Is a TransAm Ride Coast-to-Coast

[BikeliciousBabe]

I think whether a ride is coast to coast or not might better be discussed without beer or wine, unless you just like to argue about something that's not politics or religion.

  +1.

[HikeBikeCook]

I think whether a ride is coast to coast or not might better be discussed without beer or wine, unless you just like to argue about something that's not politics or religion.

  +1.

We could always discuss which color bike is better and is one color faster than another? Is paint faster than powder coat?

[John Nettles]

We could always discuss which color bike is better and is one color faster than another? Is paint faster than powder coat?

That is why I want a titanium frame, no paint.  It must the fastest, right???  That weight savings will allow me to carry more jelly beans!

[HikeBikeCook]

I must say that this thread has been one of the more fun threads and the deviation from the original topic even more entertaining. Thank you all, reading this forum makes my day and the information and comradery is invaluable to me. Happy Holidays 

[John Nelson]

You get to decide whether or not you think you rode coast to coast. But I get to decide whether I think you rode coast to coast (not that I'd ever tell you what I thought).

I think the most original modification is the use of "banked miles." This theory says that any miles you rode in any direction other than your primary heading can be banked. You then get to use motorized transportation in your primary direction for any of your banked miles, and those miles can be considered ridden.

[Westinghouse]

People who dip their wheels in both oceans walk their bikes down to the water. Therefore, they do not cycle the entire distance. But what does it matter? I started transcontinental tours from Stuart Florida about 200 miles south of Saint Augustine on the east coast. I had to cycle well over 300 miles to get to Perry Florida where I could go West. On much of the ride I could look to my right and see the Atlantic Ocean. When I finally get to California I am on an estuary. That is coast to coast. It’s not that important. Reno Nevada is farther west than San Diego. If someone wanted to make a strict point going coast to coast, you would have to start from Saint Augustine for example or Virginia and go to the west coast that is the farthest west. That would be west of Reno Nevada into California and to the coast. I never thought about designations. To me it’s the adventure and the exhilaration. It’s the excitement. All that other stuff is for the nit pickers.

[Westinghouse]

And don't forget -
With plate tectonics, the continent I rode across in 1987 has moved.

Are the plates moving apart or together? 

If the plates move apart, is your ride still consider entirely across the continent?  I mean, you might need to go back and ride those few inches that you cheated on by riding it 35 years ago.  So will I of course.  That sucks because between the two of us, we have probably crossed the country (by one or more definitions) close to 15 times. 

If the plates are moving toward each other, do we get credit on our next tour?  Can we give that credit to other riders who decide dipping is not for them?

.     Not just LOL. I am howling.

[ray b]

Really? Three pages on answers to the simple, semantic question raised by this thread?

You all need to get out and ride more; I don't care how cold it is.

Wishes for a good year of riding to all.

[Westinghouse]

And don't forget -
With plate tectonics, the continent I rode across in 1987 has moved.

Are the plates moving apart or together? 

If the plates move apart, is your ride still consider entirely across the continent?  I mean, you might need to go back and ride those few inches that you cheated on by riding it 35 years ago.  So will I of course.  That sucks because between the two of us, we have probably crossed the country (by one or more definitions) close to 15 times. 

If the plates are moving toward each other, do we get credit on our next tour?  Can we give that credit to other riders who decide dipping is not for them?

[tjdale]

"Getting to the ocean from DC isn't easy.
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge doesn't allow bicycles.
There is no public transport and the private shuttle is expensive.
Plus, the various route options have heavy traffic.

An alternative is Point Lookout State Park on Chesapeake Bay.
The passenger boat connections via Smith Island are iffy.
And Covid may have put them permanently out of business.
But if your group is willing to pay - it's a great way across the Bay."

Getting from DC to the Eastern Shore can be tricky but from DC to Annapolis there are a number of trails and back roads that are not bad. From Annapolis getting across the Bay Bridge you may be able to hitch a ride, but that is the trickiest part.  After that getting to the ocean is easy on back roads.  You can take Rt 50 as it is a designated bike route but it is extremely busy and I would avoid it.

[Soulboy#1]

As someone has already said the ride is your own. I did the TA in 2017 and changed the route at the end to follow the Lewis and Clarke trail down the Columbia gorge toward Portland and then on to Astoria. I think the romance of starting on the Atlantic side and finishing on the pacific side (or vice versa) isn’t something to be dismissed and it’s such a monumental achievement! But different strokes for different folks right.