Have You Always Wanted To Bike Tour But Never Get Around To It?
01-16-14, 11:33 AM
#51
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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.
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.
Most of the places they stay are middle or high schools. We use the showers and facilities, and if you want, you can sleep inside the gym. That works for me cuz, although I love camping, I really don't much like breaking camp early in the morning.
Another thought: In the past, the people working the ride work a day, then get off a day and ride with the rest of us. If you've got the time, that's not a bad way to go.
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01-16-14, 02:45 PM
#52
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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!
https://www.cycleamerica.com/cc6-heartland.htm
Of course, it's all about the climbing. Look at that elevation profile!
Their two-week Jasper to Glacier trip looks amazing but there are no 2014 dates. If the 2013 dates are any indication, it probably conflicts with RAGBRAI.
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.
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.
01-16-14, 05:12 PM
#53
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01-18-14, 09:27 AM
#54
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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.
You can ride from Pitt to Cumberland and catch a shuttle back. Check the web for pricing.
My wife gave me permission to do the trip. Yay. If I could ask again: would trying to make the Pitt-Cumberland leg in two days be too aggressive?
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01-18-14, 09:58 AM
#55
Senior Member
I'm amazed that this thread has gotten this far without one of these:
I'd like to try touring, but I'm not realistically going to find either the time or the money to do so. If possible, I'd be seeing about one of those group tours on the Katy Trail, or see if they organize events for the Sam Vadalabene Trail from Alton up to Pere Marquette Park and beyond...
I'd like to try touring, but I'm not realistically going to find either the time or the money to do so. If possible, I'd be seeing about one of those group tours on the Katy Trail, or see if they organize events for the Sam Vadalabene Trail from Alton up to Pere Marquette Park and beyond...
01-18-14, 10:04 AM
#56
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Somewhere I have the GAP tour book. It only costs ten bucks.
You can ride from Pitt to Cumberland and catch a shuttle back. Check the web for pricing.
My wife gave me permission to do the trip. Yay. If I could ask again: would trying to make the Pitt-Cumberland leg in two days be too aggressive?
You can ride from Pitt to Cumberland and catch a shuttle back. Check the web for pricing.
My wife gave me permission to do the trip. Yay. If I could ask again: would trying to make the Pitt-Cumberland leg in two days be too aggressive?
01-20-14, 10:00 AM
#57
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Somewhere I have the GAP tour book. It only costs ten bucks.
You can ride from Pitt to Cumberland and catch a shuttle back. Check the web for pricing.
My wife gave me permission to do the trip. Yay. If I could ask again: would trying to make the Pitt-Cumberland leg in two days be too aggressive?
You can ride from Pitt to Cumberland and catch a shuttle back. Check the web for pricing.
My wife gave me permission to do the trip. Yay. If I could ask again: would trying to make the Pitt-Cumberland leg in two days be too aggressive?
01-20-14, 10:11 AM
#58
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I'm amazed that this thread has gotten this far without one of these:
I'd like to try touring, but I'm not realistically going to find either the time or the money to do so. If possible, I'd be seeing about one of those group tours on the Katy Trail, or see if they organize events for the Sam Vadalabene Trail from Alton up to Pere Marquette Park and beyond...
I'd like to try touring, but I'm not realistically going to find either the time or the money to do so. If possible, I'd be seeing about one of those group tours on the Katy Trail, or see if they organize events for the Sam Vadalabene Trail from Alton up to Pere Marquette Park and beyond...
01-20-14, 10:30 AM
#59
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Bike touring can be inexpensive. I credit card tour ... stay in cheap motels and keep the meals low cost.
Any of you living in California might want to consider getting tour maps from this guy ... I found them quite good:
https://www.backroad.users.sonic.net/index.html
I did the Sonoma County mini tour years ago and had a great time. Great routes, great food (two Italian restaurants that compete with one another for the best in town), and a great time.
https://www.backroad.users.sonic.net/miniocci.html
Any of you living in California might want to consider getting tour maps from this guy ... I found them quite good:
https://www.backroad.users.sonic.net/index.html
I did the Sonoma County mini tour years ago and had a great time. Great routes, great food (two Italian restaurants that compete with one another for the best in town), and a great time.
https://www.backroad.users.sonic.net/miniocci.html
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01-20-14, 07:24 PM
#60
Senior Member
So this is what I'm going to do if the stars come into proper alignment. I'll drive from Loovul to Pittsburgh on some Wednesday and stay with family. Thursday I'll be dropped off downtown and plan on 50-60 miles down the GAP. Saturday I'll meet up with the fam in Cumberland. I hope they have an outlet mall nearby. If so I'm golden. After the overnight stay we drive back to Loovul.
So I buy a Terracycle rack and some panniers. I see it happening.
So I buy a Terracycle rack and some panniers. I see it happening.
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Momento mori, amor fati.
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