Cycling the Western Express Bicycle Route
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- Опубліковано 8 вер 2024
- Bicycle Tour on the Western Express in 2013 from Ouray, Colorado across southern Utah and Nevada over the Sierra Nevada Mountains to Sacramento, California lasting 23 days. Ride along with me, Paul Suchecki, and view some awesome scenery and meet some cool people bicycling the Loneliest Road in America and the Pony Express. The purpose here is to hopefully inspire and entertain. Now GO RIDING!! Music by Mixcraft.
Read:
Basic Illustrated Bike Touring and Bike Packing amzn.to/3tJvsrQ
Links to some of my gear:
Arkel Panniers shrsl.com/3cpv0
Trek Bicycles www.avantlink....
Nashbar www.avantlink....
REI www.avantlink....
Showers Pass Rain Jacket www.avantlink....
Eastern Mountain Sports shareasale.com...
CampingMaxx shrsl.com/3cpv8
Nutcase Helmets www.avantlink....
DJI Mini Mavic 2 Drone click.dji.com/...
DJI Pocket 2 Gimbal 4K Camera click.dji.com/...
Wald 1066 Handlebars amzn.to/3fLRHVH
RedShift Shock Absorbing Handlebar Stem amzn.to/3IBu3If
Cateye Velo 9 Bike Computer amzn.to/3AhqDag
Terry Liberator Y Men's Bike Saddle amzn.to/3FNp0Cq
High Visibility Vest amzn.to/3rFgIrw
Reflective Safety Triangle amzn.to/32kJN2M
MSR Pocket Rocket Ultralight Camp Stove amzn.to/3AdNB26
Sea to Summit Bowl amzn.to/3AhqDag
Canon M50 Mirrorless Camera amzn.to/3tIEIwy
GoPro Hero 8 Camera amzn.to/3rywX9x
Rode Video Mic Pro + amzn.to/3IohlMv
Neewer Compact Travel Tripod amzn.to/3qLalTW
This guyl breaks every bike touring rule you hear on other channels. Bike, clothing, looks, all wrong, according to the "experts". He does do thing right. He gets on his bike and tours. Paul's, you're a great example for the rest of us. Thanks for sharing your rides
Rules?! Nobody told be about any rules. I bike tour to get away from the rules. Rule #1 in bike touring is "Freedom"! Rule #2, if anyone tells you that you're doing it wrong, see Rule #1. Although, I probably should wear a helmet. Hey, thanks for watching and taking the time to leave a cool comment, I appreciate it!
I've know Paul for 45 years, trust me you'd love to spend a day with him
Watching the 2nd Time
Very Enjoyable 🚲👍😎
I so agree with your post.
Hi Paul,
I am 75, riding since 1972. I have raced, toured, commuted and commuted again. Having lived in Florida, Texas, Arizona, Indiana and after 50 years I have found that your type of cycling, outfits and attitude are the most real. Your videos are the best entertainment, therapy and inspiration.
Thanks.
Frank, thanks again. No school like the old school. Hope to see you down the road. Ride on!
Gat comment, Paul is so good with his videos.
Imo the most enjoyable bike trip presenter. Paul is really cool...no pretense...every bit a bright soul. Excellent style in presentations. Great music. Bless ya Paul.
Wow, thanks! I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on! Bless you, too!
Love this cat. He’s the real deal. I’d ride with you any day man! Thanks for the all the adventures.
Any time! I didn't get to do any touring this summer. But next summer I got big plans! I probably ride too slow for you. LOL. Hope to see you on the road. Thanks again.
@@paulsuchecki3985 hit me up , I have slower bikes. I want to get out!
Thanks for documenting this route, surprisingly there aren't that many on UA-cam. I live in Telluride and have a date in Sacramento, gonna ride my bike. Got a kick out of all the mispronounced town names along the way, then I read your Rule#1 "Freedom". A dude who rides a vintage rig across Utah and Nevada in the summer can call those towns anything he wants to. Halfway into your trip I got mesmerized by your mellow approach to the trip and life. Nicely done
Thanks for watching! I don't always pronounce town names right. It doesn't bother me either, but my wife is always correcting me. So I think now I do it more subconsciously on purpose just to hear her correct me. It's fun!? Riding across Nevada and Utah was like being on another planet. Epic, but harsh. Definitely Type 2 fun. Thanks again.
Thanks for showing UA-cam what this route looks like. I'm considering taking this trip and your narrative + shots are incredibly informative!
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it! Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!
Riding through Nevada in July holy crap
Yeah, crazy. In some places it was like riding on the moon. Thanks for watching!
Great ride and footage. You're so laid back. I'm going to practice that. Stay safe
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe out there and ride on!!
Great video! Super informative about another great route!
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Riding across Utah and Nevada was like being on another planet. Very desolate, but awesome. Hope to see you down the road. Stay safe and ride on!
Yep, those hats work. And my hats off to you, nice ride.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. I'm always looking for shade. I hate burning my nose. Hope to see you down the trail. Ride on!
Thank you for sharing your great adventures. I've never worn a helmet either. Thank you for that also. I love your style.
Wish I had an uncle like you in this lifetime. Ride on !
Glad you like them! Thanks for watching. It's about freedom of choice and not following the herd. Ride on!
That’s amazing. Please post more content. I love your videos! I love riding my bike! Hard to find the time myself.
Thanks! Will do. I'm working on some new ones. Almost ready to post. Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!
Thank you for sharing your experience! Starting to plan for a bike touring trip and this video has been a huge help!
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe out there!
You made my day, thanks for sharing. I’ve ridden CO, UT, NV many times and LOVE this area.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. I need to get back out west again. It's been too long. Hope to see you down the road. Stay safe and ride on!!😎
Gr8 vid, Paul!
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!!
I have enjoyed your videos thank for taking me along with you
.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it.
You capture the essence of touring so well. I’m about to head out on the road in a couple of weeks and have been watching your videos for inspiration.
Thanks for watching and taking the time to leave a comment. Have a great trip, stay safe.
Outstanding, my friend. You are a man of few words. You make each one count.😊
Thanks, I really appreciate it. Hope to see you down the road. Stay safe and ride on!!Sorry for the slow response.
And has best biking music ever. 🙃 ❤
Thanks again. I like the music, too. 😎
What a great video and a big ride! Enjoyed your commentary guess u modeled it mostly? Thanks so much for sharing w us!
Thanks Walt. That was my first try at making videos. Stay safe and ride on!
I’m watching this fighting off cramps after riding 35 miles…. You sir, are a Beast!
Thanks for watching! I really appreciate it. Stay safe out there and ride on!!
Always a great pleasure to watch & hear your videos. Totally fantastic presentation all the way around. You should consider offering a course on bike-trip video graphing and editing. I'm sure a lot of intrepid travelers would love to learn some of your techniques that you have honed over the years. Thanks again for taking the time & effort to share your bike trip adventures!~
Great suggestion! I'm certainly no professional. For me, it's just a hobby. I learned a lot from watching Parker Wallbeck (and others) on UA-cam. Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!!
Oh, my god. I can't believe it. Thats the way I like it.I wanna do that tour by myself. And wonderful background-music. Thans,paul.
Riding across Utah and Nevada was amazing. Sometimes it felt like an alien planet. I loved the isolation and extreme landscape. Thanks again!
@@paulsuchecki3985 Great rides you did. I'm hoping to see more.
Love how relaxed you are and just cruising along not setting any records. If I ever do a long trip you would be my inspiration. Not sure I could ever do it with my knees though. I use an ebike and it helps a ton but you can’t do too long a distance without recharging. I did the GAP and C&O but was able to charge at B&B’s.
Keep up the good work and stay safe!
Thanks for watching. E-bike if you have to. Whatever gets you out and down the trail. Stay safe and have fun!
I don’t see why you couldn’t with the right planning.
Hey Paul!!! Everyday is a good day to bike Tour!! LOL Great video!!
So True!! Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!!😎
Very impressed with these videos,thanks for sharing
Glad you like them! Thanks for watching.
👍 Think I watched them all now.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it! Sorry about the slow response. Hope to see you down the road. Stay safe and ride on!!
Nice to see my bike tour stomping grounds through others ( your ) eyes. I never get to see them in summer. I spend my summers in Telluride and ride in late autumn ,early spring and winter. Ceder City is sub freezing when I'm there, as are most of the other places you visit. One advantage to cold season travel in West is that you rarely need to carry much water. It's available to you on the passes. All you need to do is melt it in a pot over a fire.
Thanks for watching. Riding across Utah was one of my favorite bike tours. So remote and extreme. Like nowhere elese I've ever been. Stay warm out there. Ride on!
Just subscribed. Love everything. Even the music is cool. Coolest dude ever. 🙃🌈
Thanks for the sub! Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!😎
Paul, Really enjoy your videos. You've inspired me! I'm 58 and have been a cyclist since I was a little kid. I'm a school photographer and have been "laid-off" since last March here in California. My wife does really well in her job, so she gave me the year off to ride to my heart's content. By the end of last summer I started thinking about doing something worthwhile on the bike, and eventually found a few you-tube channels like yours on bikepacking, and the Mrs. gave me her blessing. Doing a few smaller routes starting in April. Will be tackling the Route 66 trip later this year. I'll have many questions for you later, but the first one was inspired from this video. My plan on the Route 66 is to come back on the train. Do you have to box the bike to have it loaded as baggage, or can you just check it in as is? Also, if you do check it in as is, do most of your bags stay attached, or do you have to remove them? Thanks so much for creating these videos. I know I'm not the only one who's been moved to try bike traveling thru your passion!
Thanks for watching. Sounds like a great trip. Pretty ambitious, crossing the desert, long distances between towns. But like Nevada and Utah, I like those wide open spaces that seem uninhabited.
What you are asking about is what Amtrak calls "roll on" service. It's offered on some but not all routes. There is limited space and they take reservations. There is a fee. You have to strip all bags off the bike, roll it onto the train, hand it over to the conductor and he straps it securely inside the baggage car. You don't have access to it during the train ride. When you reach your destination, you meet the conductor at the baggage car and he hands you your bike and off you go.
Not all routes offer this service and you need to check in advance. On routes that don't offer "roll on", you can check the bike in a box as baggage, but only at stations that accept checked baggage. And there is a fee for over-size baggage. I've done both on different occasions.
I hope that helps. If you have other questions, I'd love to help out. You probably already know about Adventure Cycling Association. If not, check them out, a great source of info.
Thanks again, have a great trip and stay safe!! Hope to see you on the road.
upright bars, t-shirts, chillin, good music.. i like ya style, if you ever make it down the Oregon coast look us up.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Comfort is the key. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!!
I like your videos and the channel. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you like them! Thanks for watching. Just got back from bike touring. New videos coming soon. Thanks again!!
The Tilley Hat.... Just bought one for my summer kayaking!!
It's a great look! 😎
@@paulsuchecki3985 Timeless classic.
i felt each and every mile
Me too! Thanks.😎
Paul is "ace"🙃 ❤
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Hope to see you down the road. Stay safe and ride on!
Awesome trip! Cool video! Thanks!
Thanks for watching and commenting. I appreciate it.
someday I will ride my bike through a desert, thanks Paul
Riding across Utah and Nevada was extreme and epic at the same time. In some places it felt like riding across the moon. Bring water. Stay safe. Ride on!
👍👁❤☝️good tunes along Suchecki trail..😉
Thanks again, Freddie. 😃
Love this route!
Its a great route. Very extreme and epic. Ride on!
Awesome tunes
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe out there!
I rode though southern Utah in the fall, I can't imagine going through in the summer. I rode north(Salt Lake City) to south-east side to Colorado and didn't have any huge stretches without water.
It was an awesome ride. I learned alot about heat management and water management. Where there were long stretches without water I would start with 8 qts. and drink half of that by noon. That way I didn't have to carry all that weight all day and I stayed plenty hydrated. I would fill my bottles with ice water and wrap them with something so they would stay colder longer, drinking warm water sucks. I started early, just before sunrise and did most of my miles in the morning. In midday, if it was hot, I never passed up a shade spot for a chance to cool off and get a drink. One day in Nevada, in the middle of nowhere, a nice lady in a van stopped and offered me an ice cold gatorade... which I accepted. Thanks again for watching my video and taking the time to comment. I appreciate it very much!
Blundered across this video on u tube the other day. I did bits of that route in 1980 by bicycle riding from Mesa Verde then Montecillo, Hite Marina, Capitol Reef, Burrville and into Bryce Canyon before backtracking a bit and going south to Grand Canyon. Scenery has not changed much. Interested to see what gear you pack in another video, comparing it to my 1980 packing list. Like you I like solo travel though did ride together with others at times. Keep up the good work.
Ian
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Riding across Utah was amazing! Solo touring has it's advantages. Stay safe and ride on!
Awesome looking ride Paul!
Thanks!
Wow - what a trek - not sure I would have been brave enough to tackle that one. I have driven some of those roads and am not entirely comfortable doing that even with air conditioning. Another great video of your adventures. I look forward to watching the next one. Bud
I'm thinking about the Texas Hill Country Loop. 6 days.
I want to try a big one this summer! Love the videos!
Thanks for watching, I appreciate it! The Western Express is a great ride. Bring extra water.
BTW, Mustang ! , I tried to reply to your comment on my Ohio to Erie video but for some reason my computer wouldn't let me, otherwise I would've. Anyways, there is (was), a shuttle service based out of Columbus that will pick you up and drop you off anywhere along the trail from Cincinnati to Cleveland. You just gotta let them know a couple days in advance. Their number and website are in the video at the end. I called them before I left Cinci and talked to them. When I got to Cleve, they picked me up and drove me back to Cinci. I was solo and it cost me $125, which I thought was reasonable. I say 'was' because I'm not sure if anything exists anymore after this crazy pandemic.
Happy trails and thanks again.
@@paulsuchecki3985 thank you.
Hey man. I really enjoyed watching your video. I like your laid back style.
Thanks for watching and commenting. I enjoyed making it.
Love it beautiful
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it!
Nice. One of your better videos.
Thanks, I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!!
Paul, you're riding down those highways and those trucks are going 80 mph. It doesn't look like there's much room on the gravel shoulder. I'm sure you can see them in your rear view mirror and get off the highway as they pass.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it! Sorry about the slow response. True, they were wizzing by pretty fast. Rear view mirror is a must. Hope to see you down the road. Stay safe and ride on!!
Paul a love your videos it’s like going along with you on your adventures curious how you handle the hills Do you ever standup on the pedals and do you ever need to just push the bike up hills. I’m working on hill climbing but have done my share of pushing the bike. Thanks
Thanks for watching. I usually don't stand up on my pedals. My bike has some pretty low granny gears, plus I'm not usually in a hurry. Yes, I have had to push my bike up some steep hills before. Still human powered. Stay safe out there and ride on!!
Nice ride
Thanks 👍
Youre doing it right man. Were a bit alike, no helmet, biologist, bike tourists.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Bike touring is about FREEDOM! Stay safe and ride on!!
Got caught in a scissors situation once in IL. Pulled off the road and ended up in a ditch full of mud.
That sucks. But better that then being struck. Stay safe and ride on!
Great video and I just subscribed.
In some of your video shots your handlebars appear upside down.
Is it my imagination?
I’m in FL now but in scrolling through your video collection I see some KY and Indiana videos, my home area, and I’m excited to watch those.
Sorry about the slow response. Been out biking. Thanks for the support. I really appreciate it. We used to turn the handle bars up when we were kids because we thought it was cool. I do it just to get a more upright riding position and take some weight off of my hands. Now I have riser bars. For me, it's more comfortable. Stay safe and ride on! 😎
Cedar city to enterprise Utah into Nevada to highway 50 is shorter than Milford
I followed the ACA route. Enterprise is off route. That's all.
Nice 👍
Thanks ✌
Hit my state, eh? Nice review of that trip. Wonder what kinds of trips you'll do when you retire?
Riding across Utah and Nevada was amazing. I want to ride my bike to Alaska.
@paulsuchecki3985 Wow! That'll be some expedition. I thought of that years ago. Got relatives in Anchorage, but the possibility of bear encounters always freaked me out. Did go through Glacier National Park twice but never saw a bear. Going To The Sun, road was tricky. Got hit by a big coach RV. Bent his side mirror, but he didn't stop. Had a sore shoulder for a couple of days. They don't allow cyclist to ride that climb now with motor vehicles anymore. Last I heard you have to ride it early in the morning.
Loving the videos Paul! Can't wait until the next video! Thanks, Alex! P.S. what is your average speed? Just wondering what I should aim for when I start touring! Merci beaucoup!
Thanks for watching, I appreciate it! I'm a pretty slow rider. I'm just not built for speed. On the flats with no wind, I probably ride about 10-12 mph, comfortably. I average about 65-75 miles in a day, but I've had plenty of 100+ days. I'll get in a hurry if it's getting late and I still have a long way to go for the day or if I'm trying to out run a storm. Thanks again. Enjoy! And stay safe out there.
@@paulsuchecki3985 That's an amazing distance and speed for all the gear you carry! Hopefully you'll be doing some awesome touring videos again soon! I have 15 years to go until retirement (started teaching in my early 40's). Cheers! 🍻
After thinking a bit more about my below suggestion for you to possibly offer a "course" in bicycle tour videography editing, perhaps you would be willing to do a UA-cam video on the subject? That way you could reach a far greater audience and could do it at your own pace. Thanks for considering it!~
Thanks again. Others , including my wife, have suggested I make a video about "how to make bike touring videos". It's on my list. Ride on!😎
. . .
I think the difference between being Homeless, or not, is the length of our bicycle tour. . .if your on a touring bicycle and have a good tent your no longer homeless...but a Sojourner...and that is a good thing.
Lets go on a pilgrimage . . .it will change your life . . .be blessed in the mighty name of a Holy and Righteous God in Christ Jesus . . .your called to help bring in God's Harvest . . .Mark 16:15 your no ordinary person you where created in the image of God . . .Hodos!
. . .
Our bike touring philosophy... is not to do too many miles in one day... to pray without ceasing... have no destination... do away with duplications... live by faith and trust God for everything... to go into all the world and preach the gospel to everyone... make disciples... help men and women find Destiny in Christ... love everyone, hate sin ... itinerant Ministry to seek and to save them that are lost ...Hodos!
If you just pedal...in any Direction God will lead you to people that are in need of hearing the gospel... There is no amount of miles you have to do to be able to share the gospel...Just be prayed up, and read up and go with an air of expectancy. Believing God will lead you to people that need to hear the gospel... then as the Holy Ghost leads speak to people... share the gospel... love on people... and believe that people will get saved because, faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God. Romans 10:14-15...Hodos
....Being a Nazaritenn Friar is a Vocation, a "Way" of Life"..."or Hodos in Greek"
A Nazaritenn Friar is not a Roman Catholic or Protestant, we are not calvinist or arminian. We are first century believers in the Way of Christ or Hodos in the Greek.
Being a Friar, is forsaking all, to have all by faith in Christ . . .Luke 14:33 Whosoever KJV Matthew 19:27-29 Luke 6:38.
A Friar is a man or woman, that is a bold slave to Christ, we are not our own, we where bought with a price... Galatians 3:28 Exodus 21.
A Nazaritenn Friar lives by faith, living with what they can carry...having no where to lay our heads...living like our master, did when he was on earth....Luke 9:2-6 Luke 9:58.
A Nazaritenn Friar, is a pilgrim in a strange Land. . .a hermit, who travels into the World to Preach the Gospel of Salvation to this lost an dying world. . . This is not our home we are just passing through. . .1 Chronicles 29:15.
We travel into all the world to preach the gospel of salvation to everyone making disciples and helping brothers and sisters find there Destiny in Christ... Luke 14:21-23 Matthew 28:18-20 Mark 16:15...Hodos!
Seriously, Is this a bike touring ministry that you are involved in? Sounds compelling. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!!
I think the Christian on a bike thing is spot on.. I get to talk to loads of people on my bike trips n about God n the gospel quite often.
Hi Paul, Dave here, love your videos man, what bike is that you are touring on for this trip...I dig the Old Miyata 1000...this red one looks cool too !
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Yep, that's a 1981 Miyata 1000. Rides like a dream. Only one downside, it won't take fat tires. Thanks again. Hope to see you down the road. Stay safe and ride on!!
Red one is an 81 Miyata 1000 ?
How have I missed this video that Paul put out ? Though I had seen all his videos
That was my first biking video. I just got back from bike touring. New videos coming out soon. Thanks again!!
@@paulsuchecki3985 we will be waiting on them.
Your videos are great and since I've done the Transam + Western Express, it was just a nice reminder of how fun it was. Just curious, though, why didn't you go all the way to San Francisco? You could have taken the ferry back to Vallejo from San Francisco then a 13 mile ride to Martinez where you could catch the train.
Thanks for watching. I had a brother in Sacramento, so I stopped there. It was a great ride. Thanks again!
Paul how old are you my friend, I’m originally from Chicago, Franklin Park, use to ride centuries there. Now in Arizona, 66, I have a few bike and ride regularly, but haven’t had the nerve yet to do a real bike ride, like you. Just wondering because I’m being tempted to go and do some rides, longer than usual. I usually do 15 miles when I go out , maybe three to 4 days a week. I also do a little my biking in the desert, any advise?
Thanks, Juan
I'm 58. I grew up in the NW suburbs near Arlington Hts. We used to ride down Euclid Ave. where it becomes Lake St. and then to Lake Michigan. We'd swim in the Lake and then ride home. The only advise I have is keep on riding. Thanks for watching!
@@paulsuchecki3985 yup, I know the place well, thanks amigo
@@paulsuchecki3985 I remember riding to Belmont & Western where the Police district is, I worked in the criminal Division, then if we were down early, to the lake, then back home to FP, I had a Bianchi Campeon De Italia, sold it here many moons later.
Riding through the desolate areas, what did you do for food consumption; what type of foods did you eat in those areas.
In Utah and Nevada services are scarce. Sometimes it 80 miles between towns. I make sure I have all my food and water for the whole day when I start. I would carry 7-8 liters of water to start. Very heavy. I would drink half of it before noon, to stay hydrated and shed the weight. I never got thirsty and I never ran out of water. Sometimes food choices are limited so you eat what you can. I suppose you could take a bike packing approach and carry days worth of food and cook out along the way. But for the most part, towns are about a day apart, as they were in the old pony express days. I hope that helps.
@@paulsuchecki3985
Thanks Paul, I love your laid back approach.
Yeah, I have (#2) 3L. Camelbak bladders and a extra 4L. MSR water bladder just in case for those LONG barren stretches... 2 1/2 gallons total capacity if really necessary.
But food that is simple, as light as possible, and nutritious, and good tasting; gotta have a good tasting meal after burning all those calories.
That's my dilemma.
Canned food fits this dilemma, except it's kinda heavy, for packing it for two days out in the boonies.
I was trying to figure out your handlebars looks like they are back ward on your bike nice video tho.
Thanks for watching! For me, a more upright riding position is more comfortable. It takes the weight off of my hands and shoulders and I can see my surroundings better. It puts more weight on my butt and I sure it's less efficient and slower. But I was never built for speed anyways. That was in 2013, since then I've switched to more of a "cruiser" type of bars. I don't like the look of them at all, but I now ride more comfortably. Thanks again.
Great Video Paul, One question. How did you handle the traffic and places with very little shoulder on the roads when the traffic was there?
I stay as far to the right as possible. If there is no paved shoulder, try to ride on the white stripe. Out in Nevada and Utah the traffic is generally light, unless in a town or popular tourist area. Sight lines are pretty good, you can see and hear cars coming from a long way off. I think a mirror is essential. Worst case is when there is an oncoming car and a car coming from behind at the same time and they just happen to meet up with you at the same time. They call it the "scissors". Most of the time motorists are courteous, if aware. But sometimes it can get scary. I've been known to go off the paved road and onto the gravel shoulder when necessary. No fun. If traffic is unbearable and there are no shoulders, it just may be a bad choice of road and I need to find a better road.
Awesome ride, very hilly. Have you weighed your panniers and bike? What repair tools do you carry? I have biked several multi day routes on the right coast and loving it.
Thanks for watching. I've never weighed my bike and all my gear. I'm afraid to, if I knew how much it weighed I might not go riding. Not really! I have always guessed about 40 lbs. of gear or so. I know I could travel a lot lighter, but I like my luxury items. As far as tools... just some basics. Multipurpose tool with all hex sizes I need. Small screwdrivers and pliers, small wrenches, just in case. Extra tubes and cables. I have broke spokes, gear and brake cables. I've had plenty of flat tires and I can fix most things on the road. Once I broke a crank. That was unfixable. Luckily I was able to hitch a ride to the next town which had a bike shop. Best advice, make sure you're bike is in tip-top shape before setting off. Greased, tuned, trued, new tires, all that. You'll have fewer problems down the road. Good luck and have fun!!
What kind of bike was you riding on that trip ? Looks like an older bike . Just came across in your videos n catching up on they . You got a subscriber .
I was riding a 1981 Miyata 1000. It's one of my favorite bikes. Thanks for watching and taking time to comment. I appreciate it.
Good vid! This looked like a tough ride. Was this ride tougher than the middle third of the TransAmerica? And at 20:06 there was a tree with a bunch of shoes in it. What was up with that? Is there a story? Enjoying all your vids so far ...
Thanks for watching. Yes, definitely harder. More harsh, bigger hills, more remote. More interesting, too. Middlegate, Nevada is an old Overland Stage Coach stop from the 1800s. Just east of town is the "Shoe Tree". Kind of a local tourist attraction. The legend, as I understand it, goes like this: a young married couple was driving along in the desert on their honeymoon and they started to argue a little bit. As the argument got worse they pulled over to the side of the road under a tree. The argument escalated and the young wife threatened to walk off into the desert. So to prevent this, the young husband took her shoes, tied them together and threw them in the tree. So now people hang their old shoes in that tree like year 'round Christmas ornaments. Thanks again.
@@paulsuchecki3985 Cool story. Like those 'ol time stories and history. Hope you don't mind, going to take the opportunity to ask you if you could do a video on how you manage and execute the logistics of your tours. Your gear and packing video was great. Your attitude and rationale for what you bring on a tour was even better. I'm tired of the "ultra light this, ultra light that, save an ounce here " ... blah blah blah. If you're gonna be out for weeks might as well be comfortable doing it is my attitude. Anyway, thanks again ...
What was your reasoning for the trip? I ask because I did 1500 miles with a bicycle trailer from Detroit to Utah, made it to Kansas before hitting snow. Doctors said I needed an oxygen tank, nah I’m taking a bicycle trip. This year I’m doing what I call the Full moon rides, bicycle camping… Utah/Arizona area.
Reason? FREEDOM! Same as always. Riding across Utah and Nevada was amazing. It's like nowhere else I've ever been. In some places it felt like riding on the moon. Doctors are worried about me too. There's not much a good long bike tour can't cure. Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Hope to see you down the road. Stay safe and ride on!
I love your videos, buddy. I’m a 63 year old fat guy, so 30 or 40 miles is a good day for me.
My biggest issue is saddle sores. I have to break for a couple days after each ride so I can’t go on any long trips.
I’ve tried all kinds of different padded seats and shorts, creams and ointments, but it’s still a constant issue.
Any suggestions?
Check out my other video called "Bike touring 101" at about 14:35. ua-cam.com/video/w9P587fuYwI/v-deo.html Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it!
Why are your handle bars upside down?😊
Sorry about the slow response. Been out biking. Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. We used to turn the handle bars up when we were kids because we thought it was cool. I do it just to get a more upright riding position and take some weight off of my hands. Now I have riser bars. For me, it's more comfortable. Stay safe and ride on! 😎
Nice video. I might make the trip. How did you handle your water situation along the way in those hot and desolate areas?
Most days in Utah and Nevada there were long distances between services, sometimes 80 miles. I would start the day with my body plenty hydrated and carrying about 8 quarts of water. It was heavy, but I would force myself to drink half of it before noon. That lightened the load quickly. I never got thirsty and I never ran out of water.
@@paulsuchecki3985
2 gallons = 16 pounds. You do what you have to do.
I just wanted to ask you Paul. How you make it without fenders?
I tried fenders on a tour once. They didn't keep water off me and they just got in the way. I know some people love them. I don't see the need for them though. Thanks for watching. Stay safe and ride on!!
@@paulsuchecki3985thanks 😊
great video! how do you get the red line to traverse the map in the video? it looks hand drawn.
The maps are had drawn (traced). 1st I draw the map without the red line. Then I scan the drawing. I add the red line and scan it again. When I edit them into the video I use a "wipe transition" in what ever direction is necessary to make it look like the red line is moving. Thanks again!
@@paulsuchecki3985 awesome
How much water do you carry each day going through the Nevada desert.
Sorry about the late response. Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. On days with 80+ miles between services, I would start with 7 or 8 liters of water. It was very heavy, but I would force myself to drink half of that before noon. I never got dehydrated and never ran out of water. Stay safe and ride on!!
What made you decide to travel west? Were head winds a problem?
I went west to pick up the trail from a few years earlier when I rode the TransAm out to Colorado. The "wind is always out of the west" myth is a myth. I'll admit, the wind is usually out of the west, but not always. I've rode across the central plains in both directions and that rule doesn't always hold true. Sometimes there can be 20+ mph winds, in any direction. And if you happen to be heading the opposite direction as the wind, it can be tough. I just drop into a lower gear, put my head down and reach my destination a little later and more tired. Builds character, I guess. I'd much rather have the 20+ mph wind behind me, and I've had those days too. Almost feels like cheating. If the wind gets serious crazy, I might lay low and wait for better weather.
How many miles was it?
Almost 1300 miles.
I want ride whit you
When? Where? 😎
@@paulsuchecki3985 oklahoma