An American Adventure

I have had a slightly crazy notion for some time that I would like to cycle across America. It was an entirely uneducated and uninformed notion. I had no idea where I would start or where I would finish. I wasn’t sure whether cycling ‘across’ America meant North – South / South – North or East – West / West – East. I had no idea how many miles any of these routes might demand nor any idea of how much time they might take. I had no idea if it was possible to find a route across America on a road bike which would avoid unfeasibly large climbs, rugged off road terrain or major highways. I had no idea where I might stay. (But I was absolutely certain, I wouldn’t be putting up a tent every evening, dismantling it every morning and carrying it on my bike every day.) I had no idea how much it might cost or of any risks involved. I had no idea how I might carry my luggage, including a supply of the 26 prescription medications that I require each day to keep me functioning and which I literally cannot move without. I had no idea if anyone else would be mad enough to join me. Perhaps most importantly, I had no idea almost a decade after a diagnosis of Parkinson’s if I would be able to take on such a physical challenge.

So without any further research, I announced to my husband that I was going to cycle across America.

“When?” he asked. “I don’t know.” I replied.

“Where from and where to?” he asked. “I haven’t got got a clue!” I replied.

“How long will it take?” “I’m not sure.”

“Where would you stay?'” “I have no idea.”

“Perfect!” he said, “Count me in.”

And so our American Adventure was born.

‘Across’ America

With no time to consider reconsidering, I started some much needed research. North Coast to South Coast or vice versa sounded more ‘up’ or ‘down’ than ‘across’ America, so I quickly discounted those options. This still left numerous routes by which it was possible to cycle ‘across’ America.

‘Across’ America, for me, meant West Coast to East Coast or East Coast to West Coast, thus excluding the iconic Bicycle Route 66, which stretches 2,500 miles from Chicago on the shores of Lake Michigan (not the East Coast!) to Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles on the West coast.

It seemed logical to me to start at the furthest away point and head towards the Atlantic and in the general direction of home and so the decision was made. We would cycle from the West Coast to the East Coast of America. That narrowed the options down to a starting point somewhere along the 1,293 miles stretch from Washington to California that is the West Coast of America and a destination somewhere along the 2,069 miles of coastline from Maine to Florida along the East Coast of America. With endless variations, there are, broadly speaking, three main routes to consider:

1. The Northern Tier from Anacortes, Washington to Bar Harbor, Maine (4,300 miles)
2. The TransAmerican Cycle Route from Astoria, Oregon to Yorktown, Virginia (4,200 miles)
3. The Southern Tier from San Diego, California to St. Augustine, Florida (3,000 miles)

Having done some basic research into the pros and cons of each, we opted for the TransAmerica Cycle Route. The route, although ‘only’ 4,200 miles is likely to be at least 4,500 miles with the additional mileage we will cycle each time we leave the route in search of accommodation.

We would cycle from Astoria, the oldest city in the state of Oregon and the official starting point of the TransAmerica Cycle Route until we reach Yorktown in Virginia on the East Coast. This route includes cycling a stretch of the stunning Pacific Coast which has been on my bucket list for some time.

The next few decisions came easily. We would take 90 days to cycle across America. This has nothing to do with our fitness, our cycling ability or our stamina. It is simply the maximum time our ESTA would allow us to stay in the States for. In order to do this, we will need to average 50 miles a day.

We would set off in May 2025 in the hope that we can avoid the snow and tackle the McKenzie Pass during the few short days each year that it is open to cyclists but not to cars and also avoid the hottest temperatures as we head East.

Feeling exhausted by all the decision making, never mind actually getting on a bike! There will be hundreds more decisions to make. For now, I have something to put in my diary, a challenge that promises to be an amazing experience and one that will ensure I keep exercising over the next 12 months.