Is it too rough out there ? probably O.T.

Anonymous-0 · May 24, 2009

Hello,
For the past couple of years I have been kicking around the idea of a cross continent bicycle ride winding through both parts of Canada and the U.S. My question is this.......is it really as dangerous as everyone tells me it is? People I speak to about the idea seem to all have heard of lurid, really horrible incidents that have befallen lone bicyclists or walkers who have been on this sort of trek. I plan to stay in the rural areas and possibly work in visits to schools to show pictures and talk about the trip. So what have you heard.......is North America a dangerous place or could this be a great kind of a trip of a life time experience? Thanks in advance,
Tom

derek in al · May 24, 2009

I think you would be fine. I hope to do a simialar trip someday. here is a web site that has some good information on taking cross country bike trips.

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/

Brian Jasper co. Ia · May 24, 2009

The dangerous part would be getting run over on the highway. Don't get me wrong, I'm not anti bicycle, but bicycles have absolutely NO business on a highway. I nearly killed a family of 4 east of Colfax Ia where the parents had those tag along bikes attached to theirs so the small children could pedal too. I came around a blind curve in my pickup with my CA on the trailer, and there they were in the middle of the road. God must have been watching as there was no one in the on coming lane. Had there been, I shudder to think.
Do yourself a favor and stay on actual bike trails or a large organized ride like RAGBRAI.

Traditional Farmer · May 24, 2009

I'd like to take out a 1 Million $$$ life insurance policy out on you before you leave.Better bet than anything at Vegas

ScottyHOMeY · May 24, 2009

A long trip like that, you'd want to be an experienced cyclist with your head on straight -- i.e., defensive while still claiming your part of the road and willing to give it up rather than be maimed or killed just to make the point.

With the right attitude and preparation, I think it'd be a great trip.

RayP(MI) · May 24, 2009

When I was in my 20"s I might have consideed such a trip... Today, heck NO! (Not even if my CCW was good in all states!)

Anonymous-0 · May 24, 2009

Japanese guy was going across Canada on his bike
but he got sucked under a semi on the praire.They got strong winds there,sometimes cross winds.

kyhayman · May 24, 2009

Were I a bike rider I wouldnt hesitate to do it. With my photography hobby I travel a lot, into a lot of 'bad' areas. I've never felt scared or worried except for once, right here in Kentucky. I didnt plan smart like I do when I go out of town. Can bad things happen, sure, but they can happen right at home. Live life.

Hugh MacKay · May 24, 2009

Tom: I have to agree with Brian, modern day highways are no place for bicycles. Have you ever checked the sides of roadbed on major highways and secondary roads. There is an ample supply of car and truck parts in the ditches. 90% of it would have had velocity enough to kill a man when it left the vehicle. Two things I never do not even on my local side road, walk or cycle.

Then you have the traffic volumes, just no way to get around some of the major centers without encountering that heavy traffic. I live in Ontario, and another Yter and myself looked at the possibility of a tractor ride pulling camping trailers to Nova Scotia. Two major stumbling blocks, just no way to get around Toronto and Montreal without encountering major traffic.

Anonymous-0 · May 24, 2009

Can't speak for other areas, but we regularly see folks on cross-country trips using various means of conveyance... bicycles, walking, horse back, horse-drawn wagons, etc. haven't heard of anyone encountering any real trouble. In my opinion, the media bombards us with every bit of "bad news" 'cause that's what sells. Constantly hearing about all the "evil" in the world can skew your concept of humanity. I believe (and have experienced) that there are still a lot of good folks out there. That's not to say that you shouldn't use common sense (and maybe a bit of caution), but you only get one go 'round... life is the journey!!! Many years ago, a friend and I took a thousand mile bike tour around Europe. Met some of the nicest people on earth. Had some problems with the bikes, and the locals went out of their way to help out... even though we couldn't speak their language. Over a period of years, I hitch-hiked all over England and Wales... again, met some of the nicest folks and learned a lot about the culture. I look back on those adventures as some of the most significant, life changing events in my life. I hope to be able to do something like that again some day... one of those things on the "bucket list"! Good Luck... stay safe... D

Goose · May 24, 2009

I might consider it on a motorcycle. Bicycle, no.

I passed a motorcycle on a 4 lane highway north of Cortland, Nebraska the other day. When I went past, it dawned on me it had Alaska plates. Didn't catch exactly what the bike was, but it wasn't a big touring hog. Kinda reminded me of an old Honda CB350, actually.

If that guy came all the way from Alaska on it, I'm sure he slept out a few times.

Janicholson · May 24, 2009

I bicycle in Central Minnesota. In town I ride as a car and obey the traffic laws like a car. In the country (on county roads, there is high speed traffic that can be a hazard. Use best practices, a great rear view mirror, stay off the bike at dusk, watch your tail, use high quality (but not exotic) equipment. Wear visible colors.

I have seen hundreds of cyclists crossing Montana on route 2 with no issues.

I do not think there are people safety issues at all.

I assume you will plan well to be able to stop/camp/rest in reasonable spots. The Great Northern Railway placed towns for water stops in the steam era that still exist today. Short intervals between them. CPrail is similar.

Best of luck, planning planning planning. JimN

Anonymous-0 · May 24, 2009

Tom, I can recommend some books if you want.

There are organizations that sponsor cross-country bike rides, and most states have a bicycle-pedestrian coordinator on their highway department staff. Yes, you can get killed out there, but if you are careful and patient you will be fine.

There's a federal mandate for the bike-pedestrian coordinator position since the feds are putting up the money, but some states manage to use a "pave-it-and-paint-it" person and call them a bike-pedestrian coordinator.

Anyhow, you can get maps that show the most suitable routes for a bicycle trip through each state. There are many decisions to make about such a trip, and places you shouldn't miss. Going to the sun highway across Glacier National Park is one of them.

Once you get a tentative route, look up the state transportation departments on their websites and get the bicycle suitability maps downloaded.

Howard H. · May 24, 2009

I was asking a bicyclist some advice for a Trek at a convenience store in Clayton, NM, a few months ago...

Come to find out - he was coming from Chicago and heading to Arizona...

He said he was having a blast!

HH

Anonymous-0 · May 24, 2009

went across the country on motorcycle in 84 and stayed every night on the side of the road in a one man tent just hid a little and never had any trouble made some good friends with some land owners and was never once asked to leave two people asked me to come eat with them if i could find the land owner i would stop and ask but in Montana on hwy 2 sleep in a wheat field and in a lot of other places just stopped and went to sleep

Anonymous-0 · May 25, 2009

Bike riders here seem to generate a lot of road rage. They refuse to give one inch, yet they totally disregard traffic signals and the rules of the road.. A few weeks ago, I drove up on a group of about 12 female bikers, on a winding, curvy road, with double yellow lines all the way.. I had to follow them for at least 3 miles. with them trying to wave be by the whole time, even as we were crossing a bridge. There was never a safe place to pass, in my dually, so I spent 15 minutes following them.. When I finally passed them in a safe place, they all yelled and cursed at me as I passed..

Anonymous-0 · May 25, 2009

If it's your time, it's your time....Won't matter if your wrestling an elephant or brushing your teeth. Do what makes you happy, just be safe and considerate of other folks.

Dave

Traditional Farmer · May 25, 2009

You don't think there are personal safety issues?
Read a few police reports people get killed for less than $50 all the time and more meth addicts in the rural areas these days than in the cities.

MarkB_MI · May 25, 2009

If you've got the time and the desire, I don't see why not. Unfortunately a significant part of the country doesn't have great roads for bicyclists, but people make the trip nonetheless. As for crime, well I've ridden a bicycle in parts of Los Angeles in which I would never walk, and I've never felt threatened.

Anonymous-0 · May 25, 2009

15 minutes checking out the female bicyclist tights EH? Must have been painful for you.

Anonymous-0 · May 25, 2009

Go for it! You don't want to live so long that you end up dying from old age do you? Don't miss the truck stops as they have the best food.

Anonymous-0 · May 25, 2009

Thanks so much everyone for your thoughts worries and experiences. Everything is still in the just thinking about it stage and it may end up completely different then I imagine it now....I just wondered if the world.....in all of your worlds was as rough as the tv says.....I just could not believe that it was.......Thanks,
Tom

Anonymous-0 · May 25, 2009

(quoted from post at 05:49:56 05/25/09) Thanks so much everyone for your thoughts worries and experiences. Everything is still in the just thinking about it stage and it may end up completely different then I imagine it now....I just wondered if the world.....in all of your worlds was as rough as the tv says.....I just could not believe that it was.......Thanks,
Tom

TV said that 90% of fatal accidents happen with 5 miles of my house... Moved several times before deciding to just take my chances.....

Dave

Zachary Hoyt · May 25, 2009

I have never gone very far on a bike, but I have done 80 miles in a day carrying a tent and sleeping bag and food and such. A lot of the really big cities have bus service that includes front bike racks on the buses. Going from home to the Finger Lakes I had to pass through Syracuse, NY and hopped on the bus in Cicero and off in Auburn. Saved 30 miles and the trip only cost $4.50, plus I got out of the worst of the traffic. It pays to be able to repair your own bike and to have the tools you are likely to need if you break down, especially in rural areas where there are not bike shops. I also highly recommend a bell for use in town. Be careful and have fun, and hope for the best. A great resource is The Bicycle Touring Book by Tim and Glenda Wilhelm. My bike is a 1976 Schwinn Super Le Tour, and the book is from 1980, so the two go together well. Nowadays the equipment is different, I am sure. My bike is 10 years older than me.
Zach

motorv8N · May 25, 2009

Sounds like a grand adventure. Inner city traffic would scare the pants off me but the open road would be great.

I have trouble believing there are bad people lurking behind every bush but I suppose you can get the odd crazy anywhere. Funny how we are conditioned to worry about it. My wife and I spent our honeymoon driving her grandparents' 72 VW Westfalia camper from Edmonton to Tofino and back in 94. What a great machine. Slow as all get out but tons of personality.

There were a couple of nights at the side of dark highways and I'll admit to being wary about it. We were much more relaxed in a campground or at truck-filled rest areas.

Pack lots of inner tubes and a pump!

wkfarmall · May 25, 2009

(quoted from post at 05:49:56 05/25/09) Thanks so much everyone for your thoughts worries and experiences. Everything is still in the just thinking about it stage and it may end up completely different then I imagine it now....I just wondered if the world.....in all of your worlds was as rough as the tv says.....I just could not believe that it was.......Thanks,
Tom

Go to www.fiftybybike and read about this couple that is riding to all 50 states on their tandem bike. Sounds like a great trip. I think everyone needs to get out more often.

Is it too rough out there ? probably O.T.

Well-known Member

New User

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Member