StanSeven

Follow that up with a break and then Amtrack from New Orleans to DC

staehpj1

I think it could reasonably be done by a fit 22 year old, IF he got the AC maps next day shipped to him, bought gear right away, had someone at home to mail stuff that he forgot of didn't know he needed to him via general delivery, and left this weekend. I agree that the longer he waits the worse his chances are. His proposed departure date puts him on the very edge of possibility given what we know about him and his plans, IMO. I won't say he absolutely will fail if he leaves December 15th, but the deck will be heavily stacked against him.

OTOH: He will have a great adventure even if he fails and if it gets close and he sees he won't make it he can decide whether he wants to miss the inauguration or catch a bus.

Some folks have really surprised me though. There have been a few young folks who seemed way more clueless than this one who pulled off trips that I gave them zero chance of doing. I keep hoping he is one of those.

rhm

In addition to the advice I gave before (which was: get going, asap!), I'll add:

While you're on your way, be prepared to switch to Plan B; weather looks bad? pull into a truck stop and see if there's someone who can give you a ride 100 miles east, and call it a day.

Between now and when you reach DC, devote a lot of time to social networking. Find people who will put you up, as many as possible. Have you looked at warmshowers.org? Obama has lots of supporters, so it shouldn't be too hard.

In particular, you need a place to stay in DC. Have you found that?

I wish I was young enough (by which I mean: unemployed enough, unmarried enough, and crazy enough) to join you. Ride on!

sjauch

Hope you have a place outside of the city to leave your bike. There is no way security will let you with your bike anywear near the crowds of people. And if you lock it up to anything it will be removed and possibly blown up.

Neil_B

The OP could leave the bike with his host and then take the train into town, along with a million other people.

staehpj1

Probably true for a loaded bike. Hopefully he will have a host to leave the gear with.

I doubt that the bike itself is a problem.

neilfein

Ryan, another option is to start in Chicago, Barack's old stomping ground. You can then do Chicago to LA at your leisure. It's not written anywhere that you have to do this tour all in one shot.

rhm

I dunno about that... there's something about the LA to DC for the inauguration title that implies the bike is transportation, not recreation. That's what I like about the idea, anyway!

valygrl

(chicago in january???? seriously? lake effects snow? the windy city????)

I really don't like to be negative. I really like to encourage people to bike tour, I've done a lot of touring and think it's really great, everyone should try it. and I did have encouragement from unexpected sources, and a little naysaying to overcome, when I started.

BUT.

I'm going to weigh in here, was hoping to not do this but, I'll sign up as the naysayer. I think it's a bad idea. Chances of success are low, for reasons already discussed. (Amount of time, amount of daylight, weather, inexperience, not ready to go right away.) It's just going to end up making you feel like you failed AND not being a fun in-the-moment experience, which (for me) is what bike touring is all about.

If you succeed you're going to have something really cool to say you did,when you are done, and you will be able to feel really hard core. And the idea of riding to the inauguration is just brilliant. But it's hard to imagine it being a good time while you are doing it.

OP, if you go I wish you all the success in the world. I hope I'm wrong. But I urge you to look at your plan in the harsh light of reality.

Sorry to be the bad guy... and please, I don't want to argue about this with all the forum members, I'm just stating my opinion with the full knowledge that some people will agree and others won't. I'm not planning on defending this statement.

Peace

Neil_B

Here's a suggestion: travel to DC by motorized transit and ride back to LA.

Or, perhaps a better one: travel to DC and back by motorized transit for the big day and then ride this summer from LA to Chicago, and then Chicago to DC. After all, I assume the OP wants to ride to celebrate Obama's presidency. He's going to be President for at least four years, God willing. The OP has a lot of time to celebrate.

Neil_B

Unless he has low tire pressure.

axolotl

I completely agree with what you wrote, valygrl. In fact, given what we know concerning the trip, I believe it is irresponsible to encourage it in its present form.

Neil_B

Ditto that.

jamesshuang

Well, i just finished a cross-country *fully supported* bike tour this summer. I wasn't in shape when I started, but i sure am now, haha. My tour was 65 days long, Baltimore to San Francisco. There's no way you can take our route - Trail Ridge Road in Colorado is closed from September to May...

Start now. You'll need the time. Breaks were essential for us along the way. I might be able to do our tour again now in about 40-ish days now that I'm in much better shape, but that wouldn't be pleasant. Since you're doing a southerly route, go for flatness as much as possible. It'll be boring, but at least you'll have a chance of making it there on time. Be careful in the Appalachians, you'll probably have issues with snow and ice, especially when descending. Remember, those mountains are shorter, but generally steeper than what we have here on the west coast. With a loaded rig and slippery conditions, that's a recipe for disaster. Good luck!

nun

I'll get involved too. This is sort of what what the OP is attempting to do

https://www.americabybicycle.com/Fast/

I cannot imagine him doing it other than by a direct route as the mileage would be just too much.
Even with a direct route the OP will have to pack lightly and, therefore, stay in hotels along the way.
Then there is the daily mileage. Check out the itinerary on the website, there will be a lot of centuries.
Also there is weather to consider.

Could some one go from LA to DC in winter in 35 days, sure, it's possible, but only for a hard core long distance cyclist comfortable with doing 100 miles a day or more. This is not touring, it's long distance ultra cycling.

Why not take Amtrak half way and ride the rest.

FYI ABB does a fast southern route at the pace required by the OP. Reading the journal of that trip
shows just how hard it can be. I don't want to be a naysayer, but the sad events of this trip offer some lessons for even the experienced rider. Read the "POST RIDE SUMMARY" if you don't want to read everything

https://www.bamacyclist.com/Journal20...8fastsouth.htm

staehpj1

A direct route is probably not possible this time of year and would likely be dangerous.

I see that or leaving very soon as the viable options, but I don't see it as irresponsible or dangerous to try the Southern route as long as he knows he is likely to fail to get there in time under his own power.

I advise caution and will save the nay saying for if he decides to try a direct route rather than stay way south until on the east coast.

nun

The ABBike Fast south ride took 27 days and that was fully supported and had some serious incidents. If he managed that he'd probably be able to make it to DC as its about 800 miles in 9 days. Given his planned starting date and lack of experience I'd suggest getting the train to New Orleans and riding to DC.
That's about 1200 miles in 35 days, a pace that will allow for some rest days and documentary film making

Losligato

This video came to mind while reading the replies in this thread.

YouTube

nun

I know, I'm really saying "No I can't". This forum is generally very encouraging to those wanting
to go out touring and seeking adventure, but sometimes common sense has to enter into the equation. It would be interesting to see the replies the OP would get on the Long Distance Cycling forum

wheel

Yea Houston.
The key is to have fun that way failure is not all that bad.

Why not encourage him it is not like he is going to the north pole? He is an adult and can ask for help.

Sure it will be hell have fun. I will be in Mexico hopefully by then.
Only one way to learn.

Monoborracho

[QUOTE=flyinryan08@gma;7874882][Here's a pertinent question: BESIDES the winter weather, what kind of risks does my body entail from riding like this?
QUOTE]


You mean, like, BESIDES losing some of the smaller, less important toes to frostbite while cycling between a couple of small towns in Kansas versus between Sanderson and Del Rio, TX.

Have you ever been cold for 48 hours straight?

wrk101

+1 Start in Houston or New Orleans.

staehpj1

Ryan, How are the plans going? Decided on your route? Accumulated any of the gear yet?

Nigeyy

I wish you the best of luck.

To echo some other posts: please consider flying/driving/train to DC and then cycling back -I think your timetable is extremely short. I think the probability of getting very, very cold and/or wet is high for consecutive days, and coupled with many, many 100+ mile days, that's not going to be pleasant or possible -as well as potentially making you sick. Please think about this carefully and don't be afraid to revise plans.

b_young

Depends on how many Obama stickers you have on your bike riding in the south. I'm not trying to be a hater but realize a lot of people are not for him. Be careful and have fun.