Author Topic: Southern Tier Tour(self sustained) this fall  (Read 26583 times)

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Offline Westinghouse

Re: Southern Tier Tour(self sustained) this fall
« Reply #15 on: November 18, 2014, 11:30:07 am »
The answer to both questions is no. I posted once a long time ago on Crazyguyonabike.com. They guy who runs it, Neil Gunton, was so rude. I would never post anything there. Never would I post on that website.
« Last Edit: November 19, 2014, 11:30:48 am by jsieber »

Offline rariaz22

Re: Southern Tier Tour(self sustained) this fall
« Reply #16 on: November 19, 2014, 09:38:36 pm »
Hey,

I am thinking about doing the southern tier either starting in jan or feb going east to west (all ready bought the maps!!!!) But for any of those who are doing it/ done it, Do you think it is relatively safe to do it alone?  If I do it alone are there any precautions you would take?

-Rachel

Offline Westinghouse

Re: Southern Tier Tour(self sustained) this fall
« Reply #17 on: November 19, 2014, 11:01:46 pm »
Generally, you are safe alone. You must understand this country is riddled with crime and there are no guarantees. The fact is anything can happen at any time. Being alone on a bike with all those drivers passing you puts you in eyesight of a great many more people than would see you in a car. In a car only those going faster than you get a look. On a bike just about everybody passes you. A loaded touring bike attracts attention at stops and on the boulevard. There are psychopaths, drunks, crack heads, inexperienced drivers, and the impaired elderly out there cruising around. Weeks ago a cyclist was stabbed to death at McDonalds in Vero Beach, Florida by a mentally ill homeless man. There was no reason whatsoever for the attack. Cycling cross country means many stops at C-stores, restaurants and other places for food and drink. You are generally safe. Be vigilant. Trust your senses and hunches. If he looks suspicious or sinister, he probably is. Beware of anyone who will not give you a last name or proof of it. Be very vigilant at any truck stop. Serial murderers working as long haul truckers have abducted and killed many women. Most if not almost every one of the women were prostitutes. There is a website about this by the FBI. You should be safe. Do not throw caution to the wind. Be careful and aware.
« Last Edit: November 19, 2014, 11:08:03 pm by Westinghouse »

Offline Catherine

Re: Southern Tier Tour(self sustained) this fall
« Reply #18 on: November 20, 2014, 12:11:44 am »
Rachel,  I'm a woman cycling solo on the ST.  This is my second solo tour.   I  also backpack solo and haven't had any incidents in thirty years. 

I do a mix of camping and motels; preferring to camp whenever possible. 

I can't remeber the name but there's a website that has a list of trips of women currently cycling solo as well as links to blogs if they have one.   If you'd like some inspiration Google to find the site.

Email me if you'd like to chat or want the link to my blog.  I'm really enjoying the trip. Touring solo gives you a lot more flexibility.  You set the pace and determine how far you go everyday.  There are definitely perks to traveling alone. 

I recommend not watching any episodes if "Criminal Minds" bedore your trip.  :)


Offline 22hornet

Re: Southern Tier Tour(self sustained) this fall
« Reply #19 on: November 20, 2014, 11:58:23 am »
Rachel I will be doing the same trip starting feb 14 from Jacksonville, also solo, so if we happen to meet you are more than welcome to share the road. Jim

Offline LARRYL05

Re: Southern Tier Tour(self sustained) this fall
« Reply #20 on: November 23, 2014, 04:05:07 pm »
I will be doing MAP 1 of the Southern Tier December 5. I will be riding from Phoenix to San Diego. Then I will take Amtrak to LA to spend time with my son. Can't wait. No camping this time - Just Motels -
DAY 1 WICKENSBURG
DAY 2 SALOME
DAY 3 BLYTHE
DAY 4 BRAWLEY
DAY 5 EL CENTRO
DAY 6 JACUMBA
DAY 7 SAN DIEGO

Offline OldDogBC

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Re: Southern Tier Tour(self sustained) this fall
« Reply #21 on: November 23, 2014, 07:07:39 pm »
Hi Rachel,

I am glad to hear Catherine and others encourage the solo approach. You can spend your life worrying about the "what ifs" and constant concern about the rare event but getting out there is the important part of the equation. Your personal safety is about maintaining some situational awareness, practicing reasonablness with regard to risk management, and a little bit of responsible planning. The rest is about the fun of the adventure. Don't let the doomsday preppers, conspiracy theorists, and generally negative people set the bar for how you live your life.

Todd

Offline Westinghouse

Re: Southern Tier Tour(self sustained) this fall
« Reply #22 on: December 12, 2014, 05:23:39 pm »
I am about 50 miles NW of San Antonio,TX where I spent two days in a motel. Total mileage on this trip E to W is 1440. Had to spend six days in a town in FL for  reasons beyond my control. I am figuring to average about 60 miles a day when it can be done.

Offline PeteJack

Re: Southern Tier Tour(self sustained) this fall
« Reply #23 on: December 13, 2014, 10:38:46 am »
Boy, Westinghousse really knows how to sell this place. Among 300 odd million people you will get the occasional fruitcake, pay close attention to Fox News or National Enquirer they are on top of them. Or not. Your chances of meeting said fruits are about the same as your chances of winning a state lottery, pretty small. I've crossed this country solo a couple of times E-W and once N-S plus done some big chunks in amongst and the major objective hazard, as the climbers say, seems to be dogs particularly in reservations. A can of Halt readily accessible fixes 'em. At least the two times I used it it did. One thing to avoid is going into Mexico, Do not do it. The chances of coming across bad guys rocket in Mexican border towns. My main recollections are of kindness and polite curiosity in this awful and crime ridden country.

Do it. You'll be fine.

Offline Westinghouse

Re: Southern Tier Tour(self sustained) this fall
« Reply #24 on: December 16, 2014, 06:10:39 pm »
In west Texas through hill country. Nice following wind today, but yesterday had many steep hills and side / head winds. Schwalbe Marathon tire on back is delaminating. The nearest bike shop I know of is in El. Paso. Hope I make it. Doing roughly 65-67 miles daily.

Offline PeteJack

Re: Southern Tier Tour(self sustained) this fall
« Reply #25 on: December 16, 2014, 07:41:46 pm »
In west Texas through hill country. Nice following wind today, but yesterday had many steep hills and side / head winds. Schwalbe Marathon tire on back is delaminating. The nearest bike shop I know of is in El. Paso. Hope I make it. Doing roughly 65-67 miles daily.
I take it that's a Marathon and not a Marathon Plus. I had bad luck with a Marathon on the TransAm it wore down to the brown stuff and started getting flats after about 2K. My helpful companion told me I should have put new tires on before I started. (I had) Someone once told me that  NASA has done a study and found that things generally last a lot longer than you think they're gonna. That could be BS but I've found that in general stuff wears slower than you think. So fingers crossed. I don't know your schedule but you could get a tire sent to a post office a few days ahead. I had good luck with that when I found my debit card had expired in the middle of the NT.

Stay upright. Pete

Offline Westinghouse

Re: Southern Tier Tour(self sustained) this fall
« Reply #26 on: December 21, 2014, 02:20:11 pm »
Patching the inside of the tire caused the balooning to disappear. Just did 450 miles of hills and some head winds. It looks normal. The weather is sunny, cool and clear. The west winds are kicking in and I am 120 miles east of El Paso. Have been four days in Van Horn. This wind is going to seriously set back progress. I will need my Java Monster and ee energy shots to fight this. It is uphill going west out of Van Horn. There are some long downslopes too. One thing is for sure. With this wind it will not be a same day ride 120 miles into El Paso like it was the last time.

Offline PeteJack

Re: Southern Tier Tour(self sustained) this fall
« Reply #27 on: December 21, 2014, 02:44:24 pm »
I met a guy in Kentucky who'd rode from LA on a Schwinn he'd found in a ditch. his front tire had a bulge the size of a tangerine. When I mentioned it to him he said it had been like that for a month!

Offline Scott8147

Re: Southern Tier Tour(self sustained) this fall
« Reply #28 on: December 23, 2014, 03:47:39 pm »
I am planning to ride a modified version of the ST east to west (from the NC coast to San Diego).  Does anyone have suggestions on the best time of the year to do this?  I'm thinking more about the winds than the temperatures.

Offline staehpj1

Re: Southern Tier Tour(self sustained) this fall
« Reply #29 on: December 23, 2014, 04:08:59 pm »
I am planning to ride a modified version of the ST east to west (from the NC coast to San Diego).  Does anyone have suggestions on the best time of the year to do this?  I'm thinking more about the winds than the temperatures.

I went Feb.-Mar. W-E and didn't find the wind would have been a huge factor either direction at the time I did it.  I don't have experience with the route at other times of year.  At that time we had some headwinds and some tailwinds, but neither were a very big deal.

I will say that I found that a nice time of year for our dates and direction of travel.  At least it was the year I was there.  We had some frost some nights but pleasantly cool daytime temperatures pretty much the whole way.

I will also say that personally would definitely worry more about temperature than wind, at least to the extent of avoiding extreme heat.  Riding that route in hot weather would be miserable.
« Last Edit: December 23, 2014, 04:11:35 pm by staehpj1 »