Hatching Plans: ALA's Big Ride Across America

[Reesha]

Last year, one of my former students took on the challenge of riding across the country over 48 days with the American Lung Association. There were about 40 riders in all and he had a blast.

I'm starting to plan to do this very ride next summer 2012. It is a supported ride, but I'm not sure my Trek Pilot 5.0 is really going to be the most comfortable bike for the trip. I won't be schlepping gear, but I am looking for a new bike that will suit this tour and future tours (some loaded) that is between $2000-$3000. Recommendations would be wonderful!

I was thinking about a Salsa Vaya or possibly-- if I could squeeze the funds a Rivendell Atlantis. If Mariposa is still making frames, I may have them build me a custom one. Still, ideas, ideas, ideas!

The training required will be built into my coaching schedule as I will already be riding about 150 miles a week with the kids and I can easily tack on more over the weekends and by biking home after rides. I'm pretty thrilled about this prospect. I was also delighted when my mother (often one of the first naysayers for this sort of thing) reacted with "You could do that!". It really warmed my heart to know that she'd support me and she said she'd come down to D.C. for the finish.

Has anyone ever done a similar ride (~80 miles a day for multiple weeks, supported)?

I know I saw one girl post who is about to leave. I am looking forward to hearing about her experiences on her blog!

Any and all advice is welcome. I think this would be the adventure of a lifetime!

[indysteel]

Good for you!

I bought a Jamis Aurora last year for a Katy Trail tour that DH and I are doing this summer. I like it, but it sure feels heavy compared to my steel road bike. If it were me, I would rather be on a light road bike for a fully supported x-country tour. I suppose you can try to keep the weight down in how you build it up, but it would likely still be heavier than your standard roadie.

[Reesha]

May I ask what you have for a steel road bike?

I suppose if I built something from the frame up I could decide how high up the handlebars are and choose a bit more of an upright geometry...

[indysteel]

I have a Bianchi Eros Donna.

I'm also not sure I'd want too upright of a position. More weight in my butt means more pain in the butt over several weeks of 80-mile rides. That said, none of my bikes are set up aggressively. What about your Pilot are you worried about?

Of course, I love steel for long rides!

[Reesha]

Eh, my Pilot is twitchy and doesn't ride very comfortably all the time. It fits me well and is quite comfortable for sub 60 mile rides, but beyond that I've never felt good. That could be a conditioning thing. But as I'm getting rid of my MTB, I would enjoy another ride for my stable. It could double as an around towner too so nothing real flashy.

Oh also, FENDERS. Riding 80 miles through slop without fenders doesn't really appeal to me. I don't have any of those considerations on my little carbon chariot.

[Blueberry]

No direct experience, but that ride has been on my radar for a long time, and I will do it one day! Just as soon as they let attorneys take more than 3 weeks of secured leave....My Grandfather died from smoking related emphysema, so it is in support of a cause that is near and dear to my heart. Kudos to you for doing it!

I know lots of people have written blogs from past years - might be worth seeing if they have bike comments. I remember from reading them that I was surprised at how many people had lighter/racing style bikes. I don't think I'd want to ride one that far....

[Reesha]

I test rode a Co-Motion Nor'Wester today and just love that smooth buttery ride. The frame they had was about two inches too long in the top tube, but I still enjoyed it. All set up that bike was $2800. Not bad, not bad!

[redrhodie]

I have a Soma Double Cross DC that I would tour on, if I had the chance. It could be built easily within your budget, I think the frame retails @ around $400. It's an excellent ride. Very buttery! It has rack braze ons, as well as disc brakes (the non-disc brake version is even less).

I feel like I'm constantly recommending this bike. I seriously love it.

[indysteel]

I saw some Soma's a few weeks ago. They are gorgeous bikes. If I needed yet another bike, I'd give them a serious look.

[Reesha]

I will look into it!

A couple of questions though:

For a supported ride like this, would you recommend:

Disc brakes or caliper brakes?
Fenders or no?

The co-motion will cost me probably $2800 providing I don't get to carried away with some of the options. I believe disc brakes would be an upgrade.

The Nor'Wester I test rode had SRAM apex 'double tap' shifters and to be honest I wasn't a fan. I have traditional brifters on my road bike and I really prefer those. I was also impressed by how light this bike was.

I am loving this color: