Repeat the TransAm a decade later (at 70) or choose another route?

[crichman]

My mom didn't let me ride in '76; I finally rode the TransAm solo in 2016, when I turned 60. I also completed the Divide in 2019. Both rides were on recumbents.  (Yes, you can ride the Divide on a recumbent.  But I don't know that I'd do it again.)

I'm hoping to do another big ride in 2026, when I turn 70. I'm thinking about repeating the TransAm solo a decade later, but I'm not certain if that would be the best choice.  I'd go East to West again,setting out in May.  Last time I did it in 82 days, but could have done it a bit faster.  Mostly camping, with Warm Showers and hotels as the need arose.

Even in 2016 it was clear that hard times had reached rural America. All of the locals I met told me in no uncertain terms who the next president would be. The riders I met, including many European riders, learned a lot about folks with different lives and values than our own (which of course was a large part of the point).

Can you help me understand how much has changed and how much remains the same on that route since 2016? Do you have any insights into how many international riders are likely to be with us in 2026, given the withdrawal of the welcome mat from our door?

I'd be open to considering a different route, but the TransAm had the advangage - last time I rode it - of having decently well-developed services, fairly regular riders coming through, and helpful map updates from ACA. I don't know how true that is of the less iconic east-west routes.

I'm not as strong as I used to be, but I'd like to think that I'm smarter. I'd ride the same bike, but carry significantly less weight on the bike (and on the engine).

I'd very much appreciate any insights you have to share. Thanks in advance,

Charlie Richman

[John Nettles]

I can't really comment on the change as it has been quite a while since I rode the TA.  However, you mentioned international riders.  If you are wanting more exposure to international riders on a pretty easy route, you might consider going to Europe and riding EuroVelo 6 across Europe (or at least Western Europe).  I rode part of it this past summer and it was relatively gentle, mostly on bike paths/routes with decent signage though I used a GPS too, the majority of people spoke English and Google Translate did the rest, the campgrounds and hotels are a lot cheaper and much more bike friendly, etc.  My biggest complaint is with the French culture of not using toilet seats (just the bowl) and no toilet paper in almost every campgrounds.  But the daily dose of inexpensive but wonderfully tasting croissants made up for a lot of it. 

Also, over there, politics are not mentioned that much because the vast majority are more liberal than the average American and so there is not much division to speak of.  They all hate Trump and seem to always want to talk about guns but I just didn't really want talk politics. 

Another complaint is that since bike theft is supposedly so rampant over there, I rarely stopped at a tourist attraction in a city unless I had already checked into the campground or hotel. 

When I rode the TA many moons ago, I loved it.  But I prefer to see new sights when possible.  Plus, the USA has gotten so expensive and harder to camp that I looked around and was pleasantly surprised how relatively affordable it was to tour in Europe.  The worst part was the airfare.  In your case, if you ride a trike recumbent, the cost to ship the bike could get quite pricey. 

Sorry, I couldn't offer more insight of today's TA but thought I would mention Europe since you might have an interest. 

Tailwinds, John

[jamawani]

Are you getting any younger?

I'm always for something different - even if just a different direction.
There seem to be fewer riders out there, so if you want company, the TransAm is best.
Have you considered creating your own route?
Large parts of which could be stitched together from current routes.

[BikeliciousBabe]

FWIW...In June I was on the TA east of Missoula for a few days.  I had done the same section back in 2011, 2014, and 2016.  Each year I was there at a time when you would normally encounter E-W riders doing the TA and/or L&C routes.  This year, I encountered far fewer riders than I had in previous years.  Four of the maybe seven people I encountered were European.  Two Belgians, a Dane, and a German who had some connection to the states because he stayed with a friend in Darby.  Seven was a paltry number.  One night alone in 2014 I camped in Jackson with a dozen other strangers riding the TA.  In 2016 I met at least a half dozen riders during my two days at the Bike Camp in Twin Bridges, MT and saw more on the road.  The guest book there and at the bike camp in Dillon suggested a noticeable decline in riders.  The facility in Twin Bridges didn't have working power, and the trashcan inside the shelter had not been emptied in some time.

I think riding one of the EV routes sounds like a fine idea.

[John Nettles]

I forgot to mention that EV-6 is a very popular route.  One weekend day I counted 107 riders with packs though many were probably out for a day or weekend ride because they only had one rear pack. Most week days, I would have 10-20 pass going the other direction.  Each campsite had 6-20 cyclists camping.  That said, most riders for some reason kept to themselves and didn't want to talk much with others.  Maybe it is a cultural thing but most Europeans were not a friendly to strangers as a typical North American.  They weren't rude, they just kept to themselves.
Tailwinds, John

[crichman]

I appreciate the input - the more the better.

I took a quick look at the Eurovelo routes and the thing that struck me is that they connect major cities, unlike the TransAm which does a pretty good job of skirting them.  I was comfortable locking my bike on the TransAm with a tiny luggage lock and a thin cable that you could probably cut with a nail clipper, suitable for discouraging opportunists but not a bike thief.  Seems like there might be plenty of reasons to worry about those where there are more people and more bikes...

Charlie

[John Nettles]

On the bike theft in Europe, I totally agree. 

I normally carry a "theft deterrent" cable (1/8" coated stainless wire) secured with a crappy 3-digit lock you would use for a suitcase.  If I knew I was going to stay in a city, I would get to the hotel first, dump the gear and bike and then walk around.  If I knew I was going to pass through a city, I 90% of the time did not stop while passing through unless for lunch and then I locked the bike and sat by a window where I could see it.  People would occasionally stop and look a the bike (usually older people) but they were just curious I think.  For what it is worth, I would probably do the same around any larger US city.

For Europe, I bought a cheap $5 lock over there (much cheaper than in the USA) and locked it anytime I was away from the bike in a metro area.  Never had an issue, but..... 

That said, I would not let that deter you for doing a EV route.  They almost always used a bike path or bike lane when going through cities and the drivers are very good to cyclists.  Worse case is, get bike insurance for something like $350/year BUT you must prove (picture) you locked the bike to a immovable object to get a successful claim supposedly. 

Europe really is a nice place to tour. 

Tailwinds, John

[keithmisegades]

I did the TransAm in 2008 and was pondering the same question as you have about what to do in 2026.

The TransAm does hold its lure, but I did the eastern 1100 miles with a friend last Spring.  Knowing what was coming up was nice, but I didn't see too many changes in that section.  It is well-established and more people do that route though.

For me, I've decided to ride solo west to east on the Northern Tier incorporating a detour to ride RAGBRAI in mid to late July.  I've ridden very little in the northern part of the USA and nothing in the NE USA.  So, seeing something different is more exciting to me than rehashing the TransAm.  There will be fewer people on that route, but I "might" be able to ride with others along the route.

I was 45 when I rode the entire TransAm and am now 63.  For those of us that have kept in shape, age doesn't matter that much.

Whatever you choose, it'll be fun.