Cycling across the southern U.S.
Well, we are on our way to FL (with no return flight!) after nearly a year of planning. Got in our last outdoor training ride yesterday on a gorgeous Portland spring day. Last week, our daughter sent us this 1899 British news article. I promise NOT to be administering to anyone I encounter on this trip a “sound thrashing….with my fists in scientific fashion” (no promises as to dogs in pursuit!)! But I will use all my “athletic powers” on this adventure! 💪🚴♀️
I love maps! Here’s our route from FL to CA in maps… generally not detailed enough to identify actual roads, but you can get an idea of where we’re planning to cycle through each state. All the maps are not at the same scale.
Tom has volunteered in 6th & 7th grade math classes at the local middle school for 13 years! In honor of Mr Tom’s departure on his TransAm journey, the teacher asked AI to help create a story problem sheet to write algebraic equations for a x-country ride. Here is a photo of one student’s work! Forever, Mr. Tom’s Wifey!!
I started several months ago, getting our Subaru Outback ready for its next cross country journey. This time we decided not to pull a trailer, so it is outfitted with our Thule rocket box and bike rack on the back. Steven starts out today on the cross country drive to get our bicycles and gear to St Augustine, Florida. Thank you Steven for doing the journey while we stay home a bit longer to enjoy the company of our new granddaughter Miyako. Safe travels. See you on the Atlantic coast March 17th!
Tucson Training for Team Southern Tier
Needed to get out of PNW (Pacific NW) to drier warmer climate to cycle some consecutive longer rides. Started with 55 miles and 1100’ on the Tucson Loop. Super popular on a Sunday morning with beautiful rest stops, art work, a small outdoor arboretum, courteous walkers, runners, “Sunday” cyclists and pelotons! Parts of the ride had a fair share of big city, unhoused people too.
Then on the next day to Mt Lemmon! An iconic climb for cyclists! Amazing ride with climb, climb, climb!! Tom made it to the top or at least to Summerhaven. I made it on my rented bike to just short of Palisades.
Once again Tom and I with our friend Steven Stark are planning to cycle across America from east to west – this time (#3!) – beginning in St Augustine, FL on March 20, 2026 and if all goes well, ending in San Diego, CA on May 6, 2026! Training through the winter in Portland, OR is proving difficult, but we persevere and hope muscle memory and prior training will get us through the long, low elevation early days of the eastern portions of the Southern Tier. We have hired a support vehicle driver from Vancouver, BC, Canada, Jody Ritchie. This trip across is projected to be 42 days cycling, 6 rest days, 3058 miles (with 1000 miles in TX!) and 87,800’ elevation gain, the shortest & least hilly!
TransAm cycle #1 TransAmerica Bicycle Trail June 13 – Aug 17, 2015 (56 days cycling + 10 rest days) from Rehoboth Beach, DE to Gearhart OR, 3927 miles 178,626’ elevation gain. 3x 100+ mile days & 3x 90+ mile days. Trip at https://www.facebook.com/share/14aHvMGjxGe/?mibextid=wwXIfr
TransAm cycle #2 Northern Tier with some changes June 22 – Sept 6, 2023 (66 days cycling + 10 rest days) from Bar Harbor, ME to Anacortes, WA, 4240 miles 153,813’ elevation gain. 0x 100+ mile days & 3x 90+ mile days. Blog at americabybicycle2023.wordpress.com
Steven, Tom and I finally got out together for a gorgeous 46 mile 1900’ bike ride in Portland – industrial, port facilities, golf course, parks, Columbia Slough, Kelly Point Park, St John’s, downtown, Terwilliger. I so love cycling outside! Indoor winter training with great help from Leah, Patrick, Jennifer & Stacy have been great, but still nothing like outside. 9 weeks to launch from St Augustine, FL!
TransAm Cycle 3.0