UK rider planning Transamerica, West to East, starting August.

[donald.stewart.92]

The US is so different than the UK. Very very long distances, very very high mountains (not little bumps), huge expanses without services, unrelenting winds, pouring rain for days,more extreme weather patterns. Just to name a few.  I’ve have friends come over from the UK and not realize this. Early exit strategy is also harder here.
  I was biking in Scotland when they had a ‘heatwave’ of 70f. People were going nuts from the heat.
Good luck and be very prepared.


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[DoodleUnited]

Thanks. 
Yes, I do understand that the climate and distances between services are very different than they are in the UK.  I am under no illusions!

So I have a few specific questions. 

1) What is the best mobile network as I would like to buy a US SIM for Iphone.  Any suggestions on network or SIM only deals with lots of data?
2) If I am able to stay in one of the many churches along the route - is that typically a space on a floor where you place you sleeping mat etc?>  I assume there will be toilet facilities normally too?  Leaving a donation is expected (happy to do so)?
3) Ok to drink or store water from tap?
4) If leaving from West coast begin of Aug, with plan to camp, comfort level of sleeping bag needed for Rockies - would one at 4 degree celsius suffice?

Frank

[Pat Lamb]

1) What is the best mobile network as I would like to buy a US SIM for Iphone.  Any suggestions on network or SIM only deals with lots of data?
2) If I am able to stay in one of the many churches along the route - is that typically a space on a floor where you place you sleeping mat etc?>  I assume there will be toilet facilities normally too?  Leaving a donation is expected (happy to do so)?
3) Ok to drink or store water from tap?
4) If leaving from West coast begin of Aug, with plan to camp, comfort level of sleeping bag needed for Rockies - would one at 4 degree celsius suffice?

1. Verizon has had the best coverage IME.  Trouble is, it doesn't use GSM like the rest of the world.  I'll let someone else chime in on best plans -- if you get a SIM to use with one of the wireless re-sellers, that might be a good deal.
2. Most churches I slept on the floor.  Toilets were always available, and some had showers.  Donations welcomed or expected, depending on the church.
3. Tap water is almost always safe to drink.  There'll probably be signs where that's not true.
4. Depends on how cold you sleep.  My wife enjoys a bag that's 15 degrees warmer than mine.  I was happy to have a 20 degree (F) bag a couple nights.  If the bag is big enough to fit you, all your clothes, and a hat, you might make it with a 4C (~40F) bag.

[Nyimbo]

1) What is the best mobile network as I would like to buy a US SIM for Iphone.  Any suggestions on network or SIM only deals with lots of data?

I agree with Pat, Verizon still has best coverage across the country but AT&T isn’t much behind and T-mobile which is the 3rd network, has made huge progress in its filling in missing areas of coverage in the past 2 years. I feel it covers about equal with AT&T now.  3 years ago I bought a Cricket sim card with unlimited data for approx $30 per month. Cricket uses the ATT network, and gives you a slower top speed but I found it very fine throughout the tour.  I didn’t stream a lot of video but I did stream a lot of audio - music, pods and baseball games and it was great. I had a few audio books downloaded to the phone to use in undercovered areas to keep me entertained.