Biking Across America?

January 29, 2007 4:20 PM

Considering riding a bicycle cross country and trying to plan a bit.

I read a news article a few months ago about a reporter who rode a bike cross-country, and it recently occured to me that this might be something I'd like to try. The idea of traveling from one end of the country to the other, with few worries and all the time in the world, really appeals to me. I've already figured out that my graduation from college 4-5 years from now would be a great time, although I could also go during a summer.

But I'm too analytical to just say "Okay, let's go!", and so here I am, trying to determine just how realistic my dream is. This is certainly a bit in advance, but I know that I'll need to begin planning early, and I'd just like to find out some more about the subject.

So without further ado, let me list a few questions.

1. How realistic is my plan? Will it be fun? Can I pull it off? This is the most pressing question. I'm an adventurous type, and I feel that I would enjoy it immensely, but would I end up dealing with many unforeseen problems and general stress? What type of things would be likely to crop up that I might not be anticipating?

2. I know that I would need to train for this, and that my mileage per day would vary greatly, but what would be a reasonable estimate of how long it might take me? I don't plan on being in a rush at all, and if I go over my expected time, that's perfectly alright, but I'd love to have a general idea.

3. Day-to-day stuff. Sleeping is certainly a concern; I certainly can't get a hotel everywhere, nor would I really want to. I've considered camping, and think that would be my best option for all but the worst of weather. Is this a reasonable idea?



I would love absolutely any input on this that any of you can give. This is in the purely conceptual stage, and I'm trying to figure out if I should do it, and enough specifics to allow me to begin the very early stages of planning. Any personal experience would be extremely helpful, but all opinions are certainly welcome. I'd be particularly interested in any online resources that you could point me to that might help me.

Thanks for reading this far!

posted by DMan to travel & transportation (22 comments total)

Definitely do a few shakedown cruise rides close to home, you will learn a lot that way before you commit.
posted by Iron Rat at 4:28 PM on January 29, 2007

Lots of good info and stories here, and they have forums specifically devoted to these kinds of questions.
posted by JohnFredra at 4:30 PM on January 29, 2007

Hi! I think your plan sounds realistic. I first got in my head to cycle across Canada when I was 16 years old and I didn't actually get around to doing it until I was 24. There will no doubt be unexpected things, but read as much as you can and for the most part, you will be prepared. Off the top of my head, unforeseen problems include: general breakdowns, flat tires, the wheel itself getting all wonky, general illness, sickness from the heat, non-stop rain for several days, personality conflicts if you do it with a partner or several people, and personally, the biggest one is money.

I managed to do the bike ride with minimal training. During the ride itself, I was riding up to 8-10 hours a day and the first two weeks were absolutely brutal with many sore muscles, but your body will get used to it fairly quickly. I completed the 7,000 km journey in about 72 days, but that was with about 15-16 rest days in all.

I'm not sure what it would be like in the US... most times I'd just ask random people if I could pitch my tent in their yard and most people were kind enough to let me do so. As well, with adequate planning you can also find campsites. University campuses are also useful places... I met people who were more adventurous and simply pitched their tents on farms or the side of the road, but that kind of thing made me edgy. If you do choose the hotel route, keep an eye on your budget... it will dent your pocketbook pretty well.

My website crashed towards the end of the bike ride, but you can read a bit of it at www.bikeacrosscanada.ca - as well, googling bike across Canada provided most of the resources that helped. I know that I just threw a bunch of general information at you, so if you'd like to continue the conversation, feel free to contact me via my profile info and I'd be more than happy to help in any way I can with your journey!
posted by perpetualstroll at 4:33 PM on January 29, 2007 [1 favorite has favorites]

JohnFredra--I am seriously amazed at how I didn't find that, and it was so close to the title of my question. Much thanks!
posted by DMan at 4:33 PM on January 29, 2007

Joel Spolsky did this and kept an online journal of his activities.
posted by mmascolino at 4:41 PM on January 29, 2007

I biked across Ireland when I was in high school (it was a school trip). It was fantastic and amazing, and it permanently damaged my knees because - hey, I was 16! - I went from riding no miles a day to 50+. So train. Really.

One unexpected thing: food! You're going to be burning through calories like crazy if you're putting in decent saddle time. We thought nothing of sitting down to a dinner that consisted of a three or four pounds of potatoes (with butter), followed by some pasta. And some milk. And some cheese. Etc.

Learn how to maintain your own bike, and not just change a flat. Many bike stores offer classes - take them up on it, and learn how to take your bike apart and put it together again (with no bits left over).
posted by rtha at 4:50 PM on January 29, 2007

More useful links:

www.tailwinds.org

www.tourducanada.com
posted by randomstriker at 5:09 PM on January 29, 2007

Definitely realistic.
posted by unSane at 5:22 PM on January 29, 2007

Bike Forums is probably worth a look. Especially the Touring section.
posted by ObscureReferenceMan at 5:23 PM on January 29, 2007

If you are young, healthy and in reasonable shape, you don't have to train too hard before the start of the trip, as long as you give yourself flexibility on your daily mileage goals, because spending all day riding will make huge improvements in your fitness after a couple of weeks.

Definitely take some shorter trips before hand (start with weekends, work up to a week or more) so you know what spending all day in the saddle for days on end feels like. This will also help you assess what improvements you need for your equipment.

Look after your hands, ass, bits and feet, and take breaks if you have strains & sprains that need some time to heal.

Friends who have done a lot of biking say that eating enough can be a problem. The dude loves food, but was finding that eating 6,000+ Calories a day was a real effort, and he still lost lean body weight.
posted by Good Brain at 5:26 PM on January 29, 2007

Not every bike shop is going to have a bike suitable for this big adventure. You'll need a touring bike not a bike designed to race. Touring and "sport touring" bikes were big in the 70s and, lucky you, are slightly coming back in style now. The differences? Touring bikes have a more relaxed geometry. In non-cycling terms that means it will be more comfortable (e.g. not being hunched over the handlebars is one way (and a very important one for long days in the saddle) it will be more comfortable). They'll also have three sets of water bottle bosses, and double eyelets for fenders and racks. They aren't the fastest type of bike, but once you get up to speed they don't necessarily feel slow.

As far as I know, Trek (the 520) and Cannondale (the T2000 and T800) are the only big name bike companies making off the shelf touring bikes. The Surly Long Haul Trucker is a relatively inexpensive and very sensible touring frame that you can buy and build up yourself, or buy complete. YMMV of course, but I built up a LHT and am very happy with it.

Before you buy, you must go on an extended test ride. Any shop that won't let you isn't worth buying from. Make sure your bars aren't too far below the saddle. If they are, you might need a larger size.

BikeForums has a section devoted to touring which might prove useful to you.

Hope you keep the dream alive for 4-5 years or get to it soon!
posted by ArcAm at 5:31 PM on January 29, 2007

Your profile says you live in Texas. Have you considered trying the MS 150? It's a two-day bike ride from Houston to Austin (about 120 miles). Registration is closed for this year, but riding 60 miles a day two days in a row (and camping along in the beautiful hill country halfway) might give you a good idea of what a month-long bike trip would be like.
posted by Brittanie at 5:58 PM on January 29, 2007

What ever trip you're planning it's worth looking into prevailing winds. In some places it's worth going east-west, say rather than west-east just to allow the planet to help you along a little.

Camping has worked fine for me. Easier if there's two of you (since the amount of gear for 1 is more than 0.5 the amount of gear for two). One thing I've done very happily is just use a bivi bag (i mean a goretex or whatever breathable is current) and a sleeping mat. Significantly reduces volume/weight etc. Be careful when placing your bag/mat - as you are more or less invisible to vehicles in there.

Second that comment about food - you'll eat heaps !

I've always found the second day is the worst - after that it gets cruisy.

Would certainly recommend a three or four day trial trip - gives you real insight in things you need and don't have and things you have and don't need !

Talking of things you need - someone to cycle with makes everything twice as good.
posted by southof40 at 6:24 PM on January 29, 2007

It's from 20 years ago, but anyone intending to make a long bike trip should read the book Miles From Nowhere.
posted by dmd at 7:04 PM on January 29, 2007

Also see the Adventure Cycling Association.
posted by chinston at 9:08 PM on January 29, 2007

Second the idea of the MS 150 as a sort of dry run for this (though shouldn't that be 150 miles, not 120?). I'd recommend probably six months of distance training before you do your cross-country ride, and doing an MS 150 and one or two century rides along the way will give you a good gauge of how ready you are.

It'll also give you a good gauge of how your knees, ankles and hips will react to that level of use. Very important to know before you set out, how your IT bands and such will hold up under strain. But yeah, if you start now, you could set off in July or August if not sooner, and be on your way.

I'd like to add that I think this is a fantastic idea that you should totally do, and you're making me feel like a pussy for training for just a marathon.
posted by middleclasstool at 9:24 PM on January 29, 2007

Check out student hosteling program. They run bike trips of varying lengths (including cross-country) for high school students. You could apply to be a trip leader, and get paid to ride across the country. I rode across as a student with them -- best experience of my life. (They would probably want you to lead a shorter/easier trip before going cross-country.)
posted by suasponte at 4:57 AM on January 30, 2007

here is a blog of someone who biked from Maine to the west coast. It gives a good idea of the day-to-day activities and considerations.
posted by mikepop at 6:06 AM on January 30, 2007

I have a friend who is about to embark on a similar trip. Here's his site: http://throatbeardsaddlesores.com - You can follow along on his journey and see what pitfalls he runs into.
posted by maniactown at 6:46 AM on January 30, 2007

Just wanted to thank everyone for their help--it's all good information, and I appreciate you guys for sharing it. I'm sure you'll be hearing from me again in the future, with more questions about this!
posted by DMan at 3:22 PM on January 30, 2007

Here's a friend who is currently biking cross country and blogging about it.
posted by Amizu at 1:35 PM on February 6, 2007

Just noticed maniactown mentioned the same guy.
posted by Amizu at 1:35 PM on February 6, 2007