Messages

46

Routes / Re: Pennsylvania to Oregon

« on: January 26, 2009, 03:26:45 pm »

You might also look at the Northern Tier Route which goes through Erie and ends in Anacortes, Washington. You could possibly combine that route with other ACA routes to get you to Oregon. An example would be to take the Northern Tier / connect with Lewis and Clark in Williston, N.D. and ride to Missoula, Mt. /and then take either the Transam or Lewis and Clark to Oregon. I agree, these maps are great way to go.

47

Routes / Re: Pennsylvania to Oregon

« on: January 26, 2009, 05:54:36 am »

Check out the Transam route on this site. Also google the DOT website in each of the states you will travel through. Many offer free road maps and some have state bicycle maps and routes.

48

General Discussion / Re: How do you like the new forum?

« on: January 12, 2009, 02:32:17 pm »

Two Thumbs up! Thank you

49

General Discussion / Re: Biking from the West Coast in May: too early?

« on: January 10, 2009, 07:17:34 am »

If you were thinking about the Northern Tier here is a link for road conditions on Hwy 20 in the Cascades.

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/northcascades.

50

Gear Talk / Stylish Biking Cloths?

« on: February 26, 2008, 08:11:46 pm »

I prefer regular bike clothing also but another choice might be Andiamo underwear worn with regular shorts. Here is a link to a website for Andiamo and some other clothing.

http://www.rivbike.com/search/clothing?page=2#product=none

51

Routes / Midwest Routes

« on: February 14, 2008, 02:46:15 pm »

You could also use either the Northern Tier or the Lewis and Clark routes as part of a loop.

52

Routes / Midwest Routes

« on: February 11, 2008, 09:39:33 am »

I don't know of any specific loops but Iowa does have a wealth of paved secondary roads. The Iowa DOT offers a state bicycle map with roads color coded as to the amount of vehicle traffic. Unlike some states it is the size of the usual road map and I think easier to grasp the overall picture, rather than flipping through 8-10 map sections. It also contains bike trail info. Here is a link.

 http://www.iowadotmaps.com/msp/pdf/bikemappdf.html

At the bottom of the page you can request a free printed version.

53

Routes / Wind-->TransAmerica

« on: March 05, 2008, 05:45:38 pm »

I wouldn't use the wind to determine which direction to ride the transam. I rode the transam E-W in 2006, in Kansas I had 1 1/2 days of terrible headwinds and the rest of the time they were out of the SE. When I  left Pueblo I had NW winds for several days when the prevailing wind was ESE. It has more to do with how lucky your timing is than anything else.

As to the mountains, in the west I could usually find a gear and climb slow but comfortably. I'm not saying that I wasn't glad to get to the top, it was just very doable. In the east I was always searching for that lower gear that wasn't there. I ride a 24-34 and still wanted lower gears.

My decision on which direction to go was alot like Mehalls with the addition of not wanting to deal with the humidity of Illinois, Kentucky and Virginia in July. That being said, it was very hot in Idaho and eastern Oregon when I was there. So much for all my planning-- but at least it wasn't humid You'll have a great time no matter which direction you go.  
 

 

54

General Discussion / Hip Bursitis

« on: March 11, 2008, 09:37:44 am »

In  January 2006 I was having pain on the side of my hip, not really the joint itself, making it hard to ride. I got a steroid injection, took ten days off and was able to train for and complete the transam.

Last year I was planning on another long tour and developed knee pain and had to cancel the tour. I went to a sports medicine clinic, saw an M.D. and was given a regimen of stretching and strengthening exercises to do with an athletic trainer and at home. I got better and am planning to do the cancelled tour this year. So I agree with Fred that therapy can work wonders. No drugs involved, it just took a lot of work and time.

55

General Discussion / Getting to Yorktown

« on: March 07, 2008, 11:27:40 am »

I'm sorry, the airport I took the cab from was Norfolk International.

56

General Discussion / Getting to Yorktown

« on: March 07, 2008, 10:10:06 am »

I started in Yorktown in 2006. I couldn't find any one way rentals or a shuttle so I took a cab from the airport. It cost $80! I hope you can find a cheaper way to do this. I had planned to stay at the Grace Episcopal Church in Yorktown but upon calling them I found that they were providing housing for Hurricane Katrina victims. So I had to reserve a motel room for $100 a night. The beginning cost me alot more than expected but I was where I wanted to be and it was pretty simple.