Messages

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General Discussion / Re: TransAm Bike Route Questions 2021

« on: April 09, 2021, 01:16:16 pm »

Thank you for your service. It is nice to hear that our government actually does something constructive from time to time. That is the type of investment I appreciate my tax dollars being spent on - giving back to the people who have given so much for this country.

Thanks. I asked the VA if there were any other Vets that would want to go with me. Waiting for a response.

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General Discussion / Re: TransAm Bike Route Questions 2021

« on: April 09, 2021, 12:26:11 pm »

I have looked at the ICE Trikes in the past, really nice but pricey. How did it do on the C&O? I have seen trikes on the GAP but never on the C&O.

I road my Giant Sedona bike on the C&O canal and GAP. I don't think the trike would be very good on the C&O. Way to narrow and muddy in many sections.
This is what I road on my Route66 ride, GAP, & C&O Canal...


The VA hospital here has a recreation for physical therapy program. They buy gear/equipment etc. for the disabled Veterans like myself to get them back out there but you have to prove you will use it. They purchased my trike with a bunch of accessories to help me ride. I purchased the bags and GPS, bike computer etc. for it. All gear and trike together around $9,000. The VA also does all the repairs and maintenance on it for as long as I own it. I just have to take it to one of their vendors.

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General Discussion / Re: TransAm Bike Route Questions 2021

« on: April 09, 2021, 12:05:56 pm »

All of you have been helpful thank you. I like the idea of enterprise coming to me to pick up. Seeing I wont know where anything is and would like to go straight to trail and let the rental people pick the van up. My recumbent trike folds up so should fit in the trunk of a sedan but haven't tried that yet.

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General Discussion / Re: TransAm Bike Route Questions 2021

« on: April 08, 2021, 06:42:59 pm »

Even starting on the coast the ride itself doesn't need to go anywhere near Portland, especially if you opt for the Florence starting point, but you have to get there.  I think you could probably fly in to Eugene.

Flying would be great but I am told by my friend who is in charge of the airport here in my county that masks are mandatory in order to fly. Though I am medically exempt, he said I might run into problems getting a flight. So I intend to use a rental car. Maybe that will change by July.

I said that out of force of habit without thinking.  I am not flying yet myself and do not know when I will again.  You could rent a car to Florence.  FWIW, I have almost always had problems getting a one way rental when walking up to a rental desk.  Either they didn't have cars they'd let go or there was a big one way drop off fee.  Booking online from an aggregator pretty much eliminates that.  Also I have found that sometimes it helps to book airport to airport even when not flying.

My airport is within walking distance of my home. So that would be easy to book airport to airport. I just took a look at the adventure cycling map for Oregon and see that it shows the Florence alternative route. I could always get a small Uhal  and drive it out there. Would give me a place to sleep rest areas along the drive.

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General Discussion / Re: TransAm Bike Route Questions 2021

« on: April 08, 2021, 05:42:31 pm »

Even starting on the coast the ride itself doesn't need to go anywhere near Portland, especially if you opt for the Florence starting point, but you have to get there.  I think you could probably fly in to Eugene.

Flying would be great but I am told by my friend who is in charge of the airport here in my county that masks are mandatory in order to fly. Though I am medically exempt, he said I might run into problems getting a flight. So I intend to use a rental car. Maybe that will change by July.

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General Discussion / Re: TransAm Bike Route Questions 2021

« on: April 08, 2021, 05:13:09 pm »

I honestly would not worry about Oregon.  Yes, I probably would avoid certain PARTS of Portland, but the Portland violence seems to just in that area.  The route passes mainly through rural areas which tend to be fairly conservative so I would not hesitate at all from starting on the coast and riding across Oregon or Washington.

Tailwinds, John

I guess I will see how Portland is going come time for me to start. Still have a couple months.

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General Discussion / Re: TransAm Bike Route Questions 2021

« on: April 08, 2021, 03:45:06 pm »

Thanks for the help everyone. I think I am going to rent a car and drive out to Idaho and start from there heading east.

Pat Lamb, you said, " There are a few stretches where you'll want to make sure you're carrying a full day's supply of water, which is heavier."
Could you tell me what stretches those are?

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General Discussion / Re: TransAm Bike Route Questions 2021

« on: April 08, 2021, 11:46:04 am »

That's good to hear staehpj1.
 
My CA to DC ride was about $3000 but spent several nights in hotels and had to rent a car at one point to cross Native Americans Reservations because nowhere I looked said we needed permits when we actually did. But I managed. I have set aside $3000 for this trip to. I'm not afraid to knock on doors to ask for water and never had a bad experience doing so. I am counting on 10-12 weeks. I don't drink alcohol, smoke, or party so there's a savings.

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General Discussion / Re: TransAm Bike Route Questions 2021

« on: April 08, 2021, 10:37:38 am »

Thank you John Nettles. I am retired so I have plenty of time and no set end date. Also Thank you staehpj1. I am strongly considering a W-E ride because I live in Upper Peninsula of Michigan so every mile from the west brings me closer to home. I am considering starting in Idaho due to all the civil unrest etc. going on in Oregon. I have backpacked the Cascade mountains on the PCT through Oregon and Washington so wont be missing out to much.

I did think of 2 more questions though.

1. Are there any permits or passes along the way that I would need to get prior to trip or on the way?

2. Anyone know the average cost for biking this trail? I was hoping to camp as much as possible using official campgrounds the most or stealth camping when possible. Hotels as a last resort or to get out of storms.

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GPS & Digital Data Discussion / Re: Interested in buying a mobile device to upload GPX

« on: April 07, 2021, 10:09:53 pm »

I know this is late in the game but I use GPX on my Magellan Cyclo 505 and don't have any problems. It also gives you local info for stores, hotels, and campgrounds etc...  Mounts to the bike and has a long battery life.

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General Discussion / TransAm Bike Route Questions 2021

« on: April 07, 2021, 09:29:35 pm »

I am hoping someone can answer a few questions for me about the TransAm bike route. I'm a disabled Veteran with Parkinson's disease and have a medical appointment June 10th so I cannot leave until June 11th at earliest. In 2017 I backpacked the Appalachian trail from GA to ME in 5.5 months. In 2018 I biked Route 66 from Santa Monica CA to St. Louis MO then hoped on 40 and made my way to the GAP & C&O trails to DC. In 2019 I biked across Upper Michigan and hiked across as well. 2020 was filled with short trips all over the place. So I have experience in long distance biking and hiking but have a few questions about this route...

1. I plan on doing 70-80 mile days except through the mountains where I'm hoping to get 60 miles per day. Is there ample stores, gas stations, etc. along the TransAm route to get food and drinks regularly? Or should I carry 2 or so days worth in case?

2. Is it better to go East Bound or West Bound? I went East Bound on Route 66 and had strong headwinds the entire time it seemed, but the TransAm is further north so assuming different winds.

3. Are there plenty of hostels, campgrounds, or stealth camping options along this route?

4. I'm riding my ICE Adventure recumbent trike. Is there room on this route for a trike?

5. This might sound unimportant but is there decent cellular service along this route? I blog my trips on my own website as often as possible.

I would appreciate any tips, tricks, and advice anyone has for me on the TransAm Bike Route. I already purchased the route maps and GPX downloads for this trip.

Thanks in advance for your time and answers. Feel free to email me if you want about the trip. Also If anyone wants to ride with me that would be awesome.