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-   -   going cross country this summer, anyone in for a piece of the ride? (https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/861766-going-cross-country-summer-anyone-piece-ride.html)

ztaxin 12-09-12 01:13 PM

going cross country this summer, anyone in for a piece of the ride?
 
hey there bikeforum peoples!

i'm a 1st year med student who is taking this summer to bike across this fine country of ours. i did the west coast PCH ride last summer by myself and it was awesome. i met a lot of great people along the way and thought it might be nice to put some feelers out onto the interwebs to gauge interest in a cross-country trip. I don't have a set itinerary or plan, really, but would like to see a couple places. I'm starting in NYC, so i'd like to swing by niagra falls, maybe go up into canada, trickle down through the midwest, hit some southern states, go to the grand canyon and other national parks, then end up in california. has anyone done a meandering trip like this before? suggestions? i bought the adventure cycling maps for the west coast but never used them. two state maps from the tourist center were more than sufficient. i've heard this is not the case going cross country. but this is a digression.

basically, if you want to mash up on some killer transcontinental roads with a very laid-back and nice guy who likes camping and is trying to experience his last major excursion before all my summers are belong to hospital, then hop on board! i'm planning to leave mid june and return mid august. i think it's a doable trip in 2 months.

--zach

Cyclebum 12-09-12 03:25 PM

On the ACA routes you'll likely encounter lots of cycling peers. Probably hook up with some for a few days. Post your ad hear for more exposure.

chefisaac 12-09-12 03:51 PM

If you are going to be in Jersey or close to Philly, we would love to host you.

fietsbob 12-09-12 04:12 PM

I'm out on the western end.. LBS gets Bikes from those headed east or south down the coast.

djb 12-09-12 04:47 PM


Originally Posted by ztaxin (Post 15031998)
if you want to mash up on some killer transcontinental roads

I love that line, especially coming from a med student who will surely see some mashed ER patients in the not that far off future (sorry, when I was a student back in the day, I had med student roommates for years, so dinner table dark and badtasted humour abounded, along with off colour discussions of stuff like colostomy bags that didnt always go well with the bowls of chili in front of us...)

Im sure you will find some riding companions, use CGOAB and other sites to put out feelers.
have a great time planning and doing this trip.

Jude 12-10-12 09:03 AM

I'm hoping to leave cross-country in July or August, otherwise I'd try to ride part of it with you...

robow 12-10-12 12:59 PM


Originally Posted by Cyclebum (Post 15032257)
On the ACA routes you'll likely encounter lots of cycling peers.

I have heard "yes" and "no" to this. Maybe those that have done the TA and other ACA routes could comment. I do know that the one section of the midwestern TA we rode one summer, we didn't see anyone but one other couple going the other way.

indyfabz 12-10-12 01:00 PM

60 miles x 60 days=3,600 miles. How many miles are you planning on averaging/day? Rest days? Time of year, especially considering you want to mash the southwest an "go up into" Canada? (BTW...The nicer Niagara Falls is in Canada.)

indyfabz 12-10-12 01:23 PM


Originally Posted by robow (Post 15035070)
I have heard "yes" and "no" to this. Maybe those that have done the TA and other ACA routes could comment. I do know that the one section of the midwestern TA we rode one summer, we didn't see anyone but one other couple going the other way.

I think it depends on timing and route.

We rode a small part of the TA last year, from Missoula to just east of Big Hole Pass. A few days later we spent the night in Twin Bidges, which is also on the TA. We started on June 30th, which is when you would expect to see people heading west who had left VA in early May. The first day we ecountered two westbound riders. Five on the second day. Three on the third day. In Twin Bridges, we encountered two more westbound riders and a guy who was heading home to MN after riding out west. The bike camp there had a gues log that indicated numerous cyclsist had been there before us that year.

Back in '99 I did the entire Northern Tier. We did not meet many people at all. In '00 I did the NT east to Glacier. Aside from ACA's organized NT tour, I encountered only two other people. However, it was somewhat early in the year. Both times I left in late May and was in Glacier on June 15thm which is about the earliest you should expect Logan Pass to be open. The winter of '98-'99 was a very snowy one. The North Cascades Highway had only recently opened and we got snowed on crossing it. That possibly explained the lack of riders. During the '00 trip, I doubled back and got on the Great Parks North to Missoula to pick up the Trans Am. Saw no one. Between Missoula and Breckenridge, CO I rode off and on with or saw at least seven people heading east. Met about the same number heading west. After Hoosier Pass, I got on the Great Parks South route to Cortez, CO. Saw no other cyclists.

Lamabb 12-12-12 06:25 PM

If you pass by Carmel, NY I would love to host you. If you head north from NYC you'll run right past me, probably at the end of your first day, about 50-60 miles. Shoot me a message if you're interested.

staehpj1 12-13-12 06:10 AM


Originally Posted by robow (Post 15035070)
I have heard "yes" and "no" to this. Maybe those that have done the TA and other ACA routes could comment. I do know that the one section of the midwestern TA we rode one summer, we didn't see anyone but one other couple going the other way.

It varies some with the route. On the Trans America we generally met someone at least every several days. We had the opportunity to camp and ride as a group with others and did so for a while. We made some good friends along the way. On the Sierra Cascades from San Diego to Reno I think we met one other tourist. On the Pacific Coast I met scores of other cyclists and camped with a group almost every night. On the Southern Tier I met a few other riders and camped with someone else a few times.

Off of AC routes I rarely met anyone else touring with the exception of near the ST where I went pretty far off route a good bit and met others who were doing likewise.


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