FAQ's-Everything you need to know
In preparing for our trip, we’ve been asked a number of questions that are best summarized below. Some people think we are crazy, some are in awe, and most are just plain inquisitive. The topics mentioned cover about 95% of the questions we’ve been asked. Bike aficionados tend to ask technical questions about equipment and logistics, but most people who have never taken a long distance bike tour just simply wonder what the heck it is we are doing.
How far are you going?
Following the Adventure Cycling East Coast route, we will ride approximately 2500 miles. When off route excursions are added in, the mileage will probably be closer to 3000 miles.
How long will it take?
We’re not sure, but we will start riding the trail on September 2, and our goal is to be sipping umbrella drinks with Mom in Boca Raton Florida by no later than November 15.
How far will you ride each day?
Current plans call for us to average 40 miles a day, or about 240 miles a week. We anticipate that we will take a rest every 5th day, but that will depend on terrain, weather, physical well being, and location. We have no set time line or agenda, other than to have a great experience.
Why the East Coast route?
Matt originally planned to do a solo cross-country trip along the Southern Tier Bike Route from California to Florida. When Mary Ellen decided she wanted to ride as well, she researched the route and figured out that we would be spending 2-3 weeks riding across Texas which had no appeal to her whatsoever. After investigating a number of options, we decided on the East Coast route. It’s our belief that given the time of year (September-November) and the fascinating historical significance of the areas we will be riding through, this will be an outstanding route.
How long have you been planning to do this?
Matt first started talking about a retirement bike trip around 5 years ago. The planning for this one began in early 2004. The decision to ride a tandem bike was made in 2005.
Where will you stay?
We plan to camp as much as possible, but will stay at motels, inns, or hostels depending on location, weather, and how much we want to spoil ourselves. Our guess is that it will be 2/3 camping, and 1/3 lodging.
How often will you take a shower?
Probably every day, but there may be some situations in which a quick sponge bath will have to suffice. Most of the campgrounds in the Eastern U.S. are private, meaning that there have showers and restroom facilities. Those times that we need to camp in a city park or something more primitive…well, we’ll just have to rough it for a day or two.
How much stuff are you taking with you?
As self contained travelers we will have all we need to get by…tent, sleeping bags, cooking equipment, clothing, raingear, toiletries, food, books and journals, camera, and our trusty bike maintenance and repair kit. The total weight of the equipment (not including panniers and trailer) will be around 70 pounds. A more detailed equipment list will be the subject of another blog.
What will you eat?
One of the major perks of touring by bike is that with all the calories being expended, we can eat as much as we want. We will probably be cooking supper at the campground, testing our culinary skills with nutritious, filling, and imaginative meals. We’ll have two burners available, and a small cook kit that will prove challenging, but effective. We intend to stop along the route each day and shop for supper and breakfast. Lunch will be eaten somewhere along the route. We’ve been checking out the convenience sections of health food stores and find that there are a plethora of pre-packaged foods available for our use. We also intend to indulge on local seafood whenever possible, and every once in a while, treat ourselves to a splurge night out. Believe me, we will be well fed!
Are you going with a group or alone?
We will be riding solo and unsupported. Group rides do have benefits, but the freedom and flexibility of doing it on our own far outweigh any drawbacks.
Will you carry a computer/cell phone?
No to the computer, yes to the cell phone. To keep in touch electronically, we will rely on libraries and internet café’s. We’ll be able to access emails and handle finances on line. Mom insists that we have a cell phone, so we are borrowing one from a friend and will use it for messages, emergency communications, and calling ahead for reservations. Hopefully, this blog will serve as the major source of information about our trip.
What will you do if it rains?
There is rain, and then there is RAIN. If it’s just raining, we will don our rain suits and pedal through it. If it is RAINING, we’ll pull over and wait it out, or even call it a day and wait for the storm to clear. Our panniers and BOB bag are waterproof and we are stowing the gear in dry sacks, so the clothing and equipment should be fine. Rain can pose a safety issue, especially in hi-traffic situations, so we will have to play it by ear. The bike is equipped with disc brakes, which work well in wet conditions.
Isn’t it dangerous to ride a bike in traffic?
There are risks with any human endeavor. Accidents can and do occur, and we intend to ride in a reasonable and prudent manner. During our practice rides, we’ve observed that drivers are fully aware of our presence on the road. All the equipment we use is brightly colored with reflective material, and BOB has a safety flag that flaps in the breeze. And, being fully loaded and 11 feet long makes us hard to miss! Mary Ellen uses a rear view mirror to let Matt know what is going on behind, while Matt is focused on the road and all oncoming traffic. The Adventure Cycling route is chosen to use rural, secondary roads. In most instances, we will be skirting around urban areas. When we need to go through a town, the route map indicates low traffic, safe routes. We will need to take great care at bridge crossings or whenever we are on a road with no shoulder. However, for 90%+ of the time, this will not be an issue.
How are you getting your bike to Maine?
We are shipping the tandem from our local bike shop on August 16 to the Bar Harbor bike shop by Fed Ex ground. We have tight air connections and were not comfortable checking the bike in as baggage. Shipping is safer, cheaper, and less bothersome. Bar Harbor Bike will assemble Olga, and we’ll be ready to ride the day after we arrive.
How will you get back home to Montana?
At this point, we’re not sure. We will be selling our car before we leave, and plan on either buying a newer vehicle in Florida and driving it back, or just flying home. We’re using frequent flyer miles to jet to Maine, and we do have reservations for a return flight home from Florida. We’ll have plenty of time to talk about this on the journey.
How much will it cost?
We are budgeting an average of $75/day for the trip, or about $5,000 in total. Some days will cost more, but most days will definitely be cheaper. Private campgrounds charge on average $25-$30, and food will run $15-$30. There are definitely ways to spend more (and less) on this type of journey, but we feel that this is a comfortable and reasonable expectation.
What’s it like riding a tandem?
We think the tandem is a hoot! Olga is very stable, and with her long wheel base, gives a comfortable ride. The gearing is forgiving, and so far we’ve been able to conquer every mountain or hill we’ve encountered. Tandem riders need to work together as a team. The person in front (the captain) is responsible for making sure that everyone is happy and safe. The stoker (person in the rear) needs to concentrate on smiling, having a good time, pedaling, and not try and steer the bike. There are two basic laws we’ve learned about riding a tandem:
1) “The stoker is always right”. The captain needs to understand that they are like a chauffer or airline pilot; taking care of the comfort and well being of the passenger.
2) “Wherever your relationship is going, it gets there faster on a tandem”. Couples that communicate, get along, and work well together have a ball on a tandem. If one person tries to impose their will over the other, things grind to a screeching halt.
Why would anybody do something like this?
This one is tough to answer because it is so obvious to us. Bike travel is liberating, exhilarating, and one of life’s greatest experiences. In a world in which we speed to and fro in air conditioned compartments, bikes are a throwback to another era, allowing you to see and interact with the world at much slower, personal pace. You meet wonderful people, and see amazing things along the trail. You become a keen observer of the world around you, and have a chance to appreciate the uniqueness of small towns and the rural countryside. Your senses become reinvigorated with sights, sounds, smells, tastes of things you didn't even know existed. The bicycle is a magic carpet that takes you to the places in your dreams, and you don’t need a genie…just your own imagine, desire, and determination.
How far are you going?
Following the Adventure Cycling East Coast route, we will ride approximately 2500 miles. When off route excursions are added in, the mileage will probably be closer to 3000 miles.
How long will it take?
We’re not sure, but we will start riding the trail on September 2, and our goal is to be sipping umbrella drinks with Mom in Boca Raton Florida by no later than November 15.
How far will you ride each day?
Current plans call for us to average 40 miles a day, or about 240 miles a week. We anticipate that we will take a rest every 5th day, but that will depend on terrain, weather, physical well being, and location. We have no set time line or agenda, other than to have a great experience.
Why the East Coast route?
Matt originally planned to do a solo cross-country trip along the Southern Tier Bike Route from California to Florida. When Mary Ellen decided she wanted to ride as well, she researched the route and figured out that we would be spending 2-3 weeks riding across Texas which had no appeal to her whatsoever. After investigating a number of options, we decided on the East Coast route. It’s our belief that given the time of year (September-November) and the fascinating historical significance of the areas we will be riding through, this will be an outstanding route.
How long have you been planning to do this?
Matt first started talking about a retirement bike trip around 5 years ago. The planning for this one began in early 2004. The decision to ride a tandem bike was made in 2005.
Where will you stay?
We plan to camp as much as possible, but will stay at motels, inns, or hostels depending on location, weather, and how much we want to spoil ourselves. Our guess is that it will be 2/3 camping, and 1/3 lodging.
How often will you take a shower?
Probably every day, but there may be some situations in which a quick sponge bath will have to suffice. Most of the campgrounds in the Eastern U.S. are private, meaning that there have showers and restroom facilities. Those times that we need to camp in a city park or something more primitive…well, we’ll just have to rough it for a day or two.
How much stuff are you taking with you?
As self contained travelers we will have all we need to get by…tent, sleeping bags, cooking equipment, clothing, raingear, toiletries, food, books and journals, camera, and our trusty bike maintenance and repair kit. The total weight of the equipment (not including panniers and trailer) will be around 70 pounds. A more detailed equipment list will be the subject of another blog.
What will you eat?
One of the major perks of touring by bike is that with all the calories being expended, we can eat as much as we want. We will probably be cooking supper at the campground, testing our culinary skills with nutritious, filling, and imaginative meals. We’ll have two burners available, and a small cook kit that will prove challenging, but effective. We intend to stop along the route each day and shop for supper and breakfast. Lunch will be eaten somewhere along the route. We’ve been checking out the convenience sections of health food stores and find that there are a plethora of pre-packaged foods available for our use. We also intend to indulge on local seafood whenever possible, and every once in a while, treat ourselves to a splurge night out. Believe me, we will be well fed!
Are you going with a group or alone?
We will be riding solo and unsupported. Group rides do have benefits, but the freedom and flexibility of doing it on our own far outweigh any drawbacks.
Will you carry a computer/cell phone?
No to the computer, yes to the cell phone. To keep in touch electronically, we will rely on libraries and internet café’s. We’ll be able to access emails and handle finances on line. Mom insists that we have a cell phone, so we are borrowing one from a friend and will use it for messages, emergency communications, and calling ahead for reservations. Hopefully, this blog will serve as the major source of information about our trip.
What will you do if it rains?
There is rain, and then there is RAIN. If it’s just raining, we will don our rain suits and pedal through it. If it is RAINING, we’ll pull over and wait it out, or even call it a day and wait for the storm to clear. Our panniers and BOB bag are waterproof and we are stowing the gear in dry sacks, so the clothing and equipment should be fine. Rain can pose a safety issue, especially in hi-traffic situations, so we will have to play it by ear. The bike is equipped with disc brakes, which work well in wet conditions.
Isn’t it dangerous to ride a bike in traffic?
There are risks with any human endeavor. Accidents can and do occur, and we intend to ride in a reasonable and prudent manner. During our practice rides, we’ve observed that drivers are fully aware of our presence on the road. All the equipment we use is brightly colored with reflective material, and BOB has a safety flag that flaps in the breeze. And, being fully loaded and 11 feet long makes us hard to miss! Mary Ellen uses a rear view mirror to let Matt know what is going on behind, while Matt is focused on the road and all oncoming traffic. The Adventure Cycling route is chosen to use rural, secondary roads. In most instances, we will be skirting around urban areas. When we need to go through a town, the route map indicates low traffic, safe routes. We will need to take great care at bridge crossings or whenever we are on a road with no shoulder. However, for 90%+ of the time, this will not be an issue.
How are you getting your bike to Maine?
We are shipping the tandem from our local bike shop on August 16 to the Bar Harbor bike shop by Fed Ex ground. We have tight air connections and were not comfortable checking the bike in as baggage. Shipping is safer, cheaper, and less bothersome. Bar Harbor Bike will assemble Olga, and we’ll be ready to ride the day after we arrive.
How will you get back home to Montana?
At this point, we’re not sure. We will be selling our car before we leave, and plan on either buying a newer vehicle in Florida and driving it back, or just flying home. We’re using frequent flyer miles to jet to Maine, and we do have reservations for a return flight home from Florida. We’ll have plenty of time to talk about this on the journey.
How much will it cost?
We are budgeting an average of $75/day for the trip, or about $5,000 in total. Some days will cost more, but most days will definitely be cheaper. Private campgrounds charge on average $25-$30, and food will run $15-$30. There are definitely ways to spend more (and less) on this type of journey, but we feel that this is a comfortable and reasonable expectation.
What’s it like riding a tandem?
We think the tandem is a hoot! Olga is very stable, and with her long wheel base, gives a comfortable ride. The gearing is forgiving, and so far we’ve been able to conquer every mountain or hill we’ve encountered. Tandem riders need to work together as a team. The person in front (the captain) is responsible for making sure that everyone is happy and safe. The stoker (person in the rear) needs to concentrate on smiling, having a good time, pedaling, and not try and steer the bike. There are two basic laws we’ve learned about riding a tandem:
1) “The stoker is always right”. The captain needs to understand that they are like a chauffer or airline pilot; taking care of the comfort and well being of the passenger.
2) “Wherever your relationship is going, it gets there faster on a tandem”. Couples that communicate, get along, and work well together have a ball on a tandem. If one person tries to impose their will over the other, things grind to a screeching halt.
Why would anybody do something like this?
This one is tough to answer because it is so obvious to us. Bike travel is liberating, exhilarating, and one of life’s greatest experiences. In a world in which we speed to and fro in air conditioned compartments, bikes are a throwback to another era, allowing you to see and interact with the world at much slower, personal pace. You meet wonderful people, and see amazing things along the trail. You become a keen observer of the world around you, and have a chance to appreciate the uniqueness of small towns and the rural countryside. Your senses become reinvigorated with sights, sounds, smells, tastes of things you didn't even know existed. The bicycle is a magic carpet that takes you to the places in your dreams, and you don’t need a genie…just your own imagine, desire, and determination.
posted by Matt and Mary Ellen | 4:51 PM
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