Day After Tomorrow

Heading up to Jacksonville New Year's Day with my dad, getting a hotel the night before I leave. Making final preparations for gear and food. Confirmed my first night with host Jesse in Lake City.

Accommodations Update

Great news to report. From Jacksonville Beach to Hattiesburg I have a place to stay for each night. Very grateful to my future hosts. After Hattiesburg it gets a little sparse (but especially after Dallas). Warmshowers is a great site, highly recommend it. Just 5 days away, I'm getting over a cough now and it's nothing too severe.

Supplies Update

Handlebar bag and panniers are on the bike and filled with the essentials (clothing, maintenance tools, electronics). Supplies that are being shipped or still need to be bought: bivy sack (emergency camping), iPhone mount (for weather, navigation), lights (I have lights but need better ones), a rear view mirror, and mace (for dogs...the big dogs). Feeling confident for the ride, should be good with the clothing and gear that I have. Stay tuned for more and don't forget to check my Instagram: www.instagram.com/kyle_to_cal.

Official Route Map

At long last I have determined my final route. Made three alterations in Louisiana, Mississippi and Arizona. It was changed for purposes of shelter and and food. Now includes Shreveport, Louisiana.

Instagram

Follow me on Instagram for photos and videos: @Kyle_To_Cal. I will be posting around mid-December

Introduction

Early Preparations

        I just received the rear pannier rack and I'm proud to announce it will fit (no returning hassle with REI). It's a sturdy 66 lb. carrying capacity rack that will hold a top trunk bag and a set of Ortlieb panniers. Only thing now is to purchase a clamp adapter to secure the rack prongs to the two rear drop-downs. I don't plan on riding with the rack just yet, likely in December.

            Additionally, I received and successfully tested twice the Garmin Edge 800. The mount is perfectly positioned out in front of the handlebars and there is no problem in uploading the .FIT file to MapMyRide. GoPro is installed as well, and I hope to post videos on here if I can get time between riding days. Also did budgeting last night, with the help of my wonderful, cash-savvy mother.

            The ride is 74 days away from today, so I'm continuing to stay on top of my preparations and training. 

Revised Route Stops

I've revised my overnight stops on my route from Jacksonville Beach, FL to Coppell, TX. I recalculated the mileage between the stops to a more reasonable pace. I will do the same from Coppell, TX to Ventura, CA if necessary.

Jacksonville Beach, FL to Lake City, FL

Lake City, FL to Monticello, FL

Monticello, FL to Blountstown, FL

Blountstown, FL to Niceville, FL

Niceville, FL to Pensacola, FL

Pensacola, FL to Mobile, AL

Mobile, AL to Lucedale, MS

Lucedale, MS to Hattiesburg, MS

Hattiesburg, MS to McComb, MS

McComb, MS to Natchez, MS

Natchez, MS to Jena, LA

Jena, LA to Natchitoches, LA

Natchitoches, LA to Logansport, LA

Logansport, LA to Jacksonville, TX

Jacksonville, TX to Kaufman, TX

Kaufman, TX to Coppell, TX

Important Websites

Here are some important websites relevant to this trip:

My MapMyRide profile. I use this to track my mileage during my training rides. Visit it here.

My Couchsurfing profile.

My Warm Showers profile.

Welcome

Welcome to my new blog site, Bike Across America: Going to California. You're likely here from my former site, www.baamerica.blogspot.com. I will be using this site (www.KyleToCal.blogspot.com) from now on to document my preparation for and progress of my 2015 bike ride across the United States from Jacksonville Beach, Florida to Ventura, California.

Here are the facts: the route I'm taking was planned by myself and follows no designated bicycle touring routes. It traverses eight states, a multitude of towns and cities, and will be done alone. By alone, I mean without the benefit of a pace car or touring group. I will however be looking for people to stay with along the way. The route is roughly 2,600 miles. The midway point of my trip is 29 miles west of Aspermont, Texas.

I have consulted with three extraordinary people who have made this trek across the country by bike (thank you Jeff, Dan, and Athena) and will likely contact more as my date of departure moves closer. My departure date, as of today, is set for 2 January, 2015 in the morning.

It will be a cold weather ride. Knowing this, I've begun looking at the appropriate attire and gear to maintain a safe and comfortable ride. I will be purchasing insulated jackets, leg warmers, arm warmers, closed finger gloves, windbreakers, and a lot of chamois butter. In addition, I have started looking at panniers, front bags, and other storage options.

Finally, this ride is for a good cause. I'm raising money for the Tourette's Syndrome Association. None of this money goes to me. It is being raised to help people like my sister, and I, who have Tourette's syndrome. I want to inspire youth with TS by proving that this condition is not an obstacle to success. If you'd like to donate, please visit here.

Any questions for me? Any advice? Contact me at: justdialkyle@me.com.

Cheers,

Kyle Kryak.