Topics

1

General Discussion / Amtrak from Boston to Chicago

« on: August 02, 2010, 09:56:55 pm »

Anyone know if the train from Boston to Chicago accommodates bikes, either as walk on or checked baggage?  Has anyone traveled with their bikes on Amtrak before?  Just curious if it would be best to bring it with me on the train or to ship it home.  I've tried calling Amtrak but the automated response was very annoying/difficult to get through.  Any info would be a great help. Thanks

2

General Discussion / Google Maps Bicycling

« on: March 12, 2010, 01:26:27 pm »

Has anyone else noticed that Google maps added a new feature for cycling? http://maps.google.com/maps?hq=http://maps.google.com/help/maps/directions/biking/mapplet.kml&ie=UTF8&ll=37.687624,-122.319717&spn=0.346132,0.727158&z=11&lci=bike&dirflg=b&f=d&utm_campaign=en&utm_medium=mapshpp&utm_source=en-mapshpp-na-us-gns-bd

Does anyone know if they tend to follow the adventure cycling maps/routes or if it is its own thing.  I only ask because I'm planning my first tour and I'm not familiar with all the routes yet that ACA has to offer.  Let me know what you all think

3

General Discussion / Getting time off work?

« on: February 24, 2010, 10:15:52 pm »

I'm new to all of this as I will be doing my first tour this summer from chicago to maine.  I'm 24 years old and I am currently working 2 jobs (shoe store/restaurant) to help pay for the trip, however I doubt if they are willing to let me take the time off to do the trip.   How have some of you convinced your work to let you do the ride, or do you just quit and do it anyway?  What kind of jobs do you have to take the time off? Should I give them a 2week notice about my trip, or should it be more/less notice than that? I could handle quitting the shoe store if it comes to it, and I feel the restaurant will have me back when I return, however I hope have a more secure job once I return from the trip. I will quit if it comes to it because this can be a life changing event for me and my friend. Just curious as to how to handle this dilemma.  Thanks

4

Routes / Lake Erie Connector vs. Northern Tier

« on: February 14, 2010, 12:54:18 pm »

I will be going from Illinois to Maine this summer via the Northern Tier, but I was wondering if anyone has done the Lake Erie connector.  I believe there is a ferry in Sandusky,OH that stops through Pelee Island and continues to Canada. It looks as though the lake erie connector would be shorter but there is a chance we would have to stay on Pelee Island for a night and lose some riding time.  Roughly how expensive is that ferry? Any thoughts on this would be greatly helpful.  Thanks much

5

Gear Talk / Jamis Aurora vs. Surly LHT

« on: January 27, 2010, 04:31:48 pm »

This will be my first tour, and unfortunately we will not be able to make it to the west coast from chicago, but will instead head east and most likely follow the northern tier.  My budget for a bike is roughly $1200, and I've been eyeing the Jamis Aurora and Surly Long Haul Trucker.  Which bike is more versatile/durable/more bang for my buck and can get me there with minimal problems.  Or are there any other bikes that i should consider in that price range before I drop the dough.  Any help on this would be great. 

6

Routes / Chicago to west coast?

« on: January 18, 2010, 12:18:02 pm »

This will be my first bike tour this summer and my friend and I are deciding between going to SanFran or to Seattle.  Which would be quicker, easier, and more scenic. Which routes should be taken.  We might only have 35 days tops to do this, I'm hoping my friend is able to get another 10-15 days off.  Thanks