Turkey222

So Im moving to Virginia at the end of April; most of my possessions will be shipped for free. I originally planned to drive home, but i talked myself out of it. Now i want to have my car shipped with my belongings and ride a bicycle home. I must be crazy!!! This is gonna be one of the only times in my life that I am in this good of shape and without a job. if i don'y do it, I will regret it.

Problems:
Roads may not be ridable? Turn around and take a plane home instead.
Too cold? No way!!! Got some nice cold weather sleeping gear and clothing that i might just keep.
Wolves/Bear? Bear Spray is my only solution for Canada, Cant bring a ******* or ammo for my *****. Maybe have a ******* already bought/waiting in Washington State( if possible).
Physically? not able to get much bike riding in before i take off on this journey; when I make it to Washington, i will decide if I should continue or hop on a plane.

Things that i know i need to get:
a good bike (my mtn bike is a cheap wal-mart bike)
bike stowage bags
Tent
Bike repair equipment
First aid gear
Cooking equipment
Hydration systems
Road Maps

gandrimp

Add a video camera to the list and document your trip, post it on YT.

Turkey222

Might take video with phone or maybe get a go-pro, but dont think im gonna get a video camera.

Im crossing from Canada into Washington, Anyone have an opinion on whether i should hit the Northern Tier or Trans-America? or If going to Colorado is better than seeing Mt Rushmore?

jamawani 

And the Titanic was unsinkable.

bikemig 

You're going to VA so why not take the Trans American? For a bike, there are a ton of choices out there so pick something you want to own long-term or something cheap but serviceable. A vintage mtb outfitted with wide slicks and a trekking bar makes a fine touring bike and it won't set you back a lot of money. That's what I'm rolling with right now.

There are a lot of threads out there on gear but I'd try to get by as much as possible with stuff I already own.

fietsbob

AlCan highway is a Long Gravel Road https://placesbook.org/wp-content/upl...ka-Highway.gif

that still leaves you well north, on the border between AB & BC.

Take the road south To the Coast , or Border crossing into IDaho & Montana traveling along the CDN Rockies ..

or west to Edmonton (Tar-oil Town now) and cross the CDN Prairies..


Dont forget Your Bear Box , and Never Eat in Your Tent!

mstateglfr 

WOW, thatll be 6000 miles if you take the Transamerica trail once getting into the US and heading to Oregon.
Incredible experience, for sure. I cant imagine that much dedication, more power to you!

You will need 2 sets of gear- 1 for the cooler weather for the first 1/2 of the trip and 1 for warmer weather during the last 1/2 of the trip.

If you average 80mi per day every day, you would make it the 2400miles to Astoria, OR and the start of the Transamerica trail a month later. That's without taking a day off.
Its another 2000mi until you get east of the Rockies. In Eastern ID, WY, and CO itll be warm during the days, but nights will still be low 40s, from what I remember(out in WY during June a handful of years ago).


If you rode 80mi per day, it would take about 75ish days- how much do you hope to ride each day and how often would you expect to take a rest day? Just curious if you plan on doing this in 3 months, 4 months, etc.

Turkey222

hoping to get an average of 100 miles a day not counting the side tracks to tourist spots. Be great to get home in 3 but that may not happens

Turkey222

anyone got an opinion on the Novara Safari? I am able to get one for 600. Or should i go the vintage MTB route and have better grip for the ice and snow that i may encounter?

bikemig 

The Novara Safari is a sturdy well thought out expedition bike. I'm a fan of trekking bars; they're pretty popular in Europe. Is this a used price?

It will handle ice and snow as well as a vintage mtb.

Turkey222

no clearance price

imi

Are you used to riding that kind of distance fully loaded on consecutive days?

bikemig 

Buy it. It will handle the trip well and you won't need to think about fixing up an old bike.

staehpj1

Good to start out in good physical condition, but...
On a trip that length he can probably train into shape over the first 10 days to 2 weeks or so and not lengthen the trip by all that much. I figure that it makes sense to have enough saddle time in that the butt isn't too painful, but being in absolute top shape at the start probably isn't required for multi month trips.

staehpj1

Decent bike, well suited to the route, and a good price. I'd say go for it.

fietsbob

2 Swedes started in Anchorage , did the AlCan, we saw them when they got down here .. they brought step thru commuter bikes with them

Shimano 8 speed IGH rear hubs for gears.. Gear on racks over the wheels ..

imi

I agree staehpj1 about riding yourself into form. 100 miles/day average is by no means impossible, many of us do... but many of us find 50-80 miles/day more realistic.
If you've never ridden centuries for multiple days in a stretch, then it MAY be an over ambitious goal.

Not trying to be a nejsayer, hope it doesn't come across as such

Turkey222

I like to set the bar high for myself. Ill try and get the bike before its sold then, sucks that it is too icy to test drive it.

Turkey222

$539 right off the rack, Now time to start buying the expensive bags and gear for it.

staehpj1

I think you will like it. A friend rode a Safari from Alaska to the tip of Argentina and was very happy with his. Keep us posted on how things go with gearing up and ultimately with the trip.

bikemig 

That's a heck of a deal. I would have bought it at that price. You don't need to go crazy expensive with the bags or the gear for the trip but you will need to think about the trade-offs that are involved. Weight matters; so does comfort and safety esp. given the weather you will experience.

wbuttry

First off I would suggest you try your best to get as much riding in as you can. and as for gear choices there are many do you want to do a trailer or panniers ? Are you comfortable on a bicycle in traffic ? You will need a good quality tent and a sleeping bag and a sleeping pad or air mattress will help on your good nights rest. you will probally want a camp stove something real small and light cause eating restraunt and convience stores adds up real quick. Most foods eatin on the road consist of high calorie foods and easy cooked maels like ramens canned soups .fruits and veggies and possibly trail mix but all that's up to you ..

Turkey222

Gonna try and get the first month of food ($300) paid for by the Govt. Im also gonna look into how many nights in hotels the Govt normally covers for a car trip.

Doug64

I went to a presentation a few weeks ago by a young women who rode solo 21,000 miles around the world. Part of her route was from Los Angeles to to the Yukon, and maybe to Alaska.

the loong way home

Sure, you can do it!

BigAura

+1 on your ambition and your bicycle choice. 3-4 months seems like a reasonable plan, with 4 months preferred for more enjoyment, IMO. I've done a tour Seattle, WA to Deadhorse, AK and enjoyed it immensely. The Alcan can be rather messy and slow going in places, at times. Keep your food away from your tent and the bears will leave you alone, its the trucks and cars the pose the bigger danger.

Have a great trip & enjoy!



There's plenty of nice roads too. This is the a view of the Cassiar Highway.