OldZephyr

Thanks, mgreen, for the great rundown! Sounds like a great trip, IL-16 notwithstanding. I too have biked in Illinois and I like their bike maps. The ones in Wisconsin are really good too.

Quite inspiring!

hueyhoolihan

after reading your description, had to look up Banner, Ca. ya, a tough climb for three miles or so. that heat can make you delirious. in google maps it looks like a nice road, too bad it's so steep (mapmyride shows plenty of 9-10% pitches) and so hot. one or the other is often doable, but not both. it's not much better further south along the border in the other direction either, but the temps are fine in December.

when are you planning your North/South pacific run?

mgreen3691

Not sure yet. Probably mid September.

Buster Marx

mgreen -- I enjoyed your lengthy posts about your trip. Thanks for sharing your experience. I've dreamed of cycling cross country for a few decades. I'm 57 now. I live in Philadelphia and commute daily by bicycle; not a long ride, but keeps me in not-terrible shape. I'm thinking about cycling across Pennsylvania solo this summer to see if my body is up to my aspiration. Your post is heartening.

I had been thinking about crossing Pennsylvania on Route Y, the northern route that largely follows Route 6. Your comments have led me to reconsider the southern route.

Thanks again.

mgreen3691

Thanks for the kind words and welcome to the forum. Route V worked good for me and my style. I mapped it out here on ridewithgps.com and published it if you need it. Get on the bike this year and git 'er done! All the way across. Its easy and your 50's is the best decade for it...

I'm hooked now. I have a Canada/Mexico Pacific Coast trip in September [EDIT 10/14/15. Completed CGOAB journal here https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/...id=16478&v=H2] and then Alaska to Argentina next year on a fat bike (I'm not right in the head).

Mike

indyfabz

Route V is the central route. Route S is the southern route. I have done a lot of both.

Last year I rented a car, dropped it off at the airport in Warren, OH then followed my own route to Franklin, PA. From there, I rode 24 miles on the paved Allegheny River Trail to Emlenton, PA to pick up Route V. I took V to Catawissa/Bloomsburg and then my own route home to Philly through Centralia, Hegins and Lancaster and Chester counties.

The year before that I rode the GAP from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, MD. Route S uses the GAP for part of the way. Heading east, it leaves the GAP in Rockwood, PA. I stayed on the GAP until the end and then bascially took U.S. 220 north to Bedford to Pick up S again. Followed S with a few modifications in Lancaster and Chester counties to the Sckuykill River Trail thence home.

The alleged nock on Route Y is that certain sections have heavy truck traffic due to gas fracking activity. Haven't ridden it yet so I don't know if that's true. I have been mapping out a route that goes from Erie to Route Y in Union City and then breaks off to take the Pine Gorge Trail south at Ansonia then eventually goes to Easton, PA then down the river to Lamverville, NJ and home to Philly.

Buster Marx

mgreen: A couple of issues in the way of me cycling all the way across the country -- time and money. I'm still working full time. I'd need to take a leave to have enough time to ride all the way across. Money -- well, even an economical cycling trip costs something. Soon as I win the lottery, I'm in the saddle.

I reviewed some of your trip route. I'm liking it more and more. I drove Route 6 with my wife and children on a vacation before the fracking boom. The trucks might be an issue, but also I have a special memory of the route and what we did along the way, and I don't want to retrace it. I cycled the Great Allegheny Passage with my son about four years ago, and he and I along with my wife are going to cycle the C & O Canal later this summer. So that leaves Route V. Did you camp at all? Or just find motels and guest houses along the way?

By the way. Please excuse my delayed response. Time is an issue another way these days -- having enough to follow up forum comments. I joined the forum when my 20-year old Trek 520 was stolen back in 2010 or so and wanted advice about a good touring bike to replace it. Came down to another 520 and a Surly Long Haul Trucker. I opted for the Trek and have enjoyed it. Still, I greatly appreciate your comments and encouragement.

Anyway, I plan to look into Route Y more this weekend and make some decisions. I'm hoping to ride with just two rear paniers, and handlebar bag, and a small bag beneath my saddle + plenty of water bottles. Any advice in that regard?


indyfabz: Another Philadelphian! Good to hear it. AFter reading earlier comments on this forum, I was also thinking about cycling down the New Jersey side of the Delaware. I've driven between Frenchtown and Trenton; most of it seems to have a good shoulder. What roads did you take from Lambertville? Any other useful tips?

Thanks in advance.

mgreen3691

I stayed in motels the entire trip (I think the whole trip cost me about $4,500 for everything). This was my first x-country and I wanted to focus on the riding so I traveled really light. A very small frame bag, a custom handlebar basket and a medium sized seat wedge was all that I took. If you look at pics I posted on my route map link you can kind of see my set up. My bike and kit fully loaded was ~41 pounds. I will shave off even more on my Pacific Coast trip as well as switching to a lighter bike. I might suggest you make reservations for the first 2 or 3 nights for piece of mind and so that you have a destination goal for the day but beyond that it is really not necessary.

indyfabz

Actually, SR 29 south of Lambertville is not a road you want to ride your bike on. It can be very busy and there is little or no shoulder The trail that runs along side of the road is the way to go. It's doable even on 23c tires. From Frenchtown south, SR 29 has a wide shoulder until the north end of Stockton, where the shoulder disappears. Stockton to L'Ville on SR 29 is not that bad. Not as much traffic as there is south of L'Ville. If I am on my touring bike I usually take the trail from Frenchtown to L'Ville and then cross to New Hope to head back to Philly. I have even ridden the train between Frenchtown and Bull's Island on my road bike with 23c tires.

oneill7570

Hey Mike,

I'm not sure if you are still visiting this forum or not since it's been a while since your last posted update. I have been thinking about doing a Coast-to-Coast trip for a while now, with true researching picking up lately. There are several questions that I have, and would love to get your perspective.

Hoping you're still around. And hoping that you're still riding.

Dan