Originally Posted by
wide_eyed
I'm a rank newbie watching this thread with a lot of interest and a bit of apprehension. If I understand right, Gus, it looks like you've done a lot of work to nail down your plans with a lot of detail. Is it common/recommended to have daily destinations mapped out completely in advance? Or is it more a reflection of individual touring style?
To me, the idea of flexibility in a route and schedule is attractive; but, I worry that failing to plan ahead could be a factor in busting a budget.
W-Eyed, we have cold winters here! LOL! I don't necesarrily stick to my itinerary, it serves as a guide and gives me several alternatives. Most times when I'm out, I check my ACA maps during the ride, and peruse my itinerary on my netbook in the evening. The free overnight stops are nice to know things. People, addresses, and phone numbers are readily available to me.
Does the typical tourer need this much detail? I don't think so. If you're on an ACA route and have their maps, you have just about all the info you need. My itinerary helps me day to day in other little details of the route. For instance, west of Berea, and westbound there is a very easy to miss turn...Jack Turner Rd (I believe it is), my itinerary alerts me to what to expect from the the looks of the turn. I was riding with several people that day, and I had warned them of the turn off. Three of them missed it anyway, but those near me did not. My itinerary has a multitude of little bits of info like that.
Yeah, like I said, winters are cold here!