Messages

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General Discussion / Re: Why did you go coast-to-coast? Research for a book.

« on: March 04, 2026, 03:50:43 pm »

At the risk of being perceived as obnoxiously self-promoting, I'll offer that I wrote and published a book after my cross-country tour and in Chapter 1 titled Knowing Why, I wrote:

"All extended travel is a quest. For me, this was not an expedition to find something; rather, it was a journey to let go, to put distance between what I have been and what I will become in the final third of my life. The potter Brother Thomas Bezanson said: "Life, really living, is always a willingness to end and let go and then to begin again." That sums up this trip's mission well."

If it's in bad taste to mention this, forgive me. The book is Across A Continent; Across A Life, Cycling Across America Into Non-retirement -its available on amazon or indepentent book sellers from Ingram.

I would encourage you to write your book, to explore why, and do the hard work to make that experience useful to all of us who love to read about the experiences of others as they travel the world on two-wheels.

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General Discussion / Re: Request for Updates Please

« on: March 04, 2026, 03:26:11 pm »

How do you get on the SaveACA mailing list? Thanks

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Routes / Pacific Coast Route in Late August - September

« on: December 10, 2025, 02:49:41 pm »

Anyone cycled the Pacific Coast Route in the last year or so? Planning a late August through September, Astoria to San Diego. Washington State doesnt seem as interesting to me and I assume I can spend extra time along the way in OR and CA. That make sense? Any info on traffic etc? Thanks, SY

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General Discussion / Re: Salt Lake City to Zion... In Mid-March to Mid April

« on: October 03, 2023, 06:17:58 pm »

Thanks much, just what I was looking for

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General Discussion / Re: Congrats to 90 year old Peter Langford for completing LEJOG!

« on: October 03, 2023, 12:37:22 pm »

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-suffolk-66889812#

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General Discussion / Salt Lake City to Zion... In Mid-March to Mid April

« on: October 03, 2023, 12:34:19 pm »

I am looking at a tour (not bike packing) from SLC to Zion with stops in Provo, Bryce, Escalante Staircase, etc. It looks like the USBRS has routes outlined. Is this feasible in mid-March through April? Would probably fly into SLC and out of Las Vegas. Assuming I can get a ride from St George UT to LV. 4-5 weeks. I am hoping for advice from anyone familiar with this area and that time of year. Thanks, SY.

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General Discussion / Re: Phoenix to Tucson tour in January

« on: October 14, 2022, 10:15:29 am »

Great info, thanks. We’re comfortable on the road and interstate if needed. I had planned to overnight in Florence rather than 100 mile day. Ride to Wilcox is optional. Is the oro valley worth a few days? The loop to Wilcox seems very rural is it paved or gravel do you know? Thanks again.

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General Discussion / Phoenix to Tucson tour in January

« on: October 13, 2022, 01:48:35 pm »

I am aware that Tucson is reported to be a great cycling destination. How feasible is it to fly into PHX, unbox the bikes and ride to Tucson via the Oro Valley and around the greater Tucson area. Looking towards heading east to Wilcox and then back to PHX to fly home. Anyone have an info on this. Thanks, SY

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General Discussion / Re: Electric Bike routes

« on: August 04, 2022, 09:42:26 am »

My wife and I rode Boston to Oregon last summer. She was on her Rivendell, which had been converted to an e-assist. We rode most of the Parks, Peaks, and Prairies route from MSP to east of Yellowstone, where cut north to Livingston and Bozeman. We carried an extra battery. At times, she got 70 miles on a battery, on days with a measurable headwind and high elevation gain, she might only get 25 miles on the same battery. Also, many e-bike batteries charge slowly. For us, a 45-minute charge at lunch resulted in about another 20 miles or less. That was when we can plug into some store or Diner's outlet, which every time people were glad to let us do. Overall, the second battery was one of the best investments we made, and the nine extra pounds relieved far more than that in anxiety. E-bike touring is the future for many people and it was a game changer for us as a couple. Wish you a great ride.

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General Discussion / Best book you've read on bicycle travel

« on: October 22, 2021, 03:47:06 pm »

While touring this summer I read (listened to) a number of books on bike travel. Including On Roads That Echo by Charlie Walker - exceptional..because he told his story, not just a travel journal. Well done and kept you wondering what challenge and obstacle was next.

What's your favorite bicycle touring book and WHY?

Thanks, SY

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Routes / Re: Looking for a Sept/Oct route suggestion for a long-ish first time bike tour

« on: September 17, 2021, 10:00:06 am »

Hi all, I am late to this discussion, but thought I would add a couple thoughts:
E-bike: go for it!!! My wife and I just finished a ride from Buffalo NY to Pacific City OR. 3,200 miles Her bike was converted Rivendell to e-assist. Battery was large enough for us to assume 40-50 miles/day. She was carrying 30-35lbs and total bike weight with gear was 69lbs at ACA HQ.

Climbing over Powder River Pass (9,666') was fine as we stopped overnight at 18 miles and charged. Wind in eastern OR was the real battery killer. She got 65 miles when elevation gain was 1,200' - 1,500' and no wind or a tailwind. Got 25-28 miles with a 15-20MPH headwind. We carried an extra battery from MSP to Pacific City OR. It weighted in at 9lbs and I carried it - which was fine with me since she was willing to go the distance with me.

You can UPS a battery to yourself at a hotel or home from your destination if needed.

Yes, you need to charge everyday (unless you invest in an extra) and it takes 5 hours or so. BUT, most campgrounds have electricity and we're too old to camp exclusively anyway, so cabins in campgrounds were a favorite. Motels might be the best way to do your first lengthy tour anyway. I've become a big fan of e-assist bike touring!!!

First Tour - I would suggest the Erie Canal or C&O as a way to break in. Good surfaces, easy places to stay, will meet other people and cyclists. Erie Canal has some road sections on NY State Bicycle RT 5, which is a nice mix and breaks from the tow path only scenery. Erie Canal would be my suggestion since from Central MA to Albany is short drive and you can Amtrak or simply rent a pickup one way from Buffalo back to your car. But be aware you need to rent ahead of time since car rentals are scare.

If I am so late you've already gone and done your tour -I hope it was a great experience. Welcome to this forum, these people are great and provided lots of help for us in planning our tour. DM me if you'd like more on the e-assist touring. SY

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General Discussion / Re: Wild fires disturbing your tour?

« on: July 27, 2021, 03:13:08 pm »

Thanks for all the discussion. Really appreciate this forum and everyone on it. It’s been an invaluable tool for our trip this year.

We left Twin Bridges and cycled to Butte. Figuring this gave us the best and most options. It was a nice ride over Pipestone Pass but a smoky one which certainly impacted our health. it was more difficult then Powder River pass in the Big Horns  because of air quality. We also met a number of cyclists both TransAm and GMDBR and CDT hikers Who were in the same situation trying to reroute around fires. Especially the Alder Creek and the Trail Creek fires.

We Took a shuttle from Butte to Missoula and watched the situation, visited ACA HQ (very nice experience), and waited for a few days. BTW Linked Adventures Shuttle (406) 498-9653, Gina Evans. Great resource and service running a large area east and west from Butte. Use her if needed.

In the end we’ve opted to go home and finish the ride next June. Before fire season hopefully. Even if we continued it would simply be for ego and to say “we did it”. It would not be for the beauty, the enjoyment of the experience, fishing the Lochsa and clearwater, or a relaxing ride through Lolo, Idaho, and the Columbia Gorge. It be smoky, stressful and a required reroute around sections we were really looking forward to touring through. Gotta ride your own ride.

I talked with some folks at ACA including some who had traveled through Lolo on the days before we arrived. No one said go for it.

Stay safe out there everyone, thanks again, SwampYankee

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General Discussion / Wild fires disturbing your tour?

« on: July 20, 2021, 10:53:46 pm »

Having crossed the US going west over the past 2 months we’ve arrived in Twin Bridges and find the TransAM route closed along 43 into Wisdom and Sula. Fires  burning all around Lolo Pass with sections of RT 12 closed we read and we see new fires in Oregon spreading around Walla Walla and along the Lewis & Clark route. Anyone else having their trip rerouted daily?

SW

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General Discussion / Re: Camping or not? Is the weight worth it?

« on: May 07, 2021, 02:05:11 pm »

All exceptional points. Thanks very much. I too like to get out early and favor the communal table. For me riding on a tour is all about meeting the people. This discussion helped me sort out the difference between camping and camping with all of the year I need to cook and food prep. We will be leaving soon for the West Coast from NEw England and mixing it up as you suggested.

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General Discussion / Re: Camping or not? Is the weight worth it?

« on: May 06, 2021, 05:28:04 pm »

As always, you folks are the best. Excellent thoughts here. So I just went through and rearranged gear again. For about 40th time I might add. If I take all the kitchen and cooking gear out of my packs, along with a few extra clothes I pair off about 11 pounds. This means I camp without cooking which seems like a pretty good compromise for my wife and I. It allows us to camp, take advantage of warm showers, and hotels all while the entire bike weight is 70 pounds or less. We’ll eat out or without cooking while camping.