THE CHALLENGE
On 1st August 2024 I am climbing on a plane to set off on an Epic Cycling Trip.
Im going to be Riding a Bike (pedal bike) across the USA from NEW YORK to SAN FRANSISCO (Mill Valley CA to be precise). The ride will be solo and totally un-supported, and rather than take the ‘easy’ (?) West to East Road route of about 3500 miles – I decided to go EAST to WEST …. and mainly OFF ROAD / TRAILS / GRAVEL and decided that I want to top 5000 miles in total !
As ever, I see an epic journey like this as a golden opportunity to use my efforts to raise some funds for Charity so I will be supporting The Children’s Hospital Charity and St James Church.
The reasoning behind this ride was quite simple ….. WTB (Wilderness Trail Bikes) decided to sponsor me with the supply of Tyres, Saddles and Tubeless products, so I decided that it would be nice thing to do, to ‘Nip In’ and ‘Have a Brew’ and say Thank you in person.
At this point, I had not even considered where their Head Quarters were actually located !!
I even had to look up Mill Valley ….. and when I did … I just thought … “well why the hell not !”
Since then Ive been planning my route, sourcing my equipment, preparing my bike, sorting everything out that I need to in preparation for a 3 month trip and adventure of a lifetime.
I know this is going to be hard. It will be lonely and to be honest I am quite scared !
Im planning on using Motels mainly and only Camping either when I want to …. or when I NEED to. Luckinly Ive got an amazing Durston Gear lightweight Mid 1 Pro Tent that weighs almost nothing.
I will need to ride about 70 miles per day over 70 actual Riding days and thats about 60 miles per day averaged including about a dozen rest days ….. hopefully I will be able to even it out and even earn a day or two in-hand if I can make good progress on the easier sections and better weather / flatter / tailwind days.
Motivation is going to be an issue, but I will have so much to see and I will spend my resting time uploading the Days sights and stories that I hope you will be interested in.
The other encourage that I will rely on are messages, I know from previous experience that when you are feeling down, a simple message can really pick your spirits up, as will the ‘Ping” of notifications when someone has donated to the Charity !
I really have no idea why I have put myself in this position to even attempt this Ride, but one thing is for sure, I am not getting any younger … and my body really is starting to need so much more rest, I get stiff, I get tired and every joint I have seems to ache ….. so realistically, this is my last change to take on such a Challenge.
I hope you will wish me luck, and either donate to the Charity, or if you want to BUY ME A BEER/COFFEE/PIZZA (delete as appropiate) 🙂 it would be much appreciated as I am paying for the whole journey totally out of my own pocket.
See the Link below.
I have seen such generosity and kindness from my brilliant supporters, their support is just awesome, and I would really appreciate it if you firstly give them a FOLLOW, but also please would consider them for your next requirements as everything they do is just top notch.
WTB – Brilliant tyres and Saddles and much more and the reason for this trip !
TAILFIN – Simply the most awesome bike ‘luggage’ that is available. Their support is just amazing.
GOREWEAR – unrivalled protection from the elements. Great Kit and great people.
BLUE STRAWBERRY ELEPHANT – not just brilliant design of this website, but great friends too.
I am also so lucky to have the continued support, help advice and encouragement from: TrueSapien, Giant Store Sheffield, Water-to-Go, Beespoke Wheels, Exposure Lights, Durston Gear, NZero Organic Lubricants, VanGuard Cycles, Quad Lock,Follow My Challenge, Osprey Imagery, GiveWheel, Westside Coaching, Mick Collins and Mitch Jones for inspiration and of course my regular Training/Riding/Cafe partners – Andy and Gaz !
I have been so up and down in the preparations for the Ride, one minute confident, the next really apprehensive and overwhelmed, but all I need to do is take on each day and just ride what I need to cover in that single day … tomorrow doesnt concern me.
As my good friend James Golding says “One Step At A Time”
