Opinions can be made as to our decision to follow 2020 touring plans as they were originally made. We had to make some concessions as to lodging and dining, but followed our planned summer tour from Mexico to Canada. We also rode a week long tour at Thanksgiving in southern Arizona. Both journals will soon show up here on Cycle Blaze.
For 2021, we have a five week tour of Michigan/Wisconsin booked, followed with a ten day Fall Colors Tour in Colorado.
I will take other touring opportunities as they pique my interest.
As Buddy, mentioned, we did find that small town America wasn't as concerned with masks. We ate dine in as our first choice at each occasion. Small businesses were very happy for our patronage.
Hey Karen,
I'm about to get my second jab and the daydreaming has been out of control. However, I don't expect to do any big tour until next year when hopefully most of the globe will be vaccinated and the virus is well on its way out. Meanwhile, I'll do some short tours in the States. But I'm feeling a little hesitant about being out and about. I'm organizing my first gathering with people other than my wife, with friends I haven't seen in a year but who are all vaccinated. It feels strange to be able to do that.
Before any bike touring though, we'll be traveling to Michigan to meet our great nephew for the first time. He started walking last week. Videos of him over the past year have helped keep us sane.
Getting vaccinated was a bit emotional for me. I could see a light at the end of the tunnel, and it wasn't a train. So, y'all, see you on the road!
Kathleen
Dreaming for sure, but determined to tour. It's great to read of other's plans and the general optimism for what lies ahead. I'm lucky enough to be fully vaccinated - a privilege of age - and am in the planning stages for a June-ish ride across the Erie Canal with a detour through the Finger Lakes. I also re-booked an August trip along the Great Divide in Wyoming that was cancelled last year. It's an ACA organized small group tour, so will be bit more risky than touring alone.
The early reports of the RNA vaccine efficacy astounded and thrilled me so in January I took a leap of faith booked a no-change fee ticket to Paris for September. Plans include an 8-day guided tour in Morocco and a 3-4 week solo tour around Slovenia during October. I hope that Europe will be open to Americans but have no idea about Africa. Morocco seems to have vaccine rates similar to most of Europe and I'll go to either/both if they let me in. Barring the widespread emergence of vaccine-resistant variants, I feel pretty comfortable that the vaccine and continuing common sense precautions will keep me safe - not completely risk free, but neither is bike touring!
Hi,
I will be watching for your journal to see how you and your touring friends are going, but also for information of the touring infrastructure on the Trans-am.
One thing I did liked about riding cross-country in 2010 was meeting people from other countries. It looks like that is one thing that will be missing this year. We'll see...
Karen
So far I am getting an idea that I should keep my plans but have a couple of contingency plans just in case, which isn't a problem. That just gives me more to dream about! ;-)
Wow, there are going to be a lot of journals to look forward to!
Mary and I are not looking at anything ambitions, just a few two or three nighters on the Victorian Rail Trails, with or without our vaccinations which seem to be taking a long time to roll out here in Oz.
Mike
Mike
Ha! There MAY be a lot of journals. We will see... :-)
Maybe you will ramp up soon? (with vaccines)
We felt pretty slow for a while and now things are moving faster. More groups are becoming eligible as more vaccines become available. Hopefully its that way in OZ and other countries as well. Fingers crossed for the world!
Karen
Jacquie - I'll be bikepacking the BC Trail starting Sep. 3 from Abbotsford. I live in Ottawa, ON. Saw something on the CBC that BC Prov Park campgrounds are nearly impossible to reserve right now for the upcoming season. I'm considering bringing my hammock for this tour so that I can free camp in the woods if need be. I plan to finish in Banff, connecting via GDMBR. I have a few extensions/detours off the BC trail to hit some hot springs near Canal Flat and St Leon, hopefully they'll be open again this year. Cheers.
Hi Scott,
Curious to the airfare...our plans once we get to Bar Harbor in mid Oct to fly to Holland for Patrick's family visit. What airline?
Racpat
Hi Karen,
On Sunday 18 April I’m intending to begin cycling across Australia from Canberra to Perth riding “Against the Wind” (with apologies to Bob Seeger)
Covid is pretty much under control in Australia thanks to the hard border closures, contact tracing and the usual quarantine procedures. Vaccinations are underway too. Apparently I am 6 millionth in the vaccination queue according to one survey I did.
I was meant to start the “Against the Wind” ride last March but Covid and a series of family bereavements rapidly changed my priorities. I even started a journal here on CycleBlaze but it’s been sitting idle for almost a year. I’ll renew the journal when the ride starts in 5 weeks.
3 years ago