Messages

1

General Discussion / Crazy Guy On A Bike? CycleBlaze? Something else? How do you blog now?

« on: January 20, 2026, 01:57:10 pm »

I've used CGOAB effectively in the past.  I tried TravelPod, which died and was rescued by TravelArc.  Haven't tried CycleBlaze.

What say you (preferably avoiding the political perspectives of their operators)?

2

GPS & Digital Data Discussion / Updates to RWGPS Experience data?

« on: January 14, 2026, 12:48:35 pm »

Understanding that Adventure Cycling staff time is extremely limited, I'm wondering what ACA's current practice is for updating information in their RWGPS Experiences.

I'm hoping to do a transcontinental ride in the Spring.  Would I be wise to buy now or wait until shortly before my trip?

In the past I've dutifully made notations on my paper maps to reflect ride updates.  What's the best way to handle them with ACA's RWGPS Experiences?

Thanks, folks.

Charlie Richman

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GPS & Digital Data Discussion / Re: RWGPS for crossing the US - Garmin or iPhone?

« on: January 10, 2026, 01:37:20 pm »

Thanks, John.

Charlie

4

GPS & Digital Data Discussion / RWGPS for crossing the US - Garmin or iPhone?

« on: January 10, 2026, 12:23:49 pm »

I'm planning a ride from DC to Astoria via the C&O and GAP trails, the Chicago-NYC Philly alternate, Eastern Express and TransAm routes.

I'm debating whether to have my Garmin 830 on my handlebars or my iPhone 16 Pro. 

The Garmin battery life would certainly be better, though I'll need to have my phone out of airplane mode at least some of the time so family won't fret too much.  But I don't like the tiny screen for maps very much and it would be One More Thing to carry and fuss with.  And I'd still need RWGPS on my phone for info on food, shelter, etc.

If I go iPhone only I'd certainly need to keep the screen off most of the time, and daily charging would be inevitable.  Either way I plan to carry a 20,000 mAh battery pack to recharge my phone and the really bright taillight I use all of the time.  I know the C&O trail in particular doesn't have a lot of charging options.

What do folks who've done long RWGPS rides think?

Charlie

5

Routes / Re: Repeat the TransAm a decade later (at 70) or choose another route?

« on: December 18, 2025, 05:17:44 pm »

I appreciate the input - the more the better.

I took a quick look at the Eurovelo routes and the thing that struck me is that they connect major cities, unlike the TransAm which does a pretty good job of skirting them.  I was comfortable locking my bike on the TransAm with a tiny luggage lock and a thin cable that you could probably cut with a nail clipper, suitable for discouraging opportunists but not a bike thief.  Seems like there might be plenty of reasons to worry about those where there are more people and more bikes...

Charlie

6

Routes / Repeat the TransAm a decade later (at 70) or choose another route?

« on: December 17, 2025, 08:13:46 pm »

My mom didn't let me ride in '76; I finally rode the TransAm solo in 2016, when I turned 60. I also completed the Divide in 2019. Both rides were on recumbents.  (Yes, you can ride the Divide on a recumbent.  But I don't know that I'd do it again.)

I'm hoping to do another big ride in 2026, when I turn 70. I'm thinking about repeating the TransAm solo a decade later, but I'm not certain if that would be the best choice.  I'd go East to West again,setting out in May.  Last time I did it in 82 days, but could have done it a bit faster.  Mostly camping, with Warm Showers and hotels as the need arose.

Even in 2016 it was clear that hard times had reached rural America. All of the locals I met told me in no uncertain terms who the next president would be. The riders I met, including many European riders, learned a lot about folks with different lives and values than our own (which of course was a large part of the point).

Can you help me understand how much has changed and how much remains the same on that route since 2016? Do you have any insights into how many international riders are likely to be with us in 2026, given the withdrawal of the welcome mat from our door?

I'd be open to considering a different route, but the TransAm had the advangage - last time I rode it - of having decently well-developed services, fairly regular riders coming through, and helpful map updates from ACA. I don't know how true that is of the less iconic east-west routes.

I'm not as strong as I used to be, but I'd like to think that I'm smarter. I'd ride the same bike, but carry significantly less weight on the bike (and on the engine).

I'd very much appreciate any insights you have to share. Thanks in advance,

Charlie Richman

7

General Discussion / Re: Bear safety on the GDMBR

« on: October 23, 2020, 02:48:21 pm »

On my southbound trip I also hung my drybag with all my smelly things.  Including an odor-proof bag inside your stuff sack can reduce odors noticeably, though ultimately nothing really escapes a bear's nose.  Hanging was an option throughout most of the trip, save some of the drier and more southern bits outside of normal grizzly range.  Be sure to hang from relatively slender branches high enough and far enough from the tree trunk - many folks don't.

Informal campsites on the Divide are often near rivers.  The dropping your bear hang from the bridge over the river can be a convenient alternative.

Do carry bear spray and keep it immediately accessible to you on and off your bike.

Enjoy!

8

Routes / GDMBR 2019 video for your armchair travel pleasure

« on: May 11, 2020, 03:41:18 pm »

This is what it looked like to me on my recumbent. 

It was a terrific experience, but fair warning, one of my companions was run down by a motorist just 1 day short of the Mexican border. 

Ride safe.

Charlie Richman

9

Routes / Recumbents on the GDMBR

« on: October 02, 2019, 03:09:37 pm »

Heidi rode the Divide on a trike ages ago. I just completed Banff to Antelope Wells on my Azub Six, a two-wheeled recumbent.

Has anyone else completed this trip self-contained on a loaded, two-wheeled recumbent?

Details about my trip are at http://bit.ly/check rblog.
 
Please note that I was riding with Mike Rachelson and Warren Netherton nearly to the end, but Mike was struck and killed on the way to Hachita after all the hard riding was complete, just 63 miles from the border. Adventure Cycling has set up a donation page in Mike’s memory.

Charlie Richman

10

Gear Talk / Re: Marathon Supremes...

« on: April 04, 2018, 01:17:19 pm »

Zero flats with my 26x1.6 Supremes on my 2016 TransAm self-supported camping tour.  Just a couple in 4,000 miles or so of urban commuting.

They've got lousy traction in off-road mud, but that's not what they're really for. 

They're a delight and recommended without reservation.

Charlie

11

Routes / Food, Bears, and the GDMBR

« on: March 25, 2018, 11:17:25 am »

I'm perplexed.  It looks like racers and others on the GDMBR route often have food stashed in multiple nooks and crannies on their 29ers.  How does that work in bear country?  I've always kept my food contained in one or more bags that could be hung properly (and made it my practice to do so.)  I can't figure how folks are doing this safely.

I'm no racer.   I'm considering a future GDMBR ride on an Azub 6 fully-suspended recumbent - very likely a slow one.  What should I be planning for food safety?  On past trips I've used separate bags for food and kitchen gear and hung them every night.  I haven't ditched my cooking/eating clothes distant from my tent before, but then I haven't camped in the back country either...

Thanks folks,

Charlie

12

General Discussion / Summer restrictions on alcohol stoves on the Trans-Am?

« on: March 21, 2016, 05:42:37 pm »

I'm planning an E-W trip this summer.  I'd love to take my Trangia 27 alcohol stove and leave the cartridge gas conversion burner at home, but I worry about bans on alcohol stoves in the West.  Anybody know where along the TA alcohol stoves have really been problematic? 

As an alternative I could leave the spirit burner home and use gas cartridges for the whole trip, but I don't much like worrying about where I'll be able to find 'em en route.

Charlie

13

General Discussion / Locks for a solo Trans-Am camping tour?

« on: February 18, 2016, 05:22:37 pm »

I've toured and camped, but not solo.  Without that second set of eyes I wonder if there's a need for a mini U-lock instead of my traditional (and mostly symbolic) 3/16" featherweight cable and tiny padlock.  I'm planning an E-W ride starting near the end of May.

Are there any places in particular on the Trans-Am where I might want that heavier lock?

My recumbent and I might land in Missoula in time for the Montana Bike Celebration.  I always worry about bike thefts where there are a lot of bikes...

Charlie