In the beginning....what.

Following the purple highlighted line, here's the plan: We (I'll introduce the participants in the who section) will start on March 29th, 2007 from Apache Junction, Arizona and, using Adventure Cycling Maps (designed specifically for bicyling), we will follow the Southern Tier to St. Francisville, LA, turn Northeast along the Great Rivers route to the Nashville area, and then turn East along the TransAmerican route. A couple days short of the Atlantic coast, near Waynesboro, VA, our paths will diverge. Although it doesn't show on this map, my path will take a turn North, eventually intersecting the Great Allegheny Passage, a series of converted rails-to-trails providing a dirt path right into Pittsburgh, the home of my parents. I'm projecting 60 days in travel time, which includes 6 days off and a daily average of 75 miles. This is an unsupported tour so it means that we must carry everything needed to "Gorilla" camp and cook along the way. I have done extensive research on this project and will, time permitting, provide links, books, and other relevant info.

In the beginning....why.

Back in 1974, after graduating high school and waiting through a delayed enlistment program for the United States Air Force, I had planned to backpack the entire Appalachian Trail. To make a long story short, the plans fell through and here I am 33 years later preparing for an equally epic adventure. Prior to my retirement in the end of May 2006, I searched the Internet for information about biking across the country. However, that idea remained on the back-burner until after the resolution of a more important challenge. I was running for the Moapa Valley Justice of the Peace position against a 20year incumbent and it promised to be a challenging race. He won the election by a very narrow margin (23 votes) and so, with mixed feelings, this seed now had a chance to germinate. The decision was made to bike across America. I found some valuable sites which I will list on this BLOG. My friend, Kim, who is more computer savvy, has helped me generate this site to keep my family, friends and anyone interested updated on my progress.