Newbie here with ???????

[ronn12]

I,m  gonna start the trans am trail from Berea Ky to the end in VA   , ? is  if allergic to the cycling shorts what are the options are for undershorts and shorts?? and  whats the best way to teach oneself for this kind of riding?  cause next year around April i like to try the whole rout from my front door and back to my front door 1st timer to all touring want to-do by myself Any and all advice Thanks Ron ps links to where to find answers  Thanks again Ron

[tonythomson]

Hi Ronn - not too sure to what to say about cycling shorts except that I have done a lot of tours in regular soccer shorts.  Is it the material or just the look?  My last tour - southern Tier - suffered badly with heavily padded cycle shorts (good quality shorts) as the padding never wicked the sweat away and was like wearing a soggy diaper - not good.  Changed to shorts with just a chamois in - much better and shorts not the tight fitting type.

My advise for prep is to get as fit as possible, plan exhaustively as to a realistic number of miles you feel able to accomplish on a daily basis.  Start off modestly and build up as you get fitter.

Check out your route on Google Earth, masses of info there in conjunction with ACA maps. 

Spend your money on having your wheels built and best quality tyres.  I have my wheels built crossing the spokes over 4 times, gives me extra strength to take my weight 90kg  and pack.  Actually loads of good info on this forum, but like mine everyone has their own view on kit.  Which is why cycling is always so interesting.

In the end just go for it and enjoy = good luck.
My site is www.bike4gus.com

[ronn12]

Hi Ronn - not too sure to what to say about cycling shorts except that I have done a lot of tours in regular soccer shorts.  Is it the material or just the look?  My last tour - southern Tier - suffered badly with heavily padded cycle shorts (good quality shorts) as the padding never wicked the sweat away and was like wearing a soggy diaper - not good.  Changed to shorts with just a chamois in - much better and shorts not the tight fitting type.

My advise for prep is to get as fit as possible, plan exhaustively as to a realistic number of miles you feel able to accomplish on a daily basis.  Start off modestly and build up as you get fitter.

Check out your route on Google Earth, masses of info there in conjunction with ACA maps. 

Spend your money on having your wheels built and best quality tyres.  I have my wheels built crossing the spokes over 4 times, gives me extra strength to take my weight 90kg  and pack.  Actually loads of good info on this forum, but like mine everyone has their own view on kit.  Which is why cycling is always so interesting.

In the end just go for it and enjoy = good luck.
My site is www.bike4gus.com

Many thanks im 43 soon and thanks for your input  ill give the soccor shorts a try from where im starting i know its 351 miles 1way so i plane on getting it done i liked what i read so ive done just about all thinks but bike Thanks again Ron   ps  Good luck to ya!!!!!!!!

[johnsondasw]

I've toured for 30 years and only have had cycling shorts for the past 10 or 12.  We used to go with cutoffs, swim trunks, whatever.  Yea, we gpt sore butts. but whatever.  The best way to get in shape os to ride a lot.  Try to make at least one day's training ride as long as you expect an average day's ride will be on tour.  And remember, on the ride you'll be hauling gear, too.  I think most of what you need to know you will figure out on the ride if you haven't thought of it beforehand.

[johnsondasw]

And I forgot--use a helmet and get a mirror you are comfortable using.  Without a mirror, you're living completely on the thin edge of trust in total, strangers some who are drunk, tired, texting, etc!

[whittierider]

Without a mirror, you're living completely on the thin edge of trust in total, strangers some who are drunk, tired, texting, etc!

and you won't have the control of the traffic behind you that you have with a mirror.  What you see behind you in the mirror also is important for making the best decisions for safely avoiding or evading situations developing up ahead too.

People always think of the helmet, but the mirror is just as important, but in a different way.  The helmet has no power at all to actually avoid the accident like the mirror does.

[ronn12]

Thanks i didnt even think off mirror Another ? is april good time to ride the trans from ky to the west coast or is it bad timeing   in april on i have all the time in the world but on  tiny or little budget leaving the wife in kids with all the money  i guess im doing it cheap as hell Smile.. But ill have fun if everything i read is true   Thanks All,, Ron   

[johnsondasw]

With that schedule, you could hit some gnarly weather in May in the high western passes.  I got snowed on--hard--in Western Montana this June 22 at 7500 feet.  If you have enough time to wait out bad weather spells and cross the passes on good days, you could be OK.  Bring mountain weather clothing, in any case.  That means warm gloves, waterproof stuff, shoe covers, etc.

[ronn12]

With that schedule, you could hit some gnarly weather in May in the high western passes.  I got snowed on--hard--in Western Montana this June 22 at 7500 feet.  If you have enough time to wait out bad weather spells and cross the passes on good days, you could be OK.  Bring mountain weather clothing, in any case.  That means warm gloves, waterproof stuff, shoe covers, etc.

 Thanks i think if i handle all the mountains in ky and feel comfortable riding here i should be able to handle it i hope like i said this is my first time riding since in the 20,s  i,ve been sore doing it now but i notice its getting better as i keep pushing myself hard. cause i really want it . and is there any different routs to try to pass some of those mountains ? ive not been west  just here in ky.    and any other good advise ??

[johnsondasw]

You can miss the Cascades of Washington and oregon by going down the Columbia River gorge, but can hit tremendous headwinds there in spring and summer. 

[bogiesan]

You can miss the Cascades of Washington and oregon by going down the Columbia River gorge, but can hit tremendous headwinds there in spring and summer. 

That's rather like saying your ride from Canada to Mexico can be flat and mostly dry if you miss the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington and all that rain and surf and fog and traffic by turning south at Yakima.

Ride the Columbia Gorge till you get to Yakima Bend. Cross the bridge to visit the Maryhill Museum but then take off up into the mountains! You will forever regret not seeing these spectacular ranges.

david boise ID

[ronn12]

Many Thanks ill try all.

[Westinghouse]

If you ever get caught out in some of the sorts of weather systems I have, shorts will be the last thing you will think about. Carry a light weight radio and keep an eye out and an ear out for the weather. Get caught out in the middle of nowhere with no shelter in a power lightning storm, and it can be  lethal.

[johnsondasw]

That's rather like saying your ride from Canada to Mexico can be flat and mostly dry if you miss the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington and all that rain and surf and fog and traffic by turning south at Yakima

True, and a good point, but he did ask how he could miss the mountains, and the Columbia Gorge is a spectacular area in its own right.  It is really a viable option for a rider wanting to avoid the Cascades.

Myself, I like riding in the mountains and have planned many trips that purposely include them.

[johnsondasw]

The first paragraph of my message above was a quote from  another member.  I can't figure out how you guys do this quote thing so it says "quote from...."  Can anyone tell me how this works?  I'm kind of a computer "newbie".  thanks for any directions you can give!