trailed us by a day or two did have impressive resources. They were able to survive the unseasonable heat through Kansas much less expensively than we were. We had to take refuge in motels because I just could not tolerate 100F in the afternoon and 90F at 9:00 at night; they were able to tap in to churches, etc. and stay in air conditioning for the tour price. OTOH, it really helped to leave at dawn, not whenever everybody else got up and ate.

I really appreciated the ability to say, "I'm having a bad day, let's cut it short." Didn't happen too often, but there were days I just could NOT go another 20-30 miles. I'm glad I didn't have to try to keep up with a larger group on those days.

When the trailing group caught up with us, we heard some interesting stories. It included one guy who apparently had not spent one cent extra during the ride -- he always loaded up on lunches. Others liked to buy their own lunch, and one other guy always tried to get a room in the KOAs or a nearby motel.

One other note; you won't get to cycle from the Tetons up through Lewis Canyon in Yellowstone on a group ride. Park Service rules allow onesie-twosie cyclists, but not groups. I'm glad I got to ride that (even if I did have to pace a long line of RVs uphill through a construction zone)!

The van-supported tours do offer a bit more support. On those bad days I mentioned earlier, the van can pick you up and carry you part of the way. And I think the grocery transport was via van, which often carried water, ice, and iced beverages.

AdamDZ

Thanks ACA has two rides: self contained and van supported. I wouldn't want to do the van supported ride as it would take away lots of satisfaction of actually doing a trans-continental ride on a bike. And it seems, after all the comments, that I would want to do this alone. Like you said: there are both advantages and disadvantages of a group ride but, considering my personality, I wouldn't do well with a group for such a long ride. I did 3-day rides with a club and they were OK, but there were always people that ticked me off and I wouldn't want to be stuck with them for weeks or months.

sstorkel

Cooking certainly isn't required, but it's not that difficult either. Instant oatmeal and coffee/tea/hot chocolate makes a great warm breakfast on cooler days. There are plenty of recipes for simple "one pot" dinners. I'm not a big fan of clean-up, so I tend to go super-simple: canned soup and a sandwich, cup-o-noodles instant soup, boiled pasta with sauce from a jar, etc. The goal isn't to eat like a king, merely to break up the monotony of eating sandwich after sandwich after sandwich. Plus, it gives you something to do other than sit around camp wondering what to do

AdamDZ

Oh yeah, oatmeal or hot beverages aren't a problem, but anything more elaborate would be. Then on some camps washing dishes is a bit difficult so I'd rather just have a sandwich and some tea and not worry about greasy pot and plate. On the few tours I did I'd pick up some cheese, grilled chicken, bread or bagels, tomatos, some bananas and pastry, etc along the way, when I had a chance, and just eat that later.

And I don't mind just laying down and resting at the camp

staehpj1

You certainly can cook as much or little as you like and cooking certainly is not mandatory, but I will suggest that minimal cooking does not necessarily mean much extra effort or clean up. I find that Ramen noodles with a pack of foil packed tuna stirred in and maybe some freeze dried peas cooked along with the noodles are no more effort than instant oatmeal and almost no cleanup. I eat right out of the pot which I often just rinse with plain water and dry. I give any utensils the same treatment. If water is scarce I just wipe it out without the rinse.

AdamDZ

Honestly, the bagged noodles and dried food is pretty horrible, I think I'd rather have a plain sandwich or some cereal and fruit

tarwheel 

I am considering a trans-am bike tour as well, the main hurdle being able to take that much time off work. I am also struggling with the same questions as you: whether to ride solo or with a group, supported or unsupported, cooking or just eating out. I have ridden a number of supported tours, almost every summer for the past 10 years or so, but haven't attempted a loaded tour yet. Plan to do that this spring and summer, as soon as my touring bike is built up, starting with some weekend tours.

As a fellow bike commuter, I think commuting is a great way to get in shape for touring as well as try out equipment. I'm commuting 90-150 miles/week with 5-10 lbs of gear and that counts for something. When my touring bike is completed, I plan to start riding it to work once a week loaded with gear.

AdamDZ

Yup. Taking the time off is the biggest hurdle. Sad. I spent the last year paying off my debts so I can save up money, so I can afford taking unpaid time off. I'm debt-free now and already have a nice sum in the bank. It should work out.

I also haul close to 20lbs on my commuter sometimes, so yeah that's a great workout. When I went on my first real tour (9 days) in 2010 I didn't find it difficult at all because I ride every day.

I will do a few overnighters, 60 miles each way and, hopefully, a two-week tour this summer.