It is with a certain amount of trepidation that I start this blog. It's about my soon-to-begin bike trip from Seattle to Washington, DC. I have an awful fear that I won't be able to complete the seven-week, 3300-mile trip. The first day is 86 miles long and involves a 3000-foot climb over the Cascade mountain range. After that are more mountains, howling winds, fierce rainstorms, scorching sun, and miles and miles of pavement. My fear is doubled by the knowledge that if I do drop out everyone will know about it. A long-time friend, hearing of my trip, sent me an anecdote that resonates in my head. A man competed every year in a long and risky swim in the English Channel. When asked why he did it, he replied, "because it requires no intelligence and there is a lot of pain."
Even so, I've dreamed of riding across the country for years. On week-long rides in the vacant West I've experienced the joy of speeding along a deserted highway in air so clear I'm sure I could see a hundred miles. I've made new friends along the way, felt the warmth of rural Americans, and exercised muscles long disused. Since I turned 70 in January, I figured better go soon if I'm to go at all. Ann, my wonderful wife of 39 years, bless her heart, encouraged me.
Several of my friends have peddled themselves across the USA, but this ride is special. It commemorates the transcontinental bike trips made in 1976 to celebrate the nation's 200th birthday. BikeCentennial was so successful that it continued as Adventure Cycling and became the nation's largest bike membership organization. I've read their magazine for years and salivated over the tours offered. But there was one big drawback, in my view. Participants on most Adventure Cycling tours carry their own tent, clothing, food, and cookware. This trip, however, is "supported." A van will carry our gear. We'll still have to set up our own tents, but our bikes won't be burdened and, better yet, we won't have to cook. I signed up about two minutes after the tour list opened. Almost immediately the 40 slots available were filled and a long waiting list developed.
So far, I've met only the four others from the Washington, DC, area, and we do represent the region: Two lawyers, a physicist doing research on homeland security, an association official, and me, a retired newsmagazine journalist. If the rest of the members are as delightful as these new friends, it's going to be a wonderful ride. At last count, there were 12 women, average age 48, and 28 men, average age 55. The oldest rider, I'm told, is 73. Our tour leader is a high school teacher in his 20s from New Hampshire.
Bill,
Wishing you and your biking buddies a super cross country trip!
Blog on! I'm anxious to read about your adventures.
Kathy Eggers
Posted by: Kathy Eggers | June 20, 2006 at 09:57 AM
Fellow BROL member: you are an inspiration and reading your history above is an even greater inspiration! Have fun and I cannot wait to read more about the journey!
Posted by: Robert | June 20, 2006 at 12:59 PM
Hi Bill,
Best of luck and best of fun on your adventure.
Oddly enough, I have the same name as you and have one of your Dakota's. But you're the one riding across the country, not me.
You're riding a great bent that you make. Hope all goes well.
Bill.
Posted by: Bill Cook | June 21, 2006 at 12:21 AM
Bill, good luck and have a great trip. I am a 62 year old cyclist who also rides a recumbent.
I am flying to Seattle in a few days to scout out the route for next years self contained cross country ride. This year, my riding buddy and I will be riding from Seattle to Portland then following the Columbia out to Walla Walla. From there up to Coeur D'Alene then back the Centennial and Iron Horse Trails to Seattle, about 1000 miles.
I'll be watching your reports carefully because our plan for next year is follow the Adventure Cycling Trail to Michigan then go over the upper peninsula into Canada. Then through Quebec and back to New Hampshire ending in Portsmouth, NH.
Have a great ride.
Roland @ eBent.com
Posted by: Roland | June 21, 2006 at 07:08 AM
Bill,
Good luck on your ride. As an old mentor said to me "if you think you can...you can! If you think you can't...you can't!
Those mountains will be tough, but just keep thinking "I can"!
Riding across the country is my goal as well. I'm 55 and time's a wasting. If you're a good indicator, I guess I only have 15 years to get it done!
Ride safely and may the wind be at your back
Posted by: Tom Curry | June 21, 2006 at 07:07 PM
Bill-of-funny looking-bicycle,
Ooooeeee... Bill's going to ride his bike across this beautiful nation of ours. Take your Senator with you. Ya, reducing our energy dependency 'attitude,' hmmmm. That's ridin' the talk, hu. I posed the idea of very signigicant tax insentive for all forms of human powered transportation to my Senator Mike Crapo. He is quite conservative but he listens, at least it seems like it. It's up to us to 'ride' the point home.
Isn't it an amazing feeling to be atop a view where you can see the horizon and realize that you can ride over there and back in a day..... UNDER YOUR OWN POWER. WOW!
And, you will be among the people of our country too. Isn't that wonderful... new faces and stories every day. America needs to talk to itself more and that's what you and the group will be doing.
Bill, post lots of photos of the 'common man.' Show us the everyday. Show us that Mother Nature never loses a battle. Show us photos of yourself and your pals. Let us see the undefeatable human spirit. Show us what's under our collective nose. Should you get injured or just ware out or leap frog the distance you'll remember it's the journey, won't you. A friend of mine once said fishing isn't about the fish. It's about the fishing. Ain't it the truth!
Recumbents... now that's a fine form of human transportation! I never stop smiling.
All the best and use that rear view mirror.
erich@laughingdog.biz
(please put HUMAN POWERED in the subject line of all emails)
Posted by: Erich Korte | June 22, 2006 at 08:37 AM
Bill:
You are probably a couple of hours into your ordeal--er, adventure--as I send these best wishes. May a 30-knot Westerly blow you over today's 3,000 foot rise to the Cascade range passes, may you actually enjoy your lunch, and may you arrive not too far behind the end of the pack.
Rich Thomas
Posted by: Rich Thomas | June 22, 2006 at 11:05 AM
Bill....I"m 66 just finished (last month) a supported trip across the country, 2600 miles, San Diego to Brunswick GA. riding a Easy Racer Gold Rush. Bike and comfort were both fantastic!
I went with a Wandering Wheels group who have made the crossings 63 times since 1966. Bob Davenport the Pres. of the organ. is one of the true pioneers of long distance group bike travel in the US. and an absolute delightful human being.
Adventure Travel has now recognized that there are lots of us out there who are no longer anxious to haul "our stuff" across the country, but are desirious of having the experience of powering ourselves across this great country.
Your recumbant is a good choice....several of my trip buddies whose arms were asleep half the trip looked longingly at my comfortable and fast ride....almost felt guilty...almost!
Something clicks in most long distance riders a few days out and that is realization that "I can do this....I'm not going to embarrass myself. I 'm sure you've past that threshold by now and have figured out how you'll do it.
Ride on friend! Larry Entwistle
Posted by: Larry Entwistle | June 22, 2006 at 01:02 PM
Bill,
Good luck on your ride. My son and I are preparing ourselves for a Seattle to San Francisco ride next summer. This will be our first cross country self supported trip. Your story is an inspiration to us and we look forward to following your blog and adventure.
Ride long and ride safe!!
Mark Ballock
Posted by: Mark Ballock | June 22, 2006 at 11:19 PM
Wow, you are my hero, and I get to vicariously experience the trip.
Dick
Posted by: Dick Bowden | June 24, 2006 at 08:24 AM