Lots of touring 2021 or not? Whadda ya think?

[SwampYankee]

My wife and I are planning a Buffalo NY to Astoria OR tour starting in Mid-May. Will use ACA Erie Connector, Rails-to-trails across Michigan and Wisconsin, pick up the Parks, Peaks, & Prairies to West Yellowstone and then the Transom to Astoria... I've been wondering what you all are hearing, will we meet others, or will we be two of a few. I am hoping with vaccine numbers growing, states easing travel etc, we will meet others.

Whadda ya all hearing? What'd you think?

thanks, SY

[HikeBikeCook]

We are waiting on our second vaccine dose and hope to do the Adirondack Park Loop mid-summer and the Erie Canal towards the fall. Planning to mostly camp and to be self supported. TransAm in 2022 or 2023. Still worried about the surviving services across the mid west that were already hanging on by a thread before COVID. I think it will take until 2022 until we see who and what has survived. When you look at the routes and there is only one resupply of water in some areas for 100 miles, if you lose that it  puts the route in jeopardy - IMHO.

[John Nettles]

I currently have 4 shorter (less than 3 weeks) tours planned since my father is not doing well healthwise.  If you want to see if you will have company on ACA routes, perhaps call the ACA store and ask them how map sales are for the segments you are doing.  I would guess that will give you a little bit of an idea.  Part of me says it will be lighter since people are still covid-concerned.  Part of me says it will be heavier since people are tired of being cooped up.  If I had to bet, I would say the same to lighter.

Hope you have a great trip!  John
P.S. If you want a connector between La Crosse, WI (end of a great WI rail trail) and Reliance, NE (joins the PPP), private message me and I can send you the GPS and Cue Sheet. Uses mostly low traffic county and state roads.

[ray b]

Leaving my sedentary job in a big city for the small towns along the routes I have planned, seems like reduction in risk, even if I wasn't vaccinated.

At this point, transmissibility risks seem almost nil among vaccinated healthcare workers. Although the CDC might have a statement later this week to reflect that optimistic data, we need to keep in mind that healthcare workers are generally masked-up and that data might not be easily extended to folks hanging out at the general store in Bixby, MO. (A great place to visit near the Scenic Rivers area.)

Also, with 60,000-70,000 Americans still getting infected every day, the virus is getting plenty of opportunities to mutate to a variant that makes current data obsolete.

Get your vaccine when you can.

Get out, have fun, stay safe.

[SwampYankee]

All really good comments. I’ve been touring through the pandemic - Erie Canal last August and Boston to Albany (to complete the line from Boston to Buffalo) in September. Toured Pompano Beach to Key West in FL 3 weeks ago as well.

We take precautions:masks, social distancing, only eat outside, hotels that we know to have good procedures (Marroitts especially). We’ve been comfortable and safe and have seen businesses being reasonable. I’m hoping this continues.

As you said get out there and be safe!

[BikeliciousBabe]

If you are intending on doing some camping, note that experts in the industry expect things to be very crowded this summer.

[SwampYankee]

That’s a good point. I’m assuming that’s coming from RV sales/campers but it does give me hope that will see lots of people on bicycles as well. Thanks, SY

[fastrog]

I finished the Transam last year in the depths of the plague. My wife drives camper van support and we stayed away from people as much as possible. Planning the Atlantic Coast route this spring/summer, with same rules.

[SwampYankee]

We found it very much the same. Also, we live less than 1 mile off of the Atlantic coast route in Connecticut. DM me if you would like a place to park the camper when you’re coming through. We would love to meet you and swap stories. If we are not home we have other bicyclists in the area that would welcome you.

[fastrog]

wow, thanks, will do. roger

[TCS]

I think it will take until 2022 until we see who and what have survived. When you look at the routes and there is only one resupply of water in some areas for 100 miles, if you lose that it puts the route in jeopardy - IMHO.

Well, that would certainly make a route less attractive for some segment of the cycletouring population, but riders routinely cross the Sahara and the Gobi, and here in the third millennium hydration bladders and liter-sized bottle cages are readily available.

It is Adventure Cycling, after all.   

[BikeliciousBabe]

That’s a good point. I’m assuming that’s coming from RV sales/campers but it does give me hope that will see lots of people on bicycles as well. Thanks, SY

The sources interveiwed for the news story I saw last week were reservation services.

[hikerjer]

We'll see.

[staehpj1]

I think it will take until 2022 until we see who and what has survived. When you look at the routes and there is only one resupply of water in some areas for 100 miles, if you lose that it  puts the route in jeopardy - IMHO.

I agree to a point.  Water is something that can be begged or filtered from surface water when the normal restock points are not there.  People won't typically refuse you water in dry country.  As long as there is someone to ask or some surface water to filter you would be okay.  On the other hand on some routes that may not be a given.  I wouldn't risk it on the Southern Tier where there just wasn't surface water, ranches were set WAY back from the road out of sight, and the gaps were huge. On the TA the really long gaps are infrequent enough to plan for.  Worst case you'd have to carry two days of water once or maybe twice, but never more than 24 hours worth.

That said I am probably not touring in 2021.  I don't really care for short tours and am not ready for a long one given the state of the pandemic.  I hope to see the sights of my current home state by car and canoe with my wife this year if things get back close enough to normal.  We have done a little of that already.

[HikeBikeCook]

I remember going through 24 lbs. of water in a 24 hour period during the drought when I was hiking the AT. Three liters of water weighs 6.5 pounds and I went through 9 liters by myself. While climbing mountains with a 35lb pack may or may not be more strenuous then biking with a fully loaded touring bike, the trail provided shade. Some of the most desolate places on these routes offer no shade and have a good chance of strong headwinds. I also remember skipping water at a rusty looking spring because there were several brooks ahead on the route, only to find them all dry and having to hike 10 miles to get to the river. We can live without food for days but water is critical. We carry water treatment pumps and drops but there has to be water to treat. I am not saying it is not manageable, just saying it takes extra care and planning - prepare for the worst and hope for the best.