THERE HAS TO BE SOMEBODY OUT THERE ON THE ATLANTIC COAST ROUTE

[sprocketman]

Ok, this is an extension from my other post. There has to be somebody out there on the east coast who I will be passing on my way from Pennsylvania to Florida. I will be camping and staying at hotels depending on how I feel that day. I'm figuring Pennsylvania June 19-22, Maryland - DC- Virginia June 23 - 28, North Carolina June 29 - July 3, South Carolina July 4 - 9, Georgia July 10 - 15, and Florida (to St Augustine) about July 20. Give or take a few days each way on this calendar depending on how much I get lost and how late I sleep. Give me a call and let's do a few miles together or meet up for lunch.


Eric
kobesh4@optonline.net

[tonythomson]

Just missed you Eric , but you are right I only saw two couples while I was on the AC and the Florida connector. tell you what though it's getting hot down here in Florida now. 
Good luck

[Jason]

Add me to the list too, Eric...  went through GA, SC, NC and VA about 6 weeks ago.

You'll have a blast though, so enjoy it.

[sprocketman]

Thanks for responding. I want to pick your experience a little bit. What is the one thing that you would do different if you could do it again? What is the thing you enjoyed most? Did you camp? Hotels? ? I appreciate the info.

Thanks,
Eric

[tonythomson]

That's such a hard question as I am struggling to think what I would do differently.  Sure at times it was tough going but that's normal for touring.  I did a combination of motels & camping. Nope wouldn't change anything as I guess the way I did it is my style of touring (probably no different than anyone else's) about 50 miles a day - plenty of time to stop, talk and look round.

Finished off doing the trails on the Florida Gulf coast and that has been really nice.  Def recommend them if you get over that side. 

Take care & good luck

[Jason]

Eric, to your questions...

I don't think I'd do anything different - per se.  I would though make the recommendation to pick up a South Carolina road map - even something fairly basic.  As noted on the ACA maps, the numbers are a bit confusing - some change according to the different counties, others based on how the wind blows...  Well, not really, but it might help in terms of asking for services other than what's shown on the ACA maps.  Some of the locals weren't terribly familiar with some of the road numbers ACA printed, nothing serious, nothing tramatic, just an FYI.

Also, absolutely, go along the Outerbanks.  Even riding through there pre-season (summer season) it was really super nice - roads, people, obviously scenery - the ferry ride is a nice way to relax.  As for services, I used ACA listed services officially, with a more than a few wild nights spent on the side of the road (well hidden would be another way to say it...) in GA and SC.  In fact, most everyone I met - including local police - were incredibly receptive to me ditching for the night here or there.  As with most areas in the country, the smaller the town/village/whatever, the more likely you'll be to find something you'd normally never expect - like a nice place to camp.

Should you need a bike shop in or around Statesboro, GA as you're making your way, the one listed (don't have the name in front of me...) is outstanding.  Super laid back, been around forever, etc, etc.  There's also, I think, a shop listed in Suffolk VA (which is off-route about 10 miles or so) that is awesome - same thing, laid back, been around since the stone age.


Enjoy yourself.

Jason

[sprocketman]

Thanks for responding guys,

Tony, did you bike from the east coast of Florida to the gulf coast or take a car and do the trails? I am looking for a way to get from St Augustine to Tampa. Any routs that are bike friendly?

Thank,
Eric

[tonythomson]

Follow the ACA connector to Winter gardens but will send a more detailed plan later, World Cup  is just about to start and of course England V USA after that - if sober - I'll get more details of some great car free trails as have been riding all that area lately to finish off my tour before my wife flies in.

Tony

[tonythomson]

Have sent you a personal message with a route from St Augustine to Citrus Springs where you can pick up the Withalacoochee Trail 45 miles, def recommend this trail. There is a primitive camp site on the trail but also motels in Hernando & Inverness (this is a nice place) When reach a bridge across the 50 take a left onto the 50 for about 12 miles.  On right you will see two large churches & one on the left. Go right and follow the old road which follows the 50. You can then pick up the General James Van Fleet Trail 35 miles which has nothing along the route at the end go right and work your way into Tampa passed Busch Grdns & the University.  The two trails are great and will largely miss out a lot of busy roads.

Good luck

[sprocketman]

Thanks Tony. I too was glued to the TV during the match. England played great and the US got lucky. Great game. I hope my cell-phone ESPN will pick up the games. It will be my only link if I am out of a town (although I will pland hard to be around a TV during critical games). However, right now every minute of my spare time is spent preparing for this trip. Doing my last big tune up ride tomorrow. Then a couple of easy rides and I am leaving on June 19. Thanks for the info. If you can think of anything else, let me know.

Thanks,
Eric

[tonythomson]

Ok sorry Eric somehow I assumed that you were already on the road.  Getting really hot here in Florida but i personally love it.  Where are you leaving from?  And when do you plan to be down here? I have a house in Celebration so if yo follow the ACA connector route it goes within 5 miles of my front door - you would be welcome

[sprocketman]

Thanks Tony,

I am leaving from Pennsylvania on June 19 and will take the ACA route to St Augustine. I hope to be there by July 19.

E-mail me some contact info. My doctor says I will need a beer by then.


Thanks,
Eric

[tonythomson]

Hi I think that with this heat you might need more than a beer.  Unfortunately I fly back to the UK on 16 July.  Visa runs out so unless you have any influence over Home Security or Obama then I have to leave. Well at least I can get some decent beer back in England  you'll just have to make do with a Bud. LOL

Good luck and I hope all goes well
Tony

[litespeed]

I just got back from a run up the east coast to New York. I then took a truckload of stuff back to Savannah GA for my brother and bicycled home from there to my home here on the west coast of Florida. Quickie trip - less than a month. The last couple of days were hotter than the hinges of hell. Still hot here. This coming from a person who has lived in Florida for 34 years without air conditioning.

In the whole trip I talked to one other touring cyclist and spotted one other from a restaurant. The guy I talked to in Georgia was amazed at the dearth of touring cyclists on the east coast compared to the west coast. The west coast is a lot more scenic and much more bicycle friendly. I might go up to the northeast again but more likely will be going out west in the future. South Carolina is a lousy place to bicycle tour - takes a lot of planning and care. In Georgia and SC you spend a lot of time looking at pine trees. Inland Florida too.

[sprocketman]

Thanks litespeed,

I have asked this before so I will ask you. What was the best part, and what was the worst (beside the heat). I have done a ton of camping and hiking, but never on a bike. It is all king of new. Any input would be greatly valued.

Thanks,
Eric