Messages

1

Youth Bicyle Travel / Youth Cross Country Tour in 2010

« on: August 11, 2009, 12:08:10 pm »

I am in the beginning stages of planning for a Youth Cross Country Tour starting in late June of 2010. My thought is a West to East journey starting in San Francisco. I have done two of these tours before from different starting locations. I want to make this a charity ride so that the participants are riding not only for themselves but also for a cause. In 2007, I worked with the Jett Foundation on such a project (www.JettRide.org).

I think it would be awesome if we can gather teens (13-19) from across the country to have a shared cycling experience. Meet new friends and work together for a common cause. Since this forum is not getting much action, I thought I would post this idea and see if some interest can be generated for such a project, or at least some lively discussion about riding with teens, technology, etc.

Thanks,
Arlen

2

Youth Bicyle Travel / Re: Help needed

« on: August 11, 2009, 12:01:56 pm »

I agree there is not much action on this discussion but I know there are youth out their taking trips. I agree the go it alone approach can work well. I have been cycling with my youngest son since he was 9. At age 13, he and I rode across the USA from Glenwood Springs, CO to Boston, MA with the cycling group I direct (www.10thgear.com). At age 17, he and I rode across the USA from Seaside, OR to Boston, MA. He is now 19 and a sophomore in college. He announced that a college friend and he will be riding from San Diego, CA to Boston, MA (4200 miles) next summer. They already have a rough route planned, including a stop to see the largest ball of twine in the world in Kansas and a stop at the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. I give advice only when asked. It is great to see the love of cycling he has built over the years and how he engages his friends in this activity. Kudos to ACA for all the self-contained information on their website as well as those wonderful maps. He is totally engaged in doing 'just enough' planning to remove most of the stress of doing such a trip. When asked how long they will be on the road his response is "until the journey is finished". Awesome!!

3

Routes / Western Express late June

« on: August 11, 2009, 11:51:13 am »

Has anyone ridden the Western Express (either direction) in late June? I am planning a tour and would like to use the Western Express but I cannot start the tour until the 3rd week of June. I know services are scarce (we are a supported tour), and the temps are high, but is this just a crazy idea or is it doable that time of year?

4

Routes / Re: Major League Baseball Stadium Tour

« on: February 15, 2009, 02:53:06 pm »

I vaguely remembered the article but could not find it. Thanks so much for finding it for me.

5

Routes / Major League Baseball Stadium Tour

« on: February 14, 2009, 06:58:02 pm »

I am looking for information on anyone that has done a Major League Baseball Stadium Tour. I am an avid baseball fan and a cycling fanatic. I have done 2 XC tours and doing another in 2010. In 2013, I will be 55 and I am looking to do some very adventurous journey that year. I was thinking of a MLB stadium tour, watching a game in each stadium along the way.

Any leads would be helpful.

6

Classifieds / Re: WANTED: USED ACA MAPS

« on: February 13, 2009, 01:18:48 pm »

Hello. I have TA 7,8,9? How many sets do you need? I have several.

7

Youth Bicyle Travel / Re: Sag or not to sag?

« on: February 13, 2009, 01:10:17 pm »

Since you are just getting started, begin with SAG for now. Once you get established add in a self-contained tour for the extra challenge. My name is Arlen and I have a program up and running like you are planning. It is called 10thGear Christian Youth Cyclists, www.10thgear.com. It has been operating since 1996 and I have been involved since 1998.

We traditionally have one SAG middle school trip (ages 11-14) and 2 high school trips (14-20); one SAG and one self-contained. We own 15 B.O.B. trailers that were purchased or donated in the past and own 8 bikes that we loan as needed to assist kids.

Although our program is not based on the ACA Pedal Pioneer program because we pre-date that great guide, it does look very similar in many fashions.

We are also a Boy Scout of America Venture Crew and obtain insurance for participants and leaders through that program (high school only). All our leaders are CPR/First Aid certified (we now pay for the certification).

I could go on and on. I am so excited that you are starting a new program. Would love to share ideas and hear about your plans. What area of the country are you planning to setup your group? Have you thought about insurance?

8

Cycling Events / 10thGear JettRide

« on: May 16, 2007, 08:10:42 pm »

The 10thGear JettRide is a 66-day, 3800 mile cross country cycling tour for kids age 14-20. The Jett Foundation is the community service project for the 10thGear, www.10thgear.org,  youth riders. The Jett Foundation and 10thGear Riders will join together to support awareness of, and funding for, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy a fatal, devasting childhood disease. Find out more and help the riders raise funds by visiting www.JettRide.org.

9

Connecting ACA Routes / Transamerica/Northern Tier link

« on: March 04, 2006, 05:38:52 pm »

Another possibility if you want to ride along the Miss. River is to ride ACA Transamerica to Chester, IL. Ride north along the river to St. Louis. From St. Louis there is a nice road that takes you through Centralia, IL into southern Indiana. Crossing Indiana in the south you end in Madison, IN (beautiful). Then north of cincinnati pick up the bike trail that runs north to Fairborn, OH. Make a way west in southern OH (lots of hills) into southern PA. Along RT 30 (hilly) to Gettysburg and a little history. Head to Jim Thorpe, PA and the Delaware Water Gap. You can pick up the Atlantic Coast Route from there and follow it to Sutton, MA. From Sutton, MA I have a very nice route to the Cape that I could email you if you want it.

Hope this helps. I would be happy to provide more info if you want this sort of route.

10

Youth Bicyle Travel / Youth Bike Clubs to Correspond?

« on: April 10, 2007, 07:18:38 am »

Hello. I direct the 10thGear Christian Youth Cyclists program in Whitinsville, MA. We provide programs for grades 6-8 AND 9-12. Checkout our website at www.10thgear.com. I would love to talk in more detail about your program. We can correspond directly using arlen@10thgear.com.

Our high school program will be out your way this summer as we begin a XC tour on June 21 from Seaside, OR.

11

Youth Bicyle Travel / Help needed

« on: December 06, 2006, 08:03:18 pm »

I would suggest you try to find a youth organization, or Boy Scout of America Venture Crew, in your area that provides cycling experiences for older teens. Once they get hooked with kids their own age, they are likely to want to ride as a family as well. I am the director of 10thGear Christian Youth Cyclists, www.10thgear.com. We outreach to kids ages 11-20. Providing positive youth tours.

12

Routes / L&C:Kamiah, ID to Missoula, MT - 2 days.

« on: May 16, 2007, 07:09:43 pm »

I am riding west to east on the L & C trail. I would like to ride the segment between Kamiah, ID and Missoula, MT (150 miles?) in 2 days with a support vehicle. Seems doeable. Question is: Do I ride 85 miles to Jerry Johnson Campground the 1st day so as to leave the climb up Lolo Pass at the first part of the 2nd day? Or do I ride Kamiah to Wilderness Gateway Campground (55 miles) the first day and do 95 the 2nd day over Lolo Pass? Any advice is appreciated.

13

Routes / Boston to New York

« on: March 04, 2006, 05:31:25 pm »

I really like the Atlantic Coast Route. I have ridden portions of it and live about 3 miles from the route in central massachusetts. Might I suggest that you consider riding along the eastern shore down to NYC. You can do ACA to Northbridge, MA then head south on RT122, RT146A, to RT102 in Rhode Island (wide shoulders). THere are some backroads that will take you down to Misquamicut Beach, then head east to Mystic, CT and along the shore to New London. Hope the ferry to Orient, NY (long island) then ride along the southern beaches down to Rockaway Point, NY. From there, you can decide where in NYC you want to go. There is a bridge that takes you into the city if that is your destination.

I rode this route in the reverse direction from Washington, DC to my hometown in Sutton, MA in 2004. It  was a great route. I can give you more details and sources for maps if you need them.

14

Routes / Ticonderoga NY to Western Mass.

« on: November 05, 2005, 09:07:03 am »

I just finished a journey from Ft Ticonderoga this past summer. I would suggest that you exit the ferry, take SR73 (right turn), then SR30 south to SR4A. Take SR4A to Rutland (lots of bike shops there). Take 103 South/East to Bellows Falls (SR5). Take SR5 south and cross into New Hampshire at any bridge. Follow SR12 south along the CT river and pickup SR63 South into MA and continue down along the CT river until you want to head east.

I found this a very scenic and low traffic ride (except in Rutland). There is a small place that makes fresh donuts daily along SR4A. It was a pleasant treat.

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Routes / NY State Bike Route 5

« on: August 30, 2005, 02:35:58 pm »

Several years ago, I rode from Niagara Falls to Massachusetts on a route that I had planned. Recently, I have discovered SBR5. Has anyone ridden all or part of this route? If so, any suggestions on terrain, road conditions, or your personal preferences?

I already have the maps for NYDOT.