Topics

1

General Discussion / It Ain't The Prettiest, But . . .

« on: January 06, 2020, 09:25:14 am »

Its not the prettiest but its the safest.

Forget about all the many things that make a route great, such as scenery, culture, people, challenge, weather, etc., etc.  Which of the AC routes, or significant portions thereof (e.g., over 250 miles or even 100) are the safest.

Not safe from bears, or beer can throwing bike haters, or criminals, or severe weather.  Just the one factor of safe road conditions like light traffic, slow traffic and/or good shoulders.

Not the absolute safest, as there may not be many who have toured all AC routes.  The safest you have ridden.

2

South Atlantic / Parking Silver Comet Trail and FL Coast to Coast

« on: December 27, 2019, 04:49:18 pm »

I am planning my first tour and I have decided to do either the Silver Comet Trail bike path from Smyrna, GA to Anniston, AL and back, or the Florida Coast to Coast Trail bike path starting from Titusville, Fl.  The former is about 190 miles out and back and the latter is 500 miles out and back, but I would probably limit it to about 200 miles total as well.


I like both routes but am having trouble figuring out where I could park my car for the 4-5 days I would be gone and have it be reasonably secure.

I have determined I can probably stay at a local hotel in either starting town the night before leaving and would be allowed to keep my vehicle there at my own risk.  I may have to do that but would prefer something a little more secure.

I would be grateful for any info on a possible place to park for either route. 

3

General Discussion / Others Like Great Divide

« on: November 08, 2019, 09:49:10 am »

I am new to the ACA and this forum.  I am 70 and recently returned to cycling after many years away.  I am retired and riding around 100 miles a week.

I began with a road bike, which I loved, but local traffic and road conditions led to so many close calls, despite my best efforts to ride defensively, that I traded it in for a Mountain Bike.  I do not do what young folks do, nothing technical or dangerous, just ride hard pack, dirt and gravel roads and trails, which I enjoy very much.

I have always been fascinated by touring but never tried it and my current attitude toward cycling on the roads makes it unlikely I ever will.  Still, I joined ACA so I could enjoy reading about touring.

Then I read about the Great Divide Trail.  I am just learning about it at this point but what I have read so far suggests that I could find sections where I could ride for an extended distance, away from traffic, and even do so on a credit card touring basis.  I have a great deal of hiking and backpacking experience, but at this age, bikepacking is not my interest.

I will continue to research the Great Divide with a view toward doing a portion of it next summer.  I would like, however, to get in some shorter dirt tour riding before then that may be closer to my home in South Carolina.  I am researching possible dirt/gravel/etc. roads long enough to allow a 2-3 day trip but I have found nothing yet.  It occurs to me that only the Rocky Mountain Range or the west coast ranges might have long stretches of low or no traffic trails/roads of any significant length.  Certainly, I have found nothing yet like that in the Appalachians.

But I thought you folks might know of something.  I do not actually dislike pavement in and of itself, just the heavy traffic that it attracts in the East.  Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks.