Bicycle Travel > General Discussion

Cross Country on a recumbent bike

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privatesoldier13:

Hey everyone I am about to ship out the Army January 22 of 2013. I am planning on taking a trip around the US  on a recumbent bike with a trailer and a tent and a solar powered generator (and also the necessary items)  Depending where I am after I finish the Army I will start there and make my way around the US. I would really like it if there were other riders with me. So please if you have anything to add or say please do and I would really like to hear from everyone their thoughts and ideas. Thank you and hope to hear from you all soon. 

bogiesan:
You're out of the serivce in January or you begin your service in January? Affects everyone else's potential planning. Wherever you begin your tour, you can probably hook up with someone going your  way. 
YOu may wish to examine the riding partners section of the site.

Thank you for your career in the Army in your service to America. BEst of luck on your discharge, whenever it occurs.

privatesoldier13:
Well I start the ARMY in January and this is a 4 year plan that's how long I'll be in the army for. If my folks are still in Fl by the time I get out I'll have all my gear shipped to their house. My starting point would be in Orlando and IF  anyone is coming with me we'll go to st Augustine fl and jump on the southern tier and then go on the outside of the us.

dminden1:
I've done over 10 years self-supported touring with recumbents. Here's what's important to know. Trailers are better than panniers: less bulk than underseat panniers, more balanced than a rear-heavy rear panniers, and overall less weight on the bike. Two-wheeled trailers are vital, essential, and one-wheeled trailers are unsafe and dangerous and will take you down. I was taken down by one (a friend on his recumbent had one and I switched with him to help him out!). I was going downhill in Acadia National Park in Maine at 35 mph and the trailer went into a wild shimmy and took me down. This is not a matter of inexperience or poor handling - I've gone 50 mph downhill. Two wheeled trailers are inherently much more stable, and also take all the weight off the bike. So, please be safe. Several good two wheeled trailers are out there, from the commonly found Burleys to the less common Wike (Canadian) and others.
On another note, recumbents are great for touring - comfortable, good power on flats and downhills. You will work much harder on uphills, but I do it anyway!
Enjoy the ride.
Dave from Madison, WI

Iceman:
Maybe you can gleen some ideas/wisdom from my journal; www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/rayandruby. I rode cross country this year on a recumbent trike pulling a trailer most of the way. For me, alone time was fine but I also enjoyed having a riding partner later in the trip. Try not to keep to tight a schedule so you can take time off as needed to enjoy interesting areas and the people you meet. Thanks for your service, be safe and good luck with your trip.

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