MarkJ1

Hi folks,

I have just started a trip from the middle of the USA, from Omaha, Nebraska down south to New Orleans.
I'm 56, riding a stock standard shop commuter bike. Without special nothing except handgrips and mirror.
My plan is for around 30 miles per day/50 kms per day and stopping at motels.

So I'm about to start Day 4. The first day was just 20 miles, then 32, yesterday 25, today 32.

I feel great not sore in the morning so I think my distances are fine.
This route the wind will always be a headwind. Yesterday it was 15 miles per hour, 25kmph and building to 25mph, 40kmpm.
And the temp 93d F / 34 C
So the going was a bit slower and my 25 miles took me 3 hours leaving at 11am

Today the weather is similar so I will start a bit earlier at 8am when there's less wind, cooler too but its not the heat that slows me.

For any interested in diet: I am on LCHF LOW carb high fat, and I only eat breakfast and dinner.

Anyway, its all great fun so far. I'm really enjoying seeing the USA slowly!

Today from Nebraska to Kansas!

bikemig 

Sounds like a great trip. Have fun. What's your route? How do you plan to enter N.O.? And how about some pics of your loaded rig?

MarkJ1

I can't seem to upload a photo. Maybe not enough posts, etc.
I am only carrying a day pack over the back wheel. Staying in hotels lets me travel light.

I don't know the route into New Orleans yet... stuff like that gets easier once I'm closer. I would guess it will be down some State road. I like the bigger roads as they have paved shoulders.

10 Wheels

See post #2

https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...tures-how.html

bikemig 

There aren't too many roads into New Orleans and most of them are highways. Airline is no fun either. I don't know how far the river levee is paved (things have changed since I've lived there) but that's one of the better routes into the city; actually it's probably the best.

mstateglfr 

You posted here a couple months ago about potentially doing this trip- an Aussie, right?
Are you doing the Katy Trail in Missouri?

Interesting diet approach, given the calories put out to complete such a trip.
Have a great time!

staehpj1 

Keep us posted as the trip progresses. Don't be surprised if you find that daily mileage kind of short as you have more days under your belt, at least unless you are doing a lot of other stuff off the bike. I know that I usually find that was is about right for the first week seems short later in the trip.

In any case have fun and be safe.

MarkJ1

Yes, it was me who piayed a while ago when I was planning this.
No, no Katy trail, no Steemboat trail etc except Natchez Trace. Reason is simple: I am here to see Americans and their small towns and farms, not the wildlife. Therefore I am sticking to the bigger roads to move faster through more states. Obviously what I am doing would not be what an American would do. That's fine, I am only doing what I want to do Each persons idea of "exotic" is different.

The diet is keeping the same diet I always have, LCHF, because its good for the heart, weight etc. But it is much easier when cooking at home than eating out every meal... I need more fat! Lol. I did today's 37 miles without breakfast at all, and no lunch, and into 20mph winds in temps over 90... I was VERY glad to see the air conditioner hotel at the top of the last hill. Had a nice long hot bath and now feel like a million dollars! Ok, take off 10%

MarkJ1

I hope so! I did want to take the advice to start slow. But also here there's not many towns... I either go 30 miles or 60 as that's where the towns are, none in between. I would be great when I get to more populated areas where I can better go a couple more miles and still find a hotel.

As for the body toughening up: I can only wait!!
I am feeling good after each day and great in the morning so I hope that continues. What I would like is to look up at a hill climb and laught heartily instead of looking for an ambulance station

staehpj1 

Remember that there are a lot of hours in a day. You don't need to push real hard or do all of the day's mileage all in one go.

MarkJ1

Yes, great point. As I get to more populated areas that will be easier. For instance in today's 37 miles there was only 1 tree shading the road side. Too right I had a relax under it! There was one town with no shops, no touristy things to stop and look at. And the heat and wind each hour increasing. So I tend to push on. Yes, I know it's important to take better breaks.
Today I left 3 hours earlier, 8am instead of 11am, and tomorrow its 5 miles shorter and I will try to leave about 7 am and take better breaks.
There's lots to learn and its only on the road I can learn.

staehpj1 

If it is hot and or windy I am more likely to finish my day at 11 AM than to start it at 11 AM. I am always on the road early if there is a chance it will be hot or the wind will kick up. Sometimes I even do a few hours in the dark before sunrise.

bikenh

As you get further south, down into LA don't be surprised to find the towns very far spread apart. I just rode through the stretch N.O. up to Texarkana back in July and it wasn't fun. Very little shade or places to stop. The heaviest of the traveled road in LA won't be in good shape so tend to stick to the less traveled highways. They may not have the widest of shoulders but I have a feeling you will find better pavement conditions since it won't be getting used as much. The worst roads I have found on my trip thus far have been in LA and MS. The worst designed roads/least biker friendly roads have been in MN.

MarkJ1

I don't think I am going through Texarkana.
I am in Holton, Kansas.
Tomorrow Topeka,
Lay day Sunday as wind is too strong and hot
Monday towards Kansas City, St Louis, Memphis, Jackson, then New Orleans. (Via Natchez Trace)

There seems to be plenty of towns along that route but its quite difficult to tell for sure because I am on a SmartPhone not a proper computer.
It does seem that near larger cities there's more turnpike, interstate hwys that I am not allowed to ride on. But I don't know the difficulty on reality. I.E. There's still gotta be good roads for tractors etc!

Not wanting to sound like a complete tosser, but if the going gets too difficult, or I begin to run out of time, I will just call Uncle AVIS and pay my way forward.

One section I am thinking of doing that is from St Louis to Memphis because it looks like there's a mountain range to go over. And an AVIS car would only be $100.

Do you know what the road is like between St Louis and Memphis? Is it over mountains?

I was thinking after today's ride how much tougher it would be to do this camping. My hat is off to them as I sit on my air conditioned room...

Mark

MarkJ1

Another 95 degree day with headwinds so I left Holton as the sin broke the horizon and arrived in Topeka at midday before the heT and wind.

In to a budget hotel with a SWIMMING POOL!!

Guess where I am writing this from?

Luxury!

bikenh

St. Louis to Memphis should be right down the river which shouldn't involve much climbing. I probably saw more climbing going north to south through KS than you would see going along the MS River. Granted the Missouri side might be more hilly than the KY/TN side of the river. Check both sides.

Cyclebum

We picked up the levy trail at or near Grammercy, La. Hopefully the construction new NOLA is finished and your can ride it into Audubun Park.

MarkJ1

Saw a nice big black snake slithering over a quiet road today. I think it was a pythohon, about 6 ft long. I didn't stop to ask it what species it was...