Messages

91

Routes / Re: Getting Across The Desert

« on: January 16, 2011, 09:48:38 pm »

As for experience, I really don't have any heat or desert experience.

The desert and heat are a scary part of the challenge to me, but also an intriguing part of the challenge. I am really hoping to do the desert, but if I conclude it unwise and unreasonable, I will change my route.

I need help from experienced  pros on this!

Where are some of the MUST SEEs that I can't miss on my trip?

I picture those places where I can sit for hours thinking about life and finding answers to my deepest thoughts. Those inspiring places that I must encounter on my trip, where are some that you would recommend to me? I'm looking to hit some places along the way that are the very fingerprint of God. I would be interested in hearing your recommendations—and also more tips on desert travel!

Thanks for your help!

p.s. what is Nullabar?

92

Routes / Re: Getting Across The Desert

« on: January 16, 2011, 06:08:32 pm »

I think I want to travel more towards where Nevada and Arizona come together. I plan on going through several of the California parks and then down towards Death Valley and through Lake Mead.

So the route would be to head down California, through the parks, then in through where Nevada and Arizona meet. There is no "official route" where I would like to go.

That is what I am thinking for now.

Thanks!

93

Routes / Getting Across The Desert

« on: January 16, 2011, 05:48:25 pm »

I am in the process of planning my first trip across the United States and am fishing for hints and tips. The biggest question on my mind, at this point, is in regards to the desert travel.

I will be leaving the Pacific Coast some time in July/August. Now, I know it's HOT and I imagine there will need to be some night travel, but I am wanting to hear what anyone has to say that might help me in thinking through my desert travel at that time of the year.

I will leave Pacific coast towards Nevada in about late July, which to me means I will be going through the desert around August.

Questions I have:
1. best route to take through Nevada
2. Traveling strategy through the desert
3. Do's and Dont's
4. Anything at all you can tell me to help me think this through further.

Thanks for any information you can give me!

Stevenp

94

Classifieds / Re: FS: TW-Bents bike cargo trailer (like BOB)

« on: January 07, 2011, 07:51:47 pm »

I may be interested. Could you email a pic of the trailer to me? Thank you
stevenp@integra.net

95

General Discussion / Re: 1st Trip Across America: Tips, Recommendations, and HELP

« on: January 06, 2011, 10:19:09 am »

ducnut,

Thank you for that! Very helpful and I really like the Novara Safari option that you told me about. As of today it looks like the bike I probably will be purchasing. It seems like an all around great bike, specially for the cross country trip I'm planning.

So, about raising money for a ride:
Would it be most recommendable to go to many of these stores in person with a proposal of the even or any thoughts on that?

Thanks again guys!

96

General Discussion / Re: 1st Trip Across America: Tips, Recommendations, and HELP

« on: January 05, 2011, 12:27:16 pm »

Fund Raising:

Does anyone have experience with fund raising for a trip? I am doing this trip as a "thank you" to the treatment center that helped me get back up and on my feet again, but I don't have experience with raising funds.

If there is someone who would be interested in giving me help, I would be very interested.

Thanks!

97

Routes / Re: Direction and departure month on Southern Tier in winter

« on: January 04, 2011, 12:34:52 pm »

Have an awesome trip! I'm currently planning a trip for August, Transamerica from W to E.

Do you have a blog for your trip?

Stevenp

98

General Discussion / Re: 1st Trip Across America: Tips, Recommendations, and HELP

« on: January 04, 2011, 09:07:03 am »

Are there any Bike pros who could give me some specific tips on bikes?

99

General Discussion / Re: 1st Trip Across America: Tips, Recommendations, and HELP

« on: January 03, 2011, 11:05:01 pm »

Ronnie,

Wow, what a story! I'm seeing that many times there are some amazing stories attached to taking on such an ambitious goal as this! Thanks for sharing your story, I have no doubt in my mind, just listening to you, that you will indeed be taking this journey and succeeding. Man, I wish I could wait for ya! When exactly do you plan on departing?

I am realizing that I, really, have no clue what I'm getting in to. I keep wanting to push my ambition further, and I'm not even in shape yet. haha! I measured the longest distance across America and it added up to being about 3,500 miles from tip to tip. So, wherever my trip ends up being, it will at least be that distance.

I am just completing my 20 months of treatment for sobriety from drug addiction and this is my kick off to a new life. I imagine I will have some revelation on this trip and direction from God on this next chapter of life and that is something I'm really looking forward to.

You sound like someone I would love travel with too! Who knows. As for now my plans are for July or August departure, but this dream is only a week old too. No doubt I'm going, I just don't know all the details yet.

I'm also doing this as a fund raiser for the treatment center that helped to change my life and I want to thank them by making a fund raiser out of this, so there is that side of it too—fund raising. There is a lot to think about and plan, as I'm sure you are finding out too. I'm just thankful for all of those who have done this before us and their tips and stories.

Lets keep in touch through this planning.

Ronnie, I'm inspired by you and I'm sure many others are and will be too. Keep at it brother! God bless you!

Stevenp

100

General Discussion / Re: Is it ok to travel solo...

« on: January 03, 2011, 07:22:02 pm »

Hey Ronnie!

Nice to see other virgins out there. I too am planning a trip to begin later this year and I'm a week into educating myself. I don't even have a bike yet, being i'm not a biker persay. But I am SO excited for this journey and it is so helpful to hear all of these stories and tips from others who have already taken the challenge.

This is like a whole new world to me. I had the same question about going alone. I have someone who has said they are committed to joining me, but they are also on a 3 month limit due to children. Just the thought of having any kind of a limit is a bummer. I've even considered the thought of going around the USA. For now my plan is to go down the Pacific route, turning left at SD and doing the Transamerica.

What brought on this ambition for you Ronnie?

Stevenp

101

General Discussion / Re: Across America: Beginning August

« on: January 03, 2011, 06:55:50 pm »

This is great! I'm getting a lot out of these comments and encouragements. All of the comments that mean something to me I type out real big and then tape them to my wall. My wall is becoming plastered with GOOD STUFF!

I'm right in the beginning of planning. It can be hard to know where to start, although I do have time, so that's nice. I don't even own a bike. I went to look at some today and I've had some contradictory info about what bike would be best for the trip.

When it comes to BIKES: which bike and what equipment should i load it up with?

Also with the planning, with your experience, what tips would you have to share.

I'm also really interested in hearing your ambitions and stories, this is really great!

Thanks guys for your responses—you are pasted on my walls!

Steve

102

General Discussion / Re: Across America: Beginning August

« on: January 02, 2011, 10:27:38 pm »

Thanks John,

Great tips! I've been researching a ton already and have added crazyguyonabike.com to my "AMBITION" favorites already. With your mention of the REI offers, that convinces me I better not miss the sale. I've heard that suggestion several times now in my reading.

My walls are plastered with tips and motivation to keep me focused and the biggest question for me right now is what to do for a bike. I have read stories of some who have made the journey on $200 bikes and have read suggestions to not go lower than $1000. I am leaning towards the best bike I can get, but I am also starting out with very little money, being that I'm going on my journey straight out of rehab.

I've already learned a lot just this last week. What I would really like to do is to go down the pacific coast line, and I will probably have to start from Minnesota, to save money on travel to one coast or the other. I've got time though to figure these things out.

I appreciate your tips and comments!

Steve

103

General Discussion / 1st Trip Across America: Tips, Recommendations, and HELP

« on: January 02, 2011, 07:54:47 pm »

I am so excited!

I will be turning 37 this may of 2011 and there has been major change in my life. The year of 2010 was a year of healing and renewal in my life from an addiction to drugs that took everything I had. Today as I look back at the man I was, I see a stranger. Today I begin the process of kicking off my new life with an ambitious goal of biking across the U.S.A..

My research has just begun and I am looking all over the place for tips and idea, and a bike for starters.

I would love to hear any tips, stories, thoughts, or anything else to start up a conversation about this awesome journey I will be embarking on. As of now there are two of us. I spoke to a friend of mine and he said, "I haven't felt a wave of ambition like this for awhile". I know what he means and maybe you do too. There is a mixture of mostly ambition and excitement, with a "what are you doing?!" voice shouting from within me. I imagine that voice may get louder at times, but the decision is made and I WILL be biking across America.

What about you? Any tips...anything...? Perhaps you would even want to join in on this trip scheduled for August-October?

Steven p