420 mile bicycle ride to the rally

[Trance Dance Master]

My friend and I are going to ride our bicycles from Palatine, IL all the way to the rally starting Friday night August 30. I used that reserveamerica.com site to find some a couple campgrounds along the way to set up a tent an sleep Saturday and Sunday night. Here's our route to the Monday night concert if we get there by then. We have Motel 6 reservations where we'll take a Minneapolis bus to the rally Tuesday after a much needed shower and bed rest. Here is the planned route:

http://tinyurl.com/6g8efv

If anyone sees two guys riding bicycles with Ron Paul bumper stickers on their sunhats along this route, you'll know who we are! We plan on riding all the way back as well. We rode 120 miles this weekend and 200 miles two weeks ago and doing another 120 miles in two weeks, so we'll be as ready as we can be.

[ronpaulhawaii]

:cool::D:cool:

You ever use the following for mapping? It includes elevations and is pretty stable...

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com

I'll be walking...

:D

[Trance Dance Master]

:cool::D:cool:

You ever use the following for mapping? It includes elevations and is pretty stable...

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com

I'll be walking...

:D
Looks interesting. I know there's gonna be a lot of hills.:eek: Also, the route is pretty complicated. Can't take expressways on a bicycle, otherwise it would be US-14 all the way through Madison to the Mississippi river.

We both rode bicycles to the Mississippi river in Iowa some 10 years ago. Riding at night through a huge swarm of mayflies is a very unique experience. We were poked in the eyeballs more times in one night than most people are in their entire lives.:D

Imagine riding a bicycle through this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWxsKW7XAgE

[ronpaulhawaii]

Looks interesting. I know there's gonna be a lot of hills.:eek: Also, the route is pretty complicated. Can't take expressways on a bicycle, otherwise it would be US-14 all the way through Madison to the Mississippi river.

We both rode bicycles to the Mississippi river in Iowa some 10 years ago. Riding at night through a huge swarm of mayflies is a very unique experience. We were poked in the eyeballs more times in one night than most people are in their entire lives.:D

Imagine riding a bicycle through this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWxsKW7XAgE

Well... that is one fate I did not suffer last year :D

I found the gmaps app w g/earth a really good combo for scrutinizing routes

:)

[Trance Dance Master]

I tried using gmaps, but I click on "usage instructions" and get this error message:

phpBB : Critical Error

Error creating new session

DEBUG MODE

SQL Error : 145 Table './pdegnan_phpbb/phpbb_sessions' is marked as crashed and should be repaired

INSERT INTO phpbb_sessions (session_id, session_user_id, session_start, session_time, session_ip, session_page, session_logged_in, session_admin) VALUES ('7a15d8f6c2beb300bf8a3c7b3d16cdba', -1, 1217882674, 1217882674, '4683235d', 10, 0, 0)

Line : 187
File : sessions.php

[ronpaulhawaii]

^^^over my head - just checked, working for me...

[Trance Dance Master]

^^^over my head - just checked, working for me...
Which web browser do you use?

[ronpaulhawaii]

I just checked FF and IE

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2106363

a walk route

[RickyJ]

I am just curious how many miles are you planning on traveling a day and what do you estimate will be your average speed for the hours you are riding?

[Trance Dance Master]

I am just curious how many miles are you planning on traveling a day and what do you estimate will be your average speed for the hours you are riding?
B and C on the route are goals for Saturday and Sunday night. The first day is gonna be the longest day of riding. We usually keep about 10 mph when you count the stops during riding. We'll stop less if behind schedule.

[Kade]

http://www.ksat.com/news/2288151/detail.html

[Trance Dance Master]

http://www.ksat.com/news/2288151/detail.html
I'm wearing clothes while riding and so is my riding partner. Funny story, though.

[Trance Dance Master]

I've got 10 3.5" "END THE FED" buttons. One on the side and back of each pannier and one on each hat. That's how we'll roll.

[Trance Dance Master]

We're all packed up and ready to leave in seven hours. Can't wait. Wish me luck and I'll see y'all there!

[Mahkato]

Good luck! Be sure to talk to the media when you get to the Rally! People don't bike 420 miles for just any old political rally!

[PlzPeopleWakeUp]

nt

[heath.whiteaker]

Good luck guys. Was the 420 a number picked? :D

[Trance Dance Master]

Back home! Took 72 hours for us two to pedal from Palatine to Prescott, more details pending rest.:) Pics as well.:D

[Cowlesy]

Awesome work TDM!

Hope you gents had a great time!

[Trance Dance Master]

Top of Mount Horeb. 130 miles by the first Saturday night. Joint break here the first time. Slept here on the way back, which also happened to be a Saturday night.

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/520/001sep082008photo0001jp7.jpg
By trancedancemaste (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/trancedancemaste)

[Trance Dance Master]

Past the top of Mount Horeb. 130 miles by the first Saturday night. Joint break here the first time. Slept here on the way back, which also happened to be a Saturday night.

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/520/001sep082008photo0001jp7.jpg
By trancedancemaste (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/trancedancemaste)

[Trance Dance Master]

Amish farm. My friend started a one cow stampede with his mooing. I poached an ear of corn. Sunday afternoon 8/31.

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/2904/002sep082008photo0002nn5.jpg
By trancedancemaste (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/trancedancemaste)

[Trance Dance Master]

The half way point! Woo hoo! Notice the sock on his knee? It's a makeshift knee brace. Mount Horeb was tough, Wildcat was tougher. Also notice the "End The Fed" buttons.

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/9233/003sep082008photo0003ix2.jpg
By trancedancemaste (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/trancedancemaste)

[Trance Dance Master]

Got the hand rolled organic tobacco cig hanging from my mouth. I read a post on a bicyclist forum once a where some one said smokers aren't bicyclists, they're just people with bicycles. I doubt that poster would've had the strength and stanima to handle this ride.

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/5070/004sep082008photo0004dy4.jpg
By trancedancemaste (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/trancedancemaste)

[JosephTheLibertarian]

my bike model...

http://www.belvederesports.com/photogallery/gtmountain/chucker20blue08.jpg

[Trance Dance Master]

Our first view of the state of Minnesota! At Merrick State Park. We were still in Wisconsin of course.

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/996/005sep082008photo0005mo9.jpg
By trancedancemaste (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/trancedancemaste)

[Trance Dance Master]

my bike model...

http://www.belvederesports.com/photogallery/gtmountain/chucker20blue08.jpg

We're riding Raleigh Ventures. (Rally Ventura?) Comfy 7-speeds. Here's a google image of one.

http://providencebicycle.com/images/library/large/raleigh_vntr_m_red_08_m.jpg

[Trance Dance Master]

The mist rising from these hills looked so cool. I have a better pic as you'll see later.

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/9642/006sep082008photo0006jq2.jpg
By trancedancemaste (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/trancedancemaste)

[Trance Dance Master]

There were lots of gorgeous scenic outlooks and informative historical markers along the river. Here's one. Notice the sailboat.

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/5172/007sep082008photo0007yd5.jpg
By trancedancemaste (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/trancedancemaste)

[Trance Dance Master]

Monday night. The Ron Paul Nation Celebration is going on and we have less than 100 miles to go. Behind schedule, but still keeping a good pace. Awesome sunset.

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/2672/008sep082008photo0008mc1.jpg
By trancedancemaste (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/trancedancemaste)

[JosephTheLibertarian]

We're riding Raleigh Ventures. (Rally Ventura?) Comfy 7-speeds. Here's a google image of one.

http://providencebicycle.com/images/library/large/raleigh_vntr_m_red_08_m.jpg

Do you think I could ride cross country with my type of bike?

[Trance Dance Master]

Took a second sunset pic to get the barge.

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/166/009sep082008photo0009in1.jpg
By trancedancemaste (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/trancedancemaste)

[Trance Dance Master]

Do you think I could ride cross country with my type of bike?
Get some slick tires, you'll pedal much easier. My friend had knobbies that came with the Raleigh. I had these bad boys.

http://www.schwalbetires.com/marathon_plus

I got no flats. My friend got one.

Also, make sure you get a good seat. And bicycle shorts was something we definitely could've used. Saddle sores suck, even though the ride was incredibly awesome.

[Trance Dance Master]

Took a 3rd sunset pic. I was thinking of how much fun you guys must have been having out in Blaine.

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/2484/010sep082008photo0010zg2.jpg
By trancedancemaste (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/trancedancemaste)

[Trance Dance Master]

With the bicycles at the Motel, we took the bus to the rally. Too late for Ventura. In time for Gary Johnson, Jimmy Vaughn, Ron Paul, and Aimee Allen. Met a nice woman while outside for a smoke. I remember her name. Kathleen. Had a Ron Paul sticker on her dress.

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/3295/011sep082008photo0011hx3.jpg
By trancedancemaste (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/trancedancemaste)

[Trance Dance Master]

After party at The Annex. My friend went back to the Motel to rest while I partied it up. I forgot her name, but she was cool and from Chicago as well.

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/8979/012sep082008photo0012xp9.jpg
By trancedancemaste (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/trancedancemaste)

[Trance Dance Master]

I don't remember her name either, but I know that the sweat on my shirt is from another woman whose picture I didn't get. It's so much more fun to go clubbing with revolutionary women, they're so much cooler than your average club chicks.

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/3728/013sep082008photo0013ij0.jpg
By trancedancemaste (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/trancedancemaste)

[Trance Dance Master]

Heading home. Twin Cities skyline from above train tracks.

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/3465/014sep082008photo0014gh7.jpg
By trancedancemaste (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/trancedancemaste)

[Trance Dance Master]

More distant twin cities skyline pic from top of hill along bike path.

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/7010/015sep082008photo0015db3.jpg
By trancedancemaste (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/trancedancemaste)

[Trance Dance Master]

Wednesday night. We're just west of Prescott. Thursday morning we start back across Wisconsin. Goodbye, Minnesota!

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/2281/017sep082008photo0017rb2.jpg
By trancedancemaste (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/trancedancemaste)

[angelatc]

Wow Michael, those are awesome! What a great trip.

[Trance Dance Master]

Minnesota blessed us with some wild blueberries to eat before we left. I never ate blueberries with seeds before, and they were very tasty.

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/9828/016sep082008photo0016lg9.jpg
By trancedancemaste (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/trancedancemaste)

[Trance Dance Master]

More edible plants. We didn't see any of these on the way there, but stopped nearly a dozen times at different spots along the same route back to pick and give thanks.

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/8272/018sep082008photo0018ja4.jpg
By trancedancemaste (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/trancedancemaste)

[Trance Dance Master]

Now this is the better mist rising from hill picture. There was mist everywhere from sunrise until about 10 am, and the top of this hill still had it, while the sun was shining through it. Near Alma, WI. We found more of those green edible plants a little further down the road.

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/3087/019sep082008photo0019pq6.jpg
By trancedancemaste (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/trancedancemaste)

[Trance Dance Master]

Rattlesnake. This one had been dead for a while. I rode my bicycle over one that was more freshly dead later. My friend went around it. I'm glad we didn't find any live ones. The scariest animal encounter was the last Saturday night. We heard wild coyotes several nights, but this time I decided to howl back. Seconds later they were howling again, but over twice as nearby. We picked up the pace for quite some time. Was a bit foolish on my part.

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/5981/020sep082008photo0020db4.jpg
By trancedancemaste (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/trancedancemaste)

[Trance Dance Master]

If you thought the last pic was kind of gross, this one tops it. Pregnant deer roadkill.

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/7273/021sep082008photo0021uh3.jpg
By trancedancemaste (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/trancedancemaste)

[Trance Dance Master]

Moby Gill! The biggest fish I ever caught. And it was raining out, too!

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/1840/022sep082008photo0022lu7.jpg
By trancedancemaste (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/trancedancemaste)

[Trance Dance Master]

We saw this apple tree near Wildcat Mountain on the way there. Remembered to take picture of it on the way back. Very tasty both times.

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/5495/023sep082008photo0023ti4.jpg
By trancedancemaste (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/trancedancemaste)

[Trance Dance Master]

I settled on just one bug pic. This spider was huge. The staple under the picnic bench gives some perspective. I'm glad we didn't encounter anywhere near as many mayflies as we did last time we went to the Mississippi River 10 years ago.

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/1899/024sep082008photo0024du9.jpg
By trancedancemaste (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/trancedancemaste)

[Trance Dance Master]

We called for a ride and got picked up after about another 30 more miles on that Sunday. Over 200 hours and 700 miles on the road. Unforgettable.

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/1766/025sep082008photo0025tt3.jpg
By trancedancemaste (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/trancedancemaste)

[Trance Dance Master]

Do you think I could ride cross country with my type of bike?
If you're still interested, here's what you need to make that bike worthy of long distance.

http://www.biketiresdirect.com/slzz/slicksemi-slick_mtb_tires/products.htm
http://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-Adult-Ergonomic-Bicycle-Saddle/dp/B000DZD3DI/ref=pd_sim_sg_3

These would come in handy as well.

http://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=3381451
http://www.pacificcorrosion.com/PriceList.ivnu

Raingear, headlight/rear light, rack, and panniers would also be a good idea. Spare tubes and pump for flats, or just go with a patch kit.