I personally feel the standard for locking threads needs to be a little higher than some people don't like what is being posted. For example, I was extremely offended recently by someone's rant on the evils of charities. I didn't whine to the mods, I just told him I disagreed. It is called a discussion group for a reason. If everyone is saying the same thing then we would call it a propaganda group.
The power to quell free speech needs to be used with a great deal of discretion.

Just stop hatin'! :)

I spoke to Ryan. He's near Demming, NM, fixing his second flat of the day. He has tent, sleeping bag, and some other gear. Yesterday he made 80 miles. He says he's sore and his knees are bothering him a little, but he's spinning and getting used to carrying the extra weight. And taking Advil. :)

I didn't keep him on the phone, since the traffic sounds horrible near him, and I didn't want him to be on the shoulder any more than he had to be.

+1

Oh, and he hasn't been able to get to a library, which is why his site isn't updated. Incidentally, I think he knows who I am, and he gave me permission to keep you guys informed. I'll call every couple of days or so, I think.

Thanks for the update!

It's terrific that he is safe and making progress. Sounds like he is having a great adventure, no matter how it ends up.

Do you know whether he is camping or staying in motels?

Here's where he's been so far. Lack of detail is due to lack data. Did I miss any major locations?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3293/...b6a65d89ba.jpg

Seems he's got a looong way to go in the time he has left, and I'm feeling pessimistic about his getting to DC on time. Ryan, if you're reading this, good luck, and please prove me wrong!

(Flickr image here)

I am thinking of riding with him some in Texas.
Thanks for calling him.
Please keep posting his progress.

I didn't ask. He was trying to fix a flat and I had somewhere to go. I'll try again in a day or so. I'm assuming he's camping, since he's broke and has the gear.

Thanks for the update; it would be cool if someone could coordinate BF support for him.

I nominate txvintage, since he's closer and he did such a good job rounding up support for me when I had a damaged bike on tour in Confluence, PA. I didn't need any help, but I found out later he'd not only rallied the troops, but was going to arrange for a rear wheel to be shipped to me.

I'm glad to hear he's OK! Is he still following the AC route? If so - pass on to him to take 90 to Alpine from Van Horn rather than going through Ft. Davis. We are now in Ft. Davis and it took us TWO WHOLE DAYS to make the 52 miles from Kent to here - the hills and wind are wicked! People told us it would be flatter if we had taken 90 - but I guess we like the punishment or something...

If my calculations are correct is is 2200 miles from DC. He still has 38 days. That is around 60 miles a day assuming he rides every single day and has no problems. difficult but still doable.

By the way, I can confirm that taking 90 from Van Horn to Alpine is reasonably flat. That is also the choice I made in 2001 with the following journal page for that day: http://www.mvermeulen.com/oneyear/Jo...21.htm#March23 It took me 1 day to ride from Van Horn to Alpine. It is fairly open land, so would be susceptible to wind but otherwise ok.

If Ryan is near Deming, then he likely took the same cutoff I took in 2001 and had suggested before in this thread (btw: took me 5 days from Phoenix to Deming). I'll have to see in my journal where I next deviated from ST route. I think it is around LA where I ended up taking a somewhat more direct path along the Gulf Coast rather than ST a little further north. Most likely slightly larger roads but fairly flat and direct and potential choice that could save a little distance. However, probably not the best choice if one ends up trying to do too much riding after dark. Also I don't know if changes were made to roads there after Katrina.

Considering I do internet systems administration for a living, coding to use another's bandwidth is a lower form of lame. Regardless of your percieved benefit, it's my job as a site owner to pay the bills - subsequently *I'd* prefer to decide what I'm paying for, not you.

-Roger

I have people use my images all the time. When I find them (via web stats), I change the image to something obscene and offensive, rename the original image, and change the img src on whatever page(s) used it. Takes time, yes, but it's so funny to see the new image up on someone's site. I've had a couple of people steal my content before, too. One guy stole an entire page, changed my name to his, and even had my name in his META tag. He lost his hosting AND his ISP. I really AM an evil *******....

The most recent image theft one has apparently been shut down.
http://homewoodfloor.com/index.php

Is that 2200 as the hawk flies, or on the ACA routes? He was riding to St. Augustine, and then north.

I'll try. I'm not sure it's wise for someone who has never ridden the route to start passing detailed instructions to Ryan, however, so please, nothing more detailed than that. :)

I need to find a good time to call. He's three time zones away, so I should figure to call him after HIS riding day is done.

Spin, is that the "New" math I've heard about? I thought he started with 3900 miles according to his website and he's sure not done 1700 yet. LA to Deming, NM is supposedly about 710 miles.
Not hatin' just statin'

Just using Google Maps (not following the ACA maps), it's:

2500 miles from Deming to Washington if he goes through St. Augustine.
2428 miles if he goes through Jacksonville, Fl., instead
2362 if he "cuts the corner" and jogs north through southern Georgia to Savannah instead of heading straight for the coast in Florida.


All of these routes assume he wants to basically stay as far south as possible until he hits the Atlantic Coast and then head north. A direct route from Deming to Washington Dc would be around 2,200 miles but it jogs pretty far north (just go to Google maps and get route directions, choose "avoid highways" as an option.)

Yea very remote out on this section. I am going to do this portion on my x-mas tour. I am glad he is still alive it was frightfully cold the last week.

That was a simple solution Historian. Funny how BFs are running up the 225th post with nothing better to d0/tour :(
lets see five days / 225 posts = 45 posts a day . Dang we need to catch up to FlyinRyan. POST POST
Nothing can go wrong when you are touring; because you are living life.

Stay warm!

Dec 13: Video
http://www.bikingforobama.com/

I agree it was a simple solution. I wish I'd thought of it sooner.

Edit: And many of those 225 posts, too many in fact, have been attempts to explain to some folks the meaning of the word "h*t*."

Thanks, 10 Wheels.

Let's hope his road bike holds up. That's a low-spoke count wheel on the rear.

Guessing his knees would go out before the wheels.
He might weight about 140 Lbs?