Geewhiz

Hello,

Thanks for reading my post. My background: I commute between 15 and 20 miles (depending on which route I take) daily. I usually do an extra 50 mile ride every other week. My bike is a 2001 Bianchi Eros--all original (Campy mirage, mavic rims, Vittoria roma 700x25 tires). I use SPD pedals and Specialized Taho shoes. For the most part, I have little to no experience with any other equipment, so I live in blissful ignorance and am free, for the most part, from lust and envy. I enjoy riding as fast as I possibly can, and hate to carry things. Accordingly, my themes are light, fast, and credit card.

My first big decision was planning a reasonable route. The most direct routes all go through NYC and eastern NJ, both of which look, to my inexperiences eye, less than optimal for sanity and survival. I decided to make my first compromise (adding 100+ miles to the trip) and picked up the Adventure Cycling map from Windsor Locks, CT to Norristown, PA.

All of my major questions revolve around this route. I have heard great things about these maps, but see them very seldom mentioned in this forum. Is this a reliable route? Is all of it paved? and Are there places for lightweights like me (ie. cheap hotels) at reasonable intervals along the way?

The next question I have (which will be answered in part by whether or not the route is paved) revolves around tires. I have been very happy with the Vittoria Romas. Again, I am completely ignorant of other tires and don't know what I am missing. All I know is that my commute is on terrible frost-destroyed New England roads and I have had only 1 flat in about 1000 miles of commuting (not a puncture). My sense is that I should replace them for the 400 mile trip. Ideally I would like to find a tire that is durable and puncture-resistant enough to handle this route, but not more so. In other words, I don't want an off-road or gravel appropriate tire, if I'm not traveling in those conditions.

My last major question is about storage. I hope to carry very little--clothes, emergency tools and spares, and limited food. I think 20lbs. would be a very generous estimate. I have a cheap "Avenir" pack for my rack. It has a set-up that combines side bags and a top bag (I don't know what the difference between saddle-bags and panniers is). The biggest problem I've encountered is my heels seem to it the bags, which I'm not sure is a function of my big feet or the dimensions of the pack. In any case, does it make sense to invest in something more hi-tech and durable just for this trip, and if so where should I look?

Thanks for reading my post--sorry about the length. If anyone has any other input, I would love to hear it. I'm a complete novice, and need all the help I can get.

All the best,
Geewhiz

Peaks

I'm an advocate of Adventure Cycling maps. They route you around big cities. They try to keep you on roads that are suitable for road biking (low traffic, or wide shoulders, paved, etc.)

Why not start in the western suburbs where the ACA Atlantic Coast Route comes through. If starting in Boston, you might consider taking the commuter rail to Westboro, and start there.

8bit

You can sew the corners of the bags back so they don't bump your heels. All it will take is a few sturdy tack stitches to keep them anchored to itself a little further up.

As far as the maps go, don't forget about the Rubel maps of MA. Central MA has been completely unavailable for years, but you can get to CT/RI with them. I have the AC maps of the Atlantic route but haven't ridden the section that you'd be using so I can't comment. Don't forget that you can apply for a Metro North RR bicycle permit if you do want to go through NYC without riding. You can pick up the train in south-central CT and avoid a lot of the crappy riding around the metro sprawl.

Google Maps walking directions also work well for bike routes but may give you very hilly roads. Remember that you can drag the route around NYC.

bktourer1

I can get you through ct into NYC via backroads and bike trails if you want. send me a note off list for my cue sheets. I rode from Springfield ma to nyc 2 and ex-nyc resident. You can also take the commuter train to worcester and ride rt 20 to Springfield where I can either get you to a motel or if you're camping use my yard. Can put you on the road from there.

ed

Ed

Neil_B

I PM'd you some questions and information. Chamounix Mansion Hostel in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park is very nice and only 23 dollars a night. And it's only 20 or so miles from Norristown via the Schuylkill River Trail.

abreichenbach

Rear racks with a longer top rail can help position panniers (the bags that attach on the sides of the rack) farther back and away from your heels. I use $100 tubus racks which are indistructable, and I've also used a $40 Trek rack that I constantly had to fiddle with every few days and then threw it away after my tour. If you only plan on carrying 20 pounds, a cheaper rear rack with longer rails will be fine, unless you have big feet, in which...

you also might want panniers that have adjustable hooks, so you can place it farther to the rear. Ortlieb bags do this but they're expensive as well, $100.

On my first tour I thought I could get away with 40 pounds of gear, and only two bags in the back, but I couldn't do it. I ended up carrying 50 pounds and getting a front rack and bags as well. Generally anything more than 45 pounds of gear and you'll want 4 bags, otherwise riding can be off center.

But I've seen riders like yourself who are used to riding fast and light on a daily basis and then do the same when they tour. It's quite possible to do that. You just have to be fairly confident about your abilities to always get to a hotel and restaurant/store, cause with only 20 pounds of gear, I'm assuming you wont be carrying camping or cooking equipment.

Adventure Cycling maps not only have the route, they have places to stay, restaurants, stores, and bike shops listed.