Title: 
Planning A Cross Country Bike Trip

Word Count:
546

Summary:
One of the worst things to do when planning a cross-country bike trip is to plan a long trip. Instead, think of each day as a single one-day trip. The metal stress of thinking of crossing the east, prairies, desert, and Rockies, is enough to make the trip seem impossible.

Just plan one rest stop to the next, one day at a time, conquer each state individually. That's the mind game behind the trip
Many bicycle fans dream of a cross-country trip, but few do it. The biggest r...


Keywords:
cross country, trip, bike, America


Article Body:
One of the worst things to do when planning a cross-country bike trip is to plan a long trip. Instead, think of each day as a single one-day trip. The metal stress of thinking of crossing the east, prairies, desert, and Rockies, is enough to make the trip seem impossible.

Just plan one rest stop to the next, one day at a time, conquer each state individually. That's the mind game behind the trip
Many bicycle fans dream of a cross-country trip, but few do it. The biggest roadblock is the time commitment needed. A physically fit, experienced bicyclist requires almost three months.

The best way to overcome this is to take time off college or work and do the entire trip in one try. The second way is to break the trip into several segments.

While purists may consider the second way as a cheat, not really a cross country road trip, each individual needs to ask themselves whether they want to prove they have the endurance make the entire trip in one shot, or to see the country from the seat of a bike.

Cost

Even if you rough it, the trip will cost $4,000 to $5,000, more if you hope to spend most nights in a motel.

Don't skimp on the bicycle. Expect to pay $1,200 or more for a genuine touring model. Take the time to read issues of Bicycle magazines and web blogs, so you can see what problems others faced. One example, might be stopping at a good bike shop as the terrain changes for a new set of tires.

Fitness

A cross country trip does not need an Olympic athlete. To cross the country in 3 months requires riding 50 miles a single day, every day. You will need to train before the trip. It will take a few days riding with your equipment on the bike to prepare your muscles.

It is also important to start out slow. You might be pumped enough to do 50 miles a day for the first few days, but you risk pulling a muscle and ruining the whole trip. Start out slow, prepare to take a slow day when needed, and listen to your body.

Fear

The media has made it impossible to imagine a road trip without running into danger. As the trip draws near you’ll imagine everything from gangsters in the city, to drunk drivers, to mountain lions lurking on a ridge.

Most roads are quiet, but shoulders were often non-existent. It is important to remain alert and cautious. Never assume that drivers in every section of the country will be accustomed to sharing the road with bikers.

Route planning requires research. This is where reading blogs and information from people who have taken the trip comes in handy. You can learn which roads are good to follow, which have ‘unforseen’ problems. A map may show a road, but it won’t tell you if there is no shoulder at the side, or if there is too much traffic.

The TransAmerica Trail is a safe bet. The drivers are use to driving with bikers.

The time of year can also change the ‘best route’. It is a good idea to track the weather.

For more help visit journals of long-distance cyclists at http://turkiyespot.com/crazyguyonabike.com</a>