koolerb

I hear ya, I thought about it. But for me anyway, a big part of the allure of bike touring is adventure aspect, self reliance, problem solving, uncertainty, etc. An organized ride kind of removes all that. Also, I'll probably be starting in the middle at Syracuse so wont go the whole length in one shot. I'll probably do a "Syracuse to Albany," then a "Syracuse to Buffalo," and maybe an Adirondacks or Finger Lakes tour somewhere in the middle.

NVanHiker

Aside from commuting, touring is the reason I own a bike. I don't put much thought into it - when I get some time off, I just tick off the same equipment checklist I've been using for twenty years and go. No camping - motels only. Hot bath, cable tv, nearby restaurant... bliss.

Terex

Mmm…no. Maybe in Europe if wine is provided.

Cougrrcj

In my younger days, I wanted to do the BikeCentennial ride across America - that name alone should tell you how long I've dreamt about a long bike tour.

Last year I was looking in to a ride around the perimeter of Ohio (1037 miles according to GoogleEarth), but finding the time to do even that seems improbable. I'd like to give it a shot, but the Wife is definitely NOT keen on the idea of me taking off for three weeks, solo. Same goes for the GAP/C&O.

She's not a rider, what can I say. < sigh >

Zinger

I almost bought me a Woodrup Touring Frame back in the '80s when they were about $600 as I recall (vaguely). Kind of dropped the idea when I spent the money making a move to the west coast from Dallas.



And like Mercian they're still making relatively affordable lugged steel frames.



I just saw this lugged steel Bob Jackson frame for about $900 though. Looks like Reynolds 631 which I'd be fine with. I've been thinking a retro looking gravel grinder/touring type frame for some future build someday.

Piratebike

It's a dream. And only a dream at this point. At 53 I am a long way away from having the time to do it. In the mean time I have the Trek 520 and I just do short one or two days tours.

bent4me

I have done many week long supported tours. Last year I did GOBA self contained to see how I would fair. I am so fed up with Winter I ordered ACA Florida loop maps. My plan is 3 weeks 750 miles in March. I am excited.

NOS88

In my younger days touring was a regular event. All were unsupported. It added to the adventure. Haven't done one in two decades. Can't say I really think about them much these days. But, if you haven't done one (supported or unsupported) you should give at least one a try.

dannwilliams

I have done a few week long trips, self supported. I stay at state & county park campgrounds along the way. I have also done a couple week long fully supported tours. I like both styles for their own characteristics. It is a great feeling rolling out of the driveway with everything you'll need for a week loaded onto the bike. Going solo, you set the pace, and can change your mind on a whim as to how far or which direction you want to head. Supported tours locks you into the planned out agenda. Both have worked out fine for me. And as stated earlier, once you try it, it is easy to become addicted!

fastcarbon

I have always wanted to do a bike tour in Europe during the "Tour" which does all the climbing stages, is supported and will haul my wife around and entertain her while I ride. I don't care about first Class Hotels or gourmet food just a clean place to sleep and good food. And at 71 I am a cheapskate and thinking I need to do this tour in the next couple of years before becoming too infirm to complete "Alp Du ez". I think I am already losing my ability to spell.

Cougrrcj

I just got my GOBA 26 flyer in the mail today. https://goba.com/wordpress

Biker395 

With any luck, this will be mine this summer.

https://www.cycleamerica.com/cc6-heartland.htm

Of course, it's all about the climbing. Look at that elevation profile!

Shamrock

Thanks for posting this I'm interested.start in Maryland or Pittsburg then ride back?i or I guess I need to get dropped off in one state and picked up in another?who the hell is going to do that for me.im in nj so it's possible.i just have to save someone from choking and have them ask me how can I repay you?Where is the easy button? So if I partner up with someone ,one is responsible for drop off and one for pick up?I think I'll have to buy my wife another diamond ring?Wait a minute I could rent a car drive to pit or Maryland and rent one for the ride back.Beautiful !! I'm looking into this.

capejohn

Drive to Pittsburgh. Take the Amtrak to DC with your bike. Ride back to Pittsburgh.

Shamrock

On a bike shop site in Maryland it says Amtrak does not allow carry on bikes.but thanks for the idea.

Terry66

Call the West Newton bike shop. They run a nice shuttle. There is parking at the shop and visitor's center. They'll drop you off in Cumberland or anywhere in between. I used them in October. Check out the Gap website. All the information you need to make the trip happen. Food, mileage, lodging, shuttles, bike shops. It's all there.

www.atatrail.org


Here is my Salsa in Ohiopyle along the Gap

capejohn

Amtrak does not allow carry on bikes but they do allow boxed bikes. It takes about 10 minutes to remove the pedals and turn the handlebar to fit the bike into the Amtrak box. $5 for the box. $10 for shipment. The only downside is that DC and Pittsburgh are the only on off point for shipped items.

john.b

I did some longer loaded touring trips when I was younger and had fewer obligations. Harder to get away for multiple-week trips at this point.

I am planning on doing the loaded touring bike thing on the Katy Trail this year, with GAP/C&O definitely on the agenda for a future year.

IMO, as far as supported rides go, the logistics and scenery at Cycle Oregon are fantastic.

Nice! Which Salsa is that, Terry? Looks like a Vaya, but I haven't seen one that color.

Terry66

John, it is a 2011 Vaya. They were either orange or metallic charcoal that year. It looks great in the sun.

i did the Katy a couple years back. I prefer the Gap but both are fantastic rides

Zinger

If I lived on the coast instead of inland I wouldn't mind taking my Trek 500 on this 200 mile 2 day Seattle to Portland ride in July. Or you could do it in a day if you wanted and just call it a double.

That would probably be just right for me as a 2 day event. It's supposed to be flat enough for a fixie (so I'm hearing from a poster in another forum). So it would have been a good way to check the limitations of my gearing. But it's a little too far to drive for me and I'd have to ride back to Seattle anyway.

Shamrock

thanks again this is all new to me!

Shamrock

I think I got it?Drive my car to Pit,park in safe area - pay lot?Cycle to Maryland,rent car to drive back to Pit. One more question please.Do I look at the map ,figure where I will be at the end of day and make a reservation for a room or wing it.I don't have any camping gear btw.Nor do I want any!Been there did that.

late

I would suggest having reservations. You will also need to figure out where you
can eat. You can ask when making the reservations, but I also like to google
the restaurants in the area.

jppe

I really want to do something like this. The Coast to Coast looks fabulous. But $100 a day seems expensive for camping but I guess you have to pay for the all support provided some way. I guess if I were to think about spending $8000 for a two month's vacation it is not really all that bad. The problem for me is if I did the Northern Route eventually I'd have to do the Southern route.....I've given (and keep giving thought) to doing a cross country unsupported but just don't know if I could pull that off.

I've come to enjoy the touring (supported) much more than the one day events. I love the fellowship with the other riders. I have two week long tours on the plans for this summer.

Dudelsack 

For those of you who have done the GAP: I can ride up to 70 miles daily, so I could make a 2 day trip from PIttsburgh to Cumberland and have family stay overnight in Cumberland to pick me up. The question is, would I really want to do that? Is that too quick to enjoy the route?