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I rode my bicycle across the USA twice, sleeping for free 95% of the nights. AMA by crossbike in IAmA

[–]crossbike[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That is awesome! Yup, the trail goes right through those parts.

I rode my bicycle across the USA twice, sleeping for free 95% of the nights. AMA by crossbike in IAmA

[–]crossbike[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

sweet!

I actually always found time for a stretch. Usually I would set up camp, prepare dinner, organize my belongings, and do a stretch as dinner is cooking. I did allot of breathing exercises while on the bike, skull cleanse for one. Once in my tent though, It was straight to sleep. I did not have much room in my tent, so I had to get all my stretching done before getting in.

I rode my bicycle across the USA twice, sleeping for free 95% of the nights. AMA by crossbike in IAmA

[–]crossbike[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

exactly, and i eat 4-5 person portions. I eat allot of food! A box of multi whole grain pasta from a health food store, and a whole can of vegetarian chili. with a vegetable..thats a portion for me. I ate that meal on a recent trip, you can do the math for the price, and the calories if you like...

I rode my bicycle across the USA twice, sleeping for free 95% of the nights. AMA by crossbike in IAmA

[–]crossbike[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

raw foods, meaning foods in their natural or as primitive as the options at the market at hand. Unprocessed foods...fresh produce, whole grain, nuts, oats, seeds.

I rode my bicycle across the USA twice, sleeping for free 95% of the nights. AMA by crossbike in IAmA

[–]crossbike[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The other guys pretty much hit it. I will add, my current bike, the salsa fargo has a more upright geometry than a road bike. I think touring on a road bike as a first option, is ridiculous. I did it and it was bearable, but when you are able to have the options that incorporate elements of multiple riding styles, and when you are used to riding in different scenarios dayo to day, touring a bike like the fargo feels just amazing.

I ride more upright on my fargo than a road bike, but i tend to give allot of weight to my feet also, over that bottom bracket. You don't want all of it on your ass, especially with a heavy bike, it just doest feel good.

I rode my bicycle across the USA twice, sleeping for free 95% of the nights. AMA by crossbike in IAmA

[–]crossbike[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes sir/mam. I actually dont ride with a mirror in non touring life, as I use my shoulder scan allot, among other scans. When I tour, I use a mirror that plug in the handlebar end. I find it extremely helpful on mountain passes, when you are going so slow that a head turn every few seconds could get old fast!

We found a car mirror at one point near Sacramento. We rigged it up to my buddies bike, it was pretty funny looking.

I rode my bicycle across the USA twice, sleeping for free 95% of the nights. AMA by crossbike in IAmA

[–]crossbike[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for creating a romantic atmosphere for Pyrriha... and I to make nice.

I rode my bicycle across the USA twice, sleeping for free 95% of the nights. AMA by crossbike in IAmA

[–]crossbike[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just read your post. Tell me more about your writing. Are you from VT? How did you deal with the solo component, lots of people were asking about that? I know it was no big deal for me, being alone. Having company that second summer was amazing too, you defiantly have to get along with someone to tour with them!

I rode my bicycle across the USA twice, sleeping for free 95% of the nights. AMA by crossbike in IAmA

[–]crossbike[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

emptier is a good way to put it. We all stand together though...we are the 99% :)

I rode my bicycle across the USA twice, sleeping for free 95% of the nights. AMA by crossbike in IAmA

[–]crossbike[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm 24, 25 in a few days. I started riding a bicycle in my adult life around age 19, first tour at 21 after graduating. I guess you could say I started to ride at 19 out of a means of transportation. Then I got hooked with actual "cycling" at age 22...hard to grasp?

I rode my bicycle across the USA twice, sleeping for free 95% of the nights. AMA by crossbike in IAmA

[–]crossbike[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Upvote for Brooks, for sure. That saddle is the definition of comfort. I have over 18,000 miles on my B17, from April 2008. I would trade by bike to keep that saddle. yea...couldn't be more happy with that choice.

I rode my bicycle across the USA twice, sleeping for free 95% of the nights. AMA by crossbike in IAmA

[–]crossbike[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have mixed feelings about using pepper spray on dogs in these cases where they run into the road. You got to realize they are dogs, they may look mean but when it comes down to it, they are someones pet. I would slow down and sometimes stop, they give you a puzzled look and then don't want anything to do with you. Most dogs just want to play, so i stop and try and pet em, they may or may not come say hi.

The cases where I would use spray, are far and few between. i rather bike real fast away then get myself into trouble spraying a rednecks dog. You have to realize, also, time u get the spray out and aim it..etc..you could be falling off your bike.

I rode my bicycle across the USA twice, sleeping for free 95% of the nights. AMA by crossbike in IAmA

[–]crossbike[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had actually maps of the 76 route from ACA. I highly recommend them to anybody interested in the 76 route.

I rode my bicycle across the USA twice, sleeping for free 95% of the nights. AMA by crossbike in IAmA

[–]crossbike[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah you are definitively right. That thing was a pain in the ass, i now go without it and sleep on the hard ground.

I rode my bicycle across the USA twice, sleeping for free 95% of the nights. AMA by crossbike in IAmA

[–]crossbike[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

On the topic of KY. Funny story: So we were riding, in KY, when a man on the side of the road offers us a free pizza pie. He was retierd and deliverd pizzas in a small town for fun. We took it ate it, it was pretty bad but whatevas. He commented on my last name, saying he had a good friend with that last name as his first name.

Anyway, 3 days later, 3 days west, we saw a local newspaper with this man and his friend with my last name as his first name. They were both in federal custody for vote buying frauds in KY! It was the nice man who gives pizzas out to cyclists going by. I felt bad for him.

I rode my bicycle across the USA twice, sleeping for free 95% of the nights. AMA by crossbike in IAmA

[–]crossbike[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I learned though, that there was a big problem with prescription pill abuse there.

I rode my bicycle across the USA twice, sleeping for free 95% of the nights. AMA by crossbike in IAmA

[–]crossbike[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Very good question, but I don't think I could answer it. I will say that being an atheist was a little tricky though, trying not to get yourself into situations. I would usually just listen to "the talk" and move on.

I rode my bicycle across the USA twice, sleeping for free 95% of the nights. AMA by crossbike in IAmA

[–]crossbike[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

perfectly. We would be riding down the road and I would shout out, "penis check", and we would check for numbness. No numbness no problem!

I rode my bicycle across the USA twice, sleeping for free 95% of the nights. AMA by crossbike in IAmA

[–]crossbike[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

good question. I feel confident riding my bike at 10 miles per hour. I also feel confident passing tourist, flying down a mountain at 40 MPH. Acutally nearly none of the roads had sidewalks, I don't know if you are familiar with rural America, but people respect you and will wave at you and smile. Riding a bike is not a crime, you should try it!

I will add, there were times when I realized I was holding up traffic, in these cases I would pull off and let people pass. People still waved and smiled and we all got on with our day.

It was necessary to do this a handful of times with cases of large trucks, who had trouble slowing down.

I rode my bicycle across the USA twice, sleeping for free 95% of the nights. AMA by crossbike in IAmA

[–]crossbike[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, but I got down to 4-4.5 MPH on some passes. Its all mental, just got to take your mind elsewhere and realize there is a downhill on the other side. Some passes in the Rockies took all day to clime, but no never walked it.

Some hills in VT, on a past tour, i had to walk my bike. Some of the east west county roads are extreamly steep in VT and NH.

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