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"car-free adventure"
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RAAOSTNPOD
Ride Across America One State at a Time in No particular Order or Direction
Ride Across Kentucky-Virginia Planning
Bicycle tour planning 101 – Planning Task 3: “the daily ridding distance ”
The distance we are required to ride each day is “very” important. On some of our trips we bicycle without van support carrying everything on the bike with no easy escape from a problem on the road. Once the daily mileage is known the quest for a place to stay each night begins which often changes the daily riding distance. If a place to stay and van support is not available the riding distance for a particular day can become a “century ride.” We attempt to avoid this in planning.
The daily riding distance: I am in the process of plotting the route across Kentucky and Virginia and familiarizing myself with the information about the available support along the route using the information provided by the Adventure Cycling Maps. The process is to list the town names and distances between using the maps. The distances between towns are then arbitrarily divided into the preferred distances for a “riding day” between 55 and 75 miles. The towns located in the 20 mile range are the possible “daily destination towns.” This becomes the “daily destination town zone.” I look in the 20 mile zone “first” to locate a place to stay.
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Bicycle tour planning 101 – Planning Task 2: “the route”
After selecting where we want to ride, the next step is to pick the path. When we began to tour on a bike I used an area map and simply selected a route, but my route selection process has evolved. For example a lot of folks are bicycling now and I can have a conversation with them on the web to get an immediate understanding about the route I have selected.
The route: We purchased the Adventure Cycling maps for Route 50 to guide us across California, Nevada and Utah. After looking at various sites on the web discussing Kentucky cycling routes and my memory of the narrow roads in Bullitt County Kentucky where I grew up I decided to start the route selection process using the Adventure Cycling’s route choice across Kentucky and Virginia. The advantage of using the Adventure Cycling map is that I am confident the maps and the accompanying discussions represent actual experience of cyclist on the route. They are my eyes on the road which; (1) tells me the route can be bicycled, and (2) reduces the number of surprises that I may find on the road to an acceptable level. Route selection is an iterative process and the current route may have to be modified or abandoned and another route selected to support “our method” of bicycle touring.
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Bicycle tour planning 101 – Planning Task 1: “the idea”
The only consideration about where to ride should be “I want to visit that area of the planet.” All other considerations are reserved for planning. The difficulties of a ride will be revealed in the planning and solutions or alternatives found. Sometimes the impossible can be overcome with a little cleverness in the planning.
The idea: The "RAAOSTNPOD" initiated our state ride adventures. The selection of Kentucky as one of the states was driven by the fact I was born and raised in Kentucky. The selection of Virginia to complete our trek to the Atlantic was made after a “convincing” conversation with one of my wife’s colleagues, a cyclist, from Virginia. Now comes the difficult part. How to pull this off. What is the plan?
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RAAOSTNPOD - Ride Across America One State at a Time in No particular Order or Direction
My son Jack and I rode together in France in 2000. After our return he became an “ultra-cyclist.” He had introduced the "old man" to the world of bicycling and it was time to move on to "Lance's world." He competed, and finished, as a team member in the Race Across America (RAAM) in 2003 and again in 2005. My wife and I agreed to crew for the 2005 race.
We passed through an expanse of very beautiful country at 15 miles an hour which matched or exceeded anything we had seen in Europe. My wife and I began to discuss the possibility of doing the RAAM. We would put together an 8 person team to allow us to sleep along the way. Our experience organizing bicycle rides in Europe had demonstrated the difficulty getting 8 like minded cyclists to join us.
We scrapped the RAAM idea but we still wanted to ride through the US from the Pacific to the Atlantic. It was the perfect excuse to bicycle. We decided we would bicycle across the US crossing one or more states each year.
On our first state ride, California, we decided to ride from Carson City, Nevada to San Francisco so we changed the rules to “no particular direction.” Then we rode in RAGBRAI (the bicycle ride across Iowa) so we added “in no particular order.” We decided not to worry about the States being contiguous just as long as we covered the complete distance from Pacific to Atlantic. The logo for our RAAM became RAAOSTNPOD; "Ride Across America One State at a Time in No Particular Order or Direction."
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For more on our bike trip to NEW ZEALAND go to "Touring Stories Webpage" and click on "New Zealand by Bike"
CYCLING IN NEW ZEALAND – On the highway
New Zealand created a road system to allow automobiles to travel on paved roads to reach “most areas” of the country. During this infrastructure improvement the construction included only what was absolutely necessary to support the local population and the transport of goods and services in the country. Bicycle considerations were not part of the plan. The same happened in the states but we have been at it a few more years and the roads have evolved a bit more to make them bicycle friendly. This evolution is still in its infancy in New Zealand.
The roads are narrow and most do not have “any” shoulder. I would estimate 40% of turns do not have a shoulder and typically in undulating terrain on blind corners the shoulder is missing altogether. In most places the edge of the road enters immediately into a ditch, soft sand or is rough. The edge of the road cannot be expected to support a bike. I would ride in New Zealand assuming that when I need the shoulder it will not be available and be prepared if a car appears.
Seventy-five percent of the bridges in the countryside are single lane. Our tour guide told us “to ride in the middle of the bridge when we crossed.” Do not give the motorist the idea that the car can squeeze by the bike on the bridge. I am sure this is experience talking.
New Zealand is “cowboy country.” The New Zealand motorists are not friendly to cyclist. The roads are narrow and bikes are in the way. Cars do not move half-way across the center line to pass even when they can see that the road is clear some distance ahead. Typically the cars only move to the center line and the narrow road leaves about 6 feet for cars and 3 feet for trucks to pass a bicycle on the edge of the road. This is an uncomfortable distance.
But New Zealand is a beautiful place to bicycle. The country has paved roads to most of the areas I want to see. I talked with a bike shop owner who told me the government and the New Zealand cyclist were discussing what could be done and many bike routes have been proposed and they were being funded. New Zealand is worth seeing by bike. Just be careful.
Jim bicyclist
"carfreeadventure.com"
CYCLING IN NEW ZEALAND – In the city
Motorists are not bike friendly in the cities. The streets are simply too narrow for the inclusion of a bike lane or a bike on the edge of the street in the cities. Traffic can be heavy and a motorist is quickly frustrated by the speed and interference of the bike along the edge of the street.
Bike lanes exist along the shoulder of a few city streets but they are rare and cannot be depended upon. The width of the lane varies greatly and changes often. It disappears suddenly on some streets. The bike lane stops and becomes the car turn lane at an intersection. The cyclist is expected to continue along the white line which marks the street side of the turn lane at the light.
Most bridges in the city are narrow but they are two lane. Or, at least all the bridges that I bicycled across had two lanes. There is no bike lane because the lanes on the bridge are only wide enough for one car. The bridges have “no” shoulder. Cyclist and automobiles are expected to compete for the road.
In Rotorua we asked a cyclist leaving the Kiwi habitat about the proper procedure to use to cross a bridge. She was going our way and said “follow me.” The habitat was on the outskirts of Rotorua and a bike path was provided to the bridge where it disappeared. Riding behind the NZ native on her bike she moved to the center of the lane as we approached the bridge and crossed. I assumed from her behavior that a cyclist is expected to seize control of the road when it is too narrow for both car and bike. Note that the traffic was not heavy when we approached and took control of our lane on the bridge. In heavy traffic this would be more interesting.
I saw no “one lane” streets in the cities. Crosswalks could be half a mile apart. The option of “J” walking across a busy street with my bike was frustrating. “J” walking with my bike across a street that was not busy was interesting.
The parking concept selected in most cities reduces the street width that could support a bike lane. Parking on most streets is perpendicular to the street. The driver cannot see the street from a parked car in the driver’s seat. When backing out of a parking spot the left hand side of the road is consumed before a driver can see a bike on the street. If the bike is close to the exit parking spot it can be a bit dicey. On streets that did have parallel parking the street was too narrow to include a bike lane.
Christchurch was the only city where I saw a number of cyclists on the streets. I saw few cyclists in other places we stayed. A few is defined as 0 or 1. In Christchurch we saw 10 on the hill we climbed to view the city from the afternoon we arrived. The next day 5 more cyclist were counted along the street driving to the airport.
Jim bicyclist
"carfreeadventure.com"
INTERNET ACCESS – Don’t leave home with out it
My plan was to post on my blog at the end of each day during the ride in New Zealand. I failed for two reasons, time and cost. When we arrived in Auckland I assumed the hotel would provide wireless internet access as has been our experience on other bicycle trips. At the very least I assumed the cost would be $3 for the evening which was the cost in Vietnam and in most places where we stayed internet access was provided free by the hotel. I assumed New Zealand would be a step ahead of Vietnam.
The purchase of internet access was acerbated by the schedule of the tour days. We were busy. Our mornings and evenings were consumed. Expensive 1 hour or 2 hour internet purchases had to be worked into that schedule and finding two hours out of a daily charge for internet success did not meet my frugal disposition. We punted.
I still need to earn my “blog merit badge” so I plan to post the “journal days” on my website and write a blog note about various facets of the New Zealand adventure in the coming weeks.
Jim bicyclist
"carfreeadventure.com"
QANTAS AIRLINES – The flight to Auckland
The flight to New Zealand was all about Qantas Airlines. I had not flown on Qantas before, the airlines are struggling and I assumed we would be on the Greyhound bus to New Zealand. I was pleasantly surprised.
The goodness began when we discovered that Qantas was quartered in the terminal adjacent to the Bradley International terminal at LAX. Finding your flight in the Bradley Terminal is equivalent to boarding a flight from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. It’s a zoo!
Next door, we went directly to the counter, everything went smoothly and when we went to x-ray we were alone. Our good experience ended at the waiting room where we sat on the floor because the flight was full, a 747. But I thought what the hell I am gong to New Zealand for a bicycle adventure!
When the flight was called I thought now it begins but we walked quickly onto the plane, the isles were not filled with people and to my amazement the overhead bins were empty!
My wife had reserved one of the two person seats with window near the rear of the 747. The legroom and no bags under the seat in front of me allowed me to stretch my legs out. We took off, I put my noise canceling head phones on and 8 hours later I woke up to breakfast.
The food was good, there was plenty of it and they handed out all of these freebies like a kit with sleep masks, warm socks, tooth brush and paste. Dinner was served before I crashed and the wine was free! There was a bag of goodies and water to take with us as we exited the plane. The service was “cheerful” and expert. Qantas turned a boring tedious 11 hour flight into a very pleasant experience. It was a good way to start our trip.
Jim bicyclist
"carfreeadventure.com"
HOTELS – Living in the old West!
“Lessons Learned” early in our bicycling adventures taught us to find a relaxing place in the “start town” to recover from a long airplane flight. In fact we plan at least one day on the way in and one day on the way home. It eliminates or reduces the fatigue that can reduce the enjoyment of a bicycle adventure. It is worth the added cost.
Our tour service booked our hotels for the bicycle ride. We could not find our hotel of choice in Auckland so we acquiesced to the tour service. The hotel room in Auckland was disappointing. We had reserved the “deluxe room” and it was less than basic. We asked for a change and they told us all they had was the regular. We looked at it, it was very small but we took it.
On the road my routine is to get up early in the morning, slip out of the room with my computer and consume “free” coffee in the lobby. The hotel offered breakfast at a price and no complimentary coffee in the lobby. Breakfast was a buffet, good selection but cold. Internet service was expensive. But I came to New Zealand to see the country not to visit a hotel in Auckland. We spent our days on the streets of Auckland.
The places we stayed in on the road were equal to or better than those we stay in when on the road in the States. The big difference is they do not provide “any” creature comforts free. No free breakfast. Most do not have restaurants. No free internet and the purchased internet service may be poor. Hotel transportation is non existent. They do not have elevators. Luggage has to be drug up the stairs to the room. TV is limited. In short do not expect anything more than a shower and a bed.
One of the most interesting aspects of our stay was that we washed our own dishes. All of the hotels we stayed in have kitchenettes. I would make instant coffee (this is not coffee to me) soiling a few dishes in the morning. I did not wash them until in one hotel a sign indicated we would be charged if dirty dishes were found! We washed them but how well? What about the people who washed my coffee cup? This was a bit scary because of the S1N1 flu and New Zealand had been hit hard by the flu!
The initial hotel experience in Auckland was the first indicator that New Zealand is still “cowboy” country. The attitude is much like the old west in the US when the philosophy is “God helps those who help themselves!”
“Lessons Learned” don’t trust the tour service to find a place where I want to stay because they are on a budget. Email the hotel and find out what they offer. If the hotel email indicates nothing is provided look around to see if I can afford a hotel that offers a “morning” cup of coffee.
Jim bicyclist
"carfreeadventure.com"
LUGGAGE – Lessons Learned, bag it!
Luggage was a problem. The NZ Tour Agency allowed one suitcase. The suitcase I selected had a handle and rollers so I could get through the airport easily. I also choose a suitcase that provided one, “large” area for clothes.
Typically we stayed one night in each hotel. After a days ride we showered and dressed for dinner. After dinner we dressed for bed. The next morning I dressed in bike clothes and the “evening” clothes were returned to the suitcase. The task became how to organize the suitcase to allow clothes needed to support each day's activities to be found without unloading and loading the suitcase each day!
I decided to use nylon string tie bags of various sizes to pack my suitcase. I already used a three compartment, zipper bag to organize my electronics (camera charger, 115 to 220 converter, computer power cord, mouse, USB port, etc.). I had a black bag for my toilet kit.
I located a nylon bag large enough for my bike shirts, bike pants, long johns, rain pants, windbreaker, etc. I had a second “net” bag which I used for smaller bike gear; socks, leg warmers, arm warmers, wristbands, sweatband, sunscreen, Chamois Butter, etc. which I put inside the larger “bike clothes” bag. The net bag was easy to see into and, easy to see or feel in the larger bag. Once I developed the discipline to return everything I did not use back into the bike bags when I dressed for the cycling day each morning the arrangement was flawless.
I did not have bags large enough to separate my “dinner out” clothes from my PJs and I decided not to buy them until I had tested the idea. I packed my “dinner out” clothes along the bottom of the suitcase moving those being used to the top until they needed to be washed. The dirty items were rotated into a plastic laundry bag which I picked up from the first hotel in Auckland.
I packed my PJs on top each morning and removed them first each night to prevent any sleep deprivation. My shoes lived in plastic bags at the bottom of the suitcase were they were easily recognized my sight or feel.
The “bag separation idea” worked very well. It was easy to locate what was needed at night and organize the suitcase each morning. I plan to purchase nylon bags of various sizes for every “packing” category including laundry to support future trips.
Jim bicyclist
"carfreeadventure.com"
"car free adventure"