Bike touring from Minneapolis to Maine.

foolmetwiceLife has been kinda a bummer for a while so Ive decided to drop everything and bike to Maine before I decided what I'm gonna do w/ my life. My mom and grandpa did this ride back in the day but not in a postition to consult with them about it so I'm turning to newschoolers for advice. If anybody's done bike trips of similar length, any tips on gear, navigation, what to bring and what to leave, how to find free camping, showers, how to make a road bike more comfortable, n bike touring in general would be much appreciated.

I've had a friend who biked across the US and was planning on doing it again until a knee injury. I recall asking her a few things about what she'd do differently and this is what she said:

1. Bike fit is the most important part. You're going to be spending hours a day on your bike, you want to be comfortable. Go see a professional fitter, don't skimp out. Tell them about your plan and they will base the fit around you with that in mind.

2. Learn basic mechanics. If your chain breaks, a shifting cable snaps, or even if you get a basic flat, you want to know how to fix it, or at least jerry-rig it so you can get somewhere you can get help. I cannot stress this enough as you will be so far from anyone you know, and you will have no immediate relief available. That being said, AAA apparently will pick up bikers and take them to the nearest shop (not sure how the pricing works for mileage, probably depends on your membership).

3. Be prepared for everything and anything but do not overpack. Try to consolidate by using multi-purpose items.

There is a bike-packing thread somewhere on NS about a guy and his wife/GF who are bike-packing across Asia(?), he posts occasionally. See what he suggests for gear specifics.

Found it.


https://www.newschoolers.com/forum/thread/816518/Bicycle-touring---Japan-to-England

I did San Fran to DC last summer. I'll report back in a few hours with better advice.

One and only bump because this didnt get much of a response. Im leavin tomorrow.

foolmetwiceOne and only bump because this didnt get much of a response. Im leavin tomorrow.

How much biking have you done....and research?

.MASSHOLE.How much biking have you done....and research?

Lots of research. Never biked more than like 70 miles in a day but my family didn't buy a car until I was 7 and we've only had one car since (not a matter of $ just the lifestyle my rents prefer) so I've grown up using my bike as my main mode of transportation all my life. I'm not worried at all about needing to be in better shape. That being said I have no experience bike touring so I'm turning to newschoolers to help compliment the research I've already done.

foolmetwiceLots of research. Never biked more than like 70 miles in a day but my family didn't buy a car until I was 7 and we've only had one car since (not a matter of $ just the lifestyle my rents prefer) so I've grown up using my bike as my main mode of transportation all my life. I'm not worried at all about needing to be in better shape. That being said I have no experience bike touring so I'm turning to newschoolers to help compliment the research I've already done.

Aight. Just watch any knee, perineum, or hand pains. You don't want nerve damage.

You get to eastern MA and have any issues hit me up and I'll try to help you out if possible.

.MASSHOLE.Aight. Just watch any knee, perineum, or hand pains. You don't want nerve damage.

You get to eastern MA and have any issues hit me up and I'll try to help you out if possible.

Will do. Won't be going through Mass at all but I appreciate it.

simplicity is the key. bring only the stuff you need and nothing more. also don't be afraid to bring a credit card, it's a long distance cyclist's best friend.

Troy.I did San Fran to DC last summer. I'll report back in a few hours with better advice.

I wanna hear about this

I only made it to toronto before I had to cut the trip short and ship out to csu because I found out my admission wasnt rescinded. It was a pretty shitty time. It was either pouring rain or scorching hot the entire trip, and hammock camping didn't go nearly as well as I thought. Still greatful I attempted it as I feel I grew allot and it helped me mature just in time for college.