Trip Summary

This is the second post summarizing some thoughts before I forget them. When I get back one of my projects will be to get things in order and maybe print out a copy. More tomorrow.


We found that we could only plan a day or two ahead, there are too many things that might happen to plan ahead any further. The I-phone we had was invaluable. With Google maps we could find any motel in any town, no matter how small. If they are in a phone directory or have a web site, we found it. Coverage was sometimes spotty, but usually we could get to a good spot within an hour or so. Camping is an option for some people, but we need a shower and bed, and rainproof ceiling after riding all day. Besides, usually the campgrounds are out of town and food is an issue. The motels we stayed in ranged from chains like the Fairfield Inn to mom and pop places built in the fifties. The sheets were always clean but the beds were iffy sometimes. We are not too picky, and kind of enjoy a little character, but you never know what you will get. Overall, we were satisfied with what we got almost every time, because after riding all day anything is a luxury.

We would buy a state map at the entry to each state and use that along with our ACA maps of the biking route. After all is said and done, we like our route just as well as theirs. The parkways and major roads are noisy and heavy with traffic, but there is a shoulder. On the side roads, the visibility is less and the curves steeper. With no shoulder on most, we felt uneasy much of the time. So we picked major roads much of the time. We'd put in the I-phone music to cut down on the noise. Although traffic was our major issue, the drivers were generally courteous and respectful of a bike. The trouble is, you never know if the next one that passes you might not clip you. A honking driver is one that you hope you will find in the ditch around the next curve. They have no idea how scary it is to a bicyclist to hear a honking horn at the wrong moment. Do they really want to kill somebody? Coal trucks in Appalachia will appear in my nightmares for months, but I give them credit for not hitting us.

Our clothes were adequate, if minimum. During the first half of the trip, we weren't cold riding, but couldn't go out after the days ride much because we didn't have ski clothes. The last half was always hot, and clothes weren't an issue. We rinsed them out in the motel shower, but they were not always dry in the morning or sometimes we had access to a laundry. Shoes were somewhat of an issue. We had bike shoes and flip flops, which are adequate if you're not going caving or hiking. We actually sent a package forward to Tim because we had too many clothes at one point. For riding the recumbent, you don't need bike shorts or jerseys, so what you have can be used for either riding or evenings. There wasn't much time to do much for us beside ride. We'd get up at 6:30 or so, eat if possible, then ride off and on, with lunch and breaks, until late afternoon. By the time we found a motel, took a shower, found and ate dinner, it would be 8pm or so. I would write the blog while Laura caught up on phone calls or chores. Between watching the Olympics and getting ready and planning for the next day, it would be bedtime by 10:30 or 11:00. That would repeat most days. We tried to take a day off about every 7, but that didn't always work out.

The weather for the first half of the trip, up until Colorado, was horrendous. Windy and cold, it was springtime in the Rockies. I would suggest waiting until maybe June 1 to start from Oregon like we did. The last half of the trip, after July 4, was perfect. We were very lucky, not running into storms or wind. It was hot, but that was not a problem, as we left early to avoid most of it. I'm used to being soaked anyway, so sweating is no big deal. If you want to start a trip across the country early in the year, start from Virginia and go west.

We put almost everything on a Visa card, but carried about $100 or so on us for the places that will not take credit cards. Yes, there are some, and we found them. ATM's are everywhere, so getting more cash is not a problem. I set up all bill paying and such on line, and carried a laptop all the way, so I could check on things. Our home was rented out to our friend Carrie, and she took very good care of our cat, Helen. Planning the trip is tough beforehand, but once you leave there isn't anything you can do about things, so you forget it. I stayed in a little bit of touch by writing the blog, but for the most part we were out of the real world. I have a feeling not much has changed and we will be back in the swing of things quickly.