Rusty Crank Coast to Coast Bicycle Tour across the USA on the ACA TransAM Route

Shakedown Ride Day #1 May 7, 2018 Brooklyn to Harriman - 65 Miles Ride Time 6.5 Hours Total 65 Miles details at: http://cyclemeter.com/4b2d99e24f1383f2/Cycle-20180507-1154 I began the ride shortly before noon, after taking Blanka to Charlotte’s House (which should count as an extra 10 miles). Seven hours later, I’m laying in my hammock listening to the birds chirp as I eat granola and apples. The nearest restaurant is 5 miles down an enormous hill. There’s no way I’m going back down there for warm food and beer. I’m exhausted and sore. The end of the ride was frustrating having gotten lost and going an extra 15 miles. I had map problems and gps problems. One of my biggest difficulties is not being able to read the gps because of my crappy vision. The magnifier I bought didn’t work. My reading glasses are tricking putting and off on while riding, and I loathe constantly stopping- which I really need to do, until I get a better solution worked out. There’s nothing more aggrav...

Shakedown Ride Day #2 May 8, 2018 Harriman to Brooklyn - 54 Miles Ride Time 4.21 Hours Total 119 Miles details at: http://cyclemeter.com/4b2d99e24f1383f2/Cycle-20180508-0858 I’m sitting in my bathtub in Brooklyn with full-on epson salts, eating tuna fish and drinking cold beer. My wet camping gear is hanging on the laundry line. I still have to pick up Blanka which will add 10 miles to my day. The shakedown ride was good! I learned that I’m well prepared and that I need many of the things I was unsure of. I’ve planned well, and can definitely handle the TransAm. The birds and wildlife woke me up early. I didn’t have the best night’s sleep. I tried to imagine that I was in my own bed, but the reality fell far short. I got up before 8am and was packed in an hour. I paid for my campsite and bombed it down the hill to Stoney Point. I hung a right on 9W and saw how badly I had screwed up yesterday. My plan today was to stay on 9W all the way to the George Washington bridge. Howeve...