1. IXIA
1.1. negotiate time off
1.2. poster at my office with details of the trip
2. Route
2.1. ~6000km
2.2. New York to San Francisco
2.3. objectives
2.3.1. Grand Canyon
2.3.1.1. cross it north to south
2.3.1.1.1. camp in GC
2.3.1.1.2. invite US friends to join me
2.3.2. Yosemite
2.3.3. Washington
2.3.4. Boulder (CO)
2.3.5. Death Valley
2.3.6. The Great Plains
2.3.7. Antelope Canyon
2.3.8. Bryce canyon
2.4. navigation
2.4.1. smartphone + offline maps
2.5. reserve few days to bike New York
2.6. first half use TransAmerica Trail (from Washington DC to Pueblo, CO)
2.6.1. Andy across America
2.7. what routes other people have done
2.7.1. http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=1&page_id=301886&v=W
2.7.2. http://iikinamerica.blogspot.ro/
2.8. check photos layer in google maps for interesting places
2.9. detour through Mammoth Cave park only if time allows
3. Training
3.1. prepare to live several days on cold food only
3.2. few long rides in March-April
3.3. bike regularly in winter
3.4. one bike interval session / week
3.5. test equipment in long rides
3.6. bike repair
3.6.1. true wheel
3.6.2. replace spoke
3.6.2.1. FiberFix Emergency Spoke Replacement Kit
3.6.3. adjust derailleur
4. Research
4.1. best way to pack bike for plane
4.2. what are the possible bike malfunctions
4.3. things to see in the midwest
4.4. scenic routes along the way (see bikemap)
4.5. climate
4.6. rain protection
4.6.1. tyvec suit
4.6.1.1. amazon
4.7. test all clothing this winter
5. Flights
5.1. register to receive best offers
6. Schedule
6.1. start mid April
6.2. ~ 50 days including buffers and few visiting days in NY & SF
6.3. 150 km/day
6.4. Mr Iik did 37 days, which ment riding 150 km per day on average to cover the estimated distance of 5500 km
7. Communications
7.1. buy US sim
7.2. blog
7.3. document trip real-time
7.4. occasionally use internet cafes
8. Accomodation
8.1. mostly in tent
8.2. bad weather - motels
9. Wife
9.1. in final part of the trip
9.1.1. maybe shorten the trip by going directly to SF in the last part (skip death valley, yosemite), then rent a car to see visit together yosemite
9.1.2. try to finish bike < 40 days so we can spend 10 days renting a car and traveling
9.2. do the trip backwards from SF to NY
9.2.1. pro: we can visit NY in the end
9.2.2. con: need to delay start till may when it gets warmer
9.3. initial part of the trip
9.3.1. visit NY
10. Photography
10.1. film with gopro
10.1.1. find best bike mount
10.1.1.1. the standard GoPro handlebar mount broke (plastic failure)
10.1.1.2. this one looks promising
10.2. select optimal photo size for data transfer
11. Finances
11.1. credit card in USD
11.2. how much cash
11.3. estimate total cost
11.4. save more money
11.5. use both Visa and Mastercard
12. Equipment
12.1. ultralight: http://ultralightcycling.blogspot.ro http://normallyaspiratedhuman.com/?p=1337
12.2. road bike
12.3. clothing
12.3.1. long pants that convert to short pants
12.3.2. rain jacket
12.3.3. wind stopper
12.3.4. 2 extra pair of socks, one warm
12.3.5. shorts without shoulder straps
12.3.6. light trail shoes
12.3.6.1. no cleats
12.3.7. leg warmers
12.3.8. light stretch gloves
12.3.9. bandanna
12.3.10. glasses
12.3.11. cycling jersey
12.3.11.1. with merino for extra warmth?
12.3.12. reflective belts
12.3.13. light fleece gloves
12.3.14. arm warmers
12.3.15. plastic gloves
12.3.16. overshoes
12.3.16.1. use existing
12.3.17. rain pants
12.4. tools
12.4.1. oil
12.4.2. pump
12.4.3. patch kit
12.4.4. 2 tire levers
12.4.5. allen keys
12.4.5.1. which ones?
12.4.6. chain tool
12.4.7. spoke key
12.4.8. spare tube
12.4.9. duct tape
12.4.10. screwdriver
12.4.11. small knife
12.4.12. Lezyne stick-on patches for punctures, and they did well. They come with a little tyre boot that I used to hold a tyre together when a two inch piece of metal went into it in Louisiana
12.5. bike components
12.5.1. light pedals
12.5.2. tires size 25-622
12.5.3. front/rear lights
12.5.3.1. Exposure Joystick Mk8 With Redeye and Handlebar Mount
12.5.4. 2 bottle cages
12.5.5. handlebar mirror
12.5.6. power supply
12.5.6.1. Plug 2 USB power supply
12.5.6.2. dynamo hub
12.5.6.2.1. Supernova Infinity S
12.5.7. touring wheels
12.5.7.1. bontrager
12.6. camping
12.6.1. tent
12.6.1.1. vaude bivi
12.6.2. sleeping bag
12.6.2.1. Cumulus x-lite 200
12.6.3. sleeping pad
12.6.3.1. thermarest pro-lite x-small - too expensive
12.6.3.2. nylon bubble wrap (optional)
12.6.3.3. izopren
12.6.3.3.1. can be reduced in length for better packing & lower weight
12.6.3.3.2. use in conjunction with bubble wrap
12.6.3.4. folding cell pad
12.7. cooking
12.7.1. plastic spoon
12.8. medical & hygiene
12.8.1. soap
12.8.1.1. take small one from motel
12.8.2. wiping cloth
12.8.3. toothbrush
12.8.4. razor
12.8.5. skin ointment
12.8.6. medical tape
12.8.7. needle+thread
12.9. other
12.9.1. lock
12.9.2. smartphone
12.9.3. phone handle bar mount
12.9.4. small headphone+mic
12.9.5. plastified note with stoic wisdom
12.9.6. plastic bags
12.9.6.1. for covering helmet in rain
12.9.6.2. garbage bags
12.9.7. notes, pencil
12.9.8. water filter or purification tablets
12.9.9. nylon fishing line
12.9.9.1. tie a fishing line from the bikes to the tent
12.9.10. some kind of rope for hanging luggage/food in trees
12.9.11. light helmet
12.10. tips
12.10.1. used the second bottle cage as a carrier of the rain jacket, arm warmers and gloves.
12.10.1.1. use drysack in bottle cage
12.10.2. use 1L PVC bottles instead of cycling bottles
12.10.3. Bungee cord for the main stuff sack
12.10.4. Strip of bubble wrap (sleeping pad)
12.10.5. Dish washing cloth used as a towel.
12.10.6. The little camera bag in front was excellent. I had camera, tools and skin cream in it. As a 40 g container carrying 340 g of content, it was the realization of the first axiom of ultralight cycling par excellence. It was simple to tie it to the handlebar with a nylon strip and once I tied it on, I never took it off. During the rain I'd just slip any plastic bag over it.
12.10.7. Instead of emergency camping, I'd say it would had been better just to continue cycling throughout the night
12.10.8. create business cards with your name, phone number, email address, and blog address
12.10.9. Consider taking a break from cycling about every 7-10 days. This will allow you to have some buffer in your schedule in case of bad weather or if you want to spend some time visiting the local area. It will also be good for your legs and butt
12.10.10. You will want to be prepared for bike sores. Being in the saddle 7-8 hours per day in hot wet conditions can play havoc on the butt. There are two prescription medications which I would strongly encourage you to take with you. I used these daily and never had a problem. Bactroban Cream and Silver Sulfidizine Cream. Make sure you get your doctor to include multiple refills in your prescription
12.10.11. book: The Essential Touring Cyclist, by Richard A. Lovett
12.10.12. We strap a waterproof compression sack to our rack top. But under it, we put a piece of ribbed rubber stair tread material which was zip-tied to the SS rack. So no wear on the sack or rack, and the ribbing kept it from sliding beautifully. The same material makes great mudflaps, too. For $10 you can get a life-time supply.
12.10.13. Don't take full rolls of toilet paper or duct tape - unwind them from the cores and rewind just what you think you'll need around a pencil (plus you can write with the pencil)
12.10.14. keep bike lock key around neck
12.11. carriers
12.11.1. handlebar
12.11.1.1. option 2: lighter stuff sack with nylon straps
12.11.1.2. 100 grams
12.11.2. toptube
12.11.3. light rack
12.11.4. drysack 22L
12.11.4.1. on amazon
12.11.5. smaller sacks
12.11.5.1. mesh sacks
12.11.6. bungee cord for securing bags
12.11.7. straps
12.11.7.1. side release buckle straps
12.11.7.2. adjuster straps