1
Routes / Re: Missoula Bound in June
« on: March 02, 2025, 02:10:15 pm »
Wow, fantastic trip. I can see why you're excited about it. I too am planning to camp in a lot of government-run campgrounds this summer.
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2
Routes / Re: ACA TransAmerican Summer 2025
« on: February 22, 2025, 01:46:11 am »I am also interested in riding coast to coast this summer, but as I am still in school, I would need to leave early June.IMO, if you leave in early June, it's best to go west to east. If you leave in early May, it's best to go east to west.
3
General Discussion / Re: Costs per day?
« on: January 22, 2025, 05:44:40 pm »One of the biggest cyclist-unfriendly things I encounter at motels is that many of them do not allow you to keep your bike(s) in your room.Of the last 67 times I've stayed in a motel on a bicycle tour, I've been denied keeping my bicycle in my room zero times. I never ask. I just do it.
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General Discussion / Re: Costs per day?
« on: January 17, 2025, 02:14:03 pm »
My tours have averaged from $15 to $70 a day. It’s easy to see how those numbers could be much higher.
5
General Discussion / Re: Seeking Trans/Am or Great American Rail Trail Group/Partners
« on: January 16, 2025, 03:58:54 pm »
My suggestions:
- Go alone. Nothing like the freedom of going as far and fast as you want, stopping whenever you want, eating wherever you want, sleeping wherever you want, and not worrying about where anyone else is.
- Take the ACA Transamerica Trail. There are more cyclist services along this route than any other.
- You won’t be alone long. You’ll find lots of people to ride with if you want.
- Early-May to mid-May is the perfect time to start. Go east to west.
6
Routes / Re: NY to California route
« on: January 09, 2025, 05:46:01 pm »
You can purchase the paper maps from the ACA and create the digital routes from them. This is time-consuming, but it allows you to customize your routes into daily segments and to include any side trips you want to make, including routing you to your choice of motel or campground.
You can also buy the digital maps from the ACA, but be sure to read the fine print so that you'll know exactly what you are getting, how it can be used, and what it provides.
I haven't yet tried the RideWithGps products (what the ACA calls the "Ride with GPS Experience"). It may be that this is the best option (when available for the route you want). If you need something to load on your Garmin before then, my recommendation would be to create your own from the paper maps. But, as I said, this is time-consuming (but it's what I do).
Riding through the Mojave Desert in the summer can be challenging, but also wonderful. At your pace, it will take you about two days (it's 200 miles from Needles to Victorville). With the right preparation, it's doable. Carry gallons of water and drink it all. Be familiar with the symptoms of heat stroke.
You can also buy the digital maps from the ACA, but be sure to read the fine print so that you'll know exactly what you are getting, how it can be used, and what it provides.
- ACA has a recent partnership with RideWithGps, but it only includes a few routes so far (not including BR66 or CNYC yet). Other routes are coming in the next few months. But there are some limitations you should understand before you buy.
- You can also buy GPX files for most routes. But these files are typically just large files that cover around 500 miles each. On most devices, these files will not result in turn-by-turn directions on your bicycle computer, and ACA intends to phase these products out. I don't like this option.
- You can also use the Bicycle Route Navigator, but this is intended for use on a smartphone, not a bicycle computer.
I haven't yet tried the RideWithGps products (what the ACA calls the "Ride with GPS Experience"). It may be that this is the best option (when available for the route you want). If you need something to load on your Garmin before then, my recommendation would be to create your own from the paper maps. But, as I said, this is time-consuming (but it's what I do).
Riding through the Mojave Desert in the summer can be challenging, but also wonderful. At your pace, it will take you about two days (it's 200 miles from Needles to Victorville). With the right preparation, it's doable. Carry gallons of water and drink it all. Be familiar with the symptoms of heat stroke.
7
Routes / Re: NY to California route
« on: January 09, 2025, 03:46:01 pm »
Of course there are a near-infinite number of possible routes. Which one you choose would depend on your priorities, such as how much time you have to do it and whether there are any particular sites you want to see along the way. Other factors include whether you prefer a route that encounters civilization frequently, or whether you like to be farther off the beaten path.
I like ACA routes. We are, after all, on the ACA web site. Following an ACA route simplifies much of the planning, and it gives you a framework to plan around. Some people, however, prefer a more "invent it as you go" method.
My suggestion would be to follow the ACA CNYC route from New York to Chicago, and the Bicycle Route 66 route from Chicago to Los Angeles. I've done both of those routes and both are fantastic. CNYC offers the C&O and GAP, wonderful cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, history of Gettysburg, fascinating museums such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Air Force Museum, the Wright Brothers museum, and the Andy Warhol museum. R66 offers a full plate of old motels and bridges, and is a blast from the past. Even the Mojave Desert, harsh as it is, can be a wonderful experience.
I like ACA routes. We are, after all, on the ACA web site. Following an ACA route simplifies much of the planning, and it gives you a framework to plan around. Some people, however, prefer a more "invent it as you go" method.
My suggestion would be to follow the ACA CNYC route from New York to Chicago, and the Bicycle Route 66 route from Chicago to Los Angeles. I've done both of those routes and both are fantastic. CNYC offers the C&O and GAP, wonderful cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, history of Gettysburg, fascinating museums such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Air Force Museum, the Wright Brothers museum, and the Andy Warhol museum. R66 offers a full plate of old motels and bridges, and is a blast from the past. Even the Mojave Desert, harsh as it is, can be a wonderful experience.
8
General Discussion / Re: campsites on Empire State Trail
« on: January 08, 2025, 09:01:15 pm »
The only place I've camped along the Erie Canalway is at Middleport. It was delightful. Nice grass, electricity, restrooms and showers. Easy access to restaurants in town.
9
General Discussion / Re: To whom can I send my bike in Denver/Salt Lake City/Seattle or nearby
« on: December 20, 2024, 01:38:53 am »1 day per 300 meters differenceInteresting rule of thumb. I'm not disputing it, but where did you get it?
Touring in the mountains of Colorado is certainly wonderful, but as John said, can induce altitude sickness. To reduce the risk, keep your mileage low, try to overnight at lower altitudes, take rest days, drink plenty of water, avoid caffeine and alcohol. If you start having headaches or getting nauseated or dizzy, rest and descend to a lower altitude if possible.
10
General Discussion / Re: To whom can I send my bike in Denver/Salt Lake City/Seattle or nearby
« on: December 18, 2024, 09:27:18 pm »
You said Denver in one place and Dallas in another. Which one do you mean? Or do you mean both?
Have you found an economically feasible shipping service for sending your bike from Germany to the US and back again? Which one? I've investigated this several times in the past and have never found anything reasonably priced (i.e., cheaper than just renting a bike at the destination, depending on the length of your tour).
I agree with John Nettles about finding a bike shop, hotel or Warm Showers host to send your bike to. I think the hotel option might be best. Find a hotel near enough to the airport to have shuttle service from the airport. Most larger hotels will be happy to store the box for weeks before your arrival. The last time I did this they held it for six weeks until I got there. They can also hold the empty box while you are on tour.
Have you found an economically feasible shipping service for sending your bike from Germany to the US and back again? Which one? I've investigated this several times in the past and have never found anything reasonably priced (i.e., cheaper than just renting a bike at the destination, depending on the length of your tour).
I agree with John Nettles about finding a bike shop, hotel or Warm Showers host to send your bike to. I think the hotel option might be best. Find a hotel near enough to the airport to have shuttle service from the airport. Most larger hotels will be happy to store the box for weeks before your arrival. The last time I did this they held it for six weeks until I got there. They can also hold the empty box while you are on tour.
11
GPS & Digital Data Discussion / Re: Buy now or later?
« on: December 05, 2024, 08:51:40 pm »
I have purchased paper maps alone. I have purchased GPX alone. I have purchased both. My current preference, which I have done several times, is buy the paper maps and create my own GPX files from them. I create one file for each day, and route it directly to my hotel, host or campground.
I did R66 east to west and measured the wind each day with a wind meter. Overall, the wind hurt me, but I would still do it in the same direction anyway. After all, that’s the way the original Route 66 travelers did it. Be sure to watch two movies before you start: “Grapes of Wrath” and “Cars”.
I did R66 east to west and measured the wind each day with a wind meter. Overall, the wind hurt me, but I would still do it in the same direction anyway. After all, that’s the way the original Route 66 travelers did it. Be sure to watch two movies before you start: “Grapes of Wrath” and “Cars”.
12
General Discussion / Re: Great Rivers South
« on: December 04, 2024, 04:36:04 pm »
How did you determine that this was illegal?
13
General Discussion / Re: ACA Donation Requests
« on: November 25, 2024, 05:13:03 pm »
Also, did the annual membership take a big jump? If memory serves, I paid $65 for a two-year (senior) membership the last time. Now they want $100 for one year of the same benefits (e.g., to get the paper magazine), and there is no senior membership.
14
General Discussion / Re: Updated ACA website and 5 year plan
« on: October 14, 2024, 05:15:26 pm »What GPS unit do you use?Garmin Edge
15
General Discussion / Re: Updated ACA website and 5 year plan
« on: October 14, 2024, 03:09:57 pm »
For me personally, I love digital, although I will also take paper maps if available. When I have only paper, especially on a route with a lot of turns, I find myself stopping way too often to make sure I know where the next turn is.
I only use digital that doesn’t rely on cell service, and has very long battery life (i.e., not my phone).
I only use digital that doesn’t rely on cell service, and has very long battery life (i.e., not my phone).