Bikepacking Across America -- Planning My Route (with lots of tips & links)

[@robertwinot3892]

Adventure Cycling Association's TransAm route is so iconic. The organization does all the planning for you on their maps, water, camping points of interest. I found it to be an excellent way to ride cross country. Small town America welcomes cyclist along the entire route. Traffic was almost never an issue.

[@gerwinboschloo4856]

I agree.... the Adventure Cycling Association maps takes you over routes with low traffic. Do not be scared on cycling on the Interstate 80. The shoulder is huge and much saver than other parts of the route. For instance the Ozarks are much more dangerous than this Interstate section. From the coast to Eugene, follow the adventure cycling maps. If you come from Florence, there is no tunnel and nice bike paths. Do not underestimate the power of the Adventure Cycling Association maps.

[@IS-xk3iq]

Thanks to this video, I now know how to navigate Ride with GPS. Thank you.

[@stevewiersma9425]

As I comment here, you may already be into the first week of your tour. I hope you have a great time. It’s pretty easy to become addicted to bike travel and to vlogs about it. I’ll be on the C&O, GAP, and the O2E in August, but likely the timing won’t permit our meeting in person. Too bad. The best part about touring is connecting with people-especially other touring cyclists. Happy trails!

[@marktgreene]

Hi Steve, thanks for the comments and best wishes. Yep this is day three, and it has already been quite an adventure. I'm glad to have the truck traffic on Oregon's 126 behind me, and really looking forward to heading into the mountains.

[@FollowThomas]

I remember that gas stations always had maps I always bought them when on the road trips. Now it's so easy to navigate. If I would do the similar across country ride I would choose the northern route too. Great planning video. Good luck I subbed 😊

[@CrustyRusty38]

Mark, this is excellent advice. Thank you for sharing.

[@marktgreene]

Thanks!

[@raymarks7430]

Found your channel today… sounds like a wonderful trip. Will subscribe and watch your progress

[@BarrySchnoor]

This is helpful. I'm hoping to ride from Oregon to Omaha in the future. Just weeks ago, I rode from Iowa to the GAP. Just gotta say that my route across Illinois was ALL on trails. Hennepin Canal to Peru, Illinois and Michigan Canal to Joliet, and Old Plank Road Trail all the way to the Indiana border. Aside from some of the Hennepin closed due to flooding, it was riding bliss! Flat, tree-lined, traffic-free...

[@marktgreene]

That is really great to know. I did not think it was possible. Now I may do Illinois!

[@bendeblok4948]

Thanksssss Mark 👏👏👏👏

[@justineagan2238]

Do you have any thoughts on the best bike for this kind of journey? I am thinking of getting a Trek 520 for my cross country.

[@marktgreene]

I really don't. When I built my tour bike two years ago, there were several steel frames that I believe would have worked (e.g., by Salsa, Surly). I was much more concerned with my components (as detailed in my Building the Bike videos) than with which among the acceptible frames to choose.

[@rderize7449]

Hello Mark, you asked about the route from Florence, OR to Eugene, OR. I rode this route in July 2021. The route (Oregon 126) from Florence to Mapleton (about 15 miles) has a wide shoulder. Traffic was moderate. At Mapleton I do not recommend continuing on OR 126. The traffic becomes moderate to heavy with fast speeds. And, you do not want to go through that tunnel. The alternate route I took, and recommend, is at Mapleton turn left onto Oregon 36. This will take you up to Triangle Lake on a two lane country road. Traffic was light to moderate. Continue east on OR36 until Lawrence Road where I turned right and continued to Eugene. Happy Trails!

[@marktgreene]

Thanks very much for the ideas. It’s always great to hear from someone who has been there, done that!

[@markmoffett6813]

Nice , looking forward to watching these videos Mark from Maryland

[@marktgreene]

Thanks Mark! I hope to see you when I am cruising through your neck of the woods.

[@rex758]

Thank you for this video, and great links, resources. enjoy your trip, wish you well.

[@robmartin1792]

ponderosa cyclery in omaha! safe travels. this is going to be amazing!!! Best of Luck!!

[@marktgreene]

Good to know. Thanks.

[@NancyMyrland]

I love this, Mark!

[@Jeff.Slavich]

I've enjoyed the first two. sub

[@russello7311]

How do U deal w/bears? In Michigan we have more or less 3600 miles of R-to-T.

[@marktgreene]

When in bear country, overnight hang all "smellables" in a bear bag (see my post about camping equipment). Never take any "smellables" into the tent. In grizzly country, keep bear spray close at hand.

[@duanedes1gn]

Great video. Very informative.

[@marktgreene]

@@duanedes1gn thanks!

[@dondonner1095]

As far as animated maps you might ask Roland whose site Roland and Julianna bicycle tourists makes wonderful maps of their travels. I bet he would help you with it.

[@marktgreene]

He immediately answered! Thanks again for the tip.

[@dondonner1095]

My tip is while in South Dakota do the Mickelson trail. visit Mt. Rushmore and surely the Crazy Horse monument. A must do in my opinion.

[@marktgreene]

I'm planning to briefly cross the border for a day just to see "wounded knee," but I don't think I'll have time to really do South Dakota.

[@matthewsponseller]

I would suggest for east of Bend Oregon check the following resources; Oregon Scenic Bikeways and Travel Oregon/cycling. Oregon has some great resources for bike travel in many areas of the state, including the more rural parts (eastern Oregon isn’t quite a desolate desert). Hope you find some useful information… Matthew

[@marktgreene]

Thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunately those were among the first resources that led me to conclude that the recommended routes in Oregon are confined to the coast, around the cities and a few other loops. Darn. www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS851US851&sxsrf=APwXEdeDnZ7SoibQZFGaXPb9iSqnyrHKbg:1684921616493&q=oregon+scenic+bikeways+map&tbm=isch&source=univ&fir=PFt3kaWxnMhzsM%252CAB2X5-_g6DKRKM%252C_%253BnLne4sJpjVAMYM%252CpJeKp0fMzFCkrM%252C_%253Bx-RGnr34_SLAoM%252CgFbziRq-5L2M3M%252C_%253BmAEfJ4Hxewx82M%252CD6UJ8Ol-9LcanM%252C_%253Bzred-hEvEANTYM%252Cna3RKC5nJIdHZM%252C_%253BHs2_UM6rmVH3ZM%252C0IztEYVZnf4kOM%252C_%253BmXm8ZqDH_nR6rM%252CtIyEBVmuLANEJM%252C_%253BJP_F5y_bBBjL2M%252CfjzE07jxO5Q4iM%252C_%253BrhFOzNa_BWIyAM%252CmaoaTtmGfB8nfM%252C_%253BQMDkZE83tmRc9M%252CugNNeEKcYknWrM%252C_&usg=AI4_-kQ7-BnMP_zZo6-YV4wMKIkglsI7iA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjPm7OT1o3_AhUHroQIHWUCCHEQjJkEegQITBAC&biw=1536&bih=714&dpr=1.25#imgrc=mAEfJ4Hxewx82M

[@JonathanDavis-n4n]

I am planning TransAm, East to West, April 2025, using ACA routes. I was originally going to do the classic trans-am, but instead opted to link some of ACA's other routes together due to (1) - I live in NY, so like the ability to leave from NYC, (2) flatter, my route is 140k of elevation vs 216k for classic TransAm, (3) avoids VA, the hardest state on classic TransAm, (4) avoids Kentucky = Dogs!. This route also allows me to leave early (end of April); If going West to East, I would need to leave later (End of May/Early June), to allow the CO mtn passes to melt and clear. So here is how I linked together the ACA routes - (numbers are reversed, as I am travelling East to West, route names are ACA segments, lead number is the order I will be riding) - 1-Chicago-NYC Alt2, 2-Chicago-NYC Alt1, 3-Chicago-NYC3, 4-Chicago-NYC2, 5-Eastern Express 2, 6-Eastern Express1, 7-TransAmerica (TA)6, 8-TA5, 9-TA4, 10-TA3, 11-TA2, 12-TA1. So I am basically linking together, Chicago-NYC to Eastern Express, to TransAm. Will pickup TransAm in Walden CO. Chicago - NYC a bit of a misnomer, as I never head north to Chicago, but go through Indianapolis to link to the Eastern Express route. Here is the completed route, linking together all the segments referenced above. ridewithgps.com/routes/48922055. Appreciate any thoughts or comments. JD

[@marktgreene]

Your reasons for going East-to-West certainly make sense, but I am so glad I went West-to-East; once past the rockies, on average, it's downhill, and I loved the tailwinds.

[@felipebesares4908]

Love this guy

[@raymarks7430]

Btw when in Florence OR def stop into the small museum and watch the video on the exploding whale, worth the trip -)

[@bobfox1544]

Thanks great info. Very helpful. I'm wondering if you have shared your route on Ride w GPS? How would I be able to find it?

[@erikl.1860]

Interesting video. The coast to coast is also on my bucket list. I would be interested in your actual route. Can I find your gpx file somewhere? Thanks. Erik (Belgium)

[@marktgreene]

I'm sorry, but I did not do "gpx." Everything was on Ride with GPS. Have a great trip!!

[@CTB2580]

Are you using the Wabash trail out of Council Bluffs?

[@marktgreene]

Nope. I'm not familiar with that one.

[@mediumrick7667]

Thank you for the overview. By chance do you have a copy of the route you actually took? My wife and I are planning to tour from Kansas City to DC in 2024. Starting with the KATY and ending with the GAP/C&O. But we need to connect some of the dots in between. Like you, we prefer quieter side roads and gravel tracks/rail trails. Any favorites or tips for that section would be welcomed.

[@GregoryMontcalm]

Your presentation is very exciting. Would love to do this ride. Would you be able to provide the route in Ride with GPS?

[@marktgreene]

ridewithgps.com/routes/41561126

[@move_grow_move]

@@marktgreeneI checked w/ Rwgps, it appears that the route has been deleted. Do you have a replacement you’re willing to share? Much thanks Bob !

[@Cristasphoto]

They have portable camping showers "bags"...

[@marktgreene]

I have used those camping before, but when possible I'd prefer to find a waterfall, lake or river. 😀

[@rachelannkrueger7638]

Im doing my first bike tour from WI to CA June of 2024. I also got recent maps from each state. I went online for each state I'm going through order a state map and if they had bike state map I ordered that too. I komoot to export the rout to Google map.

[@dondonner1095]

May I ask where you got that table sized map on your table?

[@marktgreene]

Maps International Giant Classic... www.amazon.com/dp/B08GG8Q6D3?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

[@Downsdddgh]

I remember the gas station maps.

[@dondonner1095]

I would and have seen videos of people getting rides through the tunnel in the back of a pickup truck.

[@marktgreene]

That’s a very good fallback, but I have found a small road that seems to bypass the tunnel, going over it twice. (I wish I could attach an image of the map to this reply.)

[@P13586]

Climate change, NPR, Wounded Knee - too political for me.

[@wilsonthomasgreenleaf7743]

Pfft!

[@robfigulski1139]

Sigh...... One day I'll find a bike touring video that doesn't get all political... How original... Enjoy your NPR beoadcasts... 🙄

[@marktgreene]

Political??

[@robfigulski1139]

@marktgreene Yes... Did I spell it wrong? Anyway... Instead of backtracking, after Yellowstone head towards The Black Hills and then take the Mickelson Trail down towards the Cowboy Trail in Nebraska....

[@vaughnmedford5147]

Wow so now NPR is political? Not very smart are you?

[@Cass-lv1on]

Climate change made your hair fall out

[@freedomwon2004]

Great video. Extremely useful information. I'm watching all your videos. Trying to catch up. Be safe. 🚵‍♂️