Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with bicycle and trip

Who embarked on an early 90s bike/canoe trip with a computer?

waldo — Tue, 26 May 2009 19:32:00 -0800

Around 1990 I read a magazine article about a guy who took an extended journey by canoe, and then another by bicycle, rigging a computer to each to store route data, his journals, etc. Nobody had ever done such a thing before. Who was this man? I would have read this in a popular magazine, nothing esoteric, since I only would have been ~12 years old at the time. Incidentally, reading that inspired me to hike the Appalachian Trail with a laptop and a cellphone, updating a blog as I went. That was back in 1996, and I was the first to do such a thing. It occurs to me that I should figure out whose idea I was ~~ripping off~~ paying homage to. :)

Biking Across America?

DMan — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 16:20:19 -0800

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!

Where should I go for a week-long bike trip?

killdevil — Sun, 06 Aug 2006 07:33:29 -0800

Help me find a destination for a last-minute, week-long cycling vacation in the western United States or Canada. I've decided that I want to go ride my road bike for a week towards the end of August. I'd like to go somewhere of great natural beauty, involving mountains, ocean, or similarly scenic environments. The destination should be relatively convenient to air travel; in other words, I should be able to fly in, unbox the bike and go. Help me choose a destination and a route!

I'd like to ride about 80-100 miles per day, carrying very little gear (probably just what will fit in a large saddlebag such as these), and stay in inexpensive hotels/motels along the way.

I've done considerable long-distance, self-supported bike touring (including having crossed the United States a couple of times), but have never done a short, motel-oriented trip like this. In addition to a destination, I'd like to hear any tips you may have about cycling travel of this type.

Bicycling The Albanian Coast

wavejumper — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 12:18:37 -0800

Anyone traveled in Albania recently? I'm looking to bicycle through the country in late April / early May (from Greece to Italy), and I'll be sticking to the coast. How is the road from Saranda to Vlora? It seems extremely mountainous and somewhat sketchy from the map...what do you think - bicyclable? I'm open to any hints or experiences you might've had, especially at border crossings. Thanks!