I had always wanted to see America. I mean really see it. What better way to see America than to hop on my bicycle and head across the United States? I finally took the plunge and decided to do a TransAmerica trip when I was twenty-two years old. I had been cycling for some time by then, and felt I was up to the challenge. But, I thought it would be even more fun to travel as a group, so I took a week long intensive camp/interview, and was hired by a cycling company to lead a trip from Williamsburg, VA to Astoria, OR.

A TransAmerican bicycle tour is not an easy task–physically or logistically. There was matters of food, drink, and shelter, just to name a few of the tasks. We also had to plan our route in advance because we did not want to suddenly find ourselves 30 miles from food or shelter.

Organizing the trip gave e a chance to challenge my leadership skills. Since I was the trip leader it was my responsibility to iron out the fine details of the journey. I found the planning of the trip exhilarating. I could picture the trip while I planned it; I imagined all of us on the road together, what were were likely to see, and imagined the people we would meet.

When we finally set out in late spring, I couldn’t help but think of the many others who had ventured before us. The Lewis and Clark Expedition and the families of settlers who bravely set out for the unknown with all of their belongings in their covered wagons. What an amazing feeling. If you are a bicycle enthusiast, and enjoy the thrill of spinning through the countryside I highly recommend a bicycle tour. Or, better yet…go the distance and bicycle across America.

I had always wanted to see America. I mean really see it. What better way to see America than to hop on my bicycle and head across the United States? I finally took the plunge and decided to do a TransAmerica trip when I was twenty-two years old. I had been cycling for some time by then, and felt I was up to the challenge. But, I thought it would be even more fun to travel as a group, so I took a week long intensive camp/interview, and was hired by a cycling company to lead a trip from Williamsburg, VA to Astoria, OR.

A TransAmerican bicycle tour is not an easy task–physically or logistically. There was matters of food, drink, and shelter, just to name a few of the tasks. We also had to plan our route in advance because we did not want to suddenly find ourselves 30 miles from food or shelter.

Organizing the trip gave e a chance to challenge my leadership skills. Since I was the trip leader it was my responsibility to iron out the fine details of the journey. I found the planning of the trip exhilarating. I could picture the trip while I planned it; I imagined all of us on the road together, what were were likely to see, and imagined the people we would meet.

When we finally set out in late spring, I couldn’t help but think of the many others who had ventured before us. The Lewis and Clark Expedition and the families of settlers who bravely set out for the unknown with all of their belongings in their covered wagons. What an amazing feeling. If you are a bicycle enthusiast, and enjoy the thrill of spinning through the countryside I highly recommend a bicycle tour. Or, better yet…go the distance and bicycle across America.