Author Topic: Local advice for a UK visitor please?  (Read 15238 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Stringcat

Local advice for a UK visitor please?
« on: June 27, 2015, 10:54:37 am »
Hi guys. I'm flying out from the UK in a couple of weeks to ride coast to coast on the Western Express and TransAm routes. I've done plenty of long distance rides in the UK including Scottish mountains, but I've never ridden in the USA. Any tips would be gratefully received - especially for once I'm up in the mountains. I live in a country that doesn't have bears!

I have the full set of ACA maps and it looks as though even where towns are few and far between I ought to be able to find accommodation in town every night. (I will have a tent just in case.) And a friend who has ridden coast to coast recommended taking pepper spray for wild dogs: that was a new one to me!

Best wishes.

Offline John Nelson

Re: Local advice for a UK visitor please?
« Reply #1 on: June 27, 2015, 11:08:00 am »
If it's going to be a cold night, then don't camp too high.

Bears are only a problem is certain spots. Ask locally and take standard precautions with food.

I don't find dog spray important. Just stop before the dog gets to you, and put your bike between you and the dog.

If you take a tent, then use it. Camping puts you more in touch with nature.

Offline aggie

Re: Local advice for a UK visitor please?
« Reply #2 on: June 27, 2015, 08:10:54 pm »
You didn't say when you were coming to the U.S.  If you are doing the Western Express during the summer plan to start early and carry lots of water.  It will be hot and dry with literally nothing between towns.  Plan on riding about 70 miles between services in Nevada.  No need to worry about dogs or bears.

Offline Stringcat

Re: Local advice for a UK visitor please?
« Reply #3 on: July 01, 2015, 01:02:02 am »
That's great, guys. Thanks. I'm heading off from San Francisco on 13 July. I'll have a tent but hope to find a bed in town when possible. It's hot in the UK at the moment (about 80°F) and I did 72 miles yesterday so I hope I'm ready for this.

Offline BrianW

Re: Local advice for a UK visitor please?
« Reply #4 on: July 30, 2015, 07:06:48 pm »
80 degrees is not even close to being hot in the middle of the USA in summer. We just got back from driving across the country and it was easily 105 in parts of Nevada and western Washington state, for example.

Offline Stringcat

Re: Local advice for a UK visitor please?
« Reply #5 on: July 30, 2015, 08:31:09 pm »
I'll enter Colorado tomorrow and it's going well, despite the heat and the long, lonely roads. I've met quite a few others along the way. Thanks for the replies!