Hatching Plans: ALA's Big Ride Across America

[Reesha]

Thanks for the feedback!

Any thoughts on 700 cc wheels? Recommendations for certain brands/set ups? I know I'll need a higher spoke count... not 36 necessarily as I won't be loaded. All wheel/tire recommendations are appreciated!

I was looking at Campy's ergo brifters and I'm wondering if it's worth it to do a bike with a full campy drive train for a bike that will see a lot of mileage. I don't personally have a lot of experience with campy, but it looks like a full groupset might set me back 800 bucks or so for something fairly utilitarian and a triple.

[Sky King]

As far as 700 cc. wheels, we use Mavic rims often and I suggest a spoke count of 32 with the cross 3 pattern, granted if you aren't planning to be loaded you could go down to 28 but this way you would be prepared for the future. I also tour with a dynamo hub because I love having a light and never having to worry about being caught somewhere after dark.
Tires - 700 X 28 - no narrower, Will be a way more comfortable ride than using a narrower tire and you aren't going to notice rolling resistance - regardless this is a tour not a bike race . We love the Schwalbe marathon - supreme or dureme should be sturdy enough, we also ride Panaracer TServ's - the Bike Hermit has ridden 1,000's of miles on those.
Brakes - without a load, I consider disc brakes an overkill. Fenders will work with Disc Brakes but it may take some finesse to attach correctly.
Fenders - but of course, SKS long boards are sharp and disc brake compatible, Tanaka and Honjo's are great too. Planet Bike Cascadia touring is another option. All based on what you want to spend and ease of install and removing.

Sounds like a terrific goal and a fantastic adventure! Oh and the co-motion is beautiful. I happen to have a 52 cm Rivendell Sam Hillborne in my garage that is a tad to long in the top tube for me if you were so inclined but I am also considering changing out the handlebars from drops to more upright position and making it my "adventure touring bike" I love my Bleriot and ride her all the time.

[Reesha]

Thanks for the tips, Sky King!

I've been learning a lot about the ride from some of the riders themselves. One from 2008 just told me that he did the entire thing on a carbon road bike with a triple and that I really shouldn't rule it out. In fact it was the very bike I already own!

The student did it on a Cervelo RS and he had it built up initially to be a bit more upright. He said he was very glad to have a zippy bike on some of the legs and that it was very comfortable.

There are a lot of things to consider but I'm starting to figure out what I'll need.

1. Discs are unnecessary
2. Fenders are optional-- some like em, some didn't bother with them
3. A triple down to a 28T would be a good thing
4. Fit is the most important thing
5. Tires should be 28mm
6. Titanium bikes should be considered

I could save a couple thousand and do it on my road bike... I have no question of that. I guess I just want a new bike that's a bit more versatile!

[divingbiker]

If you and your mom need a place to stay when you get to DC, let me know!

[Reesha]

Thank you

I'll be passing through a lot of Team E hotbeds. Here's this year's route list:
Day 0 Seattle
Day 1 Easton, WA
Day 2 Vantage, WA
Day 3 Odessa, WA
Day 4, Spokane, WA
Day 5, Spokane, WA
Day 6, Sandpoint, ID
Day 7, Thompson Falls, MT
Day 8, Missoula, MT
Day 9, Missoula, MT
Day 10, Avon, MT
Day 11, Townsend, MT
Day 12, Harlowton, MT
Day 13, Billings, MT
Day 14, Billings, MT
Day 15, Hardin, MT
Day 16, Sheridan, WY
Day 17, Gilette, WY
Day 18, Newcastle, WY
Day 19, Rapid City, SD
Day 20, Rapid City, SD
Day 21, Kadoka, SD
Day 22, Pierre, SD
Day 23, Miller, SD
Day 24, De Smet, SD
Day 25, Tyler, MN
Day 26, New Ulm, MN
Day 27, New Ulm, MN
Day 28, Owatonna, MN
Day 29, Winona, MN
Day 30, Viroqua, WI
Day 31, Madison, WI
Day 32, Madison WI
Day 33, Belvidere, IL
Day 34, Morris, IL
Dau 35, Valparaiso, IN
Day 36, Kendallville, IN
Day 37, Napoleon, OH
Day 38, Sandusky, OH
Day 39, Burton, OH
Day 39, Burton, OH
Day 41, New Waterford, OH
Day 42, Washington, PA
Day 43, Confluence, PA
Day 44, Bedford, PA
Day 45, Gettysburg, PA
Day 46, Gettysburg, PA
Day 47, Clarksburg, MD
Day 48, Washington, DC

[aquamoose32]

Do you have the miles on these days? This looks like a great route. Where are you staying each night?

[Reesha]

Do you have the miles on these days? This looks like a great route. Where are you staying each night?

I don't personally have the miles for each day but one of the riders from the 2008 ride (same route) has a fantastic blog that details each leg:

http://dianasbigride.blogspot.com/

The average leg is 83 miles and there are 6 days with over 100 miles. I think the worst day of climbing is 6500 feet. Nothing insane or anything.

During the trip, the group camps out in tents that they've brought with them, often on high school football fields-- always some place with showers. Sometimes they stay in dorms after hard days.

[ridebikeme]

Another Soma fan here! I built up a Doubke Cross this summer intended for self contained riding, and what a treat it is! Although I typically ride lighter weight road bikes and love them, including a custom ti frame... this Soma frame was incredible! Rides well, handles well and even has me thinking about building a steel road frame.

I built this bike with Velocity Deep V wheels, 32 hole 3 cross pattern, bar end shifters for reliability with any shifting issues, and Avid Shorty brakes. Whether I rode the bike loaded or not, I had NO issues with "lack" of brakes. They worked well on my self contained tour which consisted of dry conditions, a bit of dirt roads, and tons of rain on the last day.

It's defintiely heavier than my other bikes, but more versatile in terms of where I can ride it, AND rides extremely well.


http://chasecyclery.blogspot.com

[Reesha]

I can't even express how disheartening it is to try and find a bake sale location in a city. Seriously. In a rural area it would be no problem whatsoever. It's like they've just conspire to collectively outlaw that sort of charity event all together. One grocery store guy actually said "well it's in direct competition with us". REALLY? Yes, we'd be doing so much damage to your multi-million dollar sales.

I am just venting. I understand that people don't want to be pestered by people just soliciting without offering, but at least with a bake sale they are getting something in exchange for their donation.

Grargh. I don't even know what to do. I feel like I'm only going to get a 1/10th of the way to my goal with letters to my family and friends. I guess being new in town (well, three years new) is a real disadvantage when it comes to fundraising.

[/rant]

[Blueberry]

I truly hope that I'll have funds to support your cause, and one day do the ride myself. My grandfather passed away while I was in college from smoking related emphysema, so the ALA is a cause that is very near and dear to my heart.

A couple of ideas:

What about bringing lunch for all teachers? Like Chili? And asking for donations. Maybe enlist someone to bring sides?

How about setting a dollar amount to "sponsor a day of your ride?"

Some folks here used to ride rollers outside of stores (with permission). The "trick" would earn them donations.

Local bike clubs that might let you "lead" a ride and ask for donations?

Info Table/donation jar at a school sporting event?

Can your friends with the documentary plug your ride in their social circles?

Good luck!!

ETA: What about asking restaurants to donate a portion of the profits from a night? Lots do that.

With stores - try grocery coops and small places (or places like Whole Foods). I think they are more likely to support your cause than "big box retailers."

[Dog]

I too have looked at the ALA Big Ride Across America. I will probably have to wait until I retire though. It is fun to dream/think about it. And, you are already to the planning stage....even more fun!

[Tokie]

they make handy fenders that attach and detach easily - DH and I were very glad we brought them on our ride from S Dakota to Niagara Falls last summer - we rode in plenty of rain. Not as fabulous as full on fenders, but kept most of the water deflected. (the brand was, errr, can't recall, but they hooked on with little rubber straps, quite easy to get on and off) Oh, DH reports fenders were from Planet Bike. They did rattle a bit, but it was sweet music to our soggy bodies. tokie

[Reesha]

You know, I test rode a Cannondale CAAD10 Dura-Ace the other day which I loved better than any of the bikes I've been on so far... but I'm not sure I loved it for the ride. It was an incredible bike and I really really really want it to replace my current road bike. Many over at BikeForums have said they'd gladly ride across the country on their CAAD 9's or 10's...

I've still got lots of time and still need to raise the funds to buy the bike anyway, so more searching is in my future!

[Reesha]

So as of yesterday, I am all registered to ride across the country! I also need to raise $6,000, $2,500 of which I am covering so people know that they are not also helping me go on a fun trip. That's the amount of the fundraising minimum that goes toward the costs of the 48 day adventure. Still my overall goal is $8,000 including my contribution, so I have my work cut out for me this year.

I busily set up my training/fundraising/adventure blog this morning as it will be a long year!


You can visit it at http://www.larissaridesforcleanair.org

I think I've decided just to ride my trusty Trek Pilot 5.0 on this one. I don't really need a new bike, and my current bike is great. Another lady did the ride on the very same bike!

It's going to be a challenging year with lots of hard work. Fundraising ideas are ALWAYS welcome, as the goal well exceeds what I could raise just soliciting friends and family.

Woohoo!!!

[Caddy]

Looks pretty amazing - the fundraising goal scares me.

Have you tried the Synapse? It has a more relaxed geometry than a Caad10. I also really like the Jamis Ventura/Aurora bikes.

Edit: Ahh, didn't see the comment about the Trek, have fun with it