So Kimberly, Gavin, and I are thinking we are gonna be driving the trip back from Ironman Idaho to Clermont in late June as our own “Bike Across America”. We are gonna each do turns driving and riding and just seeing the country in about eight days or so. I think with a little bit of planning (but not too much), we can find some good roads out there to ride and it would be a lot of fun. We would probably drive about 300 miles a day.
What do you guys think? Any suggestions besides bringing seven cases of diapers?
Gavin and I yesterday in front of the Lake Minneola Path…
Don’t miss Jackson, WY and the Grand Tetons. A spectacle to behold. Yellowstone isn’t bad either but you probably won’t want to bike through there. Narrow roads and lots of RV’s.
We traveled with both of our boys when they were infants, this is what my wife and I recommend.
Earplugs for 1 of you to wear while the kid is screaming.
One of those travel Refrigerators that you can plug in to the Power outlet in your car (assuming you have a Minivan or SUV)
Teething Rings, or something for the kid to chew on because he will be teething by then.
Lots of high absorbant paper towels, for when he spits up in the car. 2-3 day old burp rags start to really stink in a hot car.
Humphries #3, these should be available at your local Pharmacy. Ask the pharmacist for them they will probably have to order. It eases the pain associated with teething and colic. They are homeopathic so they are all natural and they work wonders. These are very popular in the Hispanic community, and are awesome. We used on both of our little ones.
Bottle warmer that plugs into cigarette lighter of car.
Lots of toys for the baby to play with.
We will be praying for you, that is a long trip. If you survive it will be a lifelong memory for you guys.
Don’t miss Glacier Park. Or better yet take a little jaunt into Canada and see Banff and Jasper! As long as you are only a day’s drive away (in N. Idaho), I’d go check that area out before I would go anywhere in the lower 48. Just my opinion. Better and safer biking too (compared to Montana, anyway). Have fun!
I don’t know what would be worse, riding a bike 300 miles per day or driving with a teething baby 300 miles a day. Seriously, have a blast. Don’t try to keep a rigid schedule, you will have more fun. Enjoy!
good to see a future IM winner. congrts again to you and the lovely Kimberly. my choice would be to hit Bryce Canyon as well. sounds like a fun trip. see you soon!
We have started looking at some possible routes to take. So far…here goes: June 28 - CDA, ID., June 29 - Billings, MT , June 30 -Rapid City, SD, July 1 - Sioux Falls, SD , July 2 -Omaha, Neb., July 3- Kansas City/St. Louis, MO., July 4-Nashville, TN., July 5-Columbus, GA., July 6-Clermont, FL.
Thanks for all the tips so far. Whatever suggestions you have for us are greatly appreciated.
Mammoth Caves in Tennesee are really spectacular. The St. Louis arch is fun for the elevator ride up to the top. I did a drive from Seattle to Sarasota about 6 years ago and was on a similar schedule. If you can slow it down, maybe take a rest day somewhere in the middle it will help. I was driving a moving truck with a trailer so my days were pretty taxing.
I can’ remeber where it was but I took a small detour and went to a small museum for the pony express. We saw a billboard for the musuem and could not pass it up. It was not very special at all but you absolutely have to go there because it is just not right to drive past these sorts of things.
Gotta hit Wall Drug, I remember going there as a kid, somewhere between St Louis and Mt Rushmore. More mullets under one roof than you could ever imagine.
Thats a long hall between CDL and Billings, plus it the prettiest. Stop in Anaconda MT and stay at the hot springs. Bike over the continental divide (its not too high there) between Butte and Whitehall on US 10.
Out of Billlings take US 212 to the Black Hills. Ride the open prairie somewhere around the Custer Forest and Broadus or into South Dakota. The wind should be at your back and you should just fly.
Looks like your route is following the interstates. I don’t think that most states allow bikes on the interstate. I would agree with Casey on using the Adventure Cycling (mapshttp://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/network.cfm.) I have talked to some cross-country riders who used them and they were happy with them. You will travel on secondary or tertiary roads, see more scenery, have lodging, dining, rest stops all mapped out mile by mile, and will likely come across many other bikers.
Another comment is that 300 miles a day seems a bit ambitious, especially if one or both of you will be riding all that–even 150 a day per person might be pushing it–especially with a baby in tow. In my experience (which is extensive, believe me) traveling by car with baby takes two people–one to drive and one to take care of baby.
Going through Florida–I would drop down from GA into the Florida panhandle, and pick up either Hwy. 90 or 98 (98 follows the coast). Take 90/98 east to 19/27 around Tallahassee or Perry. Take 19/27 south to around Homosassa and then 98 east to Clermont. That trip will give you a taste of the real Florida–which is not Disney World as most people think.
Thanks for the tip on the no bikes on the interstate. By the way, I have been in Florida my whole life including five years in Tallahassee and by the time I hit the Sunshine State…I am thinking I am going straight home.
