New Biker Travelling Across the Western US - Looking for advice

[superslugbug]

I'm thinking about biking from Oklahoma City to San Fransisco next year, but I really don't know where to start as finding good routes or general travel issues I may not be aware of, as well as picking gear. I have a fairly cheap Raleigh right now that I ride everywhere (I don't own a car), but I don't know much about bikes and know nothing of long distance biking. Obviously I'll need a much better bike. I know I need to be getting into shape and familiarizing myself with far distances before doing this, which I will be doing this entire next year. I also know it will take about a month for me to get there at 50 miles a day, and I'm thinking about taking camping gear with me and just staying at campsites along the way. I don't know much else besides this though, and I'm figuring there's a lot I'm not considering... so any tips on this would be greatly appreciated.

[Mark Manley]

You could start by spending some time here and reading other peoples reports some of which contain a list of what they carry.
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/
If you are on a budget a second hand quality bike might be a better buy than a new one for the same price, you might even get one with racks, panniers and other useful equipment included. In my opinion the most important components are the seat, chain and tyres, for the latter most people seem to use something from the Schwalbe marathon range which I have found to be excellent.
Start by doing short trips, even one night away to get used to what you need and how best to carry it, you will get used to managing with very little on a bike.
Good luck with your planning, cycle touring is a great way to see your country and the wider world.

[staehpj1]

I'm thinking about biking from Oklahoma City to San Fransisco next year, but I really don't know where to start as finding good routes or general travel issues I may not be aware of, as well as picking gear. I have a fairly cheap Raleigh right now that I ride everywhere (I don't own a car), but I don't know much about bikes and know nothing of long distance biking. Obviously I'll need a much better bike. I know I need to be getting into shape and familiarizing myself with far distances before doing this, which I will be doing this entire next year. I also know it will take about a month for me to get there at 50 miles a day, and I'm thinking about taking camping gear with me and just staying at campsites along the way. I don't know much else besides this though, and I'm figuring there's a lot I'm not considering... so any tips on this would be greatly appreciated.

A better bike isn't a slam dunk.  Pretty much any bike in good working order would be capable of the trip.

It is really easy to take too much stuff so I'd advise taking pretty minimal gear or at least carefully thinking out what you need trimming where you can.  Figure out your camping gear and clothing first, then decide what baggage is needed to carry it, then decide if the bike is up to the task or you need something else.  You will find that you actually need very little.  I personally find that it is really easy for excess gear to detract from the trip both from a weight perspective and a simplicity of life on the road perspective.

There is a lot of good info on the crazy guy site.  I have a couple articles there that might be helpful.
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/Ultralight
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/frugal

[JDFlood]

I second the CrazyGuyonBike and particularly short overnight rides to get things together. Any bike can be used as a tourer provided it has enough ridgitity. If you weigh a lot and put stuff on a bike not built for it, then the frame can start flexing and manifest itself as front wheel shimmy, then can become dangerous. So, riding overnight rides and two night outings is a great way to work everything out.

[canalligators]

Some good suggestions so far.  I'll add:
- Take a repair class.  You should at least be able to do all tire repairs and replace cables.
- Use established cycling routes.  That should keep you off the suicidal roads.
- Start out short and build distance.  Do an overnight, then a weekend, then a week.