Cycling from New York to San Francisco. Tips and pointers?
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 17
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 18 Times
in
1 Post
Cycling from New York to San Francisco. Tips and pointers?
He fellas. In 2 weeks I'll be heading on a 35ish day journey across the country starting in brooklyn and ending in San Francisco. I know that I will experience high winds going east to west, altitude challenges in the rockies, and remote areas in utah/nevada, but what else can I expect to come across? Has anyone done a similar route before and can give any insights?
I am not allowed post a link given my post count but if anyone is interested this is my route/bike setup:
imguy dot com /gallery/OkgA8MD
I am not allowed post a link given my post count but if anyone is interested this is my route/bike setup:
imguy dot com /gallery/OkgA8MD
#2
Occam's Rotor
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,248
Mentioned: 61 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2366 Post(s)
Liked 2,331 Times
in
1,164 Posts
Depending upon your route, that will be > 100 miles/day with no rest days.
When I was in my 20s (i.e., in good shape and at my prime), I was able to sustain about 75 miles per day, and had rest days. Some days were considerably shorter, and if I went much above 75 miles one day, I paid for it the next day.
Lots of info on routes, etc here: https://www.adventurecycling.org/rou...route-network/
I asked the same question about headwinds, and the short of it is if you ride early in the day you probably won't have a huge problem, especially earlier in the year. Keep in mind a lot of mountain passes are still snowed in.
I would use those fork bosses. I am seriously considering buying a $550 fork just to have those.
pic assist:
When I was in my 20s (i.e., in good shape and at my prime), I was able to sustain about 75 miles per day, and had rest days. Some days were considerably shorter, and if I went much above 75 miles one day, I paid for it the next day.
Lots of info on routes, etc here: https://www.adventurecycling.org/rou...route-network/
I asked the same question about headwinds, and the short of it is if you ride early in the day you probably won't have a huge problem, especially earlier in the year. Keep in mind a lot of mountain passes are still snowed in.
I would use those fork bosses. I am seriously considering buying a $550 fork just to have those.
pic assist:
Last edited by Cyclist0108; 04-25-19 at 11:17 AM.
#4
Senior Member
Ouch! 3500 in 35 days is will turn into a slog. My body aches just thinking about it. Anyone following along in a sag wagon?
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 720
Bikes: Road, mountain and track bikes and tandems.
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 282 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 18 Times
in
15 Posts
I f you are not familur with it, I righly recommend keeping yourself on a "hydration schedule". Using a cyclecomputers elapsed time, try to drink at least a bottle an hour. You also need to keep up on electolights.
#7
Banned
1st week in June there is a trans america route bike competition https://transambikerace.com/
but they are going west to east , and carrying less ..
but they are going west to east , and carrying less ..
#8
Easily Led Astray
Your schedule is extremely aggressive at 100 miles per day. There will be days with climbing, brutal headwinds, bad weather, etc. when 100 miles/ day may be impossible to complete.
Any chance of having either more time or a different goal? If not, I hope you're really fit and the weather gods are kindlier to you than they've been to me.
After several years of touring, I find that tight schedules, especially ones that push me to my physical limits suck all the joy out of touring.
Whatever the outcome, I wish you good luck and an enjoyable journey.
Any chance of having either more time or a different goal? If not, I hope you're really fit and the weather gods are kindlier to you than they've been to me.
After several years of touring, I find that tight schedules, especially ones that push me to my physical limits suck all the joy out of touring.
Whatever the outcome, I wish you good luck and an enjoyable journey.
__________________
Opinions are like noses, everybody has one.
Likes For schoolboy2:
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Texas Hill Country
Posts: 276
Bikes: Invictus, Valeria, Jackie, and Vanguard
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 92 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
7 Posts
As many have mentioned, that's a fast pace. Certainly possible, but also difficult. If you're a strong rider, it could be fun. If not, probably not. Is there a reason (work, a wedding in SF) you have to finish in 35-ish days?
Your bikepacking setup will definitely help in that regard, in part because it's 6-8 pounds lighter than a racks-and-panniers setup, and also a lot more aerodynamic, which makes an even bigger difference.
Like wgscott said, your setup could be improved by putting cages and dry bags on your fork bosses. You'll have a more balanced ride, and the weight penalty is negligible. It also won't cost much.
As you yourself pointed out, you'll probably have headwind more often than not. I find wind to be the most important condition to deal with, more than hills, heat, rain, etc. If it's not too late to change, consider going the other direction.
I'm assuming you live in Brooklyn, and there's something drawing you to San Francisco? Otherwise I can't imagine why anyone would want to ride a bike in the densest and most expensive cities in the US. Basically the worst possible places to ride.
General advice would take a long time to go through, and I'm sure you've done your homework by now. If you want to know anything specific, let us know!
Your bikepacking setup will definitely help in that regard, in part because it's 6-8 pounds lighter than a racks-and-panniers setup, and also a lot more aerodynamic, which makes an even bigger difference.
Like wgscott said, your setup could be improved by putting cages and dry bags on your fork bosses. You'll have a more balanced ride, and the weight penalty is negligible. It also won't cost much.
As you yourself pointed out, you'll probably have headwind more often than not. I find wind to be the most important condition to deal with, more than hills, heat, rain, etc. If it's not too late to change, consider going the other direction.
I'm assuming you live in Brooklyn, and there's something drawing you to San Francisco? Otherwise I can't imagine why anyone would want to ride a bike in the densest and most expensive cities in the US. Basically the worst possible places to ride.
General advice would take a long time to go through, and I'm sure you've done your homework by now. If you want to know anything specific, let us know!
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,150
Bikes: 2013 Surly Disc Trucker, 2004 Novara Randonee , old fixie , etc
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 671 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 49 Times
in
43 Posts
I dunno, San Francisco sounds like a fun destination. Expensive yes but scenic. After all those miles crossing the country one would have the muscle to just zoom up those hills! Some folks say the wind going east to west is not as bad as many assume, but then that's in addition to a demanding schedule.
#11
☢
He fellas. In 2 weeks I'll be heading on a 35ish day journey across the country starting in brooklyn and ending in San Francisco. I know that I will experience high winds going east to west, altitude challenges in the rockies, and remote areas in utah/nevada, but what else can I expect to come across? Has anyone done a similar route before and can give any insights?
I am not allowed post a link given my post count but if anyone is interested this is my route/bike setup:
imguy dot com /gallery/OkgA8MD
I am not allowed post a link given my post count but if anyone is interested this is my route/bike setup:
imguy dot com /gallery/OkgA8MD
Whether that be audio/visual (ideally) or the old-fashioned written type. That way, you'll always have something concrete to remind you of your journey, and to share with others if you care to do so.
If you choose the A/V route, get actions cameras if you don't already have them. Get as many as you can afford and mount them conspicuously around your bike. Yes, it can be a pain in the neck keeping track of them and charging, etc. but believe me it will be well worth it in the future when you hearken back to the tales of your first cross-country trip.
For safety:
- File a fight plan.
- Don't take any unnecessary risks.
- Always be aware of the weather and have the ability to "wait it out" should things turn inclement along the way.
#12
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 17
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 18 Times
in
1 Post
I dunno, San Francisco sounds like a fun destination. Expensive yes but scenic. After all those miles crossing the country one would have the muscle to just zoom up those hills! Some folks say the wind going east to west is not as bad as many assume, but then that's in addition to a demanding schedule.
Hope you're right about the wind
#13
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 17
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 18 Times
in
1 Post
Your schedule is extremely aggressive at 100 miles per day. There will be days with climbing, brutal headwinds, bad weather, etc. when 100 miles/ day may be impossible to complete.
Any chance of having either more time or a different goal? If not, I hope you're really fit and the weather gods are kindlier to you than they've been to me.
After several years of touring, I find that tight schedules, especially ones that push me to my physical limits suck all the joy out of touring.
Whatever the outcome, I wish you good luck and an enjoyable journey.
Any chance of having either more time or a different goal? If not, I hope you're really fit and the weather gods are kindlier to you than they've been to me.
After several years of touring, I find that tight schedules, especially ones that push me to my physical limits suck all the joy out of touring.
Whatever the outcome, I wish you good luck and an enjoyable journey.
#14
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 17
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 18 Times
in
1 Post
I asked the same question about headwinds, and the short of it is if you ride early in the day you probably won't have a huge problem, especially earlier in the year. Keep in mind a lot of mountain passes are still snowed in.
[/QUOTE]
So wind is subject to the time of day? This is something I did not know. .
[/QUOTE]
So wind is subject to the time of day? This is something I did not know. .
Last edited by rdrumm729; 04-30-19 at 09:02 PM.
#15
Senior Member
The W to E winds are likely to be strongest in the spring...summer is when the SW US High builds up and can suppress those winds. If you're doing Donner Pass over the Sierra, that should be open, but wouldn't be my first choice--the ACA chose Carson Pass for the Western Express route to SF for good reasons. Caltrans tries to keep Carson Pass open all year, and it is currently open.
Last edited by stevepusser; 04-30-19 at 02:27 PM.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,239
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18415 Post(s)
Liked 15,548 Times
in
7,330 Posts
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,239
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18415 Post(s)
Liked 15,548 Times
in
7,330 Posts
And in the midwest an east you can get tropic circulation coming out of the SE in July and August, causing headwinds for people riding east. We had many days of headwinds in IA, IL, IN and OH riding east on the Northern Tier route during the brutally hot and humid summer of '99.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,904
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2604 Post(s)
Liked 1,933 Times
in
1,213 Posts