Cross Country Trip - Looking for Companion(s) [Archive]

kmehrzad

07-15-2010, 06:56 PM

I've always wanted to do a cross country ride (probably the Trans Am route), and I'm looking for others who may have the same interest. Thinking next year I'd ride from Virginia, Oregon bound. Are there any other TE'ers who've got the same burning desire to see the US by bike? Please contact me if so.

Zen

07-15-2010, 07:48 PM

I'm not quite up to that but if it was a road trip by car I'd so be there.

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/thelmaandlouise.jpg

Cataboo

07-15-2010, 08:02 PM

sfa

07-16-2010, 05:07 AM

Sounds like fun! I so wish I could join you, but I'm stuck in that part of life where kids and work keep me tethered pretty close to home. At this point I'd have to do the trip in a series of long weekends!

Have you checked the crazyguy boards? People post on there looking for riding companions quite a bit.

Sarah

7rider

07-16-2010, 05:20 AM

A friend of ours is currently doing this ride: http://www.abbike.com/
He started in San Francisco, heads to New Hampshire.
He's having a great time and blogging about daily. He's currently in Ohio.

divingbiker

07-16-2010, 06:05 AM

Would love to, but it's not in the cards until I retire.

kmehrzad

07-16-2010, 08:27 AM

Zen, I've considered going by car, but one day as I sit the grandkids on my knee I want to say I've crossed the country by bike.

Cat, I've read that it doesn't really make much difference west to east or east to west with regard to the winds. I realize the Jetstream flows west to east, though. I'm open to whichever direction and will do more research.

sfa, I've been there and done that with kids and totally understand how things get put on hold until after they're grown and gone.

7Rider, Will check your friend's blog. I always enjoy reading other people's travel experiences and try to glean whatever advice I can from them.

DB, Why not retire next year? Then re-enter the workforce again after the ride? Professional athletes do it all the time.

kmehrzad

07-16-2010, 08:29 AM

I'm not quite up to that but if it was a road trip by car I'd so be there.

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/thelmaandlouise.jpg

Zen, that's totally you and me in that car. I'm the driver and shouting, "Get the **LL back in this car, woman."

divingbiker

07-16-2010, 10:25 AM

DB, Why not retire next year? Then re-enter the workforce again after the ride? Professional athletes do it all the time.

Oh hell no. Once I retire, that's it--no more working. And while I'm eligible in another 2 years and 3 months (but who's counting), most likely it will be more like 6 years. So you go on ahead and ride and we'll do it again later.:)

kmehrzad

07-18-2010, 01:26 PM

Oh hell no. Once I retire, that's it--no more working. And while I'm eligible in another 2 years and 3 months (but who's counting), most likely it will be more like 6 years. So you go on ahead and ride and we'll do it again later.:)

Sounds like a plan. By then I should have the experience.

roguedog

07-29-2010, 08:30 PM

oh man.. sooo tempting.. if only that stupid work thing.. pay the bills thing weren't in my way... :mad::mad:

Bike Chick

08-07-2010, 02:35 AM

I've always said I wanted to ride across the United States when I retire. Don't know if you want to call it a goal or a dream but I won't be able to do it for at least another 7 years. Maybe I could join you two! Wouldn't that be a hoot????

kmehrzad

08-07-2010, 05:24 PM

That'd be fabulous. The more people we can get to participate, the better the possibility of organizing our own SAG support. I don't think I can wait 7 yrs. though. I'm pretty anxious ...

Zen

08-07-2010, 05:28 PM

Zen, that's totally you and me in that car. I'm the driver and shouting, "Get the **LL back in this car, woman."

I never should have let you in my house.
I think you're starting to know me.

Cataboo

08-07-2010, 06:51 PM

I never should have let you in my house.
I think you're starting to know me.

Lol. I'm sure she's regretting it, too! The first time she met you, you kept flashing your panties at her. The 2nd time you had on 2 sports bras, one on your head and one on your chest. I can't wait to see what you do next time she runs into you!

kmehrzad

08-08-2010, 03:59 AM

Lol. I'm sure she's regretting it, too! The first time she met you, you kept flashing your panties at her. The 2nd time you had on 2 sports bras, one on your head and one on your chest. I can't wait to see what you do next time she runs into you!

Considering we're rooming together during the Wild Goose Chase ride in October, God only knows what I'm in for. :eek:

Cataboo

08-08-2010, 06:27 AM

Considering we're rooming together during the Wild Goose Chase ride in October, God only knows what I'm in for. :eek:

maybe I need to get in and room with you guys as well just so I won't miss it.

There's room for a 2nd person on an airmattress on the floor, right?

I actually need to call & add the friday to my hotel reservation, I forgot about that

Zen

08-08-2010, 07:31 AM

I'm on the air mattress.
I'll let you sleep in the Adventurebago for $5.00

Cataboo

08-08-2010, 10:03 AM

I'm on the air mattress.
I'll let you sleep in the Adventurebago for $5.00

Will I sleep on your kayak?

I have my own air mattress.

Tri Girl

08-08-2010, 10:27 AM

kmehrzad

08-08-2010, 05:07 PM

YES!! But... I'm planning on the summer of 2012. I have a couple friends that I told I want to do this, and now they've taken over the planning and are planning a trip I don't want to be a part of. I shall have to try to find my own group to go with.
I would leave in late May/very early June and head east to west (because leaving that early in the summer I would encounter snow in the Cascades/Rockies). I need to leave then to be back home in time for school to start in early August (I teach).
Plus, I want the sun at my back each morning as I head out in the wee hours (and drivers wouldn't have the sun in their eyes coming up on me).
I hope you can find some companions to ride wtih. I'm so very excited to do it one of these days. ;)

I'm not totally certain my trip will take place in 2011 but am planning with next year in mind. I'm kicking around ideas on how to have some SAG support yet not incur a lot of expense. If enough people with the same interest get together, we could form our own group, possibly rent a van and take turns driving OR we could get ZEN to drive the SAG wagon ... she gets in her cross-country tour by car while the group cycles. ;)

Zen

08-08-2010, 05:33 PM

Hmmm.

Interesting.

Tri Girl

08-09-2010, 06:56 AM

f enough people with the same interest get together, we could form our own group, possibly rent a van and take turns driving OR we could get ZEN to drive the SAG wagon ... she gets in her cross-country tour by car while the group cycles. ;)

I like the way you think! My hubs has said the only way he'd be comfortable with me going is if I'm with a group. I would like to go alone so I could go at my own pace, but I think being alone for that long would get old- fast! I've looked into organized groups, but can't fathom spending $5,000+ to go with a company. I even thought about doing it with a charity organization.

Let's keep this on the forefront of our minds. Next year is definitely out for me since I'm already signed up to do another Ironman.

MomOnBike

08-09-2010, 08:16 AM

Hmmm, I might be interested, but only for about a week, and in the middle of the country. Durned jobs, anyway. If I only didn't have bills. . . (DH says I should stop seeing Bill so much :D )

Ahem. Back to the subject.

Going east to west, I could pick you up in Missouri/Kansas and ride 'til I have to go back to work. I have family in Colorado, so depending on schedules, etc., we might have at least one night's stay.

All this, of course, is dependent on me not having yet another major health crisis next year.

I would enjoy meeting some TE'ers in meatspace, and on bikes.

Leigh66

08-10-2010, 05:30 PM

Can't do it...but would LOVE to do it!!! That would be SO awesome!

kaybee

08-12-2010, 07:37 AM

I'm not totally certain my trip will take place in 2011 but am planning with next year in mind. I'm kicking around ideas on how to have some SAG support yet not incur a lot of expense. If enough people with the same interest get together, we could form our own group, possibly rent a van and take turns driving OR we could get ZEN to drive the SAG wagon ... she gets in her cross-country tour by car while the group cycles. ;)

I would definitely be interested in participating in at least part of this adventure -- maybe a week or so!

KB

Cataboo

08-12-2010, 08:23 AM

I'm not totally certain my trip will take place in 2011 but am planning with next year in mind. I'm kicking around ideas on how to have some SAG support yet not incur a lot of expense. If enough people with the same interest get together, we could form our own group, possibly rent a van and take turns driving OR we could get ZEN to drive the SAG wagon ... she gets in her cross-country tour by car while the group cycles. ;)

I'm waiting to see how you figure all of this out to avoid having to actually camp at all.

kmehrzad

08-12-2010, 02:07 PM

I'm waiting to see how you figure all of this out to avoid having to actually camp at all.

LOL ... just watch me. i'll sift through all these invites and methodically plan my route.

Catrin

08-12-2010, 04:15 PM

I would love to ride with you for as long as I could get off work if you come across Indiana! Oh yeah, I have an air mattress that you could sleep on and a hot shower :D

Just not RAGBRAI week - I am pretty sure that I want to do that next year :D

Dog

08-21-2010, 08:10 PM

I would love to cycle across country. It is big on my bucket list. I've looked at the organized rides - too expensive and the fund raising rides - not sure I could raise the required donations. I'm not sure I want to be with that large a group on a set schedule. If I'm not working next year - I would seriously consider it. 2012 might be more realistic. I've always pictured riding from the west to east (I live in Washington state), but I'm flexible. Keep us updated on your plans.

madscot13

08-21-2010, 08:34 PM

an idea for SAG support would be to ask for volunteers across the states. There might be enough TE'ers and relatives that could give you limited SAG support.

kmehrzad

08-22-2010, 06:59 PM

I would love to cycle across country. It is big on my bucket list. I've looked at the organized rides - too expensive and the fund raising rides - not sure I could raise the required donations.

There's a group that I'm seriously considering going with, it's called Wandering Wheels. http://www.wanderingwheels.org/67thCoastToCoast.html Granted the trip is $4,300, starting from San Diego, CA to Brunswick, GA, but when you determine the cost per day and what you get for that price ... experienced leaders and well planned out route, SAG support, indoor overnight accommodations (except for 3 nights), 10 meals per week, I think for first timers such as myself, it'd be a good choice. Something to consider ...

Madscot, thanks for your suggestion. It's certainly worth thinking about.

Tri Girl

08-23-2010, 03:55 PM

that trip looks GREAT, Kmehzrad!!!
I wish I could do that, but I can't take off in the last quarter of the school year. :(
It sounds like you get a LOT for the money, though- and sag support is a terrific bonus!! If you do it, please let us know, so I can keep them on my radar for the future.

Dog

08-28-2010, 07:51 PM

Thanks Kmehrzad. I've saved that link. For some odd reason I want to haul my own gear and camp/hotel it as well. SAG would be great from a safety perspective though.;)

kmehrzad

08-29-2010, 04:21 AM

Thanks Kmehrzad. I've saved that link. For some odd reason I want to haul my own gear and camp/hotel it as well. SAG would be great from a safety perspective though.;)

You know what? I've been thinking the same thing (about hauling my own gear, etc.). That way I'd truly be doing this on my own without the 'crutches' so to speak of someone else carrying my gear. I don't want to do it alone, though, so I'm trying to recruit like-minded souls or may consider joining the Adventure Cycling group going x-country.