Topics

1

Connecting ACA Routes / UGRR to TransAm

« on: April 16, 2014, 06:15:38 pm »

As part of a cross USA trip next year I plan to use both the UGRR and the TransAm to get to the West Coast. I plan to go up the UGRR to at least the Shiloh National Military Park.  I can then continue on to Cave-in-Rock to connect with the TransAm but I can also set off in a northwest direction and connect to the TransAm south of Mark Twain National Forest. The latter route cuts off a fair amount of distance and a lot of elevation.  The main drawback may be that it also cuts off some nice areas to cycle through but I am not sure if that is the case.

The most direct route NW goes through Jackson and over the Caruthersville Bridge but I think this crossing of the Mississippi might be banned to cyclists.  A bit further north is the Dorena-Hickman Ferry which I believe runs everyday assuming the river is not in flood. Any suggestions about routes through this area would be greatly appreciated.

2

General Discussion / Olympic Discovery Trail

« on: January 13, 2014, 02:05:43 am »

I hope to use this trail as part of my route from Port Townsend to Cape Flattery. Unfortunately most of the information on the website (http://www.olympicdiscoverytrail.com/index.html) appears to be several years old. Is it worthwhile trying to follow the trail or is it just better to stick to Hwy 101 and 112? My biggest concerns are whether or not the trail is properly marked and the route is paved or a has reasonably hard surface.  I will be riding a fully loaded touring bike so I am not interested in loose gravel surfaces. Thanks for any help.

3

Connecting ACA Routes / St. Augustine to Cave-in-Rock

« on: September 30, 2013, 04:48:52 pm »

As part of a corner to corner ride of the US I planned to ride the Atlantic route north to St. Augustine and then the Southern Tier to join with the Underground Railway near Mobile and then north to link with TransAmerica route at Cave-in-Rock.

However if there is a better route, say through Georgia, that is a bit more direct and is just as scenic I would appreciate the information.

4

Routes / Underground Railroad or Great Rivers

« on: February 05, 2013, 02:29:44 am »

I plan to do a southeast to northwest crossing of the USA. To get from the Southern Tier route up to Cave-in-Rock and the TransAmerica route I plan to use the Underground Railroad route for most of the way.  However I noticed that the UR crosses the Great Rivers route twice before they join south of Cave-in-Rock.

My question is: Between the southern crossing point, near Tishomingo,  and the northern crossing, near Waverly, which is the better route to use? In particular ease of riding, traffic, food stops etc.

5

Routes / USA Corner to Corner

« on: December 15, 2012, 09:11:24 pm »

In the fall of 2013 or spring of 2014 I plan to do a corner to corner crossing of the USA. Most of the ride will be on the following ACA routes: Atlantic Coast, Southern Tier, Underground Railway, TransAmerica and either Highway 2 or I 90 through Washington. Time is not an issue, I am retired, but I would like to know which direction is the most wind friendly and what time of the year is best to start.  Also, is either one of these two routes through Washington better than the other.

I figure a max of 75 to 80 days should do.

6

Routes / Best Route St. Louis to Missoula

« on: January 18, 2012, 06:17:43 pm »

As part of a self supported trans US trip I will be going through this  section.  I will be going through the St. Louis area, not specifically through the city. I have looked at both the Lewis and Clark Route and the TransAmerica Route and can see positives in both.  At the moment I favor the TA route but am open to other ideas.  I am more interested in scenery than difficulty but if one is dramatically more difficult it could make a difference.  I will be riding southeast to northwest, from late spring to early summer.