| FAQs |
|
| Where are you going? |
| From Fort Collins, Colorado, to Harrisonburg, Virginia. |
| Who is going? |
| Emily and Thom |
| How many miles is that? |
| The trip will be about 2152 miles, according to Map Point. We're also taking a Cycling computer and a GPS along, and recording our mileage on those also. We'll keep a record of the various reported distances between computer software, cycling computer, and GPS along the trip, as well as journal entries. |
| How long is it going to take? |
| 26 days, assuming we manage to ride 80 miles a day. |
| When are you leaving? |
| On or around the 13th of June and we expect to arrive in Virginia within a month. |
| Are you serious? |
| Yes. |
| What route are you taking? |
| We are (vaguely) following the route provided by the Adventure Cycling Association. We couldn't afford all the maps, so we've just reconstructed what we think parts of their trail likely are. Basically, we're just trying to take as many secondary roads as possible. |
| What are you taking? |
| Well, we plan to have a link to our entire packing list, but to sum it up. 2 bikes, 2 tents, 2 sleeping bags, 2 bed rolls, 2 camping pillows, 2 pairs of biking shorts and 3 shirts for each of us, a mini-camp stove, a set of camping pots and pans, 2 camelbacks, lots of water, and some food to eat, plus spare bike parts, tubes, tools, etc. Also, a laptop computer and a GBA SP for off-bike diversions. Maybe MP3 players, maybe a discman. Not completely sure. |
| Why did you decide to do this? |
|
(Thom) I was bored…and felt like taking a vacation. The original plan was to cross from the
West Coast to the East Coast, but that would take longer than a month. (Em) Thom proposed the idea to me and I liked it! I had been trying to come up with an idea for a great vacation and had been unsuccessful, thus far. I have also been lamenting to all my friends that I am tired of being out-of-shape; a perfect way to resolve that problem! ;) |
| How much is this costing? |
| (More money than we have!) We haven't compiled a complete list of costs, and probably won't until we get back and pay off the money that we're borrowing to help finance this. |
| How have you been training and otherwise preparing? |
| Biking...a lot. We've tried to do a fair amount of incremental training. We started off doing a few 30 or 40 mile rides on weeks six and five out from the trip. Then a century (100 mile ride) four weeks out from the trip. Three weeks out from the trip we're riding 30 miles every afternoon, culminating in a three-day camping trip with three 70-80 mile legs. Two weeks we keep up the 30-40 mile rides through the week, and then a second bike camping trip up to Estes Park to get some mountain miles and refine our bike-camping technique. |
| What kind of bikes do you have? |
| Emily is riding her 2001 Trek 6500. Thom is riding his 1997 Specialized Stumpjumper M2 Comp. Both bikes have been fitted with slicks, handlebar bags, water cages, and other stuff to make them more 'touring friendly.' Emily is going to run panniers on a rear rack, and Thom is pulling a BoB Yak trailer. One thing we didn't bother changing is the rear cassettes. The Stumpjumper has a 12-28 8-speed cassette, which lacks a bit in the high end, but I'm more worried about the hills between here and there than I am about going more than 30 or so MPH (which seems to be about the top end on a downhill with a 12). |
| What are your biggest fears? |
|
(Thom) Interestingly, people have asked about carrying weapons for self-protection, and things like that.
The thought never really crossed my mind that anyone would mess with two cyclists riding across the U.S.
The closest thing to a weapon I've been planning to take is the Swiss Army knife in the toolkit. I've
heard no real horror stories in any of the on-line touring journals I've read. The worst of humanity
cyclist seem to have to deal with on the road are the yelling motorists, who seem to be far more obnoxious
than dangerous. The things that concern me the most are eating right on the road and staying in good
health. (Em) Honestly, the only thing that really worries me is that one of us would get seriously injured or that one of our bikes would breakdown in the middle of nowhere Kansas. Heat exhaustion is another thing that we will need to prepare for and be aware of. Other than that, I think this will be one of the more safe and relaxing vacations one could take. |
| What are your goals? Rules for the road? |
|
(Thom) The only real rule that I've made for myself is that the only way I'm going to
allow myself to push my bike while on the road is if the terrain can absolutely not be ridden safely
on the slicks, or if the bike breaks to the point of being left unridable. Em and I (for the most part)
travel pretty well together, so 'no whining' rules and stuff like that are unnecessary. I think we're
both in agreement that we're going to stay close enough together that the person behind will be
able to see the person in front. (Even with mirrors, it's hard for the person in front to keep
track of the person behind, so we're getting 5-mile range two-way radios to help out.) (Em) My biggest goal (and the most obvious one) is to reach Virgina! I think the sense of accomplishment will be incredible and we'll get off our bikes on that last day and feel fantastic! Rules...well, other than what Thom has already mentioned, no passing on hills - it makes me uncomfortable, especially when there is heavy motor vehicle traffic; a safety concern that I won't budge on! |