Huron to De Smet 33miles / 650ft climb Something rather exceptional happened today as we were cycling about halfway between Huron and De Smet. We were making good time but it was already blisteringly hot and the highway we were riding was getting gradually busier and busier. John, leading our group, was flagged down as … Continue reading Cycle Across America – Day 51
Tag: Cycle Challenge
Cycle Across America – Day 50
Wessington Springs to Huron 36 Miles / 292ft climb Before leaving Wessington Springs, we took a quick look at Shakespeare’s Garden and Anne Hathaway’s Cottage. Neither of which we expected to find in South Dakota. They have absolutely no link to the area, so it truly is just the whim of a local who built … Continue reading Cycle Across America – Day 50
Cycle Across America – Day 27
West Yellowstone (Montana) to Yellowstone Canyon Village (Wyoming) 39 Miles / 2057ft climb https://videopress.com/v/jiCGrkLz?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true Determined to leave by 5.30am and beat the traffic jams that we had heard about, we all retired early last night. No matter how organised we might be as a group, today proved easier to set off at staggered times and … Continue reading Cycle Across America – Day 27
Cycle Across America – Day 26
West Yellowstone 13th June 2025 With eight of us currently staying and cycling together, it can take some time to make a decision that works for everyone. We have today to spend in Yellowstone with a hire car, rather than our bikes our transport. We want to hike today but where and for how long. … Continue reading Cycle Across America – Day 26
Cycle Across America – Day 23
Dillon to Virginia City 56 miles / 1529ft climb There is no doubt about it, today’s ride was not as bad as I had an envisaged and certainly easier than the previous two days. On the flat I am reasonably comfortable and can keep up a good speed for many miles but with a fully … Continue reading Cycle Across America – Day 23
Cycle Across America – Day 17
Kooskia to Lochsa Lodge - The Long and Winding Road 65 miles / 2352ft climb The brief for today couldn’t have been any simpler. Turn right out of our lodge, follow Highway 12 along the Lochsa river and keep pedalling for 65 miles along this long and winding road. It was almost as easy as … Continue reading Cycle Across America – Day 17
Cycling America – Day 14
Dayton to Lewiston 70 miles / 2795 ft climb Another early start, a long, potentially tough day ahead. Starting well, this morning saw me cover my fastest 20km ever! We followed the I12 for most of the day. Busy at times but with a fair tail wind, today’s climbs didn’t seem too bad. Without doubt … Continue reading Cycling America – Day 14
Cycle Across America – Day 9/10
Biggs Junction to Umatilla 86.4 Miles / 2,340 Ft climb An early(ish) start on a blazing hot day. On the road by 7.30am for a very ambitious 90 miles. This was not by choice but because we could not find any accommodation to break the long distances. Maryhill’s answer to Stonehenge Some challenging road surfaces … Continue reading Cycle Across America – Day 9/10
Cycle Across America – Day 8
Hood River to Biggs Junction 53 Miles / 3153 ft climb A stunning first ten miles, a combination of new tarmac, traffic free trails and quiet roads made for a lovely cycle. A lovely coffee stop mid morning where we met with Caroline and Paul. We will cycle together for the next 3,500 miles! The … Continue reading Cycle Across America – Day 8
Cycle Across America – Day 7
Hood River The Kindness of Others Today saw us welcomed into the family home of friend who happened to be visiting Hood River from the UK, at the same time as us. Despite never having met any of this wonderful family before, we were invited to join them for the day and made to feel … Continue reading Cycle Across America – Day 7
Cycle Across America – Day 5
Portland to Cascade Locks 31 miles / feet climb Knowing that we only had 30 miles to do today, we made another slow start. This is becoming a habit but this first week was planned to familiarise ourselves with cycling on the right side of the road, the road markings, junctions and highways. It was … Continue reading Cycle Across America – Day 5
Cycle Across America – Day 3
Clatskanie - St. Helen’s 36 miles / 1430 ft climb https://videopress.com/v/c1yFHkjK?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true A short day in theory but the prospect made us both a little laid back and we didn’t set off until after 10am. We had left our packing to be done in the morning. A slow, shaky start for me, a little detour to … Continue reading Cycle Across America – Day 3
Cycle Across America – Day 2
Astoria - Clatskanie 40 miles / 1972ft climb With Kathy and Dave having returned home yesterday and Caroline and Paul not joining us until Friday, it was just the two of us today. Our goal was to cycle 40 hilly miles from Astoria to Clatskanie, along the Columbia River. I had no sense that the … Continue reading Cycle Across America – Day 2
Cycle Across America – Day 1
Pacific Ocean - Astoria 14 miles / 341ft climb We cycled a lovely, varied route for 25 miles to the Pacific coast today. That’s 25 miles in the ‘wrong’ direction if we’re ultimately heading for the Atlantic Ocean. However, we were keen to dunk our bike wheels in the Pacific Ocean to mark the official … Continue reading Cycle Across America – Day 1
The Weather
I had done well to whittle down my list of things to worry about, the hills, the bears and the long days on the saddle were all put into perspective with the kind words and imparted wisdom of others. I was feeling reassuringly calm and even allowed a modicum of excitement to surface……. And then … Continue reading The Weather
A Perfect Day!
I enjoyed the loveliest cycle this afternoon with these wonderful ladies. We started with a coffee stop at The Knead Bakery at Elkstone, sitting outdoors in the sunshine, while we waited for everyone to arrive. It has been a long time since we all cycled together and we could easily have simply sat and chatted … Continue reading A Perfect Day!
The Route
A Very Brief Overview The American Cycling Association (ACA) produce an incredibly useful interactive map and map guides of tried and tested routes for cyclists, throughout America. The TransAmerica Route is the most popular cycling route cross America but there are also the Northern and Southern Tier routes to consider and lots of routes in … Continue reading The Route
Buzzing
With only 10 days to go until we set off from Cheltenham and 13 days until we start our journey from Brighton, there is a palpable feel of excitement amongst the team. Our WhatsApp group chat is buzzing as we share stories about our training rides, compare notes on our respective packing lists, talk technical … Continue reading Buzzing
The Raid Alpine
It was Helen Matthews, the Deputy CEO of Cure Parkinson's who introduced Claire and I in 2017. We have kept in contact since and met a few times. Helen, knowing that we both had Young Onset Parkinson's and both worked for the NHS, thought we may have a few things to talk about. We found … Continue reading The Raid Alpine
Five Ferries Challenge
Five ferries, a few friends, fabulous weather, fantastic scenery, fun, fun, fun! Five Ferries Route What a stunning day to do the Five Ferries Challenge on the West Coast of Scotland. 118km cycled in beautiful sunshine from early morning until late into the evening. The most spectacular views. Fabulous company and another great challenge completed. … Continue reading Five Ferries Challenge
A Team Effort
Doing the Raid Local challenge would never have been possible without the support of so many people, so I'd like to say 'thank you' to everyone who trained with me, encouraged me, supported me for months while I prepared for the challenge, supported me on the day, donated to The Cure Parkinson's Trust and to … Continue reading A Team Effort
Not So Easy!
The challenge, in reality, was not nearly as easy as I had dreamt it might be! (See Previous Blog) In reality, it took me a lot longer, it was a lot harder, my average power output was a lot lower and I didn't see Rowan Atkinson at all! My stats came in four parts: Until … Continue reading Not So Easy!
Easy!
Having lived cycling, talked cycling, blogged cycling, thought about nothing but cycling for the past few months, I have now started dreaming cycling. If I believed my dreams, I would be cycling ahead of the rest of the team, they would be shouting 'Slow down! We can't keep up! When did you get so good … Continue reading Easy!
Fourth ‘First’
My fourth 'first' for this week was to cycle Sudeley Hill today without stopping. As part of a hilly ride today, after Harp and Ham hills, I finally did it! At 2.5km long, with an average gradient of 8.4%, a maximum gradient of 18% and a total climb of 215m, it was a tough one. … Continue reading Fourth ‘First’
Challenging Times 
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