200 Mile Ride in one day

[PastorMel]

I am doing something entitled "A day of SIGNIFICANCE" raising awareness for those affected bythe Gulf Oil Disaster on October 1st. I am going to challnge people to do something SIGNIFICANT financially to help those serving those devastated by this disaster.

My goal is to ride for Gulf Shores, AL to New Orleans LA in one day. Any suggestions on a route?

[litespeed]

You are picking a tough route for a 200-mile-in-one-day ride. If you cut up through Mobile I doubt you'll make it as you have to cut north over the truck route to avoid the tunnels. You could time it right and catch the Dauphin Island ferry. Going along US90, the waterfront, through Biloxi and Gulfport is not really feasible - lots of traffic and no shoulders or bike paths. You'd have to use streets a few blocks to the north. I believe that's what the ACA route does.

Your trip will take a lot of planning.

[rvklassen]

Two hundred miles in a day is huge.  You want something as reasonably flat as you can make it.  And with a minimum of turns to watch out for.  Enough to break the boredom, but not enough to slow you down watching for them.

[FredHiltz]

Uh... I have to ask why 200 miles? If you are among the strongest riders in your town or club, you probably can do it. But if not, you stand a good chance of failure. Where would that leave your appeal?

You will have no time to stop except for bathroom breaks and to gulp some food. If I wanted to raise awareness for a cause, I would contact the print and electronic media along my route to arrange an interview or three. 80 miles would leave ample time for that.

The best cyclists in the world ride 120 - 140 miles in a flat stage of the Tour de France. They have time for interviews afterward.

Fred

[tonythomson]

Pastor good luck and it's a very worthwhile thing to do - but 200 miles in a day along those roads - your going to need all the divine help you can muster.  All I would add is be careful not to get so tired & start to loose concentration and it all becomes too dangerous.  Will there be enough day light as I would think that riding in the dark getting close to NO would not be fun.

Let us know how you get on and the best of luck you have my admiration or even attempting it..

[Tourista829]

I think this is very admirable, doable, (it might take you 20 hours) and I wish more cyclist would call attention to this tragedy and raise money. My girlfriend use to vacation from Memphis to Gulf Shores, Alabama every year. It was a proverbial ghost town this summer.  Many people lost their livelihood and the devastation to the ecosystem will take many years to repair. Although risky, because you will be riding at night, I'd make sure your lighting is up to snuff. Regardless of what route you take, I would check it out first, by car, one can never be too safe. If my memory serves me correctly, I believe there is a ferry between Ft Morgan and Dauphin Island. (Mobile Bay Ferry?) I agree with others and would avoid the tunnels around Mobile. If I may suggest a possible route, I would take Route 193 north, from Dauphin Island into Route 188 into Route 90 west to New Orleans. Good luck and God's speed.

[nhhillbilly]

Randonneurs often ride 200+ miles in a day. go to http://www.rusa.org/ web site for more information. Good lights and saddle are mandatory.