One of the things that keeps me from doing overnights is my fitness. All the campgrounds close to me are up a mountain. So I need to work at that. I also have young children. So it not easy to get away. I have thought of the girls and I riding our bikes to a local hotel with a swimming pool and overnight there.

The only overnight ride I've done was for the MS150. We "camped" after the first day, but it was heavily supported and I didn't have to carry gear on my bike.

I think overnight bike trips would be awesome! I also ride a motorcycle and love overnighters with my DH on our motorcycles. Unfortunately, he doesn't ride bicycles.

@LifeInTheBikeLane I was apprehensive about group rides too, until I found a girls group. I love riding with the girls!

@TianaHll The more hills you ride, the easier they get. Maybe you could have someone take the kids and meet you at whatever place you plan to stay the night.

Sadly my town is not very cyclist friendly and there are no groups. There is one about an hour away but it is all college students who pedal around the downtown sidewalks. I've been searching but then get discouraged and panic half way through the search!! Maybe some day.

veloman21 wrote: »

hawkeyegal1995 wrote: »

I do RAGBRAI--7 days across Iowa with 10,000 plus riders. I cannot stand to rough it though so I always make sure to have hotel rooms around the route.

Jenn, I really want to do RAGBRAI one year, definitely on my bucket list.

One of my friends does RAGBRAI every year. I'd like to do that. Maybe some day. (Main thing is convincing my husband that I need to take a week off work with no pay, pay to ride, pay all the expenses, etc.)

I'd love to bike the Pacific Coast someday--Seattle down to LA-ish. It's #3 on what some people call their bucket list (I think of it as my "so much to live for" list since I have a habit of wanting to do awesome things more than once).

Now, to find two months' unpaid leave and a partner to swap taking pictures of along the way.

My boyfried is training for Ragbrai this year. What "scares" me about an overnighter or multi-nighter like that is my dislike of roughing it. I'm not a huge fan of tent camping (RV with running water - I'm there!). Otherwise, I think it would be a blast!!

I've been doing bike tours of some sort (supported, semi supported, credit card, self contained) for years. It is a great way to see the country. I have bicycled in 19 states (some states repeatedly) and 4 Canadian provinces.

There are many options out there if you don't care for roughing it. All in all I prefer the smaller rides where you can get to know a core group of people. My favorite rides so far have been in the 3-16 person range.

In the UK there are several FNRTTC (Friday Night Ride to the Coast) They set off at about 10:00pm and cycle through the night to get to the coast at about dawn for a breakfast in a café.

As an alternative there are Audax rides. These are all around the globe, and are none competitive events that combine route finding and endurance. Starting at 50 km and going up, there is an event for everyone. For those over the pond the big event in the US is the Boston, Montreal, Boston, in about 4 days.

Warning Audax is very addictive.

An Addict.

I would really love to do a long trip sometime soon and camp out. I'd have to go alone because i dont have any bike buddies who'd be interested. I want to get in better shape before i do long miles 2 or more days in a row. I'm not afraid of camping alone. I did some hitch hiking after i graduated high school and spent nights on the beach or in national parks alone. Bad things happen a lot less than most people feel like i think.

As far as bicycling over night if thats what you meant; i bike at night all the time. The other night i went out from 1am-2:30 on a ride and a few days ago i left my house at 4:30am for a ride. I think it may actually be safer on the roads late at night at least around here. I light myself up like a christmas tree of course and carry pepper spray.

twofastdogs wrote: »

Has anyone done the Katy Trail? We have thought about taking a few days to ride it - sounded like it would be a pleasant ride.

Katy is on my list. I've heard great things about it. We just did the Mickelson in June and it was fantastic. It was supposed to be a 4 nighter out and back, but because of rain it turned into a 2 nighter out. My bf and I are trying to find the time to do a quick overnight on the Colorado Trail but rain is an issue with that too. Next summer we are doing the Colorado Super Loop. 224 miles around the mountains on gravel, road and single track.

I used to live near the Kathy trail, it is a great resource for people. I personally prefer more up and downs than rail to trails provides. Have been doing week long rides for years. Did the Bicycle Tour of Colorado this year. When I retire want to go coast to coast.

If you are new to this, try looking into Adventure Cycling. The have trips where they haul your stuff and all you do is ride. I've done several, including a two-week Portland to Canada trip in 2014. I can't say enough good things about the organization. www.adventurecycling.com