Messages

1

Routes / Re: Florence Oregon TransAm route to Missoula then Northern Tier to Great Lakes.....

« on: March 13, 2022, 08:53:51 pm »

I rode from W/E departing from Florence the last weekend in May and the timing was about perfect. McKenzie pass was recently opened for cyclists and hikers but still closed to cars because of snow. Snow was still deep on the pass but I didn’t get snowed on during the ride.  The weather was good with only some spots of cold rain on some passes in Eastern OR and ID.

2

Gear Talk / Re: Quad Loc Phone Holder?

« on: March 06, 2022, 08:34:52 pm »

Different product, but has anyone tried the Rokform V4 Pro Series Bike Mount? Any thoughts on this or the Quad Loc vs. the rokform would be appreciated.
https://www.rokform.com/products/v4-pro-series-iphone-bike-mount

I haven't compared, but I have been using the Rokform for about 8 years.  It is a "rok" solid system ;-) 
You do have to use the whole system though for it to work but their cases are excellent not to large but still very protective.  I have used the case on all my phones regardless of whether or not I am doing a tour and using the bike mount.

3

Gear Talk / Re: Chair

« on: March 06, 2022, 08:24:06 pm »

I have one too.  Unless it is raining it is the first thing I set up at each camp site. I enjoyed it. Often if I was close to a river or a scenic view I would carry it over to sit in in the evening while I relaxed or read.

4

General Discussion / Re: Transamerica help - May 2022 start

« on: March 06, 2022, 01:18:31 pm »

I rode the TA from Oregon to the middle of Kansas where I ran out of available riding time and stopped.  The following summer I finished my cross country ride and started in Denver and picked up the Eastern Express Route and rode to Washington D.C.  I don't have a direct comparison since I didn't finish on the eastern half of the TA but I am just commenting here that my favorite parts of the second half of the adventure for me were riding the Katy Trail and riding the GAP and the C&O trails.  I didn't run into very many other cycle tourist between St Louis and Pittsburg but there were many riders on the three trails and I made some good friends and rode with them on all three trail sections of the Eastern Express. 

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General Discussion / Re: TransAm Stats?

« on: March 03, 2022, 01:42:16 pm »

I think that this is a very helpful post and concisely answers a fundamentally important question for many if not most planning their first cross country on the TA.  I found this E-W and W-E information out a few years back after many days of reading and searching.  It seems like an edited copy of this made into a sticky FAQ at the top of the list would be helpful to many first time readers on the forum.


The title would need to be changed as someone would not know the contents from the title.   
1. Jamawani's detailed reply is quite helpful. 
2. John's quick and simple May 10th and June 10th reply is a great starting point for a starting point
3. and the thoughts from Pete about how to process direction adds much to this response and   
should be edited into one post for all to see.




Whether or not stickies or FAQs are done on the forum let me just say you all are great and helpful forum members.  Well done! 
Keith

6

Routes / Re: Route ideas for touring in my 5 northern missing states

« on: January 20, 2022, 01:53:30 pm »

Someone mentioned Spearfish. Loved it there. Nicest municipal campground I have ever stayed in, despite the poor choice of bathhouse floor tile.

Bathhouse floor tile - did you take a picture? 

I appreciate this post and the previous posters helpful posts regarding this route   Thanks

7

Routes / Re: Route ideas for touring in my 5 northern missing states

« on: January 19, 2022, 02:22:14 am »

If I were to only count states I have ridden in, or the even more difficult goal of having ridden across the state -- then that is an unobtainable goal for me. Its fun though to say I have visited all 50 states.  I can do that one and would like to.

Interesting story, I tried to visit 4 African countries in one day.  Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia. It didn't happen as border posts and ferries and bad roads prevented it but we made 3 and my kids still remember it as a fun adventure trying to do it.

8

Routes / Re: Route ideas for touring in my 5 northern missing states

« on: January 18, 2022, 06:49:21 pm »

Thanks for the heads up re: Amtrak.
For this possible tour starting in Minot when do you think you would start?

9

Routes / Re: Route ideas for touring in my 5 northern missing states

« on: January 18, 2022, 05:28:00 pm »

Do you do dirt?
Do you prefer busier roads with services or quiet back roads?
How much time do you have for this - - and when.
January is rather chilly, but Juy can be blistering hot in the Dakotas.

I Used to hate dirt but my newest bike's tires handle dirt fine
I'm limiting myself to plus or minus 4 weeks
Perhaps Cinco de Mayo would be a good start date

I prefer quiet back roads with lots of services

10

Routes / Re: Route ideas for touring in my 5 northern missing states

« on: January 18, 2022, 03:53:09 pm »

In the past couple years, I have thought from time to time that the idea of a route encompassing these 5 remaining states on my list would be a good idea, but this is the first time I have done so in front of the computer and maps - looking to see if it is possible or wise etc. Thanks for the ideas.  I just spent the last couple hours trying to google.map the 2 suggested routes above.

Here are my first takes after 2 hours mapping. 
Starting my trip from my son's house in Washington is a better idea if I board the Amtrak there.  I quickly realized don't have enough time to do another cross country at this time.  But Amtrak from Washington to ND looks good.  John why did you suggest Minot - Just curious?  It looks like bikes are allowed to board at both in Minot and Williston.

Second thought I'd probably be happy to take the Ferry and ride to Sleeping Bear Dunes and end the ride there. I can and leave the extra sight seeing in Salt St. Marie to another trip.  My wife and I are planning to vacation in the Upper Peninsula the summer after she retires anyway.

I do enjoy the bike paths and rail trails.  I thoroughly enjoyed the Kathy trail, the GAP and the C&O, as well as one I am forgetting the name of out of Cincinnati.

Last, is Mount Rushmore worth a detour to see on bicycle?

11

Routes / Re: Route ideas for touring in my 5 northern missing states

« on: January 18, 2022, 12:56:22 pm »

For my purposes I am talking about having visited even briefly.  For example years ago I was driving across Arkansas from Jonesboro to Fayetteville. When I reached Fort Smith I detoured West into Ok and over to hwy 59, I turned north and had lunch in Stilwell then continued north back into Arkansas to Fayetteville.  That was probably only 2 hours, but I do count it.

12

Routes / Route ideas for touring in my 5 northern missing states

« on: January 18, 2022, 03:22:37 am »

I haven't chimed in for quite awhile but still here following the discussions. I'm thinking about tour ideas for next summers riding season.  There are 5 remaining states in the USA that I have never been to.  North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan.  I am thinking perhaps I might  incorporate these last 5 states into a tour. 


I have ridden through a couple states making up my own route with no problems but even so I would prefer to stay on established routes where I can take advantage of the ACA maps and more often encounter other riders to visit with.  Any ideas of a nice route.


I can see having two places to start depending on how much time I decide to take.  I have a son who lives in Kennewick, WA  I could start there. It wouldn't take much arm twisting to get my wife to go visit the grandkids and deliver me and my bicycle to a starting point pretty close to the Lewis and Clark route.  I could then ride east following the route to the Dakotas.  The shorter option if I can't budget as much time would be if I could take Amtrak's Empire Builder and depart at an appropriate station closer to North Dakota.  From there what do you think might be the a great route to enjoy Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan without too much backtracking.

13

General Discussion / Re: Hillbilly dogs

« on: August 23, 2021, 08:57:07 pm »

I rode W-E on the TransAm from Oregon to Colorado and then in Eastern Colorado I veered off north to continue across on the the EasternExpress route.  I did not do so to avoid dogs or to avoid riding the more difficult E mountains sections. I did so because I wanted to experience the Katy trail and I wanted to pass through St Louis and Cincinnati to visit some family along the way.  I had mixed feelings about the EasternExpress. I thoroughly enjoyed both the Katy trail and the GAP and C&O. I think experiencing those two well known trails made it worth the trade off of missing the Eastern half of the TA.  I also quite enjoyed my ride across Ohio.  From St Louis to Cincinnati was the the least favorite section of the whole ride. (Well that and about 40 mile of wind swept Southern Wyoming.)
BTW Staehpj1 my worst ever dog experience was also the California Central Valley.

14

Routes / Re: UK rider planning Transamerica, West to East, starting August.

« on: May 20, 2021, 01:33:04 am »

1) What is the best mobile network as I would like to buy a US SIM for Iphone.  Any suggestions on network or SIM only deals with lots of data?

I agree with Pat, Verizon still has best coverage across the country but AT&T isn’t much behind and T-mobile which is the 3rd network, has made huge progress in its filling in missing areas of coverage in the past 2 years. I feel it covers about equal with AT&T now.  3 years ago I bought a Cricket sim card with unlimited data for approx $30 per month. Cricket uses the ATT network, and gives you a slower top speed but I found it very fine throughout the tour.  I didn’t stream a lot of video but I did stream a lot of audio - music, pods and baseball games and it was great. I had a few audio books downloaded to the phone to use in undercovered areas to keep me entertained.

15

Gear Talk / Re: Finding a Touring Bike 2021

« on: May 12, 2021, 02:26:35 pm »

I am in search of a bike for a few planned road tours.  After receiving notice of the Trek 520 not being available last year, I chose to hold off to wait for a bike to become available this year.  Now I am told that one a 520 will not be available until late 2022 or later...

I recently (4 months back) purchased a Trek 520. My local bike shop said it would be 9 months back order so I went to the Trek.com web page and clicked on my size and then put in my zip code and the told the search to show only stores with bike in stock. It showed me about 6 stores within 3 hours with stock.I just now did a test and input size 54 then added a zip code for Los Angles and the site gave me two stores with a 54cm 520 in stock in Southern CA.  So check it out for your size frame and your part of the country -if a 520 is what you want.  I also found my local REI had touring bikes in stock.