Messages

46

General Discussion / Re: 1st Trip Across America: Tips, Recommendations, and HELP

« on: January 04, 2011, 10:45:37 am »

In my old riding days, back in the late 80's, I owned a Cannondale ST 1000. Back then it was the top of the line Cannondale for what they called "Sport Touring".  The bike, back then, cost me 1200 dollars.  I put lots of miles on that baby and did a few short tours, 3 and 4 nighters.  I never had any problems with the bike. I wish I still had it but it was stolen while I was in California. I also owned a Raleigh and a Trek, but (and I'm not trying to advertise) the Cannondale always had the upper hand.  Since then, I have been a Cannondale fan. I am purchasing the new Cannondale touring bike next month or early March, then start building around it. 

47

General Discussion / Re: 1st Trip Across America: Tips, Recommendations, and HELP

« on: January 03, 2011, 11:05:32 pm »

Hey Steven... Thanks for the nice words and may God bless you as well.  Even though I had always wanted to take this little ride across the country, it was the "celebration" of regaining the use of my legs that was the ultimate deciding factor in making this happen.  That was MY "new life" and to celebrate, I thought I'd take a short cruise from the east coast to the west coast.  I have read that such a late start (late Aug) would cause me to run into lots of cold weather in the mountains.  So, I plan to leave around the last week of May.  I plan to go east to west to keep the morning sun out of my eyes and more importantly out of the eyes of the drivers of the vehicles as they are moving around me. If you've ever driven your car directly into an early sunrise or an evening sunset, you know that sometimes there is lots of squinting involved and trying to dodge a direct hit from the sun into your eyes makes it hard to see anything that may be on the side of the road (that would be me, LOL).  Well, I think I should go with safety first.  Why risk it? But thats what I'm planning on.  And now that I've moved my trip from May of 2011 to May of 2012, that gives me another full year to make sure that my body is ready and my weight is back to normal.  Its going to be lots of hard work getting across the country, but it will be an awesome experience!

48

General Discussion / Re: Across America: Beginning August

« on: January 03, 2011, 08:07:15 pm »

Hey Steven... You kinda sound like ME! I never really mentioned it here because I think that some people would think that I was a bit over the top or a bit corny but I also have a few posters and pics of cyclists and inpirational quotes stapled to my wall! Ha ha!!!!  They kinda keep my brain moist till I can get out there and get this done! I also, have a lot to accomplish before my tour. I have alot of weight to lose. I had a work-related accident 3 years ago. My doc had already told me that my legs were going to have to come off.  I weighed 180 at the time. I was paralyzed for 7 months and laid up in a bed. I got depressed and all I did was eat. No excercise. I ballooned to 370 pounds, all while laying there in my bed.  By the grace of God, I began to move my legs. I went from a bed to a walker to a cane and now I am walking un-assisted.  My legs hurt sometimes but I can deal with it. However, my weight was still an issue.  To date, I have lost 80 pounds. Im at 290, but the weight is coming off. I am confident that by the time my tour arrived, I would be at a manageable 220 to 230.  I have plenty to overcome.  But, at the end of my tour (God willing) when I am standing in the water, dipping my front wheel into the ocean, it will have all been more than very well worth the time and sweat that I put into my CRAZY idea of wanting to ride across the country!!!  I ALMOST feel like asking you to wait for me till 2012! LOL! So we can go on this crazy thing together. But you got your dreams and your timeline.  I'll just have to wait till 2012. 

49

General Discussion / Re: Is it ok to travel solo...

« on: January 03, 2011, 07:33:12 pm »

@Alex... First and most importantly, congrats on you're victory over cancer! Thats the best new of all! The NEXT best news is that you completed the TA and had a great time.  I am from the Corpus area.  Not TOO far from you.  And I am prepared, if needed, to go alone... at least mentally. Its great to hear success stories like yours. It helps keep the fire hot under my butt, makes me want to hurry up and get out there! Maybe we can ride together one day. We can take a day off and take a day cruise.

@Steven...  My ambition came from my early days. I'm 44 now, but when I was in my early 20's, I did alot of riding.  I did a few short trips, three and four nighters, but never did the real thing. My riding buddies (at the time) and I had always said that we were going to do this.  But, we all got married, had kids, got busy with life and the ride got put on the back-burner.  Now, those same buddies are jealous because I am planning my ride, but they are still stuck in their busy lives. (I guess sometimes divorces can be a blessing in disguise, LOL) Now, I am determined to fulfill my dream and complete the grand-daddy of all tours... the TA. I was really looking forward to doing it in 2011, but sometimes things dont work out the way we want them to.  So, now I am looking forward to 2012.  I'm about a year and a half away.  Very excited! Just dont wanna wait anymore.   

50

General Discussion / Re: Is it ok to travel solo...

« on: December 19, 2010, 06:10:08 pm »

Thanks, Tony.

       I still plan on riding, just not so much right now.  But I really cant wait. It sounds like a fun and very rewarding experience. 

51

General Discussion / Re: Is it ok to travel solo...

« on: December 13, 2010, 10:41:10 am »

Its been a short while since my last post.  My dream of riding across the country, solo or with someone, just died for me.  I lost my father just recently to heart attack. He left his business to me, hoping that I could eventually transfer it to my mom.  But, I am now having to move my trip further into the future.  I am showing my mom how to handle the business and all of my dads contacts for the first year or so. My plans to ride across the country in 2011 just changed.  The summer will be and has always been the busiest time of the year for my dad. I cant leave my mom to handle it alone so soon.  Its almost Christmas and only a few short weeks away from crunch time.  I will have to be by my mom at least during her first summer of heavy activity in the biz. I must reschedule my ride to 2012.  She should be good-to-go on her own by then. But I have read all of your posts and I am happy to hear that some of you have actually done it alone and had a great time.  I'm sure that I will have a great time too... in 2012.  Thanks, everyone, for the advice. I'll be back soon. I'm not done YET!!!!!

52

General Discussion / Re: Is it ok to travel solo...

« on: October 01, 2010, 06:49:04 am »

@Tourista... I tried to send you an email, but your email address is not on your profile.  So, I sent you a pm, twice.  But Im not sure you got that either because I have nothing in my outbox.  Did you get anything from me? Since I am new to this forum, I'm still a bit unfamiliar with the system.

@Tony...  Thats very nice of you, Tony.  That would also be lots of help.  But you say you'll be in Celebration? Is that a city near Orlando? (I hope that was not a bumb question, LOL).  I'll look it up in a little bit. But I will not be in the Orlando area till the first wek of June, 2011.  I dont know if you will still be there.  But meeting up with you for a chat would be great!  I'm still EIGHT months away and I'm ALREADY getting lots of help! Maybe one day I'll be able to offer some help to a new rider!   

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General Discussion / Re: Is it ok to travel solo...

« on: September 30, 2010, 11:49:25 am »

Thanks for tip on the book. I'm gonna go look for it as soon as I get done with this reply. My original plan was to go with my girlfriend, but we broke up.  She loves cycling, too.  I do have an ad in the COMPANIONS WANTED section. Mine is the one leaving from
Disney World, Orlando, and heading west. I have plans to purchase a set of the ACA maps, but the only part that I might have to map out myself, is the area between Orlando and Gainesville. From the looks of the map, I can catch the (southern tier?) near Gainesville to Mobil, then on up thru Underground RR. I realize that there are good days and there are bad days, but I think this trip is gonna be an experience!     

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General Discussion / Re: Is it ok to travel solo...

« on: September 30, 2010, 06:49:31 am »

I guess it does make sense to understand that a couple of days into it, my confidence level will rise. I am beginning to think about it more and more.  Maybe a solo trip would be nice.  I have been looking into everything that I think I may need... camping gear, clothes,  the "Spot" device that was mentioned and even freeze-dried foods from Mountain House that look pretty good.  I'm really excited. I feel like a little boy getting ready for his first big camping trip. LOL. Any other suggestions would be great. I think I'm gonna have the time of my life! Thanks, everyone.   

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General Discussion / Is it ok to travel solo...

« on: September 29, 2010, 08:48:40 am »

Is it safe and alright to travel alone, even if I have never been on a long distance ride and totally inexperienced? I am planning to cross the US next summer, but i have never done it before. Total beginner. No camping experience, no hiking experience. Will I starve? Where will I sleep? What if something goes wrong? How do I get to help if my cell fone signal is out of range? I originally wanted to tour with someone, but I lost touch with the gentlemen that replied to my post searching for a touring partner.  But if it comes down to having to go alone, could I do it? I admit, I love solitude. I love being alone and calling my own shots.  But will I actually have the nerve to ask someone if I can set up my tent in their yard? I have lots of doubts about touring alone. I'm a grown-ass man, but being alone for three months... I dont know. Maybe I just need to hear from some of you that have done this before. I am VERY excited about this dream of mine, though. I want this SO bad! Even if I gotta go alone!

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General Discussion / Re: Carrying Pepper Spray

« on: December 30, 2009, 07:43:30 pm »

Thanks Tony,...

Maybe those are some words that I just needed to hear (read).  I'm not overly paranoid over it or anything.  I dont let that thought consume my whole trip.  But it has occasionally crossed my mind.  Well, maybe I won't carry.  Maybe just a good can of pepper spray for the four legged creeps!     

57

General Discussion / Re: Carrying Pepper Spray

« on: December 30, 2009, 01:15:45 am »

I'm just curious... I am planning my very first TA tour next year (I cant wait!) with my girlfriend and I do have a concealed handgun permit from the State of Texas.  But does anyone know someone or know OF someone who has ever been robbed of their equipment, bikes, supplies, etc. by worthless punks just looking for something "cool" to do while way out in the middle of nowhere and police assistance is miles away? There ARE people who will do that, I'm sure.  And I dont plan on shooting anyone if all they want is our stuff.  A person's life (even a bad person) is not worth taking if all he wants is our stuff.  Let them take it. All our stuff is replaceable... bikes and all.   I'm sure someone will help out and give us a ride to the next town to get help and plan a way to get home.  But I am traveling with my girlfriend. She is a highly attractive 22 year old that I would die if I was not able to defend her IF these creeps decided that they wanted MORE than our stuff. Out in the middle of nowhere? No help for miles and miles away? Maybe its a bigger picture in my head than it should be, but has this ever happened to anyone? I never leave my HOUSE without my SIG P220 .45 cal strapped to my hip.  I cant imagine leaving the STATE without it.     

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Routes / Re: TransAm starting in mid Aug?

« on: December 17, 2009, 09:10:08 pm »

Thanks everyone, for your help.  We will take all these things into consideration and make adjustments .  We just wanna get out there! Thanks! Ron

59

Routes / TransAm starting in mid Aug?

« on: December 12, 2009, 10:10:06 pm »

Hello, all.  My name is Ronnie. Semi-New to the cycling world and planning a TransAm HOPEFULLY next year with a good female friend.  I read that this route is best during May-September.  However, my work schedule will not allow me to start until Mid August.  We plan to ride East to West.  Is a mid August start a bad idea?  It will take us into November.  Has anyone (I'm sure someone has) started this route this late before?  Thank you in advance for your comments and suggestions.  Ron