It is attitudes like this that are the reason the United States and the rest of the world for that matter are in the trouble that they are in. No personal accountability and no one to hold then accountable.

Ryan was a real chance of getting the attention of the Obama administration, if he has not already. If that is the case he might even get a job out of all of this. It would be real sad if that was all based on bending the truth with claims of riding from Obama's old Alma Mater , when some other more deserving young man or woman is over looked for the position because of Ryan's notoriety.

What's wrong with honesty?

As I said before I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for now. I would like to think he is just to darn busy and having too much fun to update the maps and the opening paragraph of his website.

It seemed to be 'lefties' misusing the term "hate" to describe anyone who criticized Ryan's actions or words. In retrospect it's amusing, since none of those fine folk did a thing to help the young man aside from post here.

I'm sorry to learn from your post that the word "hate" is, allegedly, commonly misused online.

[QUOTE=spinnaker;8076518]It is attitudes like this that are the reason the United States and the rest of the world for that matter are in the trouble that they are in. No personal accountability and no one to hold then accountable.
QUOTE]

Geez, Spinnaker, that's a little strong. You seem so anxious to make your point that you completely mischaracterize my note along the way. Try reading the whole thing this time. Especially the part about the fact that he's just some kid riding a bike, and nothing more (to me). I have nothing to hold him accountable for since in my mind he's doing nothing more than riding his bike. Now he may CLAIM to be doing more, and that's got you energized. But as a teacher around young people all the time, I often hear such idealism and goals. I nod agreeably, wish them well, and go on with life. My advice is to focus on him as a kid on a bike who we hope makes it. Anything more than that is just going to leave you unhappy, as your leadin suggests. Neither Ryan nor I will be the end of American life as you know it. Ryan won't be because he has no leverage. I won't be because until he does, I won't bother. Now if you want to talk about accountability for those with some real responsibility (as opposed to just some kid riding his bike), then I'm sure we're in agreement. But I preferr to save my venom for something more important than Ryan (or some old guy from Kansas :D ).

[QUOTE=akansaskid;8077869]What does the fact that he is just some young guy have anything to do with telling the truth?

Since when is it spiting venom to point that someone is misrepresenting himself?

He is not "just some kid". He is a college graduate. What 21 , 22? It is very obvious he likes to promote himself. Nothing wrong with that as long as be promotes himself correctly. It is actually very good at promoting himself. I think he might actually have a very bright future ahead of him.

Help calculating distances
 

Hey forum posters,
Interested in helping out in this expedition???
Myself and Josh are planning to get to New Orleans by way of Baton Rouge by next Wednesday. You most likely have more time online than I have had access to lately (it seems like every library in texas closes by 5pm!)

Heres how you can participate in a very useful way:

• Calculating estimates of my overall distance from here on out. (Spring TX to Washington DC, my goal is to make it by the 18th)
  I am currently in Spring, TX and headed 95 miles tomorrow to Beaumont.
  I am deciphering whether or not to follow the Adventure Cycling Assoc. maps, or just wing-it on the I-10 interstate for some time.
• my original average goal was 85 miles per day. I know that I have varied greatly in achieving this, so if anyone out there has the chance to calculate what average i must make i would appreciate it.
• Im also open to your suggestions on routes along the southern tier that could be shortcuts

Thanks so much for your interest and enthusiasm. You're really a dynamic bunch.
Post away!

interstates not an option in the eastern states
 

You need to check about traveling on I-10 as you go east to avoid confrontation with the law. Bicycles are not allowed on interstate highways in the eastern states. It is allowed in the west because there is often no other option. I would only "wing it" if you have good local advice on routes and you are planning to shorten the route. If you shorten the route by cutting across GA further north than the Southern tier route stay south of the fall line (Columbus, Macon, Augusta). You will stay in the relatively flat coastal plain and avoid the hilly piedmont. This would hold true for SC and NC as well.

You are doing amazingly well on your schedule and tour. May the wind be at your back!

I did a quick estimate based on Garmin's Mapsource route recommended for bicycle. I took you through Beaumont, Baton Rouge, Mobile, Tallahassee then up along the coast (figuring it will be warmer and flatter, remember the Gulf Stream flows north keeping much of the East coast warm). I am getting 2078 miles. 25 days till dead line that is about 83 miles a day every day. Arriving on the 18th that is 23 days or 90 miles a day.


You can save about 400 miles by heading north around Atlanta but that would probably mean lots of hills in North Carolina and Virginia not to mention the cold.

Even a little more direct, you could probably do better mileage wise but as you go more direct you also run into colder weather and bigger hills. For example the most direct route from Beaumont is 1,320 miles but that takes you through Tennessee and Virginia, two very hilly / mountainous states.


I have also found it best to get local knowledge for each section. Hopefully you have or can acquire good maps.

P.S. Garmin tends to over estimate. It wants to be your nanny and will take you around the block three times if it means saving you from riding on a slightly busy road so the overall estimates might be slightly lower.

Ryan,

This might not be a whole lot of help, but a shortest path from Spring to DC is 1432 miles (60 miles/day), whereas going all the way to the coast before turning north gives you 1588 (66 miles/day). These both assume 24 days of riding (12/26 to 1/18), on interstates.

As others have said, you definitely can't be on interstates in the east, so I'd assume at least a 20-30% premium on top of the above. Given, a little slack for problems, I'd think 85 miles/day might be the right range, certainly no less than that.

I live 13 miles from the national mall on the NW side (Takoma Park, MD), and will be biking down for the inaugeration myself, assuming the weather is not terrible. PM if you guys need a place to crash for a day or two.

pete

Also please be warned that it looks like a cold front is moving into the east coast over the next 10-15 days. You are going to see lows in the twenties to forties as far South as Waycross, GA. But highs will still be 50-70F that far south.

And assuming bikes will be allowed anywhere near the site. DC Metro has already banned bikes from their trains the 17th to the 22nd.

Certainly no bikes on the metro, 4million people coming. Rock creek should still be open, though.

It would be my guess that is a safety / space issue rather than a security issue.

Yes, it should, to every pedestrian trying to get into the downtown. :(

I can't imagine security is going to allow items such as baby carriages, bicycles, backpacks, etc, anywhere near the event.

Edit: They've already banned bikes:
http://www.wpix.com/landing/?blockID=167697&feedID=1404

True, although the decision works with security. Bikes are officially banned from the parade route.

http://www.wpix.com/landing/?blockID=167697&feedID=1404

http://www.wpix.com/landing/?blockID=167697&feedID=1404

As far as I have heard any bike locked to anything but a bike parking post will be cut off. They might even be cutting off bikes locked to legit spots. Check with WABA as the day approaches.

WABA appears to have a bike-parking plan in place:

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o...vent_KEY=46916

Friday 12/26/08
Day 24, On The Road to DC

7:15 PM

I just spoked with Ryan in Beaumont, Texas.
They covered some miles today on flat roads.
They had problems with the cross winds.
He and Josh were eating in a restaurant where they had just returned the food because it was not any good.

They will spend the night in tents by the river.

I'm sorry, but all of this "go ryan, I really underestimated this kid" crap just doesn't sit well with me. The guy is a racist and that is one thing I truly detest.

Not only is he a racist, he is a hypocrite. I promise if someone said his "blackness was showing through" he would immediately write that person off and never give them a second chance.

Plus, this racist is just a slimy opportunist and all you dolts who are giving him anything are just suckers.

...aaaand round and round we go...

"The wheels of the bike go round and round...."

Thanks Ralph, I spent 3.5 hours taking with Ryan. Never felt or heard anything racist.
I have been concentrating on the bicycle part of his life.
Where do you get this racism information.

Can you copy and paste it for me?
Thanks
Fred

It's been posted several times. At first I agreed with Ralph, but on reflection I attribute the remark he quoted to a combination of:
- the tendency of young people to say stupid things;
- the tendency of radicals to say stupid things;
- the availability of the Internet to make stupid remarks travel worldwide at lightening speed.

Which I guess explains my current indifference. Ryan's doing a very cool thing. Whether he's doing it for purely self promotion, or as a personal crusade, or for personal celebration, is still much open to debate. And is purely self promotion such a terrible thing today, who judges that? If Ryan ends up famous on account, will his original motives even matter?

I think Ryan's quest for recognition has sometimes over-ridden his judgement. His trip will be a success if it causes Ryan to re-evaluate that and grow a little greater perspective. But truth be told, only Ryan will ever really know. I wish him luck, but have much greater admiration for the majority of posters on this forum, who churn out the charity miles, who convince others that bicyclists are cool caring people, who promote cycling above self.

And he has most likely been brain washed in the last four years by liberal professors.

Contrary to what others have said, I believe this trip will change him rather than him trying to change people. He learn that most people are pretty darn nice and that racist morons come in all shades. And that most times, criticizing someone on decisions they make has nothing to do with the color of their skin.

I was trying to avoid using the "L" word. But I agree with you.