Will, Have a save and wonderful time.  I admire you for what your doing and look forward to you sharing your experiences with us. May God be with you on your journey. Ron and Dorothy

Be Safe
Mood:  celebratory

Will,

 Stay in the moment.  Be safe and thanks for sharing.

 

Jack

Have a GREAT trip

Thouhgt I woulld get to you before you took off tomorrow.

 I remember the times we walked to first grade at Harrison Hill in Ft Wayne, about 150 years ago, and all the times since.

 

I will be with you again on this rife of yours, im my mind, adn hopefullly a few days physically.

 

Hawk

OVERVIEW OF THIS CROSS COUNTRY BICYCLE TRIP

This bicycle trip will start from home, in Everett, Washington, and will end in Raleigh, North Carolina, at the home of my brother Jim.  The route was chosen with help from maps sold be the Adventure Cycling Association, a bicycle touring advocate.  The routes they promote tend to be on lesser traveled yet scenic roads.  In this case, I have merged the ACA’s Northern Tier Route with their Transamerica. Route, then personalized the route to include visiting friends and relatives.  Approximately two thirds of the 3,800 trip will be on the ACA routes.

 

The itinerary shows this being an 87 day trip, with 14 days scheduled as Rest Days.  At the end, the bicycle will be boxed up and shipped back home.  My wife, Karen, will meet me in Raleigh.  From there, we will travel a bit, spending time visiting relatives and relaxing at Myrtle Beach.

On the surface it seems that the first 37 days, from Everett to Boulder, Colorado, will be some of the most scenic, yet the most physically challenging.   It will include 14 mountain passes, culminating over Trail Ridge Road, through Rocky Mountain National Park, at an elevation of 12,300.  I will be carrying around 50 pounds of camping gear, so ascending mountain passes will take patience and endurance. 

Except when staying with friends and relatives, nights will be spent in a combination of camping and staying in motels.  In light of the low night temperatures in the mountains, there will probably be less camping until I reach Boulder;  more camping as the elevation drops. 

From Boulder east, the entire trip will change as the elevation drops, and the temperatures become significantly higher at night.  That is why I will have a box of “hot weather” clothing waiting for me in Boulder.  I will ship back home my “cold weather” bicycling clothing. 

Go for it Will!  I admire you for your adventure and will follow your progress.  Mike Deller