Trans-America 2010

[mimbresman]

Howdy! New here to the forums, but not to cycle touring.
Wanting to do the Trans-Am route in 2010. This post is mainly a statement of commitment to the touring community.
For the past 20 years, I've been into mtn biking, but have done some multi-day offroad solo touring (fun) during this period. I did a short tour this summer on my vintage (1981) Univega touring bike (I still love that bike! Total old school!) and it got me fired up about finally doing the Trans-Am.
I did a Bikecentennial tour, "The Great Parks Odyssey", way back in 1981, including a solo extension from Mexico before meeting the GPO group in Albuquerque, and more riding in British Columbia and the San Juan Islands afterwards.
I'll be turning 50 in 2010 and I want to finally do my Trans-Am! Seems appropriate!
Yeeha!

[staehpj1]

Have a great trip.  I did my TA at the age of 56 and thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Westinghouse]

I have stuidied the transam route thoroughly in a book by Donna Ikenberry. I have not cycled it. Apparently there are many small towns with free or very cheap camping, showers, and municipal swimming pools. Those facilities would be very good in summer.

[staehpj1]

I can verify Westinghouse's comments.  We found lots of free or cheap camping on the TA.  City parks with municipal pools were among our favorites, but churches and invites to stay with people were nice too.  The AC maps document these pretty well, but also compare notes with riders going the other way.

[mimbresman]

I am still planning this.

Right now I am thinking about using my original touring bike (depends on my route). An old veteran of several tours in the 1980's. It is obsolete by today's standards, but I put about $300 into it this past summer (wider bars, new rear hub, BB, freewheel, etc.) and used it for a 3-day tour on the Katy Trail (rear panniers and handlebar bag) and as a townie. It was the perfect bike on the Katy. It performed way better then the other bikes on the trip.

Right now I am thinking of combining the TA with the GDMBR through northern Colorado/Wyoming/Idaho/Montana. If that is the case, I'd probably use a different bike.

I know what you mean about the small town camping. Experienced that in Hermann, MO last summer.

Thanks for the input.

More to come later.

[mimbresman]

Bought some new wheels for my Litespeed mountain bike. Starting to lean towards using it.