looking to bike from chicago to la
 

my name is natalia and i'm 19 and i want to do this really badly
basically i am broke and i am looking for a change in my life
i have an interview with disney on the 18th of october and i want to bike there (google maps says it takes 8 days)
i bike everyday, and idk if im just stupid or if this would actually be a good idea.
i am not looking to get arrested (thats pretty much the only thing)
BUT I REALLY NEED HELP SO IF PEOPLE CAN GIVE ME INFO ON WHAT TO DO IT WOULD BE AWESOME

thanks!!!!!!!!!!!! :love:

I'm moving this to Touring (from Introductions).

Cheers and welcome to Bike Forums. Your biggest worry will be accommodation. Being broke would suggest couchsurfing or camping. What are your plans in that regard?

--Juha, a Forum Mod

Welcome to the forums.

For your question, you really need to check the math on that, Google is saying 179 hours (Chicago IL to Disneyland Anaheim via I-40 W), that's 8 days (7.45) if riding 24 hours a day non-stop, you simply can not do this, as you need to rest, eat and sleep etc.

Do you have any experience in long distance cycling? as that's a long ride (over 2000 miles), also you would need a bike capable, thinking comfort (saddle / contact points), and reliability, then lights if riding at dusk/night, on top of shelter as #Juha mentions, + the cost of food along the way.

Not wanting to put you off, but it does seem like a massive undertaking, and not physically possible in the time scale given, have a look on the touring forum, + http://www.crazyguyonabike.com to see what distance you can realistically cover in a day / how long it will take.

If you had the time, does look like an awesome ride though.

Well, I take it back. If she's planning on riding 24/7 (or 8 in this case), no worries about accommodation. Or meals for that matter. :D

Maybe "she" thinks this is a motorcycle forum.

It's 2200 miles or so so that means a month of riding at 65 miles a day. Warmshowers.org will help on accommodations as long as you're willing host too when you're settled. This is the wrong time of year to do this ride! You can head straight south and go across the southern US, but that adds even more miles. Now you're at 2700 miles to stay warm! You have to budget for food in there and even cooking all your own oatmeal and beans and rice, it adds up. All that to say, you're not getting there by bicycle by the 18th of October.

You probably wont get in the movies or TV in LA after doing it ..

After you do that, you'll be ready for the RAAM. Seriously, a bicycle is not the best way to get there at this point. Borrow some money and book a flight.

Google bike directions does that. For example, I just asked for bike directions from Pittsburgh, PA to Philly. It gives 438 miles via the GAP and 38 hrs. Perhaps the 38 hrs. is total pedalling time since 438 miles in 38 hrs. of pedalling time would mean an 11.5 mph average.

Welcome to BF! On that Chicago to LA run -- I'd definitely do it if I had only 8 days and the bike in question was a (large, "full dress" touring) motorcycle. If the bike was a bicycle, I wouldn't try that run if I had to average over 40 miles per day... and for us "ordinary mortals," I think that's a fairly aggressive level. Short answer: very unrealistic--don't even try it with that little time.

One big issue with Google Maps bicycle directions is that it provides actual riding time without consideration to the human need for rest and daily limits to bike ride. I had pointed it out to Google but I don't recall getting any response. So, 180 hours roughly equals 8 days but you need to multiply that with 3 if you plan to ride 8 hours a day. That leaves no time reach LA by 18th Oct.

Instead of flying and seeing the US from 7 miles up, consider the train if you have the time. You'll be able to get some studying done for the Disney interview and it will probably be cheaper than air.

Actually, Amtrak and Flying are the same price. Amtrak - $264 one way. US Airways $262 one way. I priced for next week. I had to check because I've checked Amtrak prices in the past and they were always about the same as flying.

There are various bus companies and depending on sale and advance purchase, they may have a better deal than train.