TransAm

[Somebuddy]

Simon, - the transam is soooo on my bucket list. Sooner rather than later. But, now considering the northern tier as opposed to the transam. Have read many many blogs on crazyguyonabike.com for inspiration. also read BigonaBianchi's blog.
I like the idea of being able to finish in Boston Ma, as my sister lives there and could source me a bike box for flying the bike back to Scotland. I believe I would be able to fly Glasgow to Vancouver direct and then make my way by ferry from Vancouver to Anacortes, like Iain C did on "fatmanonatransam" in 2009 for the start.

Going through the doubting stage. Am I up to it? I have the gps route downloaded from the ACA website onto my garmin. Altho liking the look of the new Garmin Edge Touring, which is due out later this year.
Just need to decide which route and then purchase the maps from ACA.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

Simon, - the transam is soooo on my bucket list. Sooner rather than later. But, now considering the northern tier as opposed to the transam. Have read many many blogs on crazyguyonabike.com for inspiration. also read BigonaBianchi's blog.
I like the idea of being able to finish in Boston Ma, as my sister lives there and could source me a bike box for flying the bike back to Scotland. I believe I would be able to fly Glasgow to Vancouver direct and then make my way by ferry from Vancouver to Anacortes, like Iain C did on "fatmanonatransam" in 2009 for the start.

Going through the doubting stage. Am I up to it? I have the gps route downloaded from the ACA website onto my garmin. Altho liking the look of the new Garmin Edge Touring, which is due out later this year.
Just need to decide which route and then purchase the maps from ACA.

Good to see you taking paper maps as well as gps. That is what i did and 95% of the trip was navigated by aca paper maps, gps was just there for back up and for easy 'dig me out of the merde' navigation in any towns.

i wouldn't have wanted to get stuck out in the wilderness with flat gps batteries, no satellite signal etc etc...

That doubting stage may last right up to the moment you start riding on day one...then it will vanish because there is no option but success at that point...well that was my scenario anyway...no way back...no safty net...no support...so you have to believe there is no doubt you can do it. The way to beat the mental battle is to think no more than each day at a time and blank out the enormity of the entire ride as much as possible. Sure you can do it, it's a piece of cake....ish !


Good luck!

 

[Simon_m]

you certainly have to do the trip, it is just so amazing in different ways, as everyone will agree. It is life changing on so many levels. I don't know the northern and southern, so could not comment. I think the weather is harsher up there though, more winds in Dakota?

I got way lost many days using the ACA maps, I didn't find them that great. Saying that, I used the route map rather than using the instructions too. Most proper tourers have a map holder on their bike so they can access the information quickly and safely. I kept mine in my back pocket and got it out every now and again. The map itself is confusing in that the way we use maps in this country. Coloured roads and routes etc. On their maps they would for example, have a red line you were meant to follow. Now this line would wiggle around and change roads without warning. I would follow the route thinking I was staying on the A2 for example, but it would change to a B road on a corner, so it looked like you were meant to carry-on on the main road, not turn off. See what I mean? hard to explain. Wish I had my garmin there, would have been very useful indeed. We found enough juice to charge everything up, I took an American 4plug extender strip with me, so i could charge multiple things at once.

Doubts? yes, you do get them, but once your at the airport, its too late to turn around, you jet get your head down and do it. Not having toured before, that's the difference I found. Like, if its a bit drizzly outside, i wont cycle, yet, even if its pouring it down like in Kentucky, you had no choice, you had to cycle because if you didn't, you wouldn't cross the country.

Of course, I cheated doing it. Im not sure how it goes down with real hardcore tourers. We did van supported with ACA, it cost a heck of a lot more, but for me, it was perfect. For me, the ride wasn't about conquering it on my own, man against a continent. I wanted to enjoy the ride, the bike, the time out there. So with the hassel of not carrying my own stuff, trying to find campsites and food each morning and night, it made for a more enjoyable trip. Respect to those who go self contained.

 

[steveindenmark]

Who arranged the trip for you?

Rude question.....;0)......what do you think the total cost was?

Steve

 

[Simon_m]

lol no worries, It was the ACA Van Supported, so the guys who kinda run the TransAm, make the maps etc, and have huge resources for other routes in the US. Cost: $7,549.00. then whatever you want on extra food, extra breakfasts, if you want a hotel one night, bike repairs, replacing lost or damaged gear. Not sure I did a final costing and put it on line. I think I spent another couple of grand, maybe 4? Can't remember now lol. It will be somewhere though. I wanted to make sure I did/saw/ate/visited/experience as much as I could on that once in a lifetime experience.

http://www.adventurecycling.org/guided-tours/van-supported-tours/2014-transam-van/