I drove by here once and saw 8" of snow on the ground.
Posted on 06/17/2008 5:56:50 PM PDT by NewJerseyJoe
Have any of you ever bicycled or walked across America? It is something I've been thinking about for several years.
If you have done this, would be interested in reading about your experiences. Routes you took (or avoided), mistakes made, lessons learned, planning, did you carry a firearm, memorable experiences, how long did it take, etc. ..... any aspect that you'd like to comment on.
A train even, I think, would be.
National Geographic has an article on a guy who did this.
I do know (had as a house guest a few times) an Australian named Gerry Trattrei who did in fact win the RAM (Race Across America) a few times... very impressive guy.
Nah. I did cross Asia on stilts, though.
I would head west if I were you.
I tried one summer but only got about 2 blocks away from home when I had to go to the bathroom.......Then the phone rang, then the cat begged to be fed, then I realized the flowerboxes needed to be watered.
One thing led to another and before you know it, the summer was over and I still hadn't left the house.
Most Freepers have jobs or family which would pretty much preclude such a nonsense adventure.
Than again, some people want to climb Mt. Everest for no discernable reason.
There’s nothing up there.
If you do it, do it for a cause. Seems to be the only reason to do it.
Otherwise, stay home, sleep in and order the best pizza in town.:)
There’s nothing up there.
Other than an an incredible view from 29,000 feet up.
Try these websites:
Peter Jenkins walk across america
http://www.peterjenkins.com/books_profile_AWAA.htm
Several others here:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=walk+across+america
Yes, I have!!! BOTH!!!
(But not very far.....)
If I could get to the top of Everest on a clear day by helicopter, I’d be tempted.
After 22 years as a professional musician, I’ve probably pushed buses about that distance.
I drove once,with two cats,in an El Camino with a bad cylinder,my Dad use to drive 5 kids to see his parents every summer after the Train left town.
Staying awake for 2 days and steering a motorcycle is more challenging than putting in 50-60 miles of cycling, daily, for 6-8 weeks????
Sgt Craig Breiner USMC walked across New Jersey twice, once in 14.5 hours, second time 13 hours.
Peter Jenkins walked across America several years ago and wrote a book about it called “Walk Across America”, I think it was.
Personally, I'd rather face the Sierras and Rockies at the start rather than closer to the end, Also, the prevailing winds are west to east, so that is the way I'd ride.
I was just thinking about this the other day.
Art Garfunkle did it a few years back.
While it can be done solo, you can get really deep in danger doing it this way. A group ride with a support vehicle is the best way, especially the first time. Best of luck, start small, press on to completion. Remember every ounce you DON’T CARRY is a blessing as you peddle up and up and up and up that Rocky Mountain pass!
You will probably find that it is really windy across the Midwest.
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“to be” —> “being”
Thank you for a really cool website.....I think I will enjoy poking around that one....
http://trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=6565
http://trailjournals.com/journals.cfm?sort=&year=2008&trail=other#American%20Discovery%20Trail
Plenty of material there..... Trail Journals is invaluable...best on the net.
I read the books by Peter Jenkins about his walk across America. The first one is “A Walk Across America” and tells about his trip from New York State to Louisiana. The second “The Walk West: A Walk Across America Part II” starts in Louisiana and continues to the Pacific. I loved both books. His journey was also published in National Geographic, if I remember correctly.
You can find some interesting things searching with words like "panorama," "360," etc.
Check out this one of Shanghai. Look at all the boats on the river and how amazing the skyline is.
I drove, does that count?
I used to work in a bike shop that was a haven for riders going cross country. My takeaways were:
* Ride west to east for favorable winds.
* Ride in late summer or late spring for more daylight and better weather.
* Go light - one guy was carrying a cast iron frying pan!
* Carry a tent of less than 3 lbs.
* Get a really good bike and panniers, like a Cannondale Touring 1 or 2 frame.
* Carry a can of Halt! or the like pepper spray and keep it on your bars.
* Spend at least every third night in a hotel for a real bed and laundry facilities.
* Add 100% to your expected trip time.
* Use a U lock and use it every time you are more than 5 feet from your bike.
* If you know people on the route, pre stage new clothes, maps and a paperback or two.
* Carry a miner’s flashlight that you wear on your head to free up your hands for late night repairs or fumbling around in the tent.
* Carry lots of detailed maps.
* Use bike paths as much as possible.
* Don’t hesitate to take people up on offers of help or food (within safe reason).
* Everybody wants to either help/chat or run you over.
Hope that helps!
Check this out
There was a dude, a runner out in California, in his 50s or 60s, who ran the entire length of Route 66, East to West. He took his van (a VW, whadya think?) drove it ahead to his day’s destination. Took a bicycle out of it and rode it back to the starting point. Then, he’d hide the bicycle somewhere and run forward to the van, which he then drove back to retrieve the bicycle, which, he said, got stolen a couple of times. All the way down Route 66. Gotta admire the nuttiness of such a project!
Waltz Across Texas? Yes.
I drove by here once and saw 8" of snow on the ground.
ping:)
I just figured being a NewJerseyJoe it would be best to head west and keep his feet dry!
But yeah - I can see doing the mountains when you are “fresh”. Although it would take me a day to get to the first hill and I would be pretty much worn out by then!
I’m always amazed and in awe of bikers on the passes over the Rockies. Some of those are long grades in a car!
I have a book on my shelf from grade-school days called “Bike tripping”. I never did it, but similar ideas to backpacking. Pack light! (My brother thought I was goofy for cutting my toothbrush handle shorter!)
Also, traveling west-to-east puts the prevailing winds at your back. A big help on a bike.
If you do it make sure you increase your life insurance. (no BS)
I think it would be neat to see the USA from 4 feet at 10-20 mph.
Dang, I wish you hadn’t put this thought in my head. :-)
Have had several goals over the years: cross by car, did that; cross in convertible, did that; cross in my jeep, did that.
My next goal was to cross on motorcycle, without using a major highway. Now, you have me I’m thinking about biking. Don’t think my old Trek can make it. Might need an upgrade.
Please keep me informed of your plans if you do this.
There’s nothing up there.
"The only Zen you find on mountaintops is the Zen you bring there."
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