I really benefitted greatly from ColoradoGuy's website and daily description of his ride. It's exactly what I plan to do in mid Sept '09. If anyone interested in going, my current plan is to go east to west, leaving Jeckyl Island GA (near Jacksonville, FL) and ride to San Diego. I don't want to camp out, so will stay at motels the entire trip. I'm 52 year old guy who is taking time away from a financial planning career to reevaluate life. (I'm also a great karaoke singer in the event boredom hits along the way!). I want to do the trip in a leisurely manner. In June, I trained by riding about 1000 miles over 20 days or so in FL, GA, and SC. I now live in IL. When I was young, I was a triathlete, but aside from the above training hadn't exerised in a few years. By the last day, I was able to ride 10 hours a day max. It's amazing how muscle memory comes back from younger days! I enjoyed every day of my ride, emotionally, physically and on a spiritual level. Now I want to take riding to the next level with a BAA. Let me know if anyone interested.
A few questions for Steve, or anyone with knowledge:
1. Are winds less favorable on an east to west ride vs west to east? How big a factor?
2. Using Steve's route, are the altitudes the same, harder, or easier going east to west vs west to east.
3. Weather. During a ride that lasts from mid Sept to say Mid Nov, does east to west, west to east make any difference?
4. Mechanical. Steve, I'm a reasonably bright guy, but I can't screw in a light bulb. I've had three flats and needed assistance on the repairs each time. I bought Marathon kevlar tires with inserts to hopefully avoid flats altogether. But now changing tires without a bike shop is very difficult. Is that a huge problem in your mind?
5. Seems in some areas motels are stretched out quite a distance, particularly out west. What are the best forms of emergency assistance if any (I've hitchhiked before, have a cell phone etc)
Thank everyone for their thoughts! My e-mail is rickbaker636@aol.com