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« on: February 16, 2015, 02:01:09 am »
My suggestion is to keep it as simple as possible. Load your bike, gear and take Amtrak to as close to your start as possible. If taking the C&O canal route through the Appalachians is an option, do it. If you need to shortcut the ACA route do it. The fact is, I always always lay out the ACA maps with a highlighter on a STATE map such as those produced by AAA. ACA maps are single purpose. They are excellent, well worth the money. The have several draw backs though. They avoid cities and towns like the plague. This means the ACA may not show services (like hotels and motels) when there may be several a short distance off route. It also means "the scenic route" is marked when a wide shouldered highway would cut off many miles. The AAA type map layout reveals these inconsistencies. You'll see what I mean. When you are following the ACA map, be sure to orient the north arrow. When we did the Atlantic Coast, the north arrow was actually pointing down (normally south) as the route weaved southwest at that point. I get very excited when I begin to layout the route. You do realize if you take the Express option, you will just have to head back and ride those other rivers, climb the passes you have yet to experience. This is a good thing. I see at least two more tours in the western states.
When you ride the Atlantic Coast, you can get a ride across the Chesapeake Bay toll bridge for the price of the car toll ($5 I believe)and avoid all the circumnavigational hassles. Make that three more tours. In the western states we have laws that mandate campsites for hikers and bikers. Generally they are free or very inexpensive. The powers that be decided that someone walking or riding a bicycle into a state or national campground probably really needed a place to stay. Adding another twenty miles is not an option for them, where as Mr Motorhome could drive to a Walmart pretty easily. We do not need hook ups so smaller areas would work just fine. You will be amazed at some of the great places you'll get, particularly when you ride the Pacific Coast. Buy a platypus bag, perhaps two, for water. It will make you happy somewhere along the line.
I have found commercial drivers -Big Rigs- are the safest. I cannot speak to Kentucky or WV, but log trucks and tractor trailers give us plenty of room. The trick is to see them in your mirror first and try to be as courteous as possible by timing the traffic and their pass. I wave to them, avoid pinch points, and let them know when they are clear of me. Since they communicate with each other up and down the highway, they act as traffic scouts and no one is surprised or caught unaware. On the other hand, beware of Buick's, motorhomes with wide mirrors and the forgotten retractable steps and cars and pickups pulling boats and ATV trailers. They always seem to cut back too soon. I recommend riding the right side tire track where there is no shoulder or it is inadequate. If you hug the white line, cars with try to squeeze by between you and the center line, even when there is no oncoming traffic. It is a psychological thing for them. However if you take that third of the lane, the car will pull way around you. If there is oncoming traffic, take the middle of the lane if necessary. They may be a 30 seconds later for the Bible study or coffee with the boys, but they won't mind and you'll be safer.
The three C's apply to highway travel. Courtesy, Communication, Common Sense. Our traffic laws are derived from first come first served, not I'm bigger, get out of my way. The overtaking vehicle has the responsibility to pass safely. Your responsibility is to be predictable. You can visit your friends up north when you tour the Great Lakes, yet another great area to tour.
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