Your best single piece of advice

[John Nettles]

And then diesel pick up trucks who choose to floor the pedal when they pass you in order to cover you in soot: Basically telling you to get off the road.

I had the same thing happen in Missoula so it is not just limited to the SE part of the country.  I have had a couple of dozen or so  "encounters" of one type or another in my 45 years of touring. Most have been in the NW but that could just be because most of my touring has been in that region.  While every place has bad people/bad drivers, I can't think of one area that is so bad that I will not ride there, though I do have to say that Georgia metro drivers are not the most courteous in my experience and I have had fantastic dealings with Louisiana drivers.

My point is every place has good and bad.  The stereotypes may just be that.
Tailwinds, John

[staehpj1]

1. I did not like biking in the Appalachians on the TransAm (Virginia, Kentucky): Some locals were hostile, lots of aggressive chasing dogs, you are in hill billy country. I did not feel welcome in that part of USA. The bikers I met had similar experiences.

The people seemed nice enough when I have toured there.  Same for many years of backpacking, mountain biking, off road motorcycle racing, and whitewater boating there.

[Pat Lamb]

1. I did not like biking in the Appalachians on the TransAm (Virginia, Kentucky): Some locals were hostile, lots of aggressive chasing dogs, you are in hill billy country. I did not feel welcome in that part of USA. The bikers I met had similar experiences.

Can't argue about the dogs, though I wasn't bitten.  I found the locals gracious and generous; of course, I didn't have a "get past the hillbillies" chip on my shoulder.

I try to treat my rides as an opportunity to learn about the areas I'm riding through, to approach new locations with an open mind.  At first it's surprising -- the people with whom I disagree the most on political or ideological grounds are often the same people who are the most welcoming.  After a while, I re-learned the lessons of the Muppets: People is people.

[staehpj1]

And then diesel pick up trucks who choose to floor the pedal when they pass you in order to cover you in soot: Basically telling you to get off the road.

I had the same thing happen in Missoula so it is not just limited to the SE part of the country.

FWIW, I remember that happening once on the Trans America.  That was near the Wyoming Colorado border. 

[Jono1979]

1. I did not like biking in the Appalachians on the TransAm (Virginia, Kentucky): Some locals were hostile, lots of aggressive chasing dogs, you are in hill billy country. I did not feel welcome in that part of USA. The bikers I met had similar experiences.

Can't argue about the dogs, though I wasn't bitten.  I found the locals gracious and generous; of course, I didn't have a "get past the hillbillies" chip on my shoulder.

I try to treat my rides as an opportunity to learn about the areas I'm riding through, to approach new locations with an open mind.  At first it's surprising -- the people with whom I disagree the most on political or ideological grounds are often the same people who are the most welcoming.  After a while, I re-learned the lessons of the Muppets: People is people.

Your final paragraph is inspiring. I know that this summer my perceptions of the "Red States" as a European will change. People is people. The majority just want security and purpose. I am really looking forward to the people I will meet on my TransAm adventure.

[jsc]

My brother and I are starting an east to west tour beginning in DC on May 4.  Maybe we'll run into you at the starting gate.  We're heading west on the C&O Canal towpath to follow the Transam Eastern Express, so if not around DC maybe after Walden, Colorado.  We decided on the Eastern Express start to cut out about 40,000' feet of climbing in the Appalachians and Ozarks. Good luck and have a great trip!

[BikeliciousBabe]

And then diesel pick up trucks who choose to floor the pedal when they pass you in order to cover you in soot: Basically telling you to get off the road.

I had the same thing happen in Missoula so it is not just limited to the SE part of the country.

FWIW, I remember that happening once on the Trans America.  That was near the Wyoming Colorado border.

It’s called rolling coal, and it has grown in popularity. So much so that some states have made it illegal to modify exhaust system to greatly enable it.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHmJSsRLgj4

Wait for the 4th or 5th clip in the compilation. The one taken from the back of the truck.

[Westinghouse]

Pack as light as possible, leaving enough space open for carrying food and drink. Keep a detailed journal with photos and words and videos. Keep a close watch on weather forecasts regularly. Things are getting crazy out there.

[Westinghouse]

STAY Focused, Centered and Clear.

[jerrys88]

In the weeks and days leading up to your ride start a packing list in cloud storage that you can access from any device at any time because you'll be in the middle of picking out a bunch of bananas in the supermarket and suddenly think of something to add to it (and forget later if you don't record it somewhere).

I use Google Docs. My list is formatted as a checklist with checkboxes and on packing day I print it out and check off items as I gather them.

Organizing my list in these categories has been a great help:

Bike Tools & Gear
Clothes
Self Care
Sleep System
Camp Kitchen
Electronics
Food
Miscellaneous

[lydiapschuldt]

Hi there! How exciting, your trip is coming up soon. My best piece of advice for bike touring is staying flexible, use the warmshowers app and pack a rechargeable battery pack. Having the rechargeable battery pack is essential when your phone dies. If you plan to get a sim card or just use offline maps your phone will die quickly. The battery pack saved me so many times in the middle of nowhere.

Also, make sure you stay flexible on the trip. Don't book accommodations every night and go with the flow- you never know when you might want to keep biking into the night for a few hours or if your body really needs a break. Make sure to sign up for warmshowers if you haven't yet.

If you want to learn more about what important items you should pack, check out this blog post 15 essential items to bring on a bike tour. https://www.fromthewaves.com/post/15-essential-items-to-bring-on-a-bike-tour

Happy biking!

[Westinghouse]

Stay ahead of the weather.  Keep checking forecasts.  There are too many unprecedented extreme weather events coming out of nowhere.

[Jono1979]

Hi there! How exciting, your trip is coming up soon. My best piece of advice for bike touring is staying flexible, use the warmshowers app and pack a rechargeable battery pack. Having the rechargeable battery pack is essential when your phone dies. If you plan to get a sim card or just use offline maps your phone will die quickly. The battery pack saved me so many times in the middle of nowhere.

Also, make sure you stay flexible on the trip. Don't book accommodations every night and go with the flow- you never know when you might want to keep biking into the night for a few hours or if your body really needs a break. Make sure to sign up for warmshowers if you haven't yet.

If you want to learn more about what important items you should pack, check out this blog post 15 essential items to bring on a bike tour. https://www.fromthewaves.com/post/15-essential-items-to-bring-on-a-bike-tour

Happy biking!

Warmshowers is brilliant, but don't forget to payback kindness with kindness.

[bbarrettx]

Ride eastbound?

[perec4stor]

Hi All

I've posted here before about my upcoming TA tour and can't believe that I'm now less than 4 months away from starting. The flights were booked yesterday and so the serious planning starts now.

I'm flying from London to Washington DC (May 3rd) and will take the W&OD Trail out of DC, before heading towards Shenandoah NP, joining the TA in Waynesboro, VA. I'll stay on the TA until I find a suitable route to head north to Glacier NP, after which I'll join the Northern Tier towards Seattle (flight departs July 31st).

This group is always extremely helpful and I've returned once again to ask for your advice. Given the route outlined above, the fact that this is very much a leisurely, fully loaded tour, I'm fit and healthy, an experienced cyclist, BUT this is my very first tour, is there one piece of advice which you think is particularly important to consider as I make my plans?

Thanks again.

Hello!

It's great to hear about your upcoming TA tour, and it's exciting that you're now just a few months away from starting. With your flights booked and serious planning underway, it's time to gather some valuable advice from this helpful group.

Considering your route and the nature of your leisurely, fully loaded tour, here's a crucial piece of advice to keep in mind as you make your plans:

Take it at your own pace. As a fit and experienced cyclist, you may be tempted to push yourself to cover long distances each day. However, since this is your first tour, it's essential to give yourself time to enjoy the journey, take breaks, and savor the experiences along the way. Be flexible with your schedule, allowing for rest days or detours to explore interesting sights or meet fellow cyclists. Remember, the goal is to have a memorable and enjoyable tour.

Additionally, prioritize safety. Make sure you have appropriate safety gear, including a well-fitted helmet, reflective clothing, and bike lights for visibility. Plan your routes carefully, taking into account road conditions and traffic, and always follow traffic laws. Stay hydrated, carry essential tools and spare parts, and familiarize yourself with basic bike maintenance.

Finally, connect with the cycling community. Reach out to local cycling groups or fellow cyclists who have completed similar tours. Their insights and recommendations can be invaluable in enhancing your experience and providing valuable tips specific to the areas you'll be cycling through.

Wishing you a fantastic TA tour filled with beautiful landscapes, memorable encounters, and a sense of accomplishment. Have a great time planning, and feel free to ask any further questions you may have.

Happy cycling!
- Juan