BicycleCrazy

We are still working out the details but my son and I WILL be completing our ride across America next summer

I made an agreement with my son not to shave my beard until we complete the ride so I better do it next summer

We've put together a site to chronicle our journey and how things are going (growing) during our training.

This is going to be a blast!!!!

Gus Riley

Cool theme! When are you starting and what route? I may run into you during my crossing...you'll be the mountainman or is it Viking on a bike out there right?

BicycleCrazy

We will be starting in late May or early June from the west coast. Been looking at routes for the ride and am not sure of the exact route at this time.
Some have suggested a "southern" route but others have brought up the issue of the heat across the southwest at that time of year.

So I'm not really sure yet! Suggestions for a couple of rookies??? Again my son is 13.

Thanks!

Gus Riley

Direction is a subject of many differences in opinion...as is prevailing winds are. I can only say why I'm heading out on the ACA TransAm trail from east to west. Starting in Yorktown, VA and finishing the cross country portion at Florence, OR.
East to west because...

I'm starting early May. To start in the west at this time will see some passes (that I want to see) not open yet. Then maybe a risk for a bit colder temps through the mountains.

Then after crossing the Mississippi River in middle to late July the days begin to be humid. On the other side of the Appalachians (east side) this humidity can be pretty thick and uncomfortable (I know this from living and riding in the Yorktown area for many years). It is not for me.

Riding westward also gives you the sun on your back and not in your face in the morning hours.

East to west is not without challenges...

Starting over the Rockies is a lot of climbing for several days...where as a west bounder would enjoy all that in downhill!

Then there is the subject of headwinds through Missouri, Kansas, and the flats of Colorado....There is no doubt very real possibilities for theses headwinds...then again maybe not.

Many riders ride both directions, I think the overall numbers might favor East to west, but I suspect it to be very close count.

I won't ride the southern teir in the summer for reasons you stated...too hot for me. The Northern teir is on my bucket list. The TransAm because I see it as "The Big Ride".

BicycleCrazy

Well, after a lot of research I have finally decided (I think) to go the TransAmerica Trail route and we are going to do it on our own as opposed to a supported ride.

Ordering maps...now on to the next task of selecting our bikes. I've been looking at these 2 bikes. Any input?

fietsbob

I'm out here on the western end of that trip,
the LBS doesn't have many touring bikes in stock because people bring theirs with.
but box up a lot that ride into town and want it sent home or v/versa, send ahead
then ride away..

Pretty standard theme in the US .. 700c wheel, mountain bike drive train, is a touring bike.
new gear given the trend for a zillion speeds a 44:11 is as high as a 52:13, ..
but on the other end a 22 t low gear cog and the 36t low gear on the new MTB parts
would help hauling your nylon house over mountains.
the REI bike uses MTB shifters, the 520 seems to use road, brake levers,
& bar end shifters .
if you use bar end shifters a drop bar works with an MTB drivetrain, too.

test ride them both... , , take a longer ride than around the block..

but a broad sampling of riders passing thru town.. if you can ride it for a few months
without too much discomfort, and bring your stuff, it's a touring (adverb) bike..

see .. https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/?o=lt

FWIW, I have trekking bars on my bike , they are higher than the saddle
and a lot closer than the catalog picture of that one .

I'd have REI supply an Un Cut steerer tube on the fork so you can decide
the position You want , not the assembly factory.

Gus Riley

Are you still starting in late May and heading West to East?

BicycleCrazy

Gus,
Yes we are leaving in late May but I think we may go East to West as I have family in Washington State that we can celebrate the completion of our ride with.

Gus Riley

We're leaving Yorktown on or about the 4th of May. we're also taking a detour to Seattle, and Vashon Island...hopefully making Vashon on the 20th of July for their Strawberry Festival. Vashon is my home town, I haven't been back there in nearly 40 years...our timing makes it almost a crime not to go there! You'll be about a month behind us. What part of Washington are you headed to?

BicycleCrazy

Headed to Ferndale...North of Seattle

JoeyBike

The Northern Tier is a great route for summer. Trans Am is fine too. Southern route is brutal.

I've done east to west. My main gripe was crossing Kansas/Eastern Colorado uphill and against the wind. I was suffering to make 80 miles a day, others going west to east were easily covering 180 miles! But I find the West more inspiring and a better goal for my personality. I think if I went west to east I would drop down out of the Rockies, take one look at the land beyond the front range, and decide to spend my summer in the mountains.

For me, west to east - easier physically. East to west - easier mentally. Since I am mentally lazy, and physically the Eveready Bunny, it make sense for me to go east to west. Sounds like you have other good reasons too. It's a challenge either way. Just don't forget to have fun every day, not just the last day.

Cyclebum

You two are destined for a totally memorable experience. Your son is so fortunate to have a dad to do this with, and you for having a son willing to do it. Memories for a life time.

Chosing rides, Fit is First. Correct effective top tube length and multiple hand positions are paramount for comfort. Consider adding aerobars for aerodynamics in headwinds and for the relaxed riding position. I prefer Profile Design Airstrykes.

wahoonc

My longest ride day was in KS going from west to east with a 35mph+ tailwind, shortest day was in KS pedaling into a 40 mph headwind...

There are prevailing wind charts that you can figure the odds from, but as I always have believed...weather will be provided...deal with it.

Aaron

antokelly

take a look at spa cycles in the uk at there TI touring bike .
best of luck with the tour that beard will drive you crazy only joking have a great time .but check out that bike great price for a TI bike or just go for frame/fork and build them up your self.

Gus Riley

Heck, you're way north of Seattle, north of Bellingham too! Yeah, the Northern Teir is a great route to approach that area.

DGozinya

Aerobars on a tourer with panniers loaded up? Are you trying to kill him?!?! The increased efficiency of that setup is akin to putting a mail slot in a barn door and saying that it has less wind resistance.

bhchdh 

Either of these bikes will be fine for what you are planning. Both have a long history as loaded tourers.

pdlamb

The Trek 520 has been the one I've wanted for years, but could never find one when I was buying.

I rode the TA east to west on a Novara Randonee, and it worked well. The Safari is a bit more like the Randonee of two years ago gear-wise than the current Randonee, but it has those goofy bars and fat tires. (That said, I don't particularly like the "anatomic" bars on the Randonee, and you can put narrower tires on the Safari.) The 42s might be cushier that something in the 32-35 range, but I'd expect they'll have a bit more drag and extra weight to haul up 250,000 feet over three months. (Extra weight: bad!)

Can you hustle over to REI and get the Safari on their 30% off sale?

All that aside, the best thing would be to test ride both and see which one you like best.

BigBlueToe

I hope to follow your progress. This sounds fun! I used to live in Bellingham and visit friends in Ferndale. The Northern Tier makes the most sense for ending in Ferndale. Maybe you could do the Transam for the first part and veer up to the Northern Tier in the midwest. The Northern Tier takes you over the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park, which is amazing! (I rode west to east and stopped at Glacier. Instead of riding the Going-to-the-Sun, I took the shuttle to the top. In hindsight I really regret not riding it, and it's on my bucket list for someday.) Northern Idaho and northeast Washington are also nice. There are some good climbs approaching the Cascades, and the North Cascades Highway is the toughest ride I've ever done (though I did it west to east), but spectacular.

When you get to Sedro-Woolley you can head north on Highway 9, which will take you up to Bellingham. From B'ham there are lots of roads to Ferndale.

As far as the bikes go, one choice is straight handlebars versus drop. I prefer drops. I like the hand positions, and the number of options. However, last summer I did the Great Divide route on a mountain bike with straight bars and Ergon grips (with built-in barends). It was very comfortable.

In my mind, a huge factor is the gearing. I wouldn't want to tour on a 700cm bike with a granny gear bigger than 24 teeth. A mountain-style (or trekking) crankset with a 22-tooth granny would be good too - maybe better. Lots of so-called touring bikes come with a 26 or 28 tooth granny - even a 30 tooth (crazy!) If you have to spend a bunch of money to change out the gearing, you might be better buying something with low gearing to start.

A last consideration is whether to get a bike with 700cm or 26-inch wheels. I don't think either is a deal-breaker if you find a bike you like (or already have something suitable) I've read that 26-inch wheels are more common in other countries, so if you're touring somewhere else - especially 3rd-world countries - it might be advantageous to have 26-inch wheels. Also, 26-inch wheels are inherently stronger, if you're worried about breaking spokes. I don't worry much about it. After a disasterous tour when I didn't know much, I found out more about wheels and built myself some strong 700cm ones. I haven't broken a spoke since.

Have you considered a Surly LHT? I know some people get tired of hearing about them, because so many people talk about them, but I love mine! It's a well-thought-out tourer, and you don't have to do much tweaking. The complete model is pretty ideal. Additionally, they offer them in both 700cm and 26-inch models. Just a thought.

indyfabz

Or you can take AC's Great Parks route from Missoula up the Northern Tier at Whitefish. It's a 2-3 day ride. That would allow you to do the part of the TransAm that in CO, WY (including Yellowstone) and virtually all of MT.

From Whitefish, you can do an out and back to ride up and back down the west side of Going to the Sun Road in Glacier, NP. One day (about 46 miles) from Whitefish to the park, one day for riding GTS (leave your gear in camp) and then another day back to Whitefish. I have climbed the west side 3 times and descended the east side once. The west side is the more stunning side, IMO. The final 26 photos are from our '09 trip that included a ride up and back down the west side:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/davez20...7620763740044/

We had hoped to cross east to west but the road was not fully opened when we got to St. Mary so we had to go around the park in order to have an opportunity to ride the west side.

+1 on a 24 tooth small chain ring at the largest. My first touring bike had a 22x34 low gear (700c wheels). I didn't regret it.

Blues Frog

The LHT wasn't made in my frame size so I went with the Trek 520. I was impressed when my bike club buddies first saw my 520 (Mr. Brooks). They were commenting on the various parts on the frame. Talking about the BB bearings and other parts. I felt like if they respected the parts Trek chose it was a good choice. Lots of guys are seen on the Novarra bikes too. I think you MUST have the mountain bike gearing to handle the climbs while loaded. But I like the hand postions of the bars best on the Trek. I had to get used to the bar end shifters but they are ok. Good luck on your bike choices and routes. Will be listening for updates as you progress.

Doug64

The 2012 Randonee (REI) is pretty well equipped for touring. Good low range, and decent components. I think more thought went into making this a true touring bike than some of the older models. Might be worth checking out. Out of curiosity, I looked at one earlier this week while Christmas shopping. It would be a toss up between this bike and my LHT.

https://www.rei.com/product/816068/no...onee-bike-2012

FWIW- Things I should have done on a tour I took with my young son--About 30 years ago.

If possible, do a couple of overnight shakedown trips with him prior to the trip. If he has not done an actual tour, this will let him know what he is getting into.
Do them in good weather- a few good short trips seems to immunize young people( and wives) to adverse conditions encountered in the future
Don't get hung up on daily mileage. Monitor moods and adjust accordingly.
Plan stops that will be interesting and fun.
As much as is reasonable, make him a partner in decision making.

I hoping to be able to try these out with my grandchildren!

Good luck, Be safe, and have fun

You might find Joe Kurmaski's book: Mud,Sweat and Gears useful, or at least entertaining. My wife has a copy in her Christmas stocking this year.

https://www.amazon.com/Mud-Sweat-Gear.../dp/1891369857

JeanSeb

Your trip sounds great, I'll be following your planning, as I'll be heading out for my first tour this spring. I'm not growing a beard but I am selling most of my stuff, so there's no chickening out.

I hope you have a great time !

edit: you planted a seed in my mind: should I get my mutton chops back for my tour or not ?

BicycleCrazy

I checked it out and unfortunately the discount does not apply to bikes..thanks for the heads up though!