Beginner Planning on CA to NC Trip
 

At the link is an image of the desired route I plan to ride 01/01/2012. I made it like that so I could hit a large amount of states in nearly a straight shot.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Danny

http://i730.photobucket.com/albums/w...17statesXC.jpg

Opinion on these two bikes?

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/bik/2263025068.HTML

http://chambana.craigslist.org/bik/2233055744.html

Are you familiar with the Adventure Cycling Association (adventurecycling.org)? They have already mapped routes.

If you've never toured on a bike before, then creating your route might not work all that well as you may make decisions based on other factors (like "greatest number of states") besides bicycling suitability.

Ray

Thanks forthe reply. I have frequented that site and was thinking about starting on the western express then hop on the transamericamin pueblo but thought that 3500mi was getting long. I may just do that though because I hear those maps even have food and rest stops mapped as well.

I gotta get a bike and star practicing. Going 75 one day and 100 another in June which will be my longest trips.

The XC ride will be for charity or maybe a kickstart to my own mentor non profit.

The Western Express route starts in San Francisco. Where are you planning on starting?

Are you looking for a "short" route or a "safe" route. They usually aren't the same. Direct generally means interstates or other high traffic roads.

You will be crossing the desert and shouldn't simply mark off 75 miles for a day's ride without determining where your water and other services will be available.

For example, Hwy 50 across Nevada is on the Western Express route. This earlier thread talked about getting water on "the loneliest highway in America.".

Ray

Don't forget that you can check your route on Mapquest (or something similar) and get the satellite maps to see exactly what type of conditions you'll be riding in.

Without knowing a lot more about you and your experience level, be impossible to give you much specific advice.

With preparation and common sense, you can ride cross country on any route you want. The ACA maps do make planning a tour much simpler, are educational, and might save you as much as they cost by pointing out low cost/free places to overnight.

The most important thing about the bicycle you choose, after mechanical reliability, is how well it fits you. Very important when riding long distances for comfort and endurance. Go to a local bike shop and let them advise you about fit. Nail down your bike size in cm/inches.

The Fx 7.2 is an ok bike for a tour, but $400 for a used one is too much. Do some research on new prices.

Do some camping with cycling appropriate camping gear to figure out what you'll need to take for this tour. Most start out with too much, so with a bit of practice, you can avoid this mistake.

Read all you can here and at www.crazyguyonabike.com, then come back with more specific questions. But, don't get bogged down in too much minutiae.

Maybe it's just me, but I'd get a touring bike for a tour as long as the one you have planned. I'd definitely not go with straight bars, even if you don't get a touring specific bike.

Do you know what size bike you are? If you are looking at used in the Chicago area, when I was glancing around yesterday I came across http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/bik/2263270514.html . I'm not sure what the cassette is on it, but other than that it looks like it may be a throw a rack on and ride bike. Theres a couple of nice upgrades like the marathon tires (if they are in good condition) and the Nitto Noodle bars. It's double the price of the FX though, and you didn't mention your price range on bikes.

I also know where (as of a week ago) there was a NEW 59cm 2008 Jamis Aurora in Chicago for $641, which is also a good deal, but again not sure on your size. A little bit different geometry on both the Volpe and the Aurora than a "real" touring bike (arguably), but closer than the FX. I personally prefer the geometry to that of the other touring bikes I tried as the short top tubes make life easy on my back, but some people like the stretched out feel.

I'd say for a trip like you are planning, first thing is to make sure you are good and comfy on the bike. An annoying wrist/back/whatever feeling riding around the block will only get worse going across the country. Then make sure the bike has the strength and storage space for everything you want to bring with.

FWIW, there are Mountains to climb ,the Cascades and the Sierra Nevada, all along the Pacific Coast

Except the Columbia River Gorge, which over the millennium
continued to cut thru the mountains as they arose .