Down The Trail

Bicycling Across America

I set out with my bicycle on May 27, 2006 from the Outer Banks, North Carolina. By the end of August I reached Eugene, Oregon, and worked for six weeks to earn money to continue. Early October found me riding north to Seattle, and finally south along the Pacific Coast to San Francisco. From there I flew home to Pennsylvania on November 6, 2006.

Introduction
My First Bicycle Tour
The Outer Banks
NC/Virginia
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13
Day 14
Kentucky
Day 15
Day 16
Day 17
Day 18
Day 19
Indiana
Day 20
Day 21
Day 22
Kentucky
Day 23
Day 24
Day 25
Day 26
Illinois
Day 27
Day 28
Day 29
Missouri
Day 30
Day 31
Day 32
Day 33
Day 34
Day 35
Kansas
Day 36
Day 37
Day 38
Day 39
Day 40
Day 41
Day 42
Colorado
Day 43
Day 44
Day 45
Day 46
Day 47
Day 48
Day 49
Day 50
Day 51
Day 52
Day 53

Wyoming
Day 54
Day 55
Day 56
Day 57
Day 58
Day 59
Day 60
Day 61
Day 62
Day 63
Day 64
Day 65
Montana
Day 66
Day 67
Day 68
Day 69
Day 70
Day 71
Idaho
Day 72
Day 73
Day 74
Day 75
Oregon
Day 76
Day 77
Day 78
Day 79
Day 80
Day 81
Day 82
Day 83
Day 84
Day 85
The Pacific Coast
Oregon
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Washington
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Oregon Coast
Day 13
Day 14
Day 15
Day 16
Day 17
Day 18
Day 19
California Coast
Day 20
Day 21
Day 22
Day 23
Day 24
Day 25
Day 26
Day 27
Afterword

photo courtesy Biking Bis

The TransAmerica Trail is an established bicycle route across the United States from Yorktown, Virginia to Astoria, Oregon. It primarily winds along scenic country roads with low traffic, avoiding highways and major cities. The largest city to be found directly on the route is Eugene Oregon, with a population of about 140,000. The average touring cyclist takes about three months to ride from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific, or vice-versa. It is approximately 4,200 miles.

The TransAmerica Trail was inaugurated in 1976 as a means of celebrating the nation’s bicentennial year. The idea for the ride was spawned by Greg Siple in 1972, while on a long tour.

The ‘76 cross-country ride and consequential organization was called Bikecentennial. Over 4,000 cyclists who hailed from all 50 states took part in the ride. 2,000 riders completed the entire route in its first year – a notable event. Over thirty years have passed since then, and many more cyclists have followed, creating a route rich in history and tradition.

Bikecentennial later transformed into what is today known as The Adventure Cycling Association. The organization now has almost 50,000 members, and has mapped almost 40,000 miles of 20 different long-distance cycling routes in the U.S.

Cyclists stay overnight in a variety of places, including hotels, campgrounds, town parks, churches, and even in ditches along the side of the road if necessary. Pictured above is the “bike house” in Afton, Virginia, operated by the “Cookie Lady” June Curry. Postcards and memoriabilia line the walls, documenting her decades of hospitality.

The TransAm Trail crosses the Appalachian Mountains along The Blue Ridge Parkway.

The highest point is Hoosier Pass, Colorado, at 11,542 feet.

Dominant winds and monotany in Kansas can discourage many a rider. Others are mesmerized by the flat, wide-open plains, and heartened by the friendliest small town communities found anywhere.

Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks are highlights for many.

The route follows the Oregon Coast along route 101 to its western terminus in Astoria.