- I have wanted to do a ride across the country for about 3 years
- Adventure Cycling prints maps for a few cross country routes
- At first, I was partial to the Northern Tier (http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/northerntier.cfm)
- I settled on the TransAmerica Trail (http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/transamerica.cfm)
- The TransAm Trail has been mapped out since 1976 and has more accommodations just for bicyclists and people are more aware of cyclists on the route
- The route goes from Astoria, Oregon to Yorktown, Virginia
- The route is 4,262miles
- We will visit 10 states
- We are going to start in Neskowin, Oregon, which will cut about 100 miles off
- Our goal is coast to coast and Neskowin is a beach town...therefore, coast to coast
- On a trip like this, bikers dip their tire in the Pacific on departure and in the Atlantic upon completion
- If we can't get to the ocean in Neskowin, we may have to lower Bobby down a cliff to get us some ocean water to throw on our tires
- There are companies out there that support you on a cross country trip
- One such company is America By Bike (http://www.abbike.com/), which actually goes right down our street every summer on its way across the USA
- Traveling with a company was not an option because I could not leave my family for 50 days
- I was interested in riding partners...mentioned the trip to 2 past students of mine...without hesitation, Bobby and Kyle were on board
- We are driving a TrailBlazer, pulling a small pop-up camper
- My family and I will arrive in Oregon by vehicle and pick Bobby and Kyle up at the Portland airport on June 13
- Our departure date is June 14
- We are planning an average of 500 miles per week
- This mileage should put us in Yorktown around August 14
- Lodging will be in town parks, campgrounds, church parking lots, motels, and where ever else we can find
- No lodging plans have been made past the first night since we don't know how far we will make it each day
- Once we get our 500 miles in for the week, we will take rest days
- My family will check out the sights during the day and also pick up food for dinner and locate a place to sleep
- Each person gets one 18-20 gallon Rubbermaid container for their luggage...if it fits inside the container, it goes
- We hope to be up and riding by 8:00 and done by 3:00
- We are all three riding regular road bikes (2 Treks and 1 Cannondale)
- Since we are not carrying all of our gear on our bikes, we do not need touring bikes
- Touring bikes are built a little sturdier to help in carrying up to 50 pounds or more in gear
- We are climbing several mountain ranges so I am glad I am on a road bike
- We will have to ride in most weather conditions...if you only ride on beautiful, sunny days, you will never get to your destination
- Hygiene will be dictated by nightly accommodations....if it has a shower, we will take one
- With showers not being an everyday occurrence, we will also use tents....giving us a chance to escape each other's unpleasant odors
- We hope to visit daily with people from the area
- Evenings will be spent cooking meals/eating out, planning the next day's destination, and updating this website
I am sure that I am leaving some things out. If you have any questions, let me know. I will give you my best answer. Since I have never done something like this before, I am not sure if I will know the answer. Also, if you desire an unstructured get-away this summer, contact us. We already have several people that want to meet up with us somewhere on the route and hang out for a week. You are welcome to come along....on the bike or in a car.
Thanks for following our trip....it is just 50 days away...and a lot to get finished.
