Abb Fast America South
 

Hi:
Did any of you do this Fast Across America By Bike trip?
This is 3,000 Miles at 100 to 150 Miles per day with elevation changes as much as 11,000 feet.
I am worried about that but want to do this for all kinds of reasons.
My questions to you are:
Do you think a Trek 7700 Hybrid would be a good idea? I love that bike (Brooks saddle!) The bike is 32 lb. with that saddle and a rack.
I also own a C'Dale R2000 at about 15 lb. I cannot imagine sitting on that for 30 days. Also the gears are no good for 11,000 ft mountain.
Thank you for any advise.
Will D

Have you ever ridden 150 miles in a day? Ever done multiple consecutive days of 100+ miles? Have you done 10,000 foot climbing days?

You could probably change the gearing on the R2000 and put your Brooks saddle on it. Aero bars would be useful for the long days with headwinds.

I have done 150 Miles/day on my hybrid and often 100+/day back to back on this hybrid. All in Wisconsin and Illinois. No experience with 10,000 feet elevation change.
I will do as you say with the C'Dale R2000 or purchase a Touring bike for just this purpose. I am thinking Trek?
Thank you for your advise.

I assume that this is a supported tour so you don't have to carry your gear. If so, then you don't really need a bike built specifically for touring. You mainly need a bike that you are comfortable riding day in and day out and has the gears to handle the climbs.

America By Bicycle is a fully supported tour. Mike Munk is their tour leader and I have read his advise. The reason for using this forum is to double check since I feel that I have much riding on this trip.
Therefore I am very grateful for your comments.
I could use the Trek Hybrid except for the weight of 32 lb.
I am looking at a Specialize Road bike (Not a Touring Bike)
I am told that this trip is bad news for Wheels and Tires. Mike recommends size 28 to 38 with Kevlar and rubber side walls.
He also recommends Gears of 39/28 or 39/32.
Aero Bars are supposed to be good.
I am now training intensely and finding that my focus changed from my rear end to my legs. Therefore I am less sure of the need for a Sprung Brooks saddle.
Sorry for this long message but I am thankful for your interest.

Forget the sprung Brooks. A regular Brooks should be fine.

Aero bars will be your best friend on long days with headwinds.

I assume that the hybrid is heavy because of a suspension fork? If so, you could easily have it replaced with a rigid fork and save several pounds. What else makes it so heavy?

If you look at a new road bike, make sure that you can fit the desired tires on it. A lot of road bike have very narrow clearance and cannot take very wide tires.

3000 miles is hard on any set of tires. I would pack a spare set for the trip.

It certainly sounds like a grueling trip. When do you depart?

Again thanks.
I will use Brooks B17, Aero bars.
My ambition is to consistently do 100 miles in 6 hours and possibly in 5 hours on black top and reasonably flat, no wind.
The Treck Hybrid can do 100 in 6.5 hours on lime stone and under 6.0 hours on black top. Therefore I am going to test ride a Specialize Road bike to see the difference.

I agree with you that the weight of the Hybrid can be reduced but I am told by serious bikers that the Specialized Road bike is "awesome".

The ABB Fast south trip starts April 23, 2006, in Irving Ca
I agree that it is a grueling trip. That is the idea. Some people climb a mountain, etc.