I want to find an profiling of different well recognized bicycle
touring routes across the US and being able to plan the total vertical
feet climbed for each route or portion thereof. If this does not
exist, is there anyone interested in researching the issue with me.

---

Request for Question Clarification by omnivorous-ga on 28 Oct 2002 12:56 PST

Powerbritt --

It's an interesting project.  I have several guides here with route
information (in segments) and a vertical map.  I also know of several
websites that provide PIECES of what you're seeking.

Here on the West Coast, The Mountaineers publish a series of books
with bike tour information.  Here's a good page with area links (it
has "Bicycling the Backroads Around Puget Sound" but not "Bicycling
the Pacific Coast"):
http://northonline.sccd.ctc.edu/cmcdowell/biking/

Best regards,

Omnivorous-GA

You might want to check out this site  www.wheelpower.org  

They are a group of Christian cyclists that go coast to coast every
year.  I know one of the folks involved in route planning and they
have multiple paths that were used over the years.  I believe they
also know the altitudes.  Hope this helps and you enjoy the trip. 
Watch out for the rockies!

You might want to check the maps from adventure cycling. They sell
maps for some routes, and one of them is a coast-to-coast route. Since
they're made specifically for cyclists, they should have information
on altitude. You can request a catalog, and see an example of the
maps.

Also, bike aid, is a program that features a coast to coast ride
during the summer. You'll have to raise funds (about $3600.00) to
participate. The cyclists have a SAG van, and everyone helps driving
the van. The ride is organized by JustAct.

I can also recall an organization called "crossroads".

http://www.adventurecycling.org/

http://www.bikeaid.org/bikeaid/ 

Hope this helps...

Hello powerbritt-ga,

> well recognized bicycle touring routes across the US...

The designation "well recognized" begs the question of "recognized by
whom?"  There are no cross-country touring routes that the average
citizen would be aware of.

By far, the most travelled cross country route is the Bikecentennial
route, which is also known as the "76 Trail" or the "TransAmerica
Trail".  I rode it from end to end last year.

Depending on how the vertical feed are calculated, most estimates of
total climbing on this route are between 146,000 feet and 155,000
feet.

Cheers,
blackrock-ga