Trans Am Bike Race - June 7th, 2014

[Nathan Jones]

Nathan,
    When I signed up a few weeks ago, I received a tweet with lots of info, but I lost access to the tweet after the first viewing and didn't have a chance to review the information.  I tried to access the tweet with both my telephone number and my e-mail address, but your message doesn't appear in my Twitter account.  Can you resend the info that was on that tweet, maybe to my e-mail account this time?

Greg I resent you the initial sign up e-mail information.

[rowan]

Yo! Where are the woman racers? I've seen plenty on the sign up sheet. Exciting!

What are y'all using as a set up? I'm riding a road bike with a long-distance geometry and 28mm tires, no fenders, Revelate Designs bags. Gonna use a Tarptent Double Rainbow I think. I don't think I'll be using motels a lot - too expensive. That luxury shall be reserved for the days where you just really want a bed. Otherwise I prefer spending my money on FOOD!!!

Cheers from Germany!

[percy kittens]

Greetings. I have been wondering where the ladies are as well.
Surly Straggler, race build by Mr. Nathan Jones. Ask him for the specs :-) I did have fenders put on during winter training rides in Seattle (worms kept hopping on board). My sleeping philosophy is similar to yours-- bivy, good bag and motels on the rare occasion. I signed up to Warmshowers.org in the hopes of grabbing some lawn space in places along the way.
I am now at the point where I am looking at my bag needs. I do not want a full frame bag, maybe one of those half-bags so I can keep my zillion water bottles. Am looking at a front bar bags as well. I had a rack put on , so my rear baggage transport options are wider. I am not planning on bringing much, though.
Thanks for posting and saying hi. Wonder how many ladies there are?

[Long Haul Greg]

Greetings All.
    The weather has turned here in coastal Virginia.  The dogwoods and cherry trees bloomed this week, motivating me to do some serious map studies of the TA2014 route.  I'm flying into Portland, so I was researching bike routes from Portland to Astoria.  I came across this website with several route choices laid out, depending on personal goals for the ride:

http://www.portlandhostel.org/2010/03/01/to-and-from-the-oregon-coast-by-bicycle/

I'm thinking the route from Hillsboro MAX station to Astoria detailed at this website is the one for me:

http://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/article/301633

I'll take advantage of the Portland Airport bike-friendly locale to build up my bike.  For those of you familiar with Portland, should I plan on cycling to Hillsboro, or should I take advantage of the MAX Red and Blue lines?  I'm thinking after several hours on planes, I'll be wanting to pedal in a big way.  Thoughts?

[Nathan Jones]

I recommend taking the MAX, the ride across east Portland is chill, but the west side of town, well it kinda sucks in terms of suburban sprawl.  You've got the right route, hop on the Banks/Vernonia rail trail and then follow hwy 47 to Astoria, it's got some good hills between mile 50 and 80 but nothing too bad, pavement the whole way.

[Long Haul Greg]

Nathan,
Here's the same question I posted on the TransAm Bike Race Facebook page for those racers who aren't following the Facebook entries:

The map study continues. It looks like there's only one other likely alternate besides the Netarts Highway alternate we discussed after you posted the RideWithGPS route: The Mississippi Levee Alternate depicted in Section 9's Maps 113 and 114.

Your RideWithGPS file follows the main route between Chester and Murphysboro, IL. That 28.5 mile section includes hill country while the Mississippi Levee Alternate is 1/2 mile shorter and much flatter. The way I'm interpreting the posts from you and Ed Pickup, it appears both are fair game, much like the Chaco and El Malpais alternates in NM's section of the Tour Divide Bicycle Race. Is the Mississippi Levee Alternate in play this year? I'd prefer not to be relegated on the inaugural running of TransAm. Just say yea or nay on Mississippi Levee Alternate and I'll abide.

[Nathan Jones]

Greg, this is clarified on the rules page, all alts are legit.

 
"Trans Am Route: The official route is the shortest possible route on the trans (there are a few alternates) Additionally all alternates are legal alternates for a racer to choose."
http://www.transambikerace.com/rules/

[worntreads]

Good to see I'm not the only Surly. I am convinced people will be on faster bikes, but meh, I'm just aiming for a hella light pack and Time in the Saddle (T.I.T.S.)

Is it just me or do people keep going in and out of commitment? This is a hell of a journey and I think it's alright to have a bit of fear and respect for the road.

Downloaded maps last night. Final bits and bobs are in the mail. Doing a 24 hr. Fleche this weekend, hoping that I can get a test pack/ride next weekend. This is coming up fast!

(So are people planning on riding from Portland? Looks like I might do the same. Also what are accommodations like in/near Astoria? Are people planning on camping before it?)

[Nathan Jones]

Is it just me or do people keep going in and out of commitment? This is a hell of a journey and I think it's alright to have a bit of fear and respect for the road.

Downloaded maps last night. Final bits and bobs are in the mail. Doing a 24 hr. Fleche this weekend, hoping that I can get a test pack/ride next weekend. This is coming up fast!

(So are people planning on riding from Portland? Looks like I might do the same. Also what are accommodations like in/near Astoria? Are people planning on camping before it?)

Yes it's down to the wire and folks are finally starting to make up their mind one way or the other whether this is want they want.  Sometimes you just have to bag it and say next year, other times you have to realize you have a small window to do this sort of thing and just commit. 

I do believe a handful of folks are going to ride up to Astoria but there hasn't been any level of coordination, I think Richard and Brian are paired up to pedal to the start.

[pablito]

Yes it's down to the wire and folks are finally starting to make up their mind one way or the other whether this is want they want.  Sometimes you just have to bag it and say next year, other times you have to realize you have a small window to do this sort of thing and just commit. 

I do believe a handful of folks are going to ride up to Astoria but there hasn't been any level of coordination, I think Richard and Brian are paired up to pedal to the start.

Steve and I are heading up to Astoria from Portland on the 5th. Let's connect and enjoy westward travel for a few miles.

text me at 801-703-1810.

[LenzMan]

Nathan Jones - have you been in touch with any hotels in Astoria - some sort of group rate for all of us for the day or two before the race?? if not… where do you recommend?? Paul and I are pedaling from Portland on the 5th, via seaside, then up the coast….
talk soon,
look forward to meeting ya!

[Nathan Jones]

Nathan Jones - have you been in touch with any hotels in Astoria - some sort of group rate for all of us for the day or two before the race?? if not… where do you recommend?? Paul and I are pedaling from Portland on the 5th, via seaside, then up the coast….
talk soon,
look forward to meeting ya!

Unfortunately no I haven't gotten any hookups yet on lodging up there, maybe next year.  I've never stayed up in Astoria before so your guess is as good as mine on rooms.

I highly recommend going to Astoria by way of Vernonia as opposed to taking 26 to Seaside, worth a thought.  Between banks and vernonia is a 23 mile paved car free rail trail.  It's quite lovely.  26 kind of sucks if you ask me, but it's all riding so whatever.

[pickupel]

Hey Guys,

I'll post this over on the Facebook page, but figured I'd try here as well.  Thanks to the timings of cheap flights and the fact that I have my last day at work on May 30th, I'm flying out to Portland on the 1st June. I'll probably ride out to Astoria the following day and will be there until the race starts. It would be great to meet some other racers / go for some short local rides in the week before the race — so if anyone's up for grabbing a beer or meal, just let me know!

Ed

[LenzMan]

Portland is a great city, you may want to hang out there for a couple days before pedaling to Astoria i promise, you wont be disappointed.

[mlhatfield]

Flying into Portland then bus to Astoria on the 4th!  Woot!  I have a room for the 4th, 5th, and 6th just a few blocks from the start if anyone wants to share.  Can't wait!

[Nathan Jones]

For anyone else who didn't get the memo, get yr tracker stuffs straighten out here.

http://trackleaders.com/transam-signup

[mtbcast]

Episode 172 – We talked to Nathan Jones about the upcoming TransAm Bike Race!

http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/podcasts/

[mtbcast]

Episode 173 – We talk with Mike Dion about his new documentary that will be following the TransAm Bike Race!
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/podcasts/

[Nathan Jones]

BUMP.  Hit that trackleaders sign up if you've been meaning to, the window is getting narrow.

http://trackleaders.com/transam-signup

[mtbcast]

Episode 174 – Check out our interview with Billy Rice and we launch our new mobile app!
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/podcasts/