Thanks Velonomad for your words. You and and few other cyclists (in other threads) have made similar observations. These comments help me feel empowered, and it's good to know that others have gone through the same thing.

Just a few hours ago, I awakened with this cold feeling in the pit of my stomach, waming me that I may be doing the wrong thing, and that the gains may not be worth the risks. But after breakfast and coffee and becoming fully awake, and reading your post, my real, more important feelings took hold.

As you know, the definition of adventure does not include "no risk" in one's regular life and life on the cycling trail.

Thanks again,
David in PA (Wolfy)

Grolby,
bug me later. I live in Maine and have some tips. One thing for sure, be real careful how you route in and out of Camden. There is no good route North, you have to make a loop around Rte 1 and the route (50?) that looks like a good substitute. I rode it last summer and it was more dangerous than Rte 1 if you can believe it.

I am leaving in a few weeks (there will be 2 of us..women) and biking back home to Montreal, QC. Leaving from Albuquerque, NM heading due east and picking up the Blue Ridge Parkway north. Will cycle through the western section of the Andirondaks and cross the border just east of Malone, NY. We know that area well as we have toured there often from Montreal.


Will be using road racing bikes and the BoB trailer. Fast touring. Does anyone know off hand what the grades are in the Blue Ridge Parkway? I am hoping they are long but not steep.

anne

Anne,

Two years ago, I rode the Transamerica across Virginia, including the Blue Ridge Parkway and nearby mountains. I must say the mountains are exactly opposite of what you hoped: The grades are steep, but not always long. Some people have noted that is the most difficult part of the Transam. I'm not qualified to agree or disagree, as I haven't ridden the Rockies; however, the Virginia mountains were difficult and a major challenge for me. BTW, VA is quite beautiful, partly because they do not cut the roads through the hillside. Instead, they go OVER the mountains and hills, making for quite a roller coaster ride. Difficult yes, but sometimes a blast.

David

This summer I hope to do the Oregon Coast again (last time was a decade ago). The twist this time-- taking my 8 year-old son with me on the back of our Bike Friday Q tandem. I may need a BoB to do it, and some more training with him to make sure he's okay with the mileage needed between campground (around 45 miles a day). Should be a fun adventure if we get to go.

In two years, we might consider a second tandem for my wife and daughter.

San Francisco to Yorktown, mid-May through mid-July.

Me and some buddies are planning to do 5-6 days at the end of April in southeastern New Mexico around Ruidoso/Alamogordo/Carlsbad/Roswell. Does anyone know this area and have any recommendations? I've never been down there before.

I'm going with a friend from paris to rome over one month this summer.

Thanks to invaluable information supplied by people on this forum, I am heading for Corsica at the beginning of June. I turn fifty then and my wife bought me the ticket. I will be riding with an old friend from the UK who also becomes very old at the same time. After riding to work throughout the Finnish winter, I am looking forward to some sun on my back.

Ok, maybe a country like Turkey or Greece in late November. It's very tentative, but if not those two countries, I'm thinking maybe Cambodia.

Koffee

The question on our minds is. Did she buy you a roundtrip or oneway ticket to Corsica?

This summer, I am planning a short trip from Ottawa to Mont-Laurier to Montreal to Quebec City and back to Ottawa... can't wait!

My partner and I are going to do a bit of the Oregon coast. We'll be starting in Tillamook (a bus from Portland to Tillamook can carry a bike without taking it apart for $10.00, or $15.00 round trip)

Hopefully we'll finish in the heart of the redwoods, down by Klamath, but it may only get as far as Crescent City. We're taking about a week and a half for the whole trip.

Leaving May 3rd
London to Istanbul and back
~4 months

I'm so excited!

Like David in Pa, I'm going to quit my job and ride the TransAm in mid-May. It is something I have wanted to do along with thruhiking the Appalachian Trail. I'm going to turn 31 and this seemed like the perfect time. Since I'm not married or have a mortgage, the timing seemed perfect.

I'm trying to do 3-day mini-tours every other week on my nights off (Wed, Thurs, Fri)... within 5-7 hours from Cherokee, NC...

This week?
*get off work in 5 hours
*get ready
*drive to Stone Mountain State Park (North of Winston Salem, NC)
*camp
*pedal to Pilot Mountain State Park (45-ish miles?)
*camp
*pedal up to and around town to check out all the Andy Griffith stuff!! Woot! (I'm SO going to Floyd's Barber shop)
*camp somewhere.. i dunno yet
*pedal back to Stone Mountain and drive home in time to go to work.


I'm thinking of Mammoth Cave State Park in Kentucky next 2 weeks.... If anyone is up for something like that in the southeast US, lemme know... or if you have any ideas of 140-220 mile loops (i prefer camping) for 3 day excursions, post or drop me a line.

Lee
NyyceGy24@hotmail.com

Howdy -
I'm doing a big western fish hook from San Francisco to Taos to Jasper to Denali.
I've toured all summer in the West most years since 1994. Prior to that I toured in Europe and did about a half-dozen cross-country runs, but the congestion and population just got to be too much. Once you've sampled the emptiness of dirt roads on public lands - it's hard to go back to the shoulder of a busy paved highway.
https://JohnnyGunn.crazyguyonabike.com
Here's an outline of the first third of the trip - may get the second third done - doubt I'll get the last portion up before I leave. Hope everyone has a nice sumer touring wherever they go.
Best - J

David in PA, here.

You and I may be cut from the same cloth, as I may also do an AT thru-hike some day.

I am curious to know how you're feeling about quitting your job and putting your life on hold, like me. One day I'm sort of OK with it, and the next day I'm full of angst and worry, and the third day I'm full of excitement and happiness, unable to wait for my adventure to begin. I must find a new job upon my return asap.

good luck to all!

I'm doing my trip in June from Brussels to Rome (1800 km). Trying to do it in 18 days. Hope the weather in the Alps will be friendly...

My first tour, starting in first week of June.
CAN'T WAIT

xilios:

That leg between Greece and Italy looks a bit sketchy. Make sure you've got rain gear and pannier covers!

I've done some of that trip (southern Italy down into Athens, Greece). You will love Bari... it's so beautiful in southern Italy.

If you haven't planned the ferry, you can take the boat to Patras, then take a train to Athens, then ride north and follow the coast all the way back around to Athens (headed out of Athens in the direction of Corinth). It is really a scenic route, slightly hilly, but if you break it up into 3 days and ride about 60 km per day (with breaks), you'll arrive in Patras by about noon at the start of the fourth day, then you get your ticket for the ferry back to Bari, and you can comfortably board the boat a few hours later, secure your bike, and hang out in your spot on the boat.

The ferry ride should be fun. If you're not adventurous, just get the bed. Really.

Koffee

Sorry, I should have mentioned earlyer that I'm originaly from Greece and know the route from Patras to Athens, also that I will be flying back to Brussels and cycling home from there, I don't have that much time.
I will try and avoid Athens to Corinth as I think there is a lot of industry there, instead I will turn south at Corinth and head to Poros from there I'll take the ferry to Athens.
I am very interested if you have any tips for me on southern Italy, places to see or avoid.
https://www.geocities.com/xilios/index.html