I am swinging by AAA in Bangor to procure some paper maps. They don’t do “state by state” anymore, so curious how I’ll piece them together. I’d like a fresh USA/Lower 48 map, and then some blowups of regions.
The TAT (TransAmericaTrail) is in yellow, and very rough, approximate. (I haven’t purchased the routes yet, they aren’t “expensive” just haven’t needed them). It works it’s way west and meanders through some of the BDR routes, the multi-colored routes (as downloaded from the http://www.rideBDR.org site and imported into the Gaia GPS app) with burnt orange indicators (my sloppy work on the iPad, almost time to upgrade that hardware…)
My thinking is to use the TAT as a template to head west (the eastern portion is its own beast) and do vertical trips off of it as I come into the BDR route neighborhood. It’s likely not going to be some smooth loop, as sections are going to be modified (OK is a slog, prolly head down into Texas for some variation/exploration, seek warmer weather?) and side trips will reveal themselves as I discover other routes worth riding, detour for bunking, etc.
Once north and west, do I then streeeetch it up to Alaska? Come back through Canada? Zig-zag and squiggle through the northern US connecting tracks and bunks? Dunno, that’s difference between planning and HAVING a plan. There are BDR routes in Nevada and SoCal, but xeriscape doesn’t float my boat so much, but could. A NorCal route is in development, THAT is gonna be an absolute necessity (and it’ll likely go right by/through my old haunt The Cedars up by Donner Summit in the California Sierras. )
It’s more like I have a goal, and that isn’t a destination as many have. My goal? Ha, you guessed it, ride Ride RIDE.
This spring’s shakedown session in PA proved btwxd’s worth, that I have most of gear necessary, and illustrated what I didn’t, don’t have. It planted the seed, which grows everyday. One branch includes exploring winter work so I have more time to explore, ride in conducive weather.
Will I bite off chunks of the plan? Which ones will Deedles join me on? Will I just heed the devotee calling, close up the cabin, toss normality to wind and just ride?
The paper maps will greatly help me envision and organize things, make notes of bunker hosts, alternate rides and various stops. Wanna see a cool thing, a source of inspiration? Search for “Kiwi Groms” and watch the YouTube videos. What a great couple!!!
DeedleDoodleDaily 