Messages

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Routes / good tips for Western Trail please - places to stop, watch out for. Going West

« on: May 30, 2018, 10:36:16 pm »

Hello Everybody,

I started in New York and have followed the Eastern Express (in the main) and now just finishing the TransAm into Pueblo. Currently staying in Scott City tonight.

I am starting Western Trail from Pueblo next Tuesday 5th June going west to San Francisco. Just looking for key tips about what to take and what places are good to stop at. I have the digital maps which seem to work OK on the new app. Also how steep will the climbs be from East to West please? I am debating whether to move to full mountain groupset as currently just have 39/26 front and 11/36 rear - any opinions on this please?

Thanks, Al

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General Discussion / Re: Advice sought for New York to San Francisco route starting early April 2018

« on: December 03, 2017, 03:26:47 am »

Thanks for replies so far.

You offer very little info about yourself or experience.
I will be 55 when I start but I am fairly fit for my age. I have cycled for over 20 years and have done a number of multi-day tours in groups and solo e.g. France twice top to bottom (group and solo) including serious climbing in Alps (Galibier, Bonnette), La Marmotte about 8 times, weekly cycle around 60-100 miles. Camping is new to me but managed 5 days trip in UK so far with a few more planned before hitting the USA.

1. How long to you plan for the entire trip?
I will take the full 90 days that I'm allowed with the USA-UK visa waiver program. Also this is max the Wife will allow :-)
2. What kind of daily mileage do you expect?
Given I will be fully loaded I expect 70 miles max for easy days, maybe 50 for harder days. The start and end periods will be more holiday with my Wife, with the middle bits full-on touring.
3. You mentioned cities/warmshowers - otherwise camping, motels?
Yes otherwise camping as main option.

Finally, if you are hoping to fund part of your trip by charity appeal - think again.
Very good comment, as I really disagree with the idea that other people should pay for my holiday and then the charity gets what's left. All the money I raise will be given to the charities.
I'm also planning to write a short book, based upon asking people I meet about their lives, experiences etc - hopefully nothing contentious just trying to highlight how people in the USA and UK are these days i.e. nothing about religion, politics. The book will try to see how well the George Bernard Shaw quote stands today, namely  “England and America are two countries separated by the same language!".  As above I will fund the production costs with all proceeds raised going to charity.

I will review leaving date as flights not yet booked.

Again thanks for the help and advice. Any thoughts on suitable USA charities, please?

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General Discussion / Re: Advice sought for New York to San Francisco route starting early April 2018

« on: December 02, 2017, 12:01:11 pm »

I like cities and would not mind visiting a couple or so. I am planning on Warmshowering for some of the time as well, so cities might offer more options.
I will be joined by my Wife for the start and end phases. She will be with me for about 10 days each time and will follow me from NYC to Washington DC and then from Yosemite to SF all being well. Other than that I do not know much about any of the possible cities just yet but will research shortly. Thanks for responding.
Any good suggestions and ideas always welcome.

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General Discussion / Advice sought for New York to San Francisco route starting early April 2018

« on: December 02, 2017, 04:34:07 am »

Hello Everyone!

First post here so apologies up front for any errors - I am English so thought I would get my first "Sorry" in early :-). 

Anyhow, I would appreciate some advice on my potential trip, please as follows:

1. When in the USA, I will try to raise money for a USA-based charity that works for either children or people with learning disabilities. When I finish my USA trip, I plan to cycle Land's End to John O'Groats in UK ~ 900 miles and will raise money for Children in Need (www.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk) or Mencap (www.mencap.org.uk), so similar charities in the USA would be? Also any ideas for raising money as I travel?
2. Any suggested route places / options that I must not miss between NY and SF please?
3. Any views on what weather conditions I should prepare for given route and time of year please?
4. I plan to avoid Missouri given the "dog attack" problems I have read about in various blogs and forums. Am I being overly concerned and should I just "man up"?
5. Any other good ideas?

Regards, Harry