Messages

1

Routes / Re: Massachusetts

« on: July 19, 2022, 09:02:25 pm »

Thank you so much for responding.
So I've come down through Vermont from the Canadian border to Williamstown MA.
Now I am trying to figure out if I can find  "safe" way to NYC where the AC map 2 of the Chicago to NYC would then take me over to Philadelphia or if I want to aim for Norfolk CT which puts me on map 2 of the Atlantic Coast that will then take me to Philadelphia.  That is the only stretch I'm struggling with since from Philadelphia on down I have AC maps (I can't wait to bike Delaware Ocean City to Currituck and then I think the highlight will be the outer banks for me. 
Do you have an opinion on trying to find my way to NYC from CT or to riding wide to Philadelphia thru Poughkeepsie and Port Jarvis and Phillipsburg?
Thank you so much for your time.

2

Routes / Massachusetts

« on: July 18, 2022, 09:44:56 pm »

Hi,
I am trying to do my second leg of Canada to the tip of Florida along the Atlantic Coast of sorts.  I need to cross the western edge of Massachusetts to get down to the Adventurecycling map that is in CT and goes around NYC to Philadelphia.  Any suggestions of how I could choose these roads.  Coming across the northern tier years ago I bought Wisconsin state maps and it was a terrible idea once I was off of the Adventure Cycling maps----hit a lot of bad roads.  I would love any input.
Thank you,
a passion to hit the road again!

3

Routes / Re: Best/easiest route from the Pacific to Michigan

« on: June 03, 2017, 06:49:55 am »

I have a 19# bike and the loaded panniers are 25# not including food or water.  I have been very careful with the weight of every item going in the bags.
I also learned that the Lincoln Gap at the top reaches a 23% grade........which is where I got off for the last 800 ft or so.........so have I overreacted?  I have almost mortgaged the farm but I could find out how much the 42 sprocket would cost.

4

Routes / Re: Best/easiest route from the Pacific to Michigan

« on: June 02, 2017, 03:37:16 pm »

oops.  It's an 11-36 on the back.  I can ask for a 42.  Is it appropriate?

Also I guess the Lincoln gap that I did here in Vermont last weekend is one of the steepest at 16% .  So, perhaps I am making something bigger than it needs to be in regards to fear of doing the Northern Tier?

5

Routes / Re: Best/easiest route from the Pacific to Michigan

« on: June 02, 2017, 12:42:42 pm »

so I have a Rival 165 50/34 chainring and a 11-46 cassette. I'm not feeling confident but does that make sense to you that I would ask for them to change it?  This was very expensive for me.

6

Routes / Re: Best/easiest route from the Pacific to Michigan

« on: June 02, 2017, 08:24:22 am »

Help.  I just received my new bike for this tour.  I need to ship it in one week.  The bike company but a chain ring of 2 and a 11 sprocket set.  In Vermont I'm having a little more trouble getting up the hills than I did on my 3 chain ring bike and I'm worried about the continental divide and 6000' in Washington as well.  Does anyone have input as to whether I should request a change to a 3 chain ring for this northern tour?  Is this all in my head or is it really not a good spread?

7

Routes / Re: Getting to Anacortes

« on: May 15, 2017, 02:38:27 pm »

Thank you.  I've made the reservation.

8

Routes / Getting to Anacortes

« on: May 15, 2017, 12:04:27 pm »

Hi,
My son (14 yrs) and I (Mom) need to get from Seattle Wa (airport) up to Anacortes on June 17 to start our cross country ride.  We're shipping our bikes to Anacortes.  There are no car  rental agencies costing less than $200.  The bus is $150.  Does anyone have any other ideas?
Thank you.

9

Routes / Re: Best/easiest route from the Pacific to Michigan

« on: April 20, 2017, 12:11:44 pm »

I must report that our plans have changed and we are now cycling from Anacortes across the Northern Tier.  After all of those specific directions and the Palouse Falls.  So, we will be going thru Glacier National Park.  Once we cross the Upper Penninsula of Michigan, we then will need to find the shortest route to the ocean.  With a string on a map it looks like the shortest route is near New York City (not doing that).  My son would love to end in Portland, Maine.
We are flying in to Portland Oregon on June 14 and then driving up to Anacortes (4 hours) the next day to where we will have shipped our bikes.  I'm thinking that starting out on that same day could be complicated so I'm wondering where to rent a room....or should we hit the road for 20 miles or so?  I was not intending to microplan the tour but each day or two make the plans for the next couple of nights ahead depending on how we start.  Is that okay?
We  will not have a support vehicle for the first two weeks so I am gathering tent and panniers and supplies for that time (and possibly 2 more weeks in the middle of the trip).  There will be myself, and a retiring friend, and my 14 yr old son, and then the first 2 weeks will have an additional gentlemen (all of us veterinarians....my poor son).
I would love to hear any and all suggestions.
Thank you.

10

Routes / Re: Best/easiest route from the Pacific to Michigan

« on: March 07, 2017, 08:05:19 pm »

So.....I am wondering what adventure cycling maps you recommend buying if any.  Thank you for the info about ridewithgps.  That could have been horrific.
If we head from Longview up to rt 12, it is not along the L & C and then thru all those mountains I have mapped from your recommendations which again are not L & C.  So do I buy any at the far west or start at Bozeman MT where it looks like we'll meet up with the trail?
I am dreaming this evening?

11

Routes / Re: Best/easiest route from the Pacific to Michigan

« on: February 26, 2017, 09:10:21 pm »

Do I need to worry about snow starting June 14.  After reading another thread you have from Howard I am wondering?

12

Routes / Re: Best/easiest route from the Pacific to Michigan

« on: February 26, 2017, 09:05:02 pm »

I see another forum post has asked you for your ideal trip across the US and I'm anxious to see your reply.  I've mapped the trip on ridewithgps.com but I don't pretend to know much of the details once on the eastern half of the trip.  I don't want to add a week to the trip if that what it takes to go thru the Upper Penninsula.

13

Routes / Re: Best/easiest route from the Pacific to Michigan

« on: February 19, 2017, 07:09:02 pm »

Oh no, the weekend is over and now I have more I want to research that you've sent to me.  Smile.
We are flying to Portland on June 14.  My husband will meet us 10-14 days later with a camper, so we'll be with our panniers for the first bit.
We'll need to decide what will be shortest once we near Michigan.....maybe going directly east from Sault St. Marie? Or cutting down and not going thru the UP (perhaps we could see that another year).
I'll look thru your latest notes.  Thank you again!!

14

Routes / Re: Best/easiest route from the Pacific to Michigan

« on: February 18, 2017, 02:15:00 pm »

So Jama it looks like you think the Flesher Pass is easier/better than the adventurecycling route just south of Flesher?  If so then that is another map that I won't purchase.

I'm slow on the uptake but it looks like I can plan my entire tour on ridewithgps (?) and then I won't need to be rechecking maps.....although I may miss some of the nice details that the adventurecycling maps contain.

Also do you have any further opinion on: I am wondering what you think of following the southerly dip ridewithgps route from Yakima to Palouse Falls (151mi) or cut more directly across from Yakima to Palouse falls on rt 24 and 260 (131mi).  I don't know if there is a particular reason that ridewithgps chose the more southerly direction with 20 more miles?

Indybiz thank you.  I will check out the route you've offered in detail as well.  This is so helpful.  I am hoping to pick the most encouraging route for my son's first.......and hopefully not last........tour.

15

Routes / Re: Best/easiest route from the Pacific to Michigan

« on: February 18, 2017, 08:47:39 am »

Jamawani I hope you're still there.
I have had time now to pour over each of the routes you've outlined.  What an INCREDIBLE wealth of opportunity you have outlined for us.  I am awed at the time you've given.
I have a couple of questions.
1. I think we'll take the route from Westport that you outlined; it sounds the most beautiful of the routes and has the least elevations for starting the trip.  We would love to see the Palouse Falls.  I am wondering what you think of following the southerly dip ridewithgps route from Yakima to Palouse Falls (151mi) or cut more directly across from Yakima to Palouse falls on rt 24 and 260 (131mi).  I don't know if there is a particular reason that ridewithgps chose the more southerly direction with 20 more miles?
2. I'm then looking for wisdom from Missoula to Three Forks either northerly through Lincoln and Helena adventurecycling route, verses the southerly adventurecycling route through Hamilton/Wisdom/Dillon/Twin Bridges to Three Forks?

From Bozeman we hope to take a day trip in a vehicle to Yellowstone and from there it looks straightforward to the Atlantic relative to the western part of the trip.