Need advice from you! (the pros)

[Westinghouse]

I have a copy of Donna Ikenberry's, "Bicycling the Atlantic Coast." I am seriously considering following her recommended path, except for the side trips she took to expensive campgrounds. Even though the book was published in1993, I think long stretches of her route follow much of ACA's mapped out route of today. It is still a bit too cool up north to start very soon. I do not want to carry cold weather gear. It weighs and it takes up a lot of space in panniers. Who knows, maybe when I get to to Cape Henlopen Park I will take off west across the Trans Am. NOW! That would be a great ride.

I haven't looked recently at the route Donna took back in the 1990's but I would guess that our Atlantic Coast Route has changed since then, mostly in urban areas and in the northeast. I know for sure we made changes to the route recently. You can read about them in a blog post I wrote last spring: http://blog.adventurecycling.org/2010/05/updating-atlantic-coast-bicycle-route.html. There have probably been other alterations over time, both North and South Carolina come to mind. I'd have to pull the maps out to compare.

.Jennifer.

Thank you for pointing that out to me. I was just looking at it.

[Bike Hermit]

Thanks, gang!

The backpack was simply in lieu of yet possessing the panniers for the trip. I'll be getting them soon, and I'll replace the backpack.

Though that brings up another question: Would it be a good idea to carry a lightly loaded backpack for necessities (for when I must leave the bike to enter a store)?

I'd rather stray away from fanny packs...

Also, what'd you think about the site? What would a cyclist like to have me focus on?

I carry a hydration backpack. Mine is from Fox but Camelbak seems to be the standard. Good for carrying an extra 70 to 100 ounces of water and small items that I need to get to quickly like my wallet.

[interpopulus]

So I've got a LOT more figured out.

-I bought a tent (the REI Passage 2). I wanted a small tent (this one's about 4.5 lbs) with the ability to store my gear on the inside of the fabric at night. I'm also a tall guy (clocking in at 6'3") and want some wriggle room.
-Stove: after MUCH consideration, I got the WhisperLite International. I just figured the ability to fill up anywhere would be a major improvement over the other options. I'm carrying a small pan/pot that I'll be cooking everything in.
-I've got two panniers (axiom lasalles) coming in the mail, which I'll be attaching to my rear rack, placing my current panniers on the front rack also coming in the mail (axiom journey suspension & disc lowrider--a major improvement over the former axiom journey!)
-I've decided that I won't be carrying a backpack, but instead bought a handlebar bag with a shoulder strap (Topeak). It's pretty badass, baby

Although my wallet is getting dangerously worn out, I'm getting ever more excited about the trip!
Check out the latest at http://www.interpopulus.com/biketrek !!

[indyfabz]

What's your route again?