How I Biked Across the U.S. [COMPLETE GUIDE]

[@kimballhansen2629]

When I biked across the US back in 2008, I met w guy named Pierre who was coming from the other direction and nearly done. He told us he only camped once. The rest of the time he slept in people's yards. We tried it out and it was a big hit. Just knock on their door and say what you're doing and if you could sleep in their yard for the evening. Often times we got fed dinner!

[@sdmike1141]

Man, you killed it with the short form platform on your ride across America, but these longer more detailed videos are really good. The camera is kind to you, because your delivery is honest, smart, and funny. Thanks for your videos! I’m a fan!

[@SamWestby]

That means a lot, thank you!

[@jeffs9892]

Omg , he ain’t lying about the jacked up truck thing, me and a buddy we’re on a tour and twice in the same day this happened to us, guy rolled up on us and hammered the smoke , just about gives you a heart attack.

[@mcrew8645]

I haven't had too much harassment but my approach is to refuse to flinch. I'm in the zone, I'm more fit than these yokels ever were at half my age, and they don't scare me one bit.

[@tomsitzman3952]

Good job and no BS. Spoken like a true nomad. I'm a firm believer in making life simple. Don't be obsessed with counting grams or ounces. Bulk is the biggest problem. Aerodynamics is not a big concern for the long haul bikers, you are more concerned with keeping a steady Eddy all day, all week long steady pace. You have to be biking over 16 mph for aerodynamic to be of value. Don't over pack your panniers. It makes loading and unloading everyday more time consuming. Make sure all emergency gear is easy and quick to pull out. I carry two one liter wide mouth stainless double walled water bottles and two half liter wide mouth screw top stainless water bottles. Easy to keep clean and the water tastes better. One with water and the other with whole milk or powdered whole milk mixed with MILO by Nestle, a malted barley and cocoa energy drink to prevent that mid morning or mid afternoon Bonking. The screw mouth bottle requires me to stop and take a short butt break. The best socks I have found are Alpaca. they thermoregulate and are warm when it is cold and cool when it is hot and NEVER smell. Rinse in cold water, squeeze out the water 80% dry. 100% dry in an hour. You need a max of two socks for any length of trip. When you are touring you are a nomad, not a bike racer. Dress like a nomad and blend in. Wear cargo or mountain bike style knee length shorts with pockets. I carry my IPad and before leaving home, down load large scale road maps as well as a map with whole route, as well as topo maps and routes through towns. Memorize the route in the morning and the name of towns along the way. Make sure everything you take has at least two uses. I carry a spray water bottle to prevent over heating. When you are hot spray your face to cool down, in a dry camp it is your shower and on the road have the nozzle set for at jet to aim at the dogs face. Stops them cold in their tracks. Remember it has to be enjoyable, don't push to the state of fatigue.

[@The-GreenHornet]

Wow! You gave a Excellent overview touching on everything regarding cycle touring. Brief but thorough. I didn't disagree with not one thing that you spoke on. I have done a few longer tours on my recumbent trike..Catrike Expedition with panniers. 400 mile tour & a 600 mile tour. I very recently bought a new Catrike 700 recumbent trike. Its much faster than my Expedition recumbent trike due to having a rear 700c rear wheel, compared to the 26" rear wheel on the Expedition. Pace Yourself! Is soooooooo important, that most people make the mistake in not doing. Enjoy every mile... literally. Otherwise you'll just burn yourself out and end up grumpy every day. Enjoy the present moment, it's Okay to slow down. 🐌 40 miles every day cyclists is HUGE! Don't compare yourself with other cyclists. Its your tour! I need to get myself a Garmin. Excellent video!

[@XiaoBeiWu]

totally agree with the pacing part, i think 80km/day sound perfect, it won't drain you and give u enough time to recover, oh, also important, start slow, maybe 40/50/60 for the first couple of days

[@obikedog]

Definitely a great tutorial on the art of long distance trekking. I usually use bibs for comfort but I might try shorts next time. Very useful tips. In my travels I've learned the following: Computer - There's nothing better than Garmin when it comes to navigating, battery life and dependability. Wahoo is buggy with terrible navigation. The Hammerhead is great for everything but lacks battery life for long races much less a multi-day journey. The Garmins will go for days. A Wahoo will too. A Hammerhead will last about one day, if that. Shelter - I once swore by my tarp strung over my bike for shelter. It was small and light. That lasted about a year. Now I have a love affair with my Big Agness Copper Spur UL2 (bikepacking version.) It weighs 3lbs and packs down to 12x6" bundle. I can pitch just the poles and fly on hot/dry trips. In short a light, small, durable, stand-alone tent that's quick to pitch and dull colored (ie. not bright orange!) will make camping of any sort including stealth much easier. Bags - I personally like covering ground. Especially on open roads wind is often a big factor so the windage of your rig will determine effort and speed to a large degree. With that in mind I think I've found the perfect balance of packability and streamlined mounting with a Tailfin rack and drybag strapped to the rear. I have a Cyclite aero bar bag up front and a top bar bag (Restrap racepack) with external pockets. To be clear my current rig is a gravel racer and lacks mounting lugs so the Tailfin is perfect to mount to a thru axel and strap to my seat post. It can also be run with panniers if one so desired. I've never seen the need. If I end up with a large resupply package that won't strap to the rear, I carry it in a light musset or a backpack. Solar - True this will vary in effectiveness but route and region have much to do with choice here. In the South West especially you can definitely get a good charge with a small flex panel strapped over the rear pack. Then again many people will avoid conditions where this is true. I happen to be one of the few who loves heat!

[@SamWestby]

Great perspectives! Thank you for sharing all this

[@joycebricker3814]

I did the southern tier coming out of San Diego up the mountain in march I had a 30 degree bag. It was COLD! It was cold in AZ . In Tucson I bought a liner at REI it took me 52 days we had a weekly rest days.i went on an organized tour so I didn’t have to carry a lot. We met people with all kinds of bikes. With all types of bags.

[@stevekistler8970]

Nicely done. My son and I are riding across the us in sections. We have Kansas City to the Atlantic complete.

[@robertbotta6536]

The absolute best video I’ve seen on a Transamerica bicycle trip thank you so much. You are awesome.

[@rdennisharvey]

This is so helpful, and your on-camera style and content is so friendly, natural, and practical!

[@tay-lore]

Frame bags look so nice, especially when they're made specifically for your frame!! But when you have to haul long or have to haul heavy, on a normal bike, panniers will always be the best option.

[@WilliamKlaus-m9l]

This is the most honest outdoor adventure “how to” video I’ve seen. I like how you gloss over all the nit picky attitudes towards gear. Well done.

[@dalewagner6416]

Great tips. Thanks. Thinking about cross country tour in year or two after retirement. Really enjoyed your videos on xc trip with your Dad. Wide shoulders and tailwinds for all you wanderers!

[@green4black]

Fellow Boston cyclist and bike commuter here. Love your content across platforms. Most of my rides are on the shorter side. This video gives me confidence though that long bike tours like this are totally doable. The only thing standing in my way is getting enough time away from work to do it!

[@mooose106]

I appreciated the "image of sleeping pads" @10:20 😂

[@jonathantofts6444]

I started bike packing last year, This video post is absolutely spot on, although I am in England, the advice still applies ( apart from the big truck thing) they drive other vehicles overs here, VW golf for example, which is just sad: Excellent video!🙂 Thank you for sharing.

[@sayhay13]

Boston represent! I went on a shorter bike tour north to south and had a lot of the same experiences/takeaways!

[@ketkarbharat]

You made bike touring so simple... Thanks..

[@icanhazADHD]

Love to see some Boston representation! I’m riding Boston to Montreal this summer as my first bikepacking trip! It’s a charity ride for Boston Cyclists Union. I’m super excited!

[@shmio]

Good energy. Hi to you and your Dad. Thanks for being great people.

[@m.talley1660]

Your mental/social tips are the best.👍

[@lauradickinson210]

My goodness you did a great job on this summary. From a basic outline, everything else was off the cuff and very well expressed as well as enthusiastic. Wonderful and helpful.

[@tomasspasiuk2429]

Such a good video and chat. Thanks!

[@erikl.1860]

Well done! When I do my bike tours I try to wildcamp as often as possible. It means you need to carry a bit more water, but it’s a great experience of complete freedom, and… it’s free! Occasionally I go to a (cheap) hotel, e.g. when I want to visit a city (Istanbul) or when it is extremely hot for long periods (like in Italy and Greece in 2023) or when there is non-stop rain for several days. As for dogs, when you see dogs in a distance, slow down and keep distance as much as possible if the road is wide enough to do that. If a dog runs after you, I found the best is to just stop cycling, and start making some noise (talking friendly>shouting>blowing your horn (yes, put a small horn on your bike!) and have a stick with you to threaten (not hitting!). Also when you start cycling again and the dog comes after you again, stop again, shout again, and continue stopping, advancing until the dog gives in… the will finally! For PowerBank: if you need to buy one, choose one with a high Watt input!!! That’s VERY important. When you charge on the way (like restaurant, to grab a bite) you want the PowerBank to be as full as possible in the shortest possible time while you are eating.

[@CreativeFishDesignsCharlotte]

ur great and i like how if u dont have something ie rain pains u did not complain Big man . thank you for the info i ll be using all of it

[@paulcharlish2452]

Great overview and looking forward to more detailed insights

[@jaygoble540]

Sam is a national treasure! Protect this man at all costs!! Thanks Sam for all your videos.

[@oldschool7761]

Super practical stuff, well laid out and presented. Excellent info.

[@tay-lore]

This kind of has me itching for a little bit of a bike tour... And the mention of the truckfolk reminded me of one time when someone tried to roll coal at me in a Toyota tundra 😂

[@scottbaker9200]

I really enjoy your videos. Thank you.

[@nzmarty]

Awesome overview. I did my first bikepack holiday on basically zero mileage and relying on muscle memory around the Queenstown/Dustan/Clutha area of the South Island of NZ last month. I had an amazing time, but also had a meltdown with the enormity of the landscape, felt like I couldn't carry on (but I did), felt extremely lonely and also felt loved and blessed. I had an amazing time. USA is on my list. Got some of the pix and days on my Strava and IG. Followed you on Strava today. Cheers mate!

[@lcdy1280]

Excelent video man!❤😊

[@algzb]

Amazing content! I found your videos while researching how to go on a backpacking trip around Florida. I was worried about my fitness and stamina, but you made me believe I can even make it to San Francisco! Looking forward to the stealth camping video!

[@SamWestby]

It took a while, but the stealth camping video is live! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWfYlIKkm7iKq7s

[@footprintsandtyretracks]

Super helpful, especially the explanation on nutrition. Thanks! 🙏

[@havefunandbikestuffOver40]

Awesome overview Sam. Thanks a lot for sharing this. Really fun watching you and your dads trek across usa. Well done and can't wait to see more. Ride on

[@SamWestby]

Thanks so much!

[@ZoaShwaAdventures]

Thank you Sam, you did an awesome job explained. Glad we found your channel!!! We will be doing a long distance cycling from our home state Wisconsin to San Francisco in the beginning of June. We will be taking the routes through Colorado and the Rockies. Do you mine sharing your routes and where to stay along the way such as campground etc. Thank you brother. Happy cycling and safe travels. 🙏🏼❤️✌🏼

[@fldmonty]

wow awesome video. have loved watching your IG videos and was like, I just need someone who makes videos like him who does like longer expainers that are bigger than the IG size. Unfortunately there's a lot of stuff out there and so I was like oh man, the perfect guy to make the video I'm looking for is you! you and your dad's trip was really inspiring to me and this is 100% different but I was traveling to the Philippines to see my 107 year old grandpa with my mom (I hadn't been in a few years) and made the creative act of doing a video every day when I could. anyway, your videos have been very thoughtful and interesting and I think they're great! thanks for sharing!

[@paulheron8283]

What an inspirational and informative guide. Thanks so much!

[@billogrady882]

Excellent video, great assessment. As for food, I've heard that daily servings of fruit - even if canned - helps greatly.

[@garyphillips6528]

You are a very nice guy, thank you.

[@Tanstaafl1976]

Hi, Sam. Outstanding video with lots of fantastically helpful information and suggestions! You are a wealth of information! Liked and subscribed. I think it's great that both you and your dad tour together -- what a great father/son passion and way of connecting. I look forward to watching more of your videos henceforth. Cheers!

[@longrider42]

Back in 1976, a group called Bikecentennial did a route from Astoria Oregon, to a coastal town in Virginia. Looks like part of it is still used, the part that goes through Yellowstone and across Wyoming. I to this day have some of the old maps. I tow a Burley Nomad trailer with cargo rack. So I can and have mounted a small solar panel on it, to charge a Anker USB power bank. I also ride a recumbent. My back is kinda messed up so I can ride an upright bike.

[@michaeljones1741]

Heading west on June 1st from Deerfield, WI. I learned a lot from your IG posts when you toured the U.S. with your dad.

[@SamWestby]

Have fun!!

[@timgainnes5534]

good fast paced informative video

[@ianstewart8301]

This was really great information. Well done

[@Cledus2000]

Excellent job. I've only ever done short 3-4 day rides but you covered it all here.

[@nbroadwater8857]

NIce video,,, informative and answered some questions running through my mind. Thanks,

[@zachfischer6818]

I met a guy in Montana going Weat as I was going East. We both pulled over on the side of the road to stop and chat, just like you mentioned, these are our people. I asked him is that an ax in your front panier, as he had a large oak ax handle sticking out of it at arms reach. He said no, and pulled it out to reveal just an ax handle. I said what’s that for, and he said” it’s for the dogs back east you’ll see.” At the next bicycle shop I was able to find the red and white pepper spray cans that the mailman carries . And I did have to use it several times in Kentucky and Virginia. Great video! Wide shoulders and tailwind…. Seattle to Yorktown ‘96

[@SamWestby]

You either have to be fast or resourceful with some of the dogs

[@kevinflanagan6282]

I’m dreaming of doing the same someday. Awesome to hear it’s all possible!

[@theresabrosius5339]

Prepping for a ride from Saline Michigan to Seattle. Listened to your whole podcast. I think I am ready based on what you’ve said. I also made my own routes with ridewithgps. Your information was reassuring. 😊

[@brianmitchell5906]

Pretty comprehensive list. I like it.

[@larslarsen1149]

Amazing video!! Me and my crew are biking across the northern tier this may!

[@SamWestby]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@longrider42]

I've done a few week long bike rides, including RAGBRAI, and I eat Carbs in the morning, pretty much snack all day. But I will have a good dinner with meat, which my body can break down during the night. It worked for me. Take your front wheel off, and bring it into your tent. Or if you riding with some one. Lock the two bikes together. Oh, if you have a quick release seat post, remove the seat.

[@jazzfan7491]

Really good stuff

[@dansplett8303]

Great information

[@Shorttimer05]

Thanks for great video

[@ArchaicTraveler]

Great video! The Trek 950 in the background is gorgeous! I would love to see a bike check video on it.

[@SKYVLY]

Enjoyed watching the shorts. Stats for the NERDS

[@mikebayless4268]

My goal is to bike across California north to south! Congrats on your jersey! 🎉

[@mikedesrochers]

Nice one-man!

[@CELAtvNETWORK]

so we’ll done thank you

[@ognjentubic7821]

Very nice video about touring. You nail it.

[@bikeacrossamerica1965]

Wish we had bike lanes in 65 along with a phone, anyway it was a long time ago and things have dramatically improved for the new riders in America.

[@danielholman7225]

Thanks. You gave us a lot of good info.

[@randallgd]

Thank you very much

[@robtanner5583]

Great tips , thanks

[@dougfromsoanierana]

I might be a bit paranoid, but on my bike tours I’ve carried a lightweight u-lock that I put through my rear triangle at night so that someone would have to lift the entire bike to take it. I do the same while stopping at gas stations and restaurants.

[@CairnHopper]

Great job dude! I live in the area, Would love to ride sometime!

[@RideAlongAdventures]

Fantastic! Super informative.

[@ryandyke4789]

Can you do a video about stealth camping? I'd like to learn more about how you chose sites, if you had any issues, etc.

[@SamWestby]

Yes I can!

[@SamWestby]

It took months, but here is the stealth camping video -- kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWfYlIKkm7iKq7s

[@jengm3419]

Such an inspiration!

[@jaredtonycampbell]

That tree is wild

[@rholtsla98]

I'm really interested in doing a relatively short route (compared to coast to coast). I have lived in Richmond VA for the past 8 years and US 250, Broad St. locally terminates in downtown and runs up to the Great Lakes, about 550 miles. The goal would be to make a route that runs as close to US 250 for its entirety without compromising road safety. I am very familiar with the route locally and know that it is not the safest for biking on in town due to heavy traffic and poor protection for cyclists. Outside of town traffic dies off, the shoulder is 1-2ft, and the route is mostly straight with good visibility until hitting the mountains which happens to be where my familiarity also tails off.

[@pedallinraw]

Great tips 👍🏻…..are those pedalling innovations pedals on that Trek? i’ve some in black …..when i’m bikepacking i’ll attach things to my bike to make it impossible to take away without me hearing or feeling something…atwood micro cord works great for this 🙂👌🏻

[@ibikeunfolded]

Get a good solar cell…. I used goal zero brand and I kept my power banks charged while riding….even when overcast.

[@tay-lore]

Dang, the things I've been through between Oregon and Virginia... I'd much rather take a bike tour!

[@tompritch56]

Can't remember if you mentioned tools, spare tubes, etc.

[@JitinMisra]

that bike looks sick in the back

[@MrShanebizzle]

Thank you!

[@AdamOmidpanah]

Inspiring. Can't wait til my kids are old enough to do this, although I have nowhere near the grit or skill your dad has. haha

[@joycebricker3814]

I ask at fast food food restaurants can you fill this? No one ever said no.

[@nataliepierce-shult1052]

I’d like to know if you have any tips for a solo bike packer across the US and being a female who wants to do it

[@THEODYSSEYE]

Great video!! Thank you for the tips. You mention something called mace(?) in context to the dogs and camping security. English isn't my first language, and I've never heard about it, so could you possibly elaborate on what it is exactly? :D

[@SamWestby]

Hi! Mace can also be called pepper spray. It's a self-defense tool

[@THEODYSSEYE]

@SamWestby Ah right ! Thanks :)

[@patrickmernagh2933]

Did you and your dad do RAGBRAI 50 by chance?

[@23clarke]

One question I was hoping to get your thoughts on was regarding your skills as a bike mechanic. How often did you find yourself struggling to fix something on the side of the road?

[@abderrahmanelhassni7201]

I liked your post

[@TheGbortnick]

I live in Tennessee and would love to go cross country but scared of drivers. Any hints how to pick your route and road safety? I’m 78 and would love to ride more but hate to fight the traffic!

[@SamWestby]

Look up the Great American Rail Trail. It's not fully complete, but you can do a lot of it on bike trails

[@Justmarcusdave]

brilliant really jealous!!

[@SupercarAlex150]

Create video man! I hope to do this one day!!!

[@adventurersclub1]

Such a hub generator is very easy to DIY, if somone is intereste, will post a video about it

[@juliedavis3703]

If you ever come to Tennessee, look me up, I can at least put you up for a night!

[@KatieReinesMSRD]

This was such a great video! I'm from Boston and will be bike packing / touring up through maine with a friend and then going on my own back down to boston and to the red river gorge in kentucky and then to Colorado. Super nervous, this helped a lot!!!! What about flat tire stuff? Do you bring extra tires at all?

[@justineagan2238]

What kind of bike do you recommend? I was thinking of a Trek 520

[@ivanilarionov1893]

The things you said about fitness are not always true. Years ago I was commuting 16 km per day for a few months. In the weekends I was doing one or 2 days tours for about 60-80 km per day. All this from march to may, so about 3 months. Then I tried longer trip - I cycled about 330 km in 5 days, but with a lot of up and downs. On the forth day I developed very sharp and strong pain on the outside part of the knee, probably ITB inflamation. I stooped on the fifth day, as It was getting even worse. Then it took weeks to heal. And then, after few short trips, it appeared again. And all this without heavy load on the bike.

[@Dooby0071]

Around lake Michigan huh! Nice I live in Kenosha Wisconsin, did you buy chance cut through there on your trip?

[@SamWestby]

Yep we did

[@Dooby0071]

@@SamWestby nice hope you enjoyed lots of places to eat downtown by the lake

[@JitinMisra]

What are your thoughts on mirrors , have you used them ? Why do/ don’t like them ?

[@ROSSEVANS-vy9xu]

So Sam. Question for you. I’ve watched some of your vlogs as well as this post I’m responding to, and it looks like you had a tire puncture rarely. And chain replacement or repair even rarer. What brand tire and tubes were you and your Dad running? Thanks!! My trip begins next April, but I’m doing due diligence planning now.

[@carsenadams9498]

Great video! Did you have any issues with rodents or larger animals getting into your food at night?

[@SamWestby]

Surprisingly no. Sometimes we heard animals sniffing, but we didn't have any issues. Sometimes out west we would hang up a pannier with food in a tree using paracord

[@letscompose8560]

Still waiting on that stealth camping video :)

[@SamWestby]

I know, sorry about that. I just finished it -- kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWfYlIKkm7iKq7s

[@jessicaxu781]

Thanks for the great video! Do you have the link to the PDF at 9:28? I only see the 11-page document and the training plan one

[@SamWestby]

I put everything in the Gear section of the 11-page document :)