Topics

1

Routes / Trans Am Rockies Camping - Bears?

« on: December 08, 2023, 12:10:43 pm »

Are bear canisters used/required/wise for the TA in the Rockies?   I would guess that Yellowstone is the most likely problem area, but not sure.  Seems like most CG are very near paved roads on the TA, but not sure if that has proven to be adequate to discourage bears.  I know some CG provide storage spaces.

So, basically, should anyone riding the TA usually bring canister for these sections if they intend to use campgrounds?  I don't think hanging food is normal anymore, although I have done that. 

Thanks,
Matt

2

Routes / TA to/from Boulder

« on: August 09, 2023, 06:03:18 am »

In 2024, planning on riding a cross country tour, mostly featuring Trans Am.  Possible time in Boulder CO for family reasons, and wondered if anyone had advice on ways to get from the TA to Boulder and back?

I see this question was asked in 2006 without replies.  I am wondering what roads are like for riding from Breckenridge or Pueblo to Boulder, or if I should look for outfitters to get a lift($?).

I'm live in Virginia, so I'm used to having route choices but small roads not so common out West I realize.  Probably riding 40 mm tubeless tires or 44's, so gravel/dirt is not terrible. 

3

Routes / Mid Atlantic Short Route Detour

« on: October 25, 2022, 07:32:48 am »

On the Mid Atlantic Short Route, info correctly notes that Whites Ferry is closed.  It has been closed for over one year and reopening seems unlikely in near term as there is a legal dispute. Google has ignored my edit to show it as closed as of this writing

I have a detour that you may wish to reference which two warmshower's guests said worked well.  It does include some gravel, but not a lot.  It's my backyard, so I know a zero gravel version and big gravel version as well, but this one is good for range of bikes, imo. 

Here is a link to it for consideration: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40195976

4

Routes / Florence to Astoria

« on: August 14, 2022, 08:37:58 pm »

Planning WB trip that may go thru Eugene OR on the Trans Am.  I see main ACA route to Astoria, but we're contemplating a detour to Florence, and going up the Pacific Coast trail as an alternate route (still going to Astoria).

I see many comments about the wind along the coast, and I see data on that, backing up the stories (https://weatherspark.com/y/420/Average-Weather-in-Cannon-Beach-Oregon-United-States-Year-Round#Figures-WindDirection).

Other than wind, what are the prime considerations on choosing between these 2 routes? 

5

Connecting ACA Routes / Trans Am planning

« on: August 02, 2022, 09:05:05 pm »

Planning a 2024 trip, 65+ couple, one ebike, westbound. Perhaps 300 miles/week, riding 6 days a week, and likely 2-3 one week breaks at times.  Maybe leave May 1 or so

Thinking C&O/Gap from our house near DC, bypass PGH, and take Eastern Express out to the TransAm via the Katy Trail.  Then, Trans Am up into the Rockies and over to Missoula.  Then Going to the Sun and Great Parks North to loop briefly onto Canada, and pick up Northern Tier to Anacortes.

Mostly hotels to get ebike charged up each day. 

Any concerns from experienced transam veterans?  I have experience on shorter tours (under 1000 miles), and think I know what I'm doing, which is usually when I get in trouble

6

Connecting ACA Routes / Bloomington IN - Eastern Express

« on: July 29, 2022, 08:36:59 am »

Looking to take Eastern Express Trans Am route westbound, but would like to go through Bloomington IN perhaps where I have family.

That appears to be about 20 miles south of the route (map 14).  I can toy with mapping apps but wondered if anyone had done similar work already

7

GPS & Digital Data Discussion / Custom poster similar to TransAm Poster

« on: July 27, 2022, 08:27:32 pm »

I recently bought the great TransAm map poster from ACA.   Trying to plan a similar trip, but different and wondered if anyone has a good process for creating custom posters that are similar to this?   

Thinking the process might be something like this, but I have no idea what I am talking about mind you:

1) use ridewithgps to create the entire route (I am premium member, so I can merge routes, but some is manual routing of course)
2) export a gpx(? format?) to disk
3) import gpx into google earth and turn on profile?   (geez, I dislike the satellite view)  OR
3) import gpx (??) into google maps and use randymajors.org to turn on profile (not that I have actually tried randymajors.org yet)
4) turn on what seems relevant and print to pdf using a huge paper size (24x36 for example) and then crop to get rid of extraneous stuff
5) take may cropped pdf to FedEx and print it.

Anyone do this?

Matt

8

Routes / White Hall VA Community Center

« on: April 10, 2012, 06:48:33 am »

Thinking about camping one night behind the community center in White Hall, VA (TransAm trail), which I hear people do, but then I also hear the center is mostly locked these days???    A bit confused what you do about water and facilities in that case.   I know how to wilderness camp, but normal functions become ill-mannered inside town limits.....