I typed in Cross Roads Bicycle TransAm (And later Trans-America) and found everything else EXCEPT a company that assist with bicycle trips.
One site is a cite on how someone did the Trans-american bicycle route:
http://www.mikebentley.com/bike/touring.htmMore on that route:
The Trans-American Trail:
http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/transamerica.cfmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bikecentennialhttp://www.diddit.com/list-lgvwbw/trans-america-bike-routes/I found sites involving camper trailers, songs, bicycle complaints of auto drivers, Even the Town of Cross Roads PA, before I found Cross Road Cycling (I even first found a blog from 2004 complaining of the Service, but even it noted management changed sometime in 2004):
http://www.crossroadscycling.com/Now, I do NOT know anything good or bad about Cross Roads cycling (The 2004 report I found on the net was old and clearly complaints of people who expected more from Cross Roads then what Cross Roads gave, but no indications that Cross Roads actually promise the service the people were complaining of) but let me make some comments about ANY GROUP Movement:
1, Clausewitz makes the comment in his book "On War" that what is easy for one person to do by himself, becomes difficult if it has to be done by a large group of people at the same time. The larger the group the more difficult is become (and one of the Causes of "Friction" in military actions, Friction being a term Clausewitz uses to mean things that interfere with what the group wants to do as a whole. IT is much harder to get a large group woke up, feed and on their bikes then to get two people up, feed and on they way.
With a large group of cyclist, any bicycle movement can NOT go faster then its slowest member (Which can vary over time). Deming made this same observation when he discussed how to improve quality. Deming observed that your quality can be no better then your worse input, thus he made the same observation as did Clausewitz, but pointed it out for business (And later in life pointed it out in other areas of life).
To compensate for this most people who move large group of people either try to move them in one Vehicle (such as a ship, bus or train) OR makes accommodations to reflect that people move at different paces (Thus the old practice of Armies to put their slowest people up front, so the unit does NOT breakup, leaving the slowest people behind). On a bicycle trip everyone has to go at the speed of the slowest cyclist AND go only as far as the cyclist who has the greatest limits as to distance can go (this may be TWO different people, remember the story of the Turtle and the Hare).
An added complication is Tandems go faster then similarly equipped single seat bicycles. The fact that you have two cyclist using two wheels between them also permits them to go further.
All together you have to be willing to accept the above restrictions on your movement. Many days you will feel you could have gone further, started earlier and even kept on going later, but restricted by the rules of the group. The problem is the rules are to make sure ALL of the Cyclists make it, ALL of the Cyclists start about the same time, ALL of the Cyclists take rest and breaks at about the same time AND all of the Cyclist stop for the day at the same time. The Army complaint of "Hurry up and wait" is a product of the same basic concerns AND most cycle groups do NOT want to appear to military in organizing the group (so efforts are made to make the above appear NOT be forcing you to confirm to the rules of the Trip, but forcing you to confirm to the group).
2. On the other hand, a large group permits the group to move as a whole better then if the group went as individuals. You will have places set up for you to stay, that meets some minimum level of quality (Thus Cross Roads rule to use well known Chain Motels/Hotels rather then stand alone motels/Hotels). Someone in the group can make sure the bicycles stay in working order (Thus you do NOT have to lose days while you find a bicycle shop AND the shop does the repairs). Someone in the Group knows something about first aid (In Military movements, Medics go with any group just in case) AND has the means to get help if needed (This is NOT as important as it use to be given the wide spread use of Cell Phones, but there are still places without Cell Phone Service so the need still exists).
Other things people rely on others can be provided by the Tour Group. For Example, having an idea where to watch out for problems To have someone stay and watch the bikes, when the paying members of the group goes somewhere else (either to the local town or maybe up a foot trail).
3. As a whole you have to decide on what you actually need with a group tour AND does the group proving the tour actually provides that need. On the Great Allegheny Passage, there are several bike stores on or near the bike path, thus finding one when needed is NOT that hard to do in those areas. On the other hand some stretchers of the Great Allegheny Passage have NO bicycle stores on or near it and you will need a car life to get your bike to the Store.
You also have to decide is the greater speed and distance you can get by going alone, off sets the risk of the bicycle breaking down and you having to find a place to get it repaired (and the resulting down time)? I can NOT answer that question you have answer it yourself (or in your case, you and your spouse will have to answer that question together).
4. Now things I would look for in any bicycle touring package are the following:
a. Does the Provider have a repair person in the group OR someway to get a repair person to the group? The Repair person should have what is needed to fix most damages AND a way to get the Bicycle repair.
b. Does the provider have any requirements of what you must have on the trip? If I was planning a tour I would REQUIRE any rider to have the following
i. A bicycle capable of making the trip, this should be clear as to what is needed and what is acceptable and NOT acceptable. On top of this the Bicycle should be inspected to make sure it can finish the trip (i.e. check the gears to make sure the gears have enough of each tooth so that the Chain will NOT slip or otherwise have a problem changing or switching gears. If needed the gears and chain should be replaced before the trip even begins. I have had to replace the gears and chain on my bike over the years when the gears just worn down so they would NOT hold in certain gears (the one I use the most often).
ii. A Cell Phone, in case you are separated and need to call for help. 20 years ago not even thought of, but is clearly useful today in an emergency.
iii. A FM or CB radio, today these are as small as Cell Phones. Being radios NOT Phones, all you need to be heard is within distance of another FM or CB on the same frequency. The tour can provide these or require them. They are a good way to send messages to the group (if on) as a whole, and will provide radio communications to others in the group if you are out of Cell Phone Range (and use the Radio to see if anyone else in the Group has cell phone service OR can go to use a phone OR where cell phone service is available). Police still monitor channel 9, the Emergency CB Channel, so it is a good backup for the Cell phone.
iv. A multi tool for maintenance of your own bicycle. Comes in handy
v. Spare inner tubes and a hand pump. The actual maintenance person should have a full size pump, but each cyclist should have a portable one to use if needed.
vi. One or two spare TIRES. You are going on a many day trip, finding the tires for you bike many take days of the tire goes bad. With Kevlar supported tires,
tTires can fit inside almost any pannier.
vii. A first aid kit. This should include not only a bandage, but the new blood clotting packages (25% of the troops that died in Vietnam, died of excessive bleeding, the new blood clotting medications is the chief reason US loses in Afghanistan and Iraq has been do low). Any package should be big enough to hold anything else you may need in medical supplies.
viii. Wet Weather Gear, sometime you will need it, Gore tex preferred (Vinyl wet weather will keep the water out, and the sweat in, Gore Tex will permit the Sweat out well keeping the rain out).
ix. An Army poncho with liner. This should NOT replace the wet weather gear, the poncho will NOT provide the protection of proper Gore Tex rain gear. On the other hand it is a very versatile piece of equipment. In addition to being wet weather gear (when you have nothing else), it can be used as a shelter, a stretcher, sleeping bag and other things where a large strong flexible piece of Cloth comes in handy. Tents (and hotels) are better shelter, a proper stretcher is a better stretcher, a proper sleeping bag is a better sleeping bag, but when you do NOT have the proper equipment, the poncho (and more so if you have the liner) comes in handy.
x. Plenty of water bottles to carry extra water in.
Lights, in case you are caught after night fall. I do NOT expect them to require a generator light so you never have to worry about Batteries (I use a generator light, and I like it, I keep in on all the time, daylight) but a light, both front and rear, that automobile drivers can see. Hopefully you never need it, but you should have it. Now, I use a generator powered light, but I still keep on my bike a Battery operated light, both as a backup AND something I can use off the bike (For example when I an changing a tire at night). I have seen to many cross country riders without a light and even in summer that is dangerous if you have to ever travel at night.
c. The above items you should be required to have on you or on the bicycle (and some of the above items, the Cell Phone, te First aid kit, the FM or CB radio, and the Army Poncho should be ON YOU, so if you leave you bike you still have those emergency items available on or near you NOT useless on the bike). In stores catering to Army/marine/police you will see vests and "Load Baring Equipment" (LBE) that was designed to carry such loads. The older Vietnam era Alice System is still usable but there are better systems out there. You have to see what you want to carry and how. Keep it light on your body, but make sure emergency equipment is on you body if needed. At present I use two pockets shirts for my Cell Phone and first aid pack. My poncho is on my bicycle not me, through I am looking as a Vest that would permit air to circulate AND provide me pockets for my Cell Phone, A FM Radio (A CB type radio that uses FM frequencies not the AM frequencies CB use) and a small double AA flashlight. A place for a nice size First Aid Kit and an army canteen. The Vest has tied down spots in the back for the Poncho. Will address my "needs" but I will have to buy it first and use it before I report on how good or bad it is.
D. Now when I say the above should be required, in that cycling group can NOT carry everything that they may need on their bicycles, BUT the above items, if available to the Cyclists will prevent most problems on the trip. In addition the provider should be able to provide much of the above items as needed as replacements (often when you get to the next town or bike shop). Higher level repairs (And medical care) should be available within the group, but that can be in or on the bike the maintenance person is riding (or the maintenance person can call someone in for the repairs needed, often from the nearest bike store).
E. Now the trip provider may NOT make the above requirements, if they do not (and most will not) be prepared to carry the above yourself. Many group providers do NOT make such requirements but often will provide you a list of what they think you should have on your bole. I would follow those recommendations, often they are NOT required do to fears of turning people away, thus only recommendations
Just some comments on long distance Bicycle trips, most of my trips have been day trips only (But I did multi-day maneuvers while in the National Guard and doing boot camp). Certain items I found best to be on me, if and when I needed them. Not in my back pack, not in my Truck, not in my Armored Personal Carrier, but on me. The same with my bicycle trips, certain items are best on me, not on my bike, but on me. At the same time, most items can be on the bike (Even some of the items I use to carry on me when in the National Guard). You have to see and think about what you need. Talk to your spouse to see if your spouse agrees or disagrees (and why). Think about what you will need on the bike. Since you are planning to go Hotel to Hotel, tents and sleeping bags may not be needed (But you may want to carry, for an emergency). Spare clothing is something else you should carry (and how often you have to stop to get them washed OR replaced). Hopefully you thought of the above, but you have you have things you should think of. Your post gave me an excuse to write down some of my thoughts on such a trip, which I have done. The above is more food for thought then things you must have, but sometimes you have to think about what you want to do, and how to do it and what you need to take with you, including items hopefully you will never use (i.e. First Aid Kits and other emergency items).
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