Big trip to the Midwest

[rainperimeter]

Hi y'all. Sometime in mid July I'm looking to start a ride to Minneapolis. Go visit friends. I have a month off. I have a new, custom built touring bike. I'm out of school for the summer.

So...who has ridden this general ride (a long trip from here to MN and beyond)? What route was taken? The Adventure Cycling route? What would you avoid? What would you change? How long did it take?

I asked this question on AskMetaFilter and the question quickly got buried. I'm experienced at touring, solo and with others. I have all the gear. I don't need newbie tips. I'd like specifics about riding this general direction and your experiences. I know it's gonna be hot, I know it gets desolate, etc.

[Simple Nature]

You migth consider the ROAM route. Any route good enough for velomobiles should be great on a bike. Start was PDX and goes directly through the middle of MN. A lot of planning went into this route.



Search "ROAM" "Roll Over America" on the web and on BROL

http://carfreechallenge.blogspot.com...ica-route.html
http://www.bentrideronline.com/messa...ad.php?t=78496

and many more details on the web.

[rainperimeter]

That's great. And it mostly bypasses NoDak which I've seen plenty (more than once is plenty). Thanks. I will check that out for sure.

[rainperimeter]

You all seem to be politely, slowly composing well thought out responses. That's my guess as to the delay here in any activity. But please, respond away. Don't be shy. We are all friends.

[Simple Nature]

You might get some good responses on BROL (BentRider Online).

A few people will be able to tell you their actual experience on the route.

Just search "ROAM" and you will get the names of a lot of participants.

I doubt too many PDX'rs hove done anything near as epic.

I drive the route out to 395 to Spokane a lot. 14 on the WA side is quite reasonable. 12 going into Idaho too is a reasonable cycling route. Once you get past the passes from there, it will be open country roads.

[Alan]

Have you checked out Matt Picio's blog from last summer? http://www.castironcyclist.com/ He took ACA's TransAmerica route, with some variations. CGOAB also has plenty of journals about various northern routes.

I'd like to hear more about your trip...your bike, your gear, how it goes!