Need help planning tour

[MomOnBike]

William demanded a trip one other time. I ended up riding across Minnesota and Iowa in unsettled spring weather. (Farabault, MN to just north of Sioux City, IA)

I'm a little worried about Yellowstone, but I figured that Yellowstone would be OK, as the Adventure Cycling route takes you through it. I'd be deviating from the "official" route while in Yellowstone, so there is that. I'll look at the maps again. I have muttered things about 'portaging' (renting a car) to get past bad bits. That may or may not be an option, as well.

Thanks for the insole advice. I think the problem is squishing my wide feet into narrow cycling shoes, and I've noticed that cycling shoes come in narrow and extra narrow. (Maybe not true, but that's my perception.) The reviews I read about the Keens talked about how they run narrow, so they dropped off my radar. I guess I'll just have to try them.

Anybody who wants to come along is more than welcome. Just be aware that not only do I bike slowly, but I tend to stop often and take pictures.

[Tri Girl]

how about men's Keens? Maybe a bit wider than a woman's version?

What time in July are you planning on going? School starts the first week of August, so I'd have to be back by then. Darn it- you have me thinking...

[MomOnBike]

Tri Girl - and anyone else interested in this:

My daughter is defending her thesis (apparently against ninjas on unicycles) on the 10th of July. The family will be spending the rest of the week doing celebratory, touristy-type stuff. I'm thinking of taking off sometime that weekend.

I'm figuring that the trip will be right around 2,000 miles and I tend to ride 50-mile days when touring. so that's, what, 40 days and 40 nights. (Hm, sounds biblical)

You could join me for all or any part of the trip, if you want. I can't stress enough that I'm slow, but stubborn. I am heavy, the bike is heavy, and I'll be hauling a bunch of stuff up steep mountains. (Oh, but think of the cred I'll be getting crossing the Bighorn mountains on a loaded touring bike!)

If you are serious about joining me, check out my tour on Crazy Guy, then shoot me a PM:

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/springfever2005

It gives a pretty good idea of my idea of a good tour.

On the routing side, DH is considering driving to Seattle for the shindig there. That would solve the bike transport problem, and if we go through Yellowstone in the car, he hopes it will get the silly idea of biking Yellowstone out of my system.

[OakLeaf]

My duck feet are just delighted in the men's wide Lake shoes I got last fall. It's super hard for me to find shoes that are wide enough.

Not sure what you might find now, since Lake lost their US importer last year and may or may not have been picked up by a new company. But there are NOS shoes available online at deep discounts if your size is still available.

[Dog]

Congrats to your daughter and to you for taking advantage of a great opportunity to get in some touring! It is a beautiful time of year to ride in the northwest. I wish I could join you, but my calendar is full in July. I'm hoping to do a portion of the Lewis & Clark trail in June if I can get the time off from work. Make sure to keep us looped in. Cheers!