55 + cross country

[cjmoehrke]

My husband and I are thinking about a cross country trip in the next year or two. We don't want to take camping gear so would need to stay in inexpensive motels. We are healthy and fit but our pace would likely be 40-50 miles per day for such a long trip. Does anyone know of a group that would cater to folks like us or of another resource that would help us in the planning?

[DaveB]

I assume the "55+" in your thread title refers to your ages, right  

There is a group called "Wandering Wheels" that I believe caters specifically to "mature" riders. Their web site is www.wanderingwheels.org

[litespeed]

I wouldn't even worry about your age(s). I'm 66, almost 67, weigh 200 lbs. and have no trouble knocking out 100+ miles a day fully loaded (camping gear but no food or cooking gear) even in the mountains. I've always felt that the main requirement for a touring cyclist is persistence - the ability to slog away all day at hard, often tedious work and to deal with problems as they come up.
I spent a lot of my life doing hard, dirty outdoor work. I'm not really joking when I say that it was good training for bicycle touring.

This message was edited by litespeed on 8-11-07 @ 3:27 PM

[Peaks]

If you consider the typical age of folks that do bike tours, the largest age group is usually 50 to 60.  So, why not consult Adventure Cycling?

[litespeed]

When I'm looking for an inexpensive motel - the only kind I use - I look for a smiling Indian face behind the counter. It's most always a good deal. I avoid motels advertising "American Owned" like the plague.