Author Topic: Biking to District of Columbia, from Chicago, IL  (Read 4259 times)

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Offline expert9119

Biking to District of Columbia, from Chicago, IL
« on: October 16, 2013, 11:39:23 pm »
I'm curious to know if there would be any biking safe route from Chicago to DC, How long such trip will take on the intermediary - level (40 - 60 miles a day) and what a wise advice could be for someone planning for such trip. I'm assuming itinerary should include crossing Illinois (obviously), Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania or North Virginia. Questions are:
1. Do each of those state have bike routes crossing the state end to end and connect to another one?
2. Is Inn to Inn planning possible for a single and couple of persons on such a trip?
3. If taken on a 50 miles a day basis and 6 days a week, how long it could take to complete?
4. Is any health issue or other biologic issue known for bikers of Sundays who undertake such trip?

I would appreciate direct contact and sharing on this forum and thank you for been here.

Cheers

Offline jamawani

Re: Biking to District of Columbia, from Chicago, IL
« Reply #1 on: October 17, 2013, 12:19:09 am »
You don't provide much info about yourself.
How much touring experience do you have?
What kind of bike would you be riding?
Would you be willing to do unpaved rail trail segments with zero traffic?
Finally, what time of year?  Makes a difference.

indyfabz

  • Guest
Re: Biking to District of Columbia, from Chicago, IL
« Reply #2 on: October 17, 2013, 10:59:41 am »
As noted, more information is needed. For example, if you have the right equipment (e.g., bike suited for unpaved paths) and plan to travel at certain times of the year, this is a wonderful way to get from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, MD:

http://www.atatrail.org/

From Cumbaerland, MD you could follow the C&O Canal Path directly into D.C.

PA does have official signed bike routes:

http://www.bikepa.com/routes/index.htm

Routes A and S might be of interest to you. Route S uses part of the Great Allegheny Passage trail, which is the first link in this message. Route S intersects Adventure Cycling's Atlantic Coast route in the Columbia, PA, area. You could follow that (Map Section 3) to D.C.:

http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes-and-maps/adventure-cycling-route-network/atlantic-coast/

Indoor lodging is doable but may require reservations during certain times of the year. It will also likely be significantly more expensive than camping, especially the further east you go.

Don't understand your point/question No. 4 Please clarify.