Looking for route suggestions? Tips to help others help you.

[jbannon]

I am looking for information about possible roads north of Belle Fourche, SD to complete a ride across the state from south to north along the Mickelson Trail corridor.

I would like to send this message out to your members to see if anyone might have some first hand experience with this area.

Can you help?

Jon Bannon

[dkmamunes]

I am looking to do either the Eastern Express TransAm route or original TransAm route on my own starting end of May/beginning of June of this year. My plan is to check out the route before leading a group next year to raise funds for a nonprofi. I would be leading an older group and am looking for the most scenic and easiest route. I live on the East coast in Virginia Beach and most riders would also be from there. I would welcome any feedback on both routes as well as best time of year to begin and going E-W or W-E. My tentative plan is to go East to west to avoid the hot and humid summer on the East Coast and to try the Eastern Express route. I personally don't mind hills and want the most scenery and things to see along the way as well as safest route. Thanks in advance for any feeback-
Diane

[John Nettles]

Starting in Virginia Beach, you could do either route as you say.  The problem is what is scenic to one person is not scenic to another.  Same for "safe" and "easiest". For instance, the Eastern Express (EE) has relatively a lot of rail trails compared to the TransAm (TA). While rail trails are easy and safe typically and can go near or along scenic areas, you very well may be in a tunnel of trees and not be able to see off to the side more than 25 feet due to the brush and trees for miles and miles even if wide open outside the rail trail right of way. 

The TA was, I think, originally developed along cultural and historical areas.  So it may be more "interesting".  Both routes would be about the same "safe" wise with maybe a slight nod to the EE since it has more rail trails. However, it also uses busier highways in places, i.e. west of Indianapolis. 

The TA is more traditional and misc ancillary stuff like T-Shirts can help commemorate it.

I would suggest you look at the journals over at CGOAB for both routes to see what might be best for you.  Note, stay away from the forums there as they can get a bit angry at times due to the owner's rants and "my way or the highway" attitude.

Tailwinds, John

[noam]

Hi, im planning a trip in August -September for a 7-10 days with my father. we would like a recommendation for sections of routes that will be suitable for us as we need it to relatively moderate  gradients. we plan to ride 30-50 miles per day and prefer nature scenery rather than urban.
any suggestions?

[John Nettles]

Welcome to the ACA Forums!

There are several "rail trails" which are old railroad tracks converted into trails for walkers and bikers. You don't say where you live but there are a few longer trails around the country.  Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Washington, and Kansas have some of longer ones.  Check out traillink.com for ideas.  Be sure to filter on 20 miles to get the longer ones.

Hope you have a great time!

Tailwinds, John