On June 1st, I'm flying to Seattle to visit my aunt and uncle for a couple days and for touristing Seattle as I've never been there. Then, I'm going to start biking along Adventure Cycling's North Tier (http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/northerntier.cfm) route!

My knee has been causing some discomfort on long bike rides lately, so my primary goal for the summer is to have an enjoyable time exploring and not working. My secondary goal is to make it all the way to Maine! Yeah! But, naturally, I don't want to jinx myself. So again, 1st goal is fun! 2nd goal is Maine! If I have to quit, I'll fly home to the tropics of Vermont and lounge around on the beaches for a bit before heading back to San Francisco.

Whenever I find an open public library, I'm going to stop in and shoot off some emails and make a post in this thread. Otherwise, I doubt I'll be posting very much at all.

So, that is that.

I've done the northern tier from Montana to Washington. It is some of the most beautiful scenery you will ever experience. Good luck.

Congratulations! You can do it!

<<<so not jealous :rolleyes: :)

All the very best Mikie, a great and sensible plan it seems you have..... (even though we're not knowing the details :nigel: )......Good luck with provision for good foresight of whereabouts and packing and then on you can just enjoy!! :sunny: I hope the north Tier route is not too hot ?? I hope you are able to take a pocket size digital camera with big storage or if not
hire a camera crew to cavalcade you on your escapade! ;)

Mikie, there are some energy bars called "FUEL"; they are vegan up here (and organic!). Try to get your hands on some. 220 calories per bar - lots of hemp seeds and nuts, in a brown rice and dark chocolate nuguet.

:drool:

yay mikie! that sounds awesome! i hope that you have a great time!

How cool! If your tummy is growling as you get through the St. Paul area, look me up! :p I'll feed ya :D

LUCKY you. What a way to spend the summer (or any time!)...

That's so awesome. Be safe and have fun!!!

:nigel: Cheers!

How cool! If your tummy is growling as you get through the St. Paul area, look me up! :p I'll feed ya :D
Ooooh. If I get that far I'll keep you in mind. :D

Your avatar is wicked funny by the way! :lol: Thinking of you going all that distance. Who'd have thought possible, I guess more people do it than I ever realized right??.... (just guessing here based on pussy foot assumption, lol, but you are sure not pussy footing about, heh, go man!). Anyway, along those lines, please answer-- how many strangers in public recognition have you observed or who know of personally or other persons that have been the same route, plus in addition any that got passed half way along it having made the decision. You know I suppose a US cycle association in the know, might hazard a guess, but how do we assume roughly correct the estimation of how many people try it each year and so on in your view Mikie ? ...(Even if just a wild guess).

Gosh, I have no idea. I hang around young liberal crazier-than-most people and it seems that most people say, when I tell them what I'm doing, "Oh my ----- did that once!" Everything from girlfriend, to parents, to best friend can fit that blank.

I went to the bikeshop the other day and the woman working there had biked the same route that I'm going on. Of course, she does work at a bikeshop.

I'm simply biking the Northern Tier. If you search online you'll find journals of people who have biked from Alaska to Argentina, from Europe to Southeast Asia, and the perimeter of Australia, et cetera. When I read people's journals who have biked the Northern Tier they usually run across a few dozen people on the way who are biking the same route. There are also tour groups that people can take and they can be as large as 50-100 people from what I've read.

When I started researching this I thought myself somewhat original, but after reading about it for the last couple months, it doesn't seem nearly as original or as crazy. :D

Just look at the Adventure Cycling network and how big it is:

http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/network.cfm

That's awesome, Mikie! I hope you'll take lots of pictures. I wish I could take a trip like that.

And I noticed that you were de-mod'ed. :)

That's awsome!!

*so jelous*

Omg, Mikie! How ****ing awesome. What a terrific experience for you. I'm not jealous at all. hahaha.

Be sure to take TONS of pictures.

I noticed that you were de-modded (or whatever you call it) and then the next day I thought, "OH he must be going on his trip soon" It's strange not seeing you in orange.

That would be great if you ran into others that are doing the trip, too - would be cool to have company.

Question: Where will you be sleeping? Are you going to camp out? (just curious)

Question: Where will you be sleeping? Are you going to camp out? (just curious)
I was wondering the same thing!

Don't forget to stop at the Pelee Island Winery (part of the Lake Erie piece).

Have fun, and stay safe. :)

Question: Where will you be sleeping? Are you going to camp out? (just curious)
Mostly camping! I bought a tent and sleeping bag. I'm probably going to do a portion of the camping at campgrounds, a portion in city parks (in states where that's legal), and a portion on nonhabited lands that aren't posted. I may check into a cheap motel once and awhile, maybe during bad weather or something. That won't be often though. I'm poor!

My backyard is safe for camping. Or my couch. :lol:

That is so awesome Mikie! I am so glad that you decided to do this! Stay safe and have fun!

Hey Mikie, your trip sounds so cool! Have fun and take care!

I flew to Seattle today and am staying with my aunt and uncle who live about an hour outside the city. Tomorrow morning I'm taking a bus into the city and exploring. I'm going to go to the REI flagship store and see what neat gadgets I can buy. :D

It sure is nice not working!

Woot! You should get a GPS monitor! :D