The big problem is that everyone in the US seems to think what they are doing isn't the problem. The guy on a bike tour, the girl going to the crowded beach, the people going to mass gatherings... and instead of just getting on with doing the right thing it seems it is viewed as a patriotic act by many to reject any sense of collective interventions for controlling a mass pandemic. In most of the rest of the world it is considered a patriotic act to engage in those same interventions to help the country. As a result most of the rest of the world has flattened the curve to a point where things like travel and commerce is reopening.
The problem specifically with cross country bike touring is that few people really bike tour across a country in isolation and many parts of the US are in the midst of uncontrolled viral outbreaks. If you use public facilities there is a chance you could come into contact with, or spread, the virus. If you travel from region to region you potentially become a vector for greater spread. If you get sick, you place a burden on the health care system in the community where that happens. If you are asymptomatic, you potentially spread the virus without knowing. If you get sick enroute you have to consider: where will you stay to quarantine for two weeks? Will you ride covid out in a tent? Will they rent you a hotel if you are sick? Can you rent a car if you are sick? Will you be allowed to travel if you are sick? Figuring that out mid tour isn't great and you potentially become another part of the problem. In a pandemic one should try to reduce problems, not create new ones. Health officials and front line workers in communities have enough to deal with already without the homeless bicycle tourist dropping by.
Although everyone is different and one might argue they won't pose a threat, I think most people engaging in a cross country bicycle tour do so with the expectation of some interaction with other people or facilities or attractions. Otherwise I think they call it a self supporting bikepacking race.
Perhaps this is just the year to readjust and look to tours that cover a more localized area with a reasonable expectation of bailing out if one gets ill. Where you can research facilities to see if they are open and what the travel restrictions might be. In the US, each state has it's own requirements that may change as the summer goes on and infection spread increases. Maybe more self sustained tours are in order, so one doesn't have to stop at local establishments so often. It's not forever, just one season. By next year they will most likely have some sort of vaccine/viral suppression developed that changes the landscape again.
Last edited by Happy Feet; 07-07-20 at 12:43 AM.