Messages

1

Routes / Re: My route for cross country 2016, ideas?

« on: March 21, 2016, 05:03:29 am »

Thanks all for your contributions.

The reason for taking the ferry is that I'm visiting relatives who live in Moraga, near Oakland. Also that's the reason for this rather busy stretch between Mariposa and San Fran. Just entered it into ridewithgps because I couldn't find a lot of info on this area. @Bclayden, I'll definitely look into the route that you mentioned to get to Livermore from Mariposa, it looks like it wouldn't add too much mileage to my trip and way more bike-friendly/scenic, thanks!

Yes I did decide to ride south Louisiana because I've read way more interesting Crazyguyonabike blogs (yours among others Jamawani!) about this part of the country than the Southern Tier route in this area. I'll definitely keep my eye on the traffic situation in Cameron in the next months, thanks for the heads up, indyfabz!

Only two more weeks, excited! Any more tips? Texas anyone?

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Routes / My route for cross country 2016, ideas?

« on: March 18, 2016, 08:40:14 am »

Hi all,

After much consideration, Google Streetview, Crazyguyonabike blogs, advice from forum members, AADT charts from DOT's and ridewithgps algorithms I have now decided upon a route (with the occasional detour and following instincts while on the road of course) for my cross country ride from Miami to San Francisco in april, may, june. See https://ridewithgps.com/routes/12637676

Do you have any last ideas / tips? I'm most uncertain about the part in east Texas (from Deweyville to Cisco) and the stretch in west California (from Mariposa to Moraga). Thanks in advance!

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General Discussion / Re: Newbie

« on: March 17, 2016, 11:58:30 am »

I got gang-stalked while bicycling from Florida to California.....

This made my day.

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Routes / Re: Options for crossing the plains from New Roads, LA to Taos, NM

« on: February 20, 2016, 04:43:45 am »

Hi CPW,

I've read your blog front to back this morning and I must say it's really impressive what you did, very inspiring. Totally different from what I'm planning to do (or would be capable of) but route wise I can see there is much overlapping. And what is even better is that you use Strava, an app that I'm very familiar with and use to plot / record my routes as well. So this is great information and I will definitely go in-depth on your routes through NM, TX and OK. Thanks again!

PS. I especially like the precise manner in which you planned and documented this trip also with the training schedule. It shows great determination. I think you should be very proud!

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Routes / Re: Biking from Norway to Italy

« on: February 18, 2016, 01:52:23 pm »

Sounds like a great trip! While I do not have any route suggestions other than the Eurovelo route system that everyone uses and which I believe to be very good I just wanted to let you know that if you find yourself in Amsterdam, in july or august, contact me either here or on WarmShowers. Always nice to meet a fellow ACA forummer!

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General Discussion / Re: Bikeshop / Outdoor gear store in Miami, FL

« on: February 17, 2016, 10:43:14 am »

Hi all,

The reason for not bringing this stuff on the plane is not that it's not that I'm packing too much. I definitely want to stay on the lighter side for this trip - not going over 4 panniers and a tent on the rack MAX..

It's that you are not allowed to bring gas canisters on the plane, so I figured I might as well buy the complete stove system overseas. And the helmet mirrors, you just don't find them anywhere over here. NO-ONE ever in Amsterdam would use something like that. I think I'll just order the jetboil online from REI and have it sent over to my first staying adress in Miami, I'll check with my hosts. And the helmet mirror, I'll probably come across one in a bike shop somewhere sooner or later. I think REI also have them.

If some-one would've had the golden tip "I always go there for everything I need and they're very cheap" I thought that would be handy to know. + I always like to support local dealers instead of buying online.

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General Discussion / Bikeshop / Outdoor gear store in Miami, FL

« on: February 16, 2016, 04:57:17 pm »

Hi everyone,

Starting a cross country trip from Miami, FL to San Francisco, CA coming april and I need to buy some camping equipment that I cannot take with me on the flight going there. Do you have any recommendations? Store locators and dealer finders haven't really given me any useful info so far. I need to buy a stove system like the Jetboil Flash incl gas canister and I'm also on the look-out for a good quality helmet mirror - those are a novelty in the part of the world where I come from. Maybe also some other stuff that I can't think of now and probably remember once I'm there, it always happens.. I already have the bike, panniers, tent, sleeping mat and bag and all clothing items obviously.

Thanks for any help.

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Routes / Re: Options for crossing the plains from New Roads, LA to Taos, NM

« on: February 12, 2016, 04:29:45 am »

Hi indyfabz,

Good point. I live in Amsterdam and when I sometimes let Google Maps calculate a route for me when i have to go some part of the city I don't know too well it even puts me in weird streets sometimes. And I'm pretty sure Amsterdam has the most dedicated bike lanes in the whole world. So definitely in the western U.S. you're bound to get some bad suggestions. I use Google Maps only to check shoulders, road conditions and intersections. Just to find out if it's bike friendly. I would never just rely on Google Maps to plot a route for me.

So that's why I'm still very curious to hear more suggestions! Thanks in advance.

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Routes / Re: Options for crossing the plains from New Roads, LA to Taos, NM

« on: February 09, 2016, 12:53:18 pm »

Hi all,

Thanks for the recommendations and tips, very much appreciated. I'm definitely looking into US70 as a major east to west route. From what seems to be a pretty grid like road pattern it should be easy to switch between routes. Are there any major tourist attractions in that area that I don't want to miss? Perhaps Ouachita National park?

Any other recommendations? I'm now diving in the CGOAB archives to find some recommendations and of course Google maps always helps.

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Routes / Options for crossing the plains from New Roads, LA to Taos, NM

« on: February 03, 2016, 11:28:45 am »

Hi all,

Still planning this trip from Miami to San Fran in apr-may-june. Was wondering if there are recommendations on routes in the middle. The first and the third leg are pretty much taken care of - a combination of ACA routes, backroads and recommendations by John Egan and John Nettles. This leaves the second leg wide open.

As it seems most of the time would be spent in Texas, not necessarily the best state to tour in from what I've heard? Would you recommend following the Southern Tier all the way to El Paso and then head north or would Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma be more interesting? I also have to consider the weather in may. Or would a straight diagonal route past Dallas using Google maps and DOT info be the easiest? See attachment.

Would like to hear fro you guys, so far the ACA forums have been of great help.

Greetings,
a little bicycle tourist newbie from Amsterdam.

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Routes / Re: Miami to St Augustine - Florida Connector or Atlantic Coast?

« on: January 22, 2016, 05:42:49 am »

Well okay, Hi John!

Great tips on getting into New Orleans. Will definitely go that route then as I would also love to pay N.O. a visit. A lot of my favorite music originates there so it would be great to hang out in a jazz cafe for a night. Also definitely interested in the route you took to Tulsa, sounds like you've seen quite a bit of the states. Would be great to discuss further but privately to stay on topic.

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Routes / Re: Miami to St Augustine - Florida Connector or Atlantic Coast?

« on: January 21, 2016, 10:09:34 am »

Hi again Mr Nettles,

Thanks for your response. I will definitely get in touch regarding the gps route - I think you've persuaded me to do a mix of the Everglades, FC and what you described and then maybe alternate between hugging the coast and riding the ST up to New Orleans. I'm thinking about heading north/northwest from there, cross missisipi river near New Roads and then further up. In the end I'm heading to four corners region, grand canyon etc so I gotta make my way up north sometime! By the way, is there no way to avoid having to circumnavigate lake Pontchartrain? Maybe using US 90/Chef Menteur highway? If I google it, all that comes up is stories about cycling fatalities so that's not good.

Anyway, we'll discuss further in private thanks.


Still very curious to hear other peoples ideas. Have you ridden those roads Westinghouse? Looks like it would be a lot of navigating and maybe backtracking if you go the wrong way on those islands. My knowledge of the topography there is limited and I would have to map it out beforehand.

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Routes / Re: Miami to St Augustine - Florida Connector or Atlantic Coast?

« on: January 20, 2016, 06:47:09 am »

Hi Mr Nettles,

Thanks for such a detailed response. That looks like quite the route, going down to key west, ferrying across and then moving north to reconnect with gulf of mexico coastline / ST! I'm definitely contacting you as soon as the GPS device comes in for some waypoints! The stretch between Navarre and Pensacola looks very beautiful!

Is there a specific reason for not choosing the Florida Connector / Atlantic Coast route? You mention quite a few trails - better for biking? Nicer towns for overnight/camping? I can see the Atlantic Coast being very busy and congested in places. I don't mind cycling in traffic (I'm from Amsterdam and used to cycling in utter chaos) but I definitely don't want to be dumb about it and choose the best route possible.

Maybe cycling from Miami to Fort Meyers over land would give me a nice tour of the Everglades and also a little less miles? Would that be advisable?

Thanks and hopefully this post is helpful for other tourers as well.

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Routes / Miami to St Augustine - Florida Connector or Atlantic Coast?

« on: January 18, 2016, 11:00:04 am »

Hi all,

Fairly new here but the community has already helped me out a lot - especially John Egan (user jamawani) who I've corresponded with over the last few weeks regarding routes in the west. Superduper thanks to him.

I've tried the search function but nothing specific comes up regarding the differences between the Florida Connector and the Atlantic Coast route to start off a cross country trip from Miami to San Francisco.

So the question is very simple: what do you consider the best route from Miami to St Augustine in april next year? I'm looking at what would be the most scenic, but considering these are my first days on the bike in the trip, availability of campgrounds and services are also important if I want to maybe cut a day short. I think winds won't be a very big factor. While I do like the idea of having ACA maps, especially in those first weeks, a series of backroad recommendations would of course also be helpful.

Further info - 3 month (apr,may,jun) bike trip from Miami to San Fran, mostly (stealth) camping, around 60-70 miles a day.

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Routes / Re: Route suggestions for apr-may-june 2016

« on: October 30, 2015, 11:00:29 am »

Absolutely true. Too hot and there's nothing you can do about it - plus you have to carry extra water. Nothing worse than rain and wind when cycling though imo.

Anyone else got some more thoughts on the route options?