Messages

1

Routes / Re: What route would you create next?

« on: February 07, 2026, 10:59:46 am »

I liked the CNYC route. I think it would be good to have a few more routes connecting major cities. Maybe St. Louis to Denver, or Salt Lake City to Phoenix, or Dallas to Atlanta. Big Cities at the ends simplify travel, and provide a great place to celebrate the trip.

I’d also like to see an official ACA TransCanada route.

2

International / Re: International flights with bicycles

« on: January 20, 2026, 12:10:27 am »

I've never flown to Europe with a bicycle, but I have rented a bicycle in Europe several times. It's pretty easy to do, and most big cities have a number of reasonably-priced options. You can usually rent a bike with racks and panniers if you want.

Airline bicycle policies change periodically. It used to be inexpensive, then it got crazy expensive, and it's currently rotated back to inexpensive again. Most airlines have liberal size limits for bicycles (and don't even charge you the oversize fee), but a few still have size restrictions that make it practically impossible to take a bicycle because the maximum size of the luggage (at any price) isn't big enough for anything but a folding bicycle. Also, it is not possible to take a e-bike on any flight on any airline (because of the battery). It's important not to book your flight until you fully explore the airlines bicycle policies. Even then, be sure to make a copy of the policy on the day you book, so that you can show it to the agent when you check in, just in case the agent thinks the policy is something else. I just checked a few airline policies now for flights from the USA to Europe. All of these airlines have generous size limits for bicycle boxes.

• United Airlines: A bicycle just counts as any other piece of luggage, except that oversize fees are waived. I've taken my bicycle domestically on United many times with no problems. United doesn't even have a way for you to tell them that you're bringing a bicycle, so just show up with it. But pay attention to the difference between "Basic Economy" and "Standard Economy" and be sure to book the one that fits your needs (e.g., Basic Economy does not allow a carry-on).
• British Airways: A bicycle also just counts as any other piece of luggage, but the oversize fees apply. You have to tell them in advance if you are bringing a bicycle.
• Icelandair: A bicycle counts as a piece of luggage, plus a hefty "odd-sized item" fee will apply (as much as $210). You must reserve space for your bicycle in advance. Icelandair still tells you to deflate your tires--poppycock! In my opinion, Icelandair's policy rules them out. All the other airlines are better.
• American Airlines: A bicycle counts as a piece of luggage. Oversize fees are waived, but if you are flying to Madrid, the size restrictions will make flying with a bicycle impossible. If you pack it in a cardboard box, they will make you sign a damage waiver.

To smooth the passage through security, and to avoid overweight fees, it is always advisable to pack only your bicycle in the box. Do not include any of your gear. To avoid overweight fees, I always pack my saddle, pedals, and front rack in my other bag. This gets my box down to 47 pounds (the limit is usually 50 pounds). Weigh your loaded bike box to find out if this is necessary for you. If you put only your bicycle in the box, security will just open the box, look inside, and probably do an explosive residue test. If you cram the box full, they will probably have to unpack it, and they almost certainly won't repack it as well as you did.

You usually have to take your bicycle to an oversize luggage area, so you should arrive at the airport plenty early. I'd recommend three hours for an international flight. It might take some time to navigate the special process.

It used to be that all airlines said you had to deflate your tires. These days, most (but not all) airlines have removed this idiotic rule. There's no chance that your tires will explode as they fear. Even if they tell you to deflate your tires, I would ignore this rule. I might take a little air out so that they are a bit soft, but I would not fully deflate them. Inflated tires offer significant cushioning for your wheels and bike. Keeping air in your tires also simplifies your chores upon arriving, as you don't have to pump them back up.

Try not to use multiple airlines for a single trip. That just complicates matters and increases the risk of damage. In fact, try to book a single, non-stop flight if possible.

3

GPS & Digital Data Discussion / Re: RWGPS for crossing the US - Garmin or iPhone?

« on: January 10, 2026, 03:46:49 pm »

I use a Garmin and am addicted to it.

4

Routes / Re: Eastern Express Route Start Dates

« on: January 03, 2026, 11:11:23 pm »

Just my personal experience, but dogs seem to be the worst in Kentucky, Missouri, Alabama and Tennessee. The fewest dog problems seem to be anywhere in the West.

My strategy for dogs is this:

• If you're sure that you can outrun the dog, then do so. This usually only applies on a good downhill. If you're not sure, don't try.
• Yell at the dog. Perhaps a good stern "go home!!!" Perhaps sweet-talking to it. This works on some dogs and doesn't phase others, but it's worth a try.
• If you can't outrun the dog, and yelling at it doesn't work, then stop and put your bike between you and the dog (only works if there aren't enough dogs to surround you). Wait until the dog gets bored and goes home. If necessary, ask for help from a passing motorist. Perhaps they can get their car between you and the dog.
• Under no circumstances should you take physical action from a moving bicycle. That's just asking for trouble. If, while still moving, you try to spray the dog, or squirt water on it, or hit it with your pump, or kick it, there's just too much chance of crashing.

5

Routes / Re: What is Your Favorite ACA Route & Why

« on: December 24, 2025, 01:46:32 am »

The TransAmerica is the best, because it has such incredible support for the cyclotourist. It takes a lot of years to develop this infrastructure, and the TA has been around the longest. It also has wonderful small-town charm.

Route 66 is my second favorite, because it’s just so dang fun to see all those old bridges, drive-in, restaurants, motels, gas stations and murals.

For scenery, the Pacific Coast can’t be beat. And it has plentiful and inexpensive campgrounds.

Lewis and Clark has the most interesting history, Chicago to New York has great cities and the wonderful C&O/GAP, PPP has some beautiful National Parks, and UGRR is very educational.

The Northern Tier is my least favorite, despite Going To The Sun Road being the best cycling road in the country. Eastern Montana and North Dakota are too desolate.

6

Routes / Re: Why did ACA change the Southern Tier

« on: December 05, 2025, 01:49:44 am »

The only reasons I can think of are that the updated route is less hilly

When has the ACA ever selected a route because it is less hilly?

7

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

« on: November 11, 2025, 12:07:01 am »

I think coast to coast is a stunt. I generally have a destination in mind when I tour.

I always have a destination in mind when I tour, a destination like an ocean or an international border. That's why I've gone coast to coast so many times. I guess I just like stunts.

8

General Discussion / Re: ACA GDMBR Jersey

« on: October 12, 2025, 04:28:22 pm »

I just looked at the ACA online shop. They are selling 291 items, and 278 of them are maps. There are only 13 items in the shop that are not maps.

9

Gear Talk / Re: Using a seat post rack on the seat tube.

« on: October 07, 2025, 09:16:31 pm »

I'd be worried about any rack that clamps to the seat stays. First of all, the seat stays crush pretty easily, and second, it puts a shear load on a bike part designed for compression loads.

It's probably okay for light loads, but I wouldn't trust it for the 110 pounds that it's rated for.

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Routes / Re: Eastern Express Route Start Dates

« on: September 08, 2025, 07:50:09 pm »

Unless starting in May is uncomfortably late, or unless you tolerate cold much better than you tolerate heat, I’d wait until May to start. More things will be open and you’ll have more daylight. Also, try to estimate when you will get to Yellowstone and compare that to the average opening date for the park. I’d also worry about getting to McKenzie Pass before it opens, which typically opens in mid-June.

An April start also carries a greater risk of encountering snow in the Rockies. The Colorado Rockies usually have their best weather in mid June.

11

Routes / Re: How many people ride the Northern Tier each year?

« on: August 18, 2025, 10:41:36 pm »

I agree. Accepting and paying it forward seems to be the right thing to do. It makes people feel good to know that they helped someone.

12

Routes / Re: How many people ride the Northern Tier each year?

« on: August 17, 2025, 08:59:55 pm »

On my tour this summer, a guy in Fort Thompson, SD, handed me four one-dollar bills. I tried to tell him that I didn't need it, but he said that it would be his honor to give it to me. I accepted the bills so as not to insult him, even though I knew that he needed the money more than I did. Later in the tour, I found somebody else to give the money to.

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General Discussion / Re: RV park's campgrounds

« on: August 16, 2025, 05:27:27 pm »

Not all RV parks have restrooms. No big deal for people in RVs, but a pretty big deal for people in tents. One nice thing about the services directory on the back of ACA maps is that they have already screened out RV parks that don't support tents.

14

Connecting ACA Routes / Re: Missoula to Minneapolis

« on: August 08, 2025, 07:47:43 pm »

I have ridden the TA, the NT, the PPP, and the eastern half of the L&C. Given your stated desired, I would recommend against the NT. Glacier NP is by far the highlight of the NT, but you've just been there, so much of the NT attraction is lessened.

I would suggest taking the TransAm to Yellowstone and then continuing on the PPP, but I don't know much about the L&C between Astoria and Yellowstone. The PPP offers Yellowstone, Badlands, Bighorn Mountains, Devils Tower, Spearfish Canyon and the Mickelson Trail. The NT really can't compete with all that. Eastern Montana and North Dakota are pretty bleak. The TA and the PPP offer excellent camping opportunities. The NT not so much.

Now about safety. You are on a road bike. You will be mostly on roads shared with traffic. The amount of time you'll spend on traffic-less trails is pretty small. Sharing the roads with traffic can never be made safe, but the ACA has done as good of a job as is possible on a long route.

Yes, the PPP is fully paved, except for the Mickelson Trail, and some of the last day into Minneapolis.

15

General Discussion / Re: Route 66 in 2026

« on: August 04, 2025, 10:00:16 pm »

The problem with the television series "Route 66" is that very little of it was filmed on or even near Route 66. So watching Route 66 is not, in my opinion, a prerequisite for riding it. And I don't think that most of the episodes are even interesting. The show, however, did introduce the idea of doing it in a Corvette convertible, and you will see a number of people doing it in Corvette convertibles. And you should know who Tod and Buz are.

On the other hand, I think there are two (maybe three) prerequisites:

• Watch the movie "Cars". You will see many artifacts from the movie on the route. Watching this movie before you ride is absolutely essential. You might want to add some of the songs from this movie to your playlist.
• Read John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath" or watch the movie. Again, you will reenact many of these scenes.
• If you want, and you can find it, you can watch the movie "The Bikes of Wrath", but do not emulate what these guys did. In my opinion, the characters in "The Bikes of Wrath" did everything wrong.

There are many versions of "Get Your Kicks on Route 66", but you should add the version by Bobby Troup to your playlist, because that's the "authentic" (IMO) version. Bobby Troup is the guy who wrote it.

You should also add the Eagles "Take it Easy" to your playlist, because you will be "standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona" with "a girl, my Lord, in a flatbed Ford slowin' down to take a look at" you.