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« on: November 24, 2020, 06:25:04 pm »
I did the Northern Tier last year with a fully-loaded (four paniers, camping gear, etc) Disc Trucker and didn't have to get off to walk. My impression is that the hardest part of the Trans-America is not the Rockies, but the hills east of the Mississippi with steep uphills, steep downhills and repeat.
I live in NJ and there are no roads here where I could simulate the climbs I experienced in the west. In the west, the hills may not be particularly steep, but they were 15+ miles long. I tried to plan my rides so I'd have the worst climbs early in the morning. I couldn't do that in the Midwest and NJ - it's always up and down, up and down, up and down. No rest until you stop. But when I got to the Rockies, I knew I was physically and mentally ready.
I did my ride with a Disc Trucker. Although it's not a FUN! bicycle to ride, it was very reliable. Whatever I was up for doing, it could handle. The autumn before my trip, I took my Surly up to Smugglers Notch in Vermont. I think that may be the steepest, sustained hill I've done. I had tried it before with rental bikes, but that was the first time I had made it to the top without stopping. A great experience letting me know we could make it out west.
If you are new to touring, my most important advice is to load up your bike - with whatever you think you'll bring - and start doing overnighters. You'll learn what gear you need, what you don't, and give you confidence in your set-up.
John R.
Planning for 2022!