from one who’s been there...and back...a few times.

PROLOGUE

So you want to ride your bicycle across the United States…ARE YOU CRAZY? At least that’s what many of your friends will think when you tell them you are tackling such a project. Someone who doesn't ride a bicycle will have a hard time understanding why you would even think about doing such a thing...and if you don't take your preparation seriously, you may wonder the same thing when you get into the ride. The purpose of this book is to give you an idea of what you are in for and how to prepare to make your adventure go as smoothly and as enjoyable as possible.

I’ve grown accustomed to answering the same question thousands of times all across the country when people see me on the road. That question is: “why?” The answer is more than just “because.” Crossing the US on a bicycle is one of the most rewarding experiences that I’ve ever accomplished and I haven’t gotten tired of doing it yet. As of January 2008, I’ve crossed the US 33 times (since 1996) and plan to cross again 3 times in 2008 as ride leader for a major touring company. It’s a wonderful way to spend a month or two in the summer and to see the country in a different light than driving your car across on an interstate. You’ll not only see the countryside, you’ll experience every part of it. You will feel every nuance the road makes as it rises or descends below you. Your senses will be more keen to your surroundings as you pedal your way in the early morning and you'll hear, smell, and absorb your surroundings like you never have before. You will expand your comfort zone and ride many days that, if you were home, you would not even think of taking your bike out of the house. You’ll feel the wind and you’ll endure the rain, the sun, the heat, the cold, and long days in the saddle, but when you finish, you’ll have memories that will last a lifetime and become one of a growing fraternity who can say they have ridden across the US on a bicycle. In addition, you will meet some of the most interesting people and see sights that many only dream of. You’ll have achieved a goal that most people think is impossible and you’ll never look at a 40 mile club ride the same thereafter. Plus, many have told me their ride was a life changing event. I assure you one thing, you will never forget your experience. If it is to be an everlasting positive experience, it depends on how you prepare and what attitude you bring to the ride.

Many people have commented to me that they wish they'd had more of an idea of what they would be getting into before they came on the ride. Most say they would have done some things differently had they just known what to expect, how to prepare, what to bring, etc. That's what led to me writing this section. It is designed to give you some idea of what to expect and I hope you can gain some insight into what it takes to do a ride of this magnitude. It doesn't take super human bike riding skills, but there are some things that I think will make your experience more enjoyable if you know more about what to do before you show up. I hope you benefit from my years of experience. That experience came from making mistakes myself to watching others make the same mistakes over the years. Well, maybe not "mistakes" but we'd have done some things differently had we known beforehand what to expect.

In this article, I share some of my thoughts on what to consider, what to bring, what to expect, how to prepare, and some final thoughts on the company I've ridden with the last few years. As I'm discussing these topics, I'll give you my perspective on equipment and answer some of the most frequently asked questions from former riders who were preparing for their trip. I will be writing from the perspective of riding with a touring group across the US and not a self-contained rider or a week specialty area trip offered by many companies. However, if you plan to ride self-contained or on a weeklong trip, you may find some tid-bits of information in this article that may help you prepare for your ride too. If you think of something you feel that I left out, don't hesitate to let me know. With that said, let’s get into the nuts and bolts. Just follow the links to the different categories and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime!!!!