Messages

1

Routes / Re: TransAm Express Map Set?

« on: August 10, 2023, 03:23:09 pm »

The official website for the GAP trail is very informative.  IIRC, it's gaptrail.org.

Thanks

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Routes / Re: TransAm Express Map Set?

« on: August 09, 2023, 03:08:21 pm »

Answering my own question here in case anyone else is interested. After playing around with the interactive map page, it seems the Eastern Express Connector and the Chicago to NY maps will do it connecting me to the original TransAm in CO.

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Routes / TransAm Express Map Set?

« on: August 09, 2023, 11:38:08 am »

I'm starting to plan my next tour for next year and am interested in the TransAm Express following the route of the guided tour that Adventure Cycling as posted on the website here:

https://www.adventurecycling.org/guided-tours/van-supported-tours/transam-express-westward-van/

Again, I've just started my research, so may be missing something that's right under my nose, but it seems there isn't a set of ACA maps specifically for this route?

I did the TransAm in 2018 and really enjoyed it, so was considering repeating that, but I really like the Eastern part of the route on the TransAm West tour. I also don't see maps for the C&O Canal Trail or the Great Allegheny Passage used at the start of this route. Maybe those are not ACA routes and are published by different organizations, but just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing a complete TransAm Express set of maps (and digital downloads) before I started piecing these together.

Thanks for any insight.

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Routes / Re: 3-4 month USA 2024

« on: August 09, 2023, 11:18:04 am »

I did the TransAm in 2018 East to West and started at the end of May. Here is a page with my day-by-day blog post of that trip that may give you some intel on that route.

https://steveacrossamerica.com/day-by-day/

Last year I did the US portion of the Great Divide Mountain Bike route. Haven't done anything this year, but am in the beginning stages of planning a trip next year. I've been thinking about repeating the TransAm...I really enjoyed that trip. What I didn't enjoy was the traffic in some spots, especially in the Eastern part of the US. I have just noticed a adventure cycling tour they are calling the TransAm Express Westward. That has my attention because it utilizes some nice bike trails in the east. I'm not interested in the supported tour, but could see myself following that route. It seems adventure cycling doesn't sell a set of maps specifically for that trip, but I think it would be pretty easy to piece them together from the maps on the site. At the moment I'm leaning toward doing that next year and starting late May again. If you're interested in maybe talking and doing some coordinating, let me know. You can reach out to me using the contact info on the site. As you will see on the blog post, I started the TransAm with two others who I met here and we sort of loosely rode together during a significant portion of the trip. I'm up for doing that again...looks like your daily mileage is in my range. I'll be 64 next year and plan on similar pace as my 2018 trip as long as my health holds out. As an aside, I did Lands End to John O'Groats in the UK back in 92....was a great trip. Would like to do another tour around Scotland some day before I hang up my bike shoes.

Steve

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Routes / Southern Tier start mid sep to early oct

« on: July 01, 2021, 02:41:45 pm »

I had a big trip planned for last year, but like for many, Covid killed that. Planned to do it this summer, but it took me through Canada so still couldn't do it. My alternate plan for was/is to hike the Colorado Trail starting in later July. There is still a small possibility I could do that, but if that falls through--got a lot going on at work and am in the middle of moving from KY to SC--then my alternate, to the alternate plan is to do the Southern Tier West to East starting in later September, early Oct this year. If anyone else is thinking about that and would at least like to think about starting together, reach out and let's talk. For reference, the link below is to my daily mileage on the TransAm. I'll most likely do the same average or maybe a little more...will mostly be doing hotels and some camping when a hotel is not available. My last long ride was the TransAm in 2018 and I'm itching to get out again on another long adventure.

https://steveacrossamerica.com/day-by-day/

6

Routes / Re: HWY 9 -- El Paso to Hachita?

« on: January 09, 2021, 04:39:29 pm »

Thanks for the info John. Looking at google maps, it seems there are dirt/sand roads running parallel to the paved road for nearly the entire length. Since I'll be on my bikepacking bike, I guess I can always ride off the pavement if I choose. If my plan A doesn't work out (Prudhoe Bay, AK to Antelope Wells, NM) then this may be my Plan B...El Paso to Hachita, then North on the GDMBR to Montana, then East South/East back to Lexington, KY. Everything right now depends on Covid and how open/closed things are.

I drove the stretch about 7-8 years ago.  A quiet road west of Columbus (all services).  Between El Paso & Columbus the traffic picks up the closer you are to El Paso.

Other than Columbus and El Paso, there are no services, including water.  Hachita might have water but it was definitely a dying town when I went through.  Be prepared and carry plenty of water, enough to get you Columbus to your next supply spot!

NOTE:  If you are planning on doing the GDMBR, consider starting in Douglas, AZ and use the Geronimo Trail to get to Animas from the south and then work your way over to the GDMBR, either via Lordsburg (services) or Hachita (original route).  Both would meet up around White City.  The Geronimo trail is quite nice.

Tailwinds, John

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Routes / HWY 9 -- El Paso to Hachita?

« on: January 08, 2021, 10:08:56 am »

I'm looking at several options for a bikepacking tour this summer depending on how Covid plays out. One of my options is to fly to El Paso and ride HWY 9 to Hachita, NM and pick up the GDMBR north from there. Anyone have experience they can share about that stretch of highway? Doesn't look like a bad stretch of road from Google maps. Thanks.

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Routes / Re: Staying or Camping in Yellewstone Park doing the TransAm

« on: January 08, 2021, 10:02:42 am »

I did the TransAm in 2018 East to West. I camped in Colter Bay campground on July 3rd, the did 93 miles on the 4th riding all the way through Yellowstone. I got a hotel in West Yellowstone on the night of the 4th of July without a reservation at Al’s Westward Ho Motel.

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General Discussion / Re: Has anyone 'modified' a 'Gravel Bike' to a Bikepacking / Touring rig?

« on: November 11, 2020, 12:07:38 pm »

I did the TansAm with a Trek 520 touring bike and the traditional pannier and handlebar bag set-up. It was ok. This year I bought a Cutthroat gravel bike and have set it up with what I would call a cross between the traditional touring set-up and bikepacking set-up. I like this much better and plan to use it on the Great Divide Route, but if I do the TransAm again, or another road tour, I would still prefer this set-up vs the touring bike/pannier set-up.

The basics of this set-up is BarYak on the front as the foundation of what you see there. Tailfin on the back for the rack--it also has mounts for panniers, but I don't plan to use them. In fact, I've recently used those mounts with some custom made brackets to mount water bottles, small dry bags, etc, like you would traditionally see on the front fork of a gravel bike. With this set-up, everything feels like it's part of the bike--it's very solid.

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General Discussion / Re: A Bicycle Chain

« on: September 30, 2020, 10:57:49 am »

Yea, so far its worked for me, but once of these days if/when a chain breaks on me, I'm sure I'll think, why the heck didn't I change that chain a thousand miles back :-)

Figaro, your method probably works. I could go longer on a chain, even fully loaded. We did the TransAm in 2018, swapping chains in Newton, KS. Probably not needed but peace of mind. Two replacement chains does seem a bit excessive.

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General Discussion / Re: A Bicycle Chain

« on: September 30, 2020, 10:40:31 am »

I did the TransAm 4,300 miles on a fully loaded Trek 520, then another 2k + miles on the same chain. A guy I rode with off and on during the TransAm put 2 chains on his bike during the trip -- unnecessary in my mind, but peace of mind for him. But then again, I change the oil in my car about every 6k, instead of 3k like the places I pay to change my oil recommends. I think a lot of people change chains and cassettes far more often than needed, but to each his/her own.

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General Discussion / Re: IRC 90 psi tire versus Schwalbe marathon.

« on: August 21, 2020, 08:30:20 pm »

I used Marathon Supremes on my TransAm, running on a Trek 520 Touring bike. Loved them and would highly recommend. I'm running them now on my Trek Domane just because of the dependability...no flats in over a year. This year I bought a 2020 Salsa Cutthroat GRX 600 gravel bike for the Great Divide. However, I like it so much that when I do another cross country trip I will use that bike. I run Graveking SK Plus 43mm tires on it--good for pavement and gravel. 

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Routes / Re: Southern Tier this Fall--departure date?

« on: July 18, 2020, 06:44:46 pm »

Finally, delaying looks like a wise move for the politicians to start listening to the doctors and epidemiologists and start implementing productive protective measures.  No guarantees -- who ever heard of smart politicians? -- but there are a lot of dumb ones blathering on right now.  It would suck to come down with a nasty case in the middle of a tour, and suck big time if you ended up in a parking lot because the local hospitals were full.

Didn’t think about some businesses being closed earlier...thanks for that.
As for the state of affairs with Covid and how “open or closed” things are, that could still be the one thing that causes me to not do it this fall. Last time I checked ACA still has a sold out Southern Tier tour scheduled to leave in Mid Sep heading East. If that gets canceled the it may influence my decision as well.

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General Discussion / Re: Bike recommendation - Southern trail

« on: July 18, 2020, 10:18:07 am »

So did they close the Great Divide because of C19?  My understanding it's not closed, and that cyclists and hikers are scarce which means you have ZERO chance of getting Covid 19 in the great outdoors where nobody is around.

Sounds like a smart ass question, so here is my smart ass reply...Canada was (maybe still is) closed. I don't think anyone is afraid of getting covid in the great outdoors, but some of us--it seems the vast majority of us--exercise good judgement.

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Routes / Southern Tier this Fall--departure date?

« on: July 17, 2020, 06:34:13 pm »

The southern tier is looking like a go for me this fall. I have the option of leaving pretty much anytime from 1 sep to 1 nov. I'm planning East to West and taking 25 to 30 days. I'll be staying in motels/hotels most of the time, but will probably camp a few times. I can handle heat better than cold. If you were doing this, when would you start? I'm thinking around mid Sep.