New to cycling and taking a loop around America

[Teepee Tommy]

The hike was very hard. 99% metal is all it was. I figured I could go hike another trail with ease. Instead I picked something that I know nothing about. To be honest? I am kinda nervous. I asked my self what am I getting into??!!  I rode my bike for the first time yesterday for 5 miles and it KILLED ME! It made me want to do this trip even more. I think you^^^ hit the nail on the head though. The best moral boost for me, was getting to town and eating real food and cold drinks. Hitting a town every day or multiple times a day might make it more mentally enjoyable. 

[staehpj1]

The best moral boost for me, was getting to town and eating real food and cold drinks. Hitting a town every day or multiple times a day might make it more mentally enjoyable.

You will probably have a great time.  A big part of the fun, for me at least, is meeting the local folks and eating the local food.

The route you choose makes a big difference.  I have done some where there were a fair number of other tourists.  I found the Trans America to have about the ideal balance of that for me.  The Pacific Coast with more cyclists and other routes with none were fun too though.  That said on the ones where I met no other tourists I missed that camaraderie.

[Westinghouse]

I don't know about your cycling pace with such an ultralight load. As for myself, I have figured the time for doing a perimeter tour of the US. I would allow at least six months, and probably seven or eight would be more like it. That's just me. Then there is the matter of how long one wants to lay over in towns to see the sights and taste the wine. I have also figured time and distance for a perimeter tour of Australia. I have given up on the down under because it costs too much for RT flights.

[Teepee Tommy]

The best part of all this, I don't have a time frame. I just threw out that number for a goal. If I get going and find that 65 mpd is what I like, then that's what I'll do. I can spend as long as I want out on the road ( weather permitting)I'm sure I will lay over with friends, find a music festival going on or what have you. I know some people like to push hard all day to reach a destination and then relax. I am the procrastinator that takes all day to reach the his goal, taking breaks when I feel like it. To sum all this up, I am just going to get on the bike and ride. I'll just see what happens. 

[Dr. John]

Hi Teepee Tom, Just thought I'd say welcome to the club.  I suspect many of us will never adjust to "normal life" again after a thru hike.  My advice would be to start breaking in your ass.  I'm sure you will quickly build up your pedaling endurance, but for many it takes time to get used to being in the saddle and holding up your head.  Where near Damascus are you?  Do you know Hellbender from Abingdon?  I met her on the AT in '07 I think.  Keep living the dream.

[Teepee Tommy]

Hey, John. I am East Tennessee about an hour and a half from Damascus, Va.

[BikeFreak]

Second, you'll be hitting the southern tier as things start to heat up.  I don't know what the temperatures are like in the southwest deserts around April-May, but it could be hot.  Not impossible, but it could be a challenge.

A few years ago I rode across USA on a motorcycle from FL to AZ stricktly following the Southern Tier bike route. I did the entire stretch in 14 days in the 1st 2 weeks of April. The temperatures were very comfortable, with the following remarks:

Its all about elevation: You might encounter snow in Eastern New Mexico, at least I had a bit of snow on HWY 152 east of Silver City. But as soon as you drop into the Phoenix area, things start to heat up. I would not hesitate to do it.

Lucas

[PeteJack]

If you haven't already done it get a professional bike fitting, your body, particularly your knees and ass will thank you forever. What may feel comfortable when you're new to a bike may actually be bad for you. e.g. many novices have too low a saddle height. Bad for knees. If it's too high, bad for ass. Similar considerations apply for handle bar height, in this case it can be your back that suffers. And it's more than comfort; when your bike fits right you deliver more power to the pedals. I paid to have my Trek 520 fitted; it was like the bike was ten pounds lighter. The main problem was my saddle being about 2" too low. A fitted bike is much less tiring to ride.

[hank97]

Tommy,

What model Trek is that?

Who makes the paniers and rack?

What other goodies do you have on the bike that are not obvious to the novice eye?

Thanks.

Hank