My underprepared state and the route!
I am woefully underprepared.
In spite of having nearly a year to think about this and spending great amounts of time researching gear, routes, and other miscellaneous information, with the stresses of school and life (accompanied with my excitement about the Appalachian Trail...), I ended up throwing caution to the wind and only thinking about the most important of details.
This being said, I have made sure that my bike is well tuned and I have the tools I need to fix common problems, but the rest of my gear is as minimalist (and probably inadequate) as it comes. I decided that since we will be in fairly urban areas for the first month, we can always stop in a motel or at a store if any problems should arise.
I apologize for imparting any worry upon my readers (mother, I promise I'll be safe!), but sometimes the best way to get things exactly right is to leave room for mistakes! At least this way I won't be purchasing any gear I won't use :)
Laura and I are mostly going to be using Adventure Cycling maps, which lay out the most optimal bicycle-friendly roads and give altitude information and food/lodging information.
We are a little concerned about pacing because we don't want to rush, so my dad has very generously agreed to drive up to North Dakota and shuttle us across to Montana! If we are making good time, we may decide to ride across anyway.
I have outlined our likely route below. It is approximately 3300 miles (including North Dakota), which comes to an average of 47 miles/day for 71 days without resting, or 52 miles/day with 7 rest days.
We may or may not make it all the way to San Francisco, but we'll take it as the days come!
Only 28 (-ish) days to go! Eep, I'm getting goosebumps!
In spite of having nearly a year to think about this and spending great amounts of time researching gear, routes, and other miscellaneous information, with the stresses of school and life (accompanied with my excitement about the Appalachian Trail...), I ended up throwing caution to the wind and only thinking about the most important of details.
This being said, I have made sure that my bike is well tuned and I have the tools I need to fix common problems, but the rest of my gear is as minimalist (and probably inadequate) as it comes. I decided that since we will be in fairly urban areas for the first month, we can always stop in a motel or at a store if any problems should arise.
I apologize for imparting any worry upon my readers (mother, I promise I'll be safe!), but sometimes the best way to get things exactly right is to leave room for mistakes! At least this way I won't be purchasing any gear I won't use :)
Why a bike trip?
Yes, I have a love of adventure, so naturally I should crave adventurous things like riding my bike through 10 states and provinces, but there is more than just that.
When I am on my bike, my problems seem to disappear. The adrenaline of being outside with no goal other than to keep pedaling gives me a rush like no other, and I am at my happiest in these moments. Riding my bike for long periods of time is meditative and I always feel more at peace with myself, generous in my actions, and happy with the world.
I have never been on an overnight trip with my bike, or even ridden a loaded touring bicycle, but there is a first for everything.
Route
Laura and I are mostly going to be using Adventure Cycling maps, which lay out the most optimal bicycle-friendly roads and give altitude information and food/lodging information.
We are a little concerned about pacing because we don't want to rush, so my dad has very generously agreed to drive up to North Dakota and shuttle us across to Montana! If we are making good time, we may decide to ride across anyway.
I have outlined our likely route below. It is approximately 3300 miles (including North Dakota), which comes to an average of 47 miles/day for 71 days without resting, or 52 miles/day with 7 rest days.
We may or may not make it all the way to San Francisco, but we'll take it as the days come!
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| A [very] rough sketch of our route |
Only 28 (-ish) days to go! Eep, I'm getting goosebumps!
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