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What makes this a bikepacking bike and not a touring bike?

Thanks to this video, I now know how to navigate Ride with GPS. Thank you.

I remember the gas station maps.

Do you have any thoughts on the best bike for this kind of journey? I am thinking of getting a Trek 520 for my cross country.

How do U deal w/bears? In Michigan we have more or less 3600 miles of R-to-T.

Hi Mark, Concerning your JetBoil, was it difficult to find fuel cannisters for the trip? I'm debating either a butane or multifuel. I prefer a butane stove, but I would be concerned about locating cannisters during a long trip. thanks!

Thanksssss Mark 👏👏👏👏

I am planning TransAm, East to West, April 2025, using ACA routes. I was originally going to do the classic trans-am, but instead opted to link some of ACA's other routes together due to (1) - I live in NY, so like the ability to leave from NYC, (2) flatter, my route is 140k of elevation vs 216k for classic TransAm, (3) avoids VA, the hardest state on classic TransAm, (4) avoids Kentucky = Dogs!. This route also allows me to leave early (end of April); If going West to East, I would need to leave later (End of May/Early June), to allow the CO mtn passes to melt and clear. So here is how I linked together the ACA routes - (numbers are reversed, as I am travelling East to West, route names are ACA segments, lead number is the order I will be riding) - 1-Chicago-NYC Alt2, 2-Chicago-NYC Alt1, 3-Chicago-NYC3, 4-Chicago-NYC2, 5-Eastern Express 2, 6-Eastern Express1, 7-TransAmerica (TA)6, 8-TA5, 9-TA4, 10-TA3, 11-TA2, 12-TA1. So I am basically linking together, Chicago-NYC to Eastern Express, to TransAm. Will pickup TransAm in Walden CO. Chicago - NYC a bit of a misnomer, as I never head north to Chicago, but go through Indianapolis to link to the Eastern Express route. Here is the completed route, linking together all the segments referenced above. ridewithgps.com/routes/48922055. Appreciate any thoughts or comments. JD

did you use Adventure Cycling Assoc routes? would have thought those routes would have decent roads, not requiring car travel?

Thanks, informative video. You are not the only youtuber that crosses this part of a C2C by car or plane. I'm planning for a C2C in 2025 and I am strongly thinking about following this example, no fun riding along dangerous roads, no matter how beautiful the surroundings are. I really like your approach to visit some of the famous sites by car. As I will be coming from the east, it could also be a nice break from cycling.

We share a pretty similar base build. I've been riding a 2017 700c Surly LHT (no disk breaks thank you). I love my RP frame bag and it tends to be where clothes go for the most part.

Great video, thanks for all the links to the parts list

Thanks for posting all of these. Informative and inspiring. You grew up east of Asheville in the montains? Black Mountain, Montreat?

Thanks great info. Very helpful. I'm wondering if you have shared your route on Ride w GPS? How would I be able to find it?

Great video. Very informative.

Are you using the Wabash trail out of Council Bluffs?

Climate change, NPR, Wounded Knee - too political for me.

Too much stuff,,😂

Doesn't sound like you used any of the Adventure Cycling maps or material?

Good video, so many bike videos just show riding and never the camping or campsite or things that go along with it. Thanks for sharing with us!

Im glad i found this channel! You’re funny! As a fellow bike traveler about to cross the states i’m amazed by all the stuff you were taking with you! 😂😂

Love this guy

Surprised you didn’t mention Rocheport; beautiful area. The Katy Trail is a State Park so some of the amenities are off trail & some seasonal, April to November. I’m riding it with my sister to celebrate our birthdays. She turns 60 the year I turn 65! I live in SW Missouri along Table Rock Lake. It’s hilly here.

This is helpful. I'm hoping to ride from Oregon to Omaha in the future. Just weeks ago, I rode from Iowa to the GAP. Just gotta say that my route across Illinois was ALL on trails. Hennepin Canal to Peru, Illinois and Michigan Canal to Joliet, and Old Plank Road Trail all the way to the Indiana border. Aside from some of the Hennepin closed due to flooding, it was riding bliss! Flat, tree-lined, traffic-free...

App "Relive" takes your gps data and plots it on the 3d maps.

I’ve recently found your channel and am parsing your videos of your cross country trip. I’m curious as to what was the weight of all the gear in your packing list?

Good luck

Sweet rig

Bikepacking is on mountain trails. Bike touring is on roads, and highways

Totally like your setup, kickstand is a must, adding that to every steed that I owned 😂😂😂

Mark, I am enjoying your series about your cross country trip . Is there a place where I can see the your route and a list of the trails you took.? I'm learning a lot from your series. Thank You. Paul Cardinet

FYI, it’s pronounced the yuk-I-gainy! Great videos BTW. Affectionately called the Yuk.

I know you're on the road right now, but I plan on building on a Surly Disc Trucker frame, and I would like to know if you would still do the 1X gear train again. I am a big fan of the 1X setup (old MTBer) and I'm looking to get into bike touring.

Hi Mark. Great video. Preparing my Surly DT for take off in Feb 2025. Going to do many trails (GAP/C&O, Erie, ITET, etc.) Did you need to call Rogue Panda to order the extra zipper and top rope or?? Did you consider using the screws instead?

@Marktgreene Thanks for the videos! I'll be doing the Katy Trail in less than 2 weeks. Looking forward to it. Was wondering if you had any post trip report on your custom bike? Did it meet your expectations? Anything you would change in hindsight?

Surly frames are made in Taiwan.

Awesome setup! Thanks for sharing.

Interesting video. The coast to coast is also on my bucket list. I would be interested in your actual route. Can I find your gpx file somewhere? Thanks. Erik (Belgium)

hey Mark. I'm watching your cross country videos. I'm due to head out on july 7th on the northern tier headed west to east. You got frightened by busy roads and narrow shoulders and changed your trip (completely reasonable)...I'm wondering...do you know if the traffic is less and the roads a bit less scary on the northern tier versus the trans-america? Thanks.

Enjoying your videos. Grew up not too far from the C&O and it definitely wasn’t as well used as it is now. Live in Johnson City, TN now.

Thank you for this video, and great links, resources. enjoy your trip, wish you well.

If I had a Surly, I would nickname it Shirley

Good to see you posting again! I also own a Disc Trucker and your build video has been really helpful as I add accessories!

What drone did you use mark? I’m curious when I watching bike trips how the video footage is captured. Thx!

Welcome back. I was also out for a bike ride today. Only 12 miles, but for me, just riding is victory. Fighting my way back from heart problems. I used your cross country ride as motivation to get out and ride. A week ride on a bike is my goal. Hope to see more videos. Thanks.

Thanks for the update. I'm riding the Katy Trail in September. Looking forward to following your ride 👍

Do what you love

Mark I really enjoyed your videos about the trip and the honesty why you skipped certain parts for safety reasons. I am also an Eagle Scout and enjoyed how you inserted the teaching moments for those who may not have been involved in scouting. My daughter and I are currently planning a very similar trip cross country to do next year after she graduates from college. Are you on Instagram or Facebook? Would love to get your advice on the planning process.

I miss your videos. I’ve really enjoyed them all and hope you’re doing well. Anymore videos in the pipeline to look forward to?

You got this 👊🏾💪🏾