Messages

1

Routes / Re: Transam East to West 2012 Advice Sought

« on: December 03, 2011, 11:55:33 am »

Blimey ! Obviously a naive question ! You don't have to worry about things like massive hailstones and tornados in good ole Blighty or even in mainland Europe....I did the West Coast Seattle to Mexico route in 2008 in 34 days and it didn't rain the whole time...albeit it was in September.
So if I reckon on doing it in say 70 days (?) starting in early April a) I'll be cold b) I might get struck down by hail c) I may get sucked into a tornado or flattened by flying cows and  d) the way may be blocked by snow. Well other than that it all sounds kushty.
Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm still tempted to go ahead, after all if it was easy it wouldn't be worth doing...I am assuming that the jouney repays all these 'risks', from what I can gather from here the route looks amazing...
P.S. Just seen the new posting re lightning, thanks staehpj1, I'll just add that to the list....isn't one insulated from lightning on a bike ?? 

2

Routes / Transam East to West 2012 Advice Sought

« on: December 02, 2011, 01:23:40 pm »

I've been here before asking about the Transam route, when best to go etc. so thanks for your responses on that particular tack. Now I'm planning to actually do it East to West and was thinking of starting early next April. From what I can gather the weather would be OK then in the east and would mean any chances of snow bound passes in the west would have passed. Does this seem a good plan ?
Another question...I'd fly into Richmond from the UK and would plan to actually start the journey from there (time is at a bit of a premium as my daughter is expecting twins in July!) Can anyone recommend a good bike shop in Richmond to reassemble and check out my bike after its journey through the airline system and also a reasonable place to stay nearby.

I've ordered the book on the trail and will be booking the flight soon, any advice, suggestions etc. will be much appreciated.

Thanks

3

Routes / Trans Am Ride

« on: September 27, 2010, 08:01:02 am »

Hi

I hope to come over from the UK next year and do the Trans Am route. Some advice would be appreciated...

When to start?
West to east or vice versa?
Alternative starting points, given that I'll be flying direct into a major airport with my bike in a box?
Good diversions off ACA route ( I'm keen on Yellowstone)
How long will it take?
Any good books on the subject?(I'll be getting the ACA route map)
Any sections that are particularly difficult, desolate, dodgy?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Ken Williams

4

Routes / Re: Pacific Coast North to South latest start?

« on: September 27, 2010, 07:53:54 am »

Hi

I asked the same question for my 2008 Pacific coast ride and set off from Seattle last day in August and rode through September. It was beautiful, not one rainy day,in 28 days cycling, no or very little traffic, easy accomodation and / or camping....brilliant!

Enjoy

5

Routes / TransAmerican Route

« on: December 28, 2009, 05:47:38 am »

Having cycled the Pacific Coast in 2008 (and it was brilliant!) I am planning to cycle the TransAmerica route this year (2010). The Association maps suggest a main TransAm route starting in Oregan and there seems to be another option of starting on the Western Express Route from San Francisco and joining the TransAm in Colorado. I want to see as much as possible as I will be coming over from the UK for the trip.

Any advice or comments on the best route(s), best time to start and whether to go West to East (which seems the natural way to go but I don't know why !) or vice versa. Are there barren gaps in the route? Realistically,  how long will it take? What are the must see's etc. Any advice will be much appreciated. Thanks

Ken 

6

Routes / Europe North to South

« on: November 03, 2008, 05:49:02 pm »

Following my amazing ride down the Pacific Coast this year somewhere closer to home for 2009...Anyone any advice on Europe North to South ? Say, Amsterdam to Venice...

7

General Discussion / Pacific Coast Route Advice

« on: November 08, 2008, 05:18:59 pm »

Thanks for the message re 'cafe press', great  souvenirs that I couldn't get in the US...ordered far too much 101 and Highway 1 stuff....brilliant.
Thanks again everyone for the advice for a memorable trip...probably do Europe in 2009 and maybe back to the US in 2010 for the horizontal trip !! Will be back for advice for that one!

8

General Discussion / Pacific Coast Route Advice

« on: November 03, 2008, 05:42:48 pm »

Hi Kenwil here reporting an absolutely fantastic ride from Seattle to Mexico in September. Thanks to all for the advice. I did take my own bike from the UK (no problem), I did go North to South (prevailing winds good), I did take the direct route to the coast from Seattle via Aberdeen and I did go in September (virtually empty roads at least until Monterey  south...well nearly)So 1800 miles in 28 days including a couple of days off and some tactical stops ahead of major obstacles (e.g. Leggett Hill) and wilderness areas etc. It wasn't so hard..and I'm no racer, and the Washington and Oregan coasts were simply stunning, sunny all the while. Sorry to say but in such amazing company California (which I love) was a runner up (apart from Big Sur of course)3 punctures is all ...God bless Highway 101 and PCH 1 wonderful, absolutely wonderful. Any UK cyclists wondering whether to do this route, don't hesitate. the Oregan coast with it's deserted beaches, Redwood forests and lovely fishing ports is longer than the British Isles !!
Anyone know where I can get Highway 101 decals for my bike??
Thanks again everyone!

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General Discussion / Pacific Coast Route Advice

« on: July 28, 2008, 11:04:27 am »

Hi..thanks for your reply...never mind the confusion, as you say it'll be useful anyway...
Ken

10

General Discussion / Pacific Coast Route Advice

« on: July 27, 2008, 12:09:14 pm »

Hi all, me again with another question on the Pacific Coast route, all booked now but one question that I would appreciste some advice on...I'm starting from Seattle and intend to take the Fauntleroy ferry across to Southworth and then head down through Belfair , Shelton, Elma. There seems to be a choice here to get to Astoria 1) take the Adventure Assoc maps inland route through Centralia, Toledo, Cathlamet to Astoria OR 2) follow the Spring and Kirkendail coastal route through Aberdeen, Raymond, Long Beach.
Both seem attractive and any advice on the best way to go would be appreciated by this confused Brit !!
I will kick off on 29th August, not without some trepidation, and a good clean start would set me up..  

11

General Discussion / Pacific coast

« on: July 28, 2008, 11:00:20 am »

Thanks for the advice ...I reckon I'll go for the Aberdeen route then...

Ken

12

General Discussion / Pacific coast

« on: July 27, 2008, 12:05:17 pm »

Hi all, me again with another question on the Pacific Coast route, all booked now but one question that I would appreciste some advice on...I'm starting from Seattle and intend to take the Fauntleroy ferry across to Southworth and then head down through Belfair , Shelton, Elma. There seems to be a choice here to get to Astoria 1) take the Adventure Assoc maps inland route through Centralia, Toledo, Cathlamet to Astoria OR 2) follow the Spring and Kirkendail coastal route through Aberdeen, Raymond, Long Beach.
Both seem attractive and any advice on the best way to go would be appreciated by this confused Brit !!
I will kick off on 29th August, not without some trepidation, and a good clean start would set me up..  

13

General Discussion / Pacific coast

« on: January 07, 2008, 12:09:38 pm »

Hello All
Thanks again to all those that have responded to my initial questions re the Pacific coast route...this now sems to be turning into a scholarly thesis on wind patterns !! Just joshin' 'cause I know this is very important on a bike having ridden against the Mistral in France and contrary winds (and rain!) in the Pyrenees but are the wind conditions on the Pacific route really that bad on a North-South route in say September??
This and any other advice continues to be very welcome.
Thanks

14

General Discussion / Pacific coast

« on: December 19, 2007, 05:17:58 pm »

Thanks for the message, I was thinking perhaps September due to work schedules , your good advice helps  confirm this.
Ken

15

General Discussion / Pacific coast

« on: November 20, 2007, 05:29:54 pm »

Hi All

A quick thanks for all your responses, much appreciated...so far, as a result, I'll probably take my own bike, fly Virgin and start from Seattle !! Still sorting through and will follow up if needs be, thanks in advance, really apreciate your time.