Topics

1

General Discussion / route advice :Western tour

« on: July 28, 2018, 01:47:12 pm »

Greetings,
I am planning a trip from  San Francisco , down to Yosemite, giant redwoods , across Death Valley , on to the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Arches then either across to Denver or up to Portland.
Timing is my big issue. When is the earliest I could start ? I really want to be out of the Arches by mid/end of May. Is this possible ? I generally ride 50 to 80 miles a day ( depending on terrain , temperature and winds).
I'll be camping or warm showers. Can anyone recommend reasonable campsites ?
Are dogs a problem ?
Finally , what roads are to be avoided ? ( I did the Transam 2 years ago and the concrete roads drove me nuts - bump , bump , bump ,bump for mile after long , long mile).
Many thanks.

2

Routes / Danube from Black Sea into Germany.

« on: October 04, 2017, 03:21:01 pm »

Has anyone ridden the section from the Black sea ?  I'm interested in the availability of campsites. Any other advice would be appreciated.  Thanks

3

Routes / where can I buy aca maps.

« on: April 21, 2016, 12:54:51 am »

Is it possible to buy aca maps other than from the ACA  ?  I'm thinking of altering my route when I get to Pueblo . Are they available in cycling shops ?

4

General Discussion / cheap camping around sacramento and yosemite.

« on: April 19, 2016, 10:11:04 am »

 I'm finishing my cross America route at Sacramento and hope to have time for a trip down to Yosemite .

Does anyone know of cheap / primitive but reasonable quality camping around sacramento? I have to call in  at the airport to clarify an issue with flying with my bike back to the UK.
I've checked Sacwest RV park and it gets terrible reviews. Does anyone know if Beals Point on Folsom lake does hiker /biker sites ? They are quoting about $28 for camping - a bit high.

Can anyone recommend cheap camping and a route from Sacramento to Yosemite ?
Thanks in anticipation.

5

Routes / camping in the Shenandoah valley

« on: March 21, 2016, 04:23:22 pm »

I'm riding down the Shenandoah Valley to join the Transam at Vesuvius. I'm looking for somewhere to camp around Mt. Jackson / Timberville but the campsites I've checked so far want $40 for a night ! Has anyone got suggestions which will be cheaper ?
many thanks.

6

General Discussion / camping on city parks

« on: January 28, 2016, 11:02:12 am »

 The ACA maps say that the local police have to be contacted before camping on city parks  (i'm doing the transam) .Is it always necessary to do this ?
Thanks

7

General Discussion / Getting out of Dulles Airport.

« on: November 12, 2015, 04:40:37 am »

I'm arriving at Dulles at about 19.30 on the 1st of May . It will be dark by the time I get through customs and assemble my bike.
My plan was to find a quiet corner and doze the night away until sunrise and then head out of the airport on the Arianne way to hit the Dominion and old colonial cycle trail. Will I be allowed to hang about the airport/doze until sunrise or will security chuck me out.
Plan B was to ride out - in the dark - to the D&OC trail and camp there.
Plan C was to find a nearby hotel and ride there - in the dark- and spend my hard saved holiday money.
Has anyone got any suggestions ?
I'm not keen to ride in the dark and I doubt if I'd find a taxi willing to take my bike !
Many thanks.

8

General Discussion / Flying with a bike . Help!

« on: November 09, 2015, 12:07:50 pm »

Not literally. I'm  hoping to fly out of Sacramento (back to the UK)  but am having problems getting information about taking my bike on Alaska Airlines (a connecting flight). I can't book my bike  from this side and can't find an e mail address for them. Here are my questions !!!
1) Will I be ok with my bike in a soft bag (heavy duty , clear plastic) sold for the purpose  or do airlines insist on boxed bikes ?
2) I'll obviously have a ticket for the plane but is there ever an issue getting the bike on as extra baggage without pre-booking ?

9

General Discussion / Dogs n' bears

« on: October 30, 2015, 03:49:53 pm »

I've read several journals of the crazyguy site. Dogs in East Kentucky seem to be a problem.  Can anyone suggest deterrents ? Do dog dazers or whistles work ?  I've also spotted that some transamers have carried 'bear boxes ' and others haven't. Given that the others have survived  are bbs really necessary ? I was going to hang tasty items from a tree. (The nearest thing we get to a dangerous mammal in the UK is a feral teenager).
Thanks

10

Routes / Diversion from Western express - advice needed !

« on: October 23, 2015, 12:18:58 pm »

I'm planning to ride the Transam  west bound to Pueblo then take the western express. I am thinking of leaving the W.E. to  visit the Grand canyon North Rim. The route I had in mind is as follows :
Divert at Bluff onto either the 163 to Kayenta or 191 to Mexican Hat.
Then take the 160 and 98 to Page.
Then take the 89 to Bitter Springs.
Then the 89A to the north rim.
Then the 89 to rejoin the Western express.
I'm going to buy the Grand Canyon Connector ACA maps  but they leave a gap between Bluff and Bitter Springs.
Can anyone give me advice on the route I've planned from Bluff ? Will I be able to get water and food ?
What are the roads like ?  I saw a video blog that said the 163 was a dangerous road.
I'm hoping to be there in mid June.

Many thanks.

11

Routes / cheap camping near charlottesville va.

« on: October 23, 2015, 12:00:13 pm »

Does anyone know of any cheap campsites or camping spots  near Charlottesville ?  I'll be on the transam.  I've found one campsite at around $25 plus tax.
Thanks.

12

General Discussion / camping sites in the Western USA

« on: September 28, 2015, 04:04:54 am »

I live in the UK , I'm planning a trip to the west of the USA and am having some problems finding camping sites . I've explored the web but without much success.
I don't mind a bit of wild camping as long as it is secure but as I get older (60 now)  I prefer camp sites.
Can anyone suggest web sites which have location maps , facilities and prices ?
I am also confused by the rules surrounding wild camping in different areas such as forest land , state parks and BML land.
I've wild camped a lot over the years , all through Europe but I do like to follow the rules.

Many thanks.

13

Routes / which route in usa

« on: September 08, 2015, 02:56:41 pm »

I live in the uk and am torn between two routes :
1)The transamerica  with a turn off at Pueblo heading for San Francisco. My big objection is the middle bit which appears to be 1200 miles of pretty flat , straight roads. I spent a day riding across Lincolnshire  on straight roads , it bored me to death.
Does anyone have experience of the middle section ? I know its personal opinion but was it really dull ?
2) Starting at Sacramento , down the Pacific coast to San Diago , up to the Grand canyon , Zion , Bryce , Monument valley , Moab , SLC , east across the divide , up to Yellowsone , across to Portland , down the coast and back to Sacramento. I was going to start in late March / early April .  Is this too early?
Can you advise on which would be the best route ? This will probably be my only trip to the USA.

Thanks Preston UK