iwasgandhi
Member
I'm considering traveling across the U.S. on my motorized bicycle this summer and I'd first like to find out here if it's even do-able.
Has anyone here done this before? I'd like to ask you some Q's if you don't mind.
Some background:
Last summer (2011) I purchased and assembled a Staton-inc axle mounted kit for my hard-tail mountain bicycle. I ordered the 49cc Robin-Subaru mini 4-stroke engine and an 11 tooth sprocket for the gearbox. I also ordered the 48 hole (for 48 spokes) double-wall rear rim (Sunlite brand).
I've had problems with flats on the rear tire, which is royal pain to remove due to the axle mounted kit, so I'm open to suggestions. I've tried a "kevlar tire/Mr. Tuffy tire liner/self-sealing slime tube" triple protection on the rear but it's not completley flat proof.
Last summer I made several medium-length round trips. A 150 mile round trip was my max. I had to stay overnight to do that one. I live Rochester, NH and I've gone from Rochester to Saco, ME and back, Rochester to Greenfield, NH and back, Rochester to Hampton Beach and back, and Rochester to Newburyport, MA and back.
But a cross-country trip is a whole 'nother level of adventure (or perhaps misadventure).
To finance my trip I would need to sell my 2001 Ford Focus station wagon (with 105K miles on the odometer). I might get $4000 for it if I'm lucky, but most likely I'd only get $3000-$3500.
Would this be enough money to travel from Portland, Maine to Portland Oregon and back? I'd be doing so as cheaply as possible, packing a tent, sleeping bag, cooking gear, etc., and staying overnight at campgrounds (mostly for the shower facilities) or sleeping in open fields on the sly whenever possible.
Is this totally crazy? Or just partially crazy?
My MB is legally registered in NH as moped. The NH State Police finally and reluctantly issued it a VIN and so I could then register it as a moped at the NH DMV. And yes, the moped plate is properly attached with cable-ties to the back of the milk crate (which is mounted on a rack above the rear tire).
I have many more questions and concerns, so this is just barely a beginning. I'm just investigating,...
Has anyone here done this before? I'd like to ask you some Q's if you don't mind.
Some background:
Last summer (2011) I purchased and assembled a Staton-inc axle mounted kit for my hard-tail mountain bicycle. I ordered the 49cc Robin-Subaru mini 4-stroke engine and an 11 tooth sprocket for the gearbox. I also ordered the 48 hole (for 48 spokes) double-wall rear rim (Sunlite brand).
I've had problems with flats on the rear tire, which is royal pain to remove due to the axle mounted kit, so I'm open to suggestions. I've tried a "kevlar tire/Mr. Tuffy tire liner/self-sealing slime tube" triple protection on the rear but it's not completley flat proof.
Last summer I made several medium-length round trips. A 150 mile round trip was my max. I had to stay overnight to do that one. I live Rochester, NH and I've gone from Rochester to Saco, ME and back, Rochester to Greenfield, NH and back, Rochester to Hampton Beach and back, and Rochester to Newburyport, MA and back.
But a cross-country trip is a whole 'nother level of adventure (or perhaps misadventure).
To finance my trip I would need to sell my 2001 Ford Focus station wagon (with 105K miles on the odometer). I might get $4000 for it if I'm lucky, but most likely I'd only get $3000-$3500.
Would this be enough money to travel from Portland, Maine to Portland Oregon and back? I'd be doing so as cheaply as possible, packing a tent, sleeping bag, cooking gear, etc., and staying overnight at campgrounds (mostly for the shower facilities) or sleeping in open fields on the sly whenever possible.
Is this totally crazy? Or just partially crazy?
My MB is legally registered in NH as moped. The NH State Police finally and reluctantly issued it a VIN and so I could then register it as a moped at the NH DMV. And yes, the moped plate is properly attached with cable-ties to the back of the milk crate (which is mounted on a rack above the rear tire).
I have many more questions and concerns, so this is just barely a beginning. I'm just investigating,...