Why cycle accross America?
Back in April 2008, I started to think about how I would spend the year between me finishing College and starting University. Initially, I thought about doing a round-the-world backpacking trip like so many others my age, but I quite liked the idea of doing some kind of a challenge.
It was around this time that Mark Beaumont completed his unsupported circumnavigation of the world on a bicycle. I really liked the idea of a bike trip, but there was no way that I was going to try and replicate that (at least not yet...). I wanted to do something that was both shorter in distance and involved going through more developed countries, i.e. something I'd be able to do. A watered down version, if you will.
After much Googling on and around the subject, I came across this blog by someone called Andy, who was midway in cycling coast to coast of the USA at the time. After following the updates for about a week, I decided to contact him about it.
Fast forward to August, and having met up with Andy, Chris (another prospective cyclist) and Dominic (a cyclist who had just arrived back from his own Trans-Am cycle about two weeks prior), I was decided that this was what I wanted to do with my year off. All of my questions and reservations were answered, and I was reassured about how it was something that I would be able to do solo.
In order for me to actually go on this trip, I needed a job. The word recession was on everyones lips by this time, and I spent weeks applying to anything I could. Finally, I managed to get signed on to a local job agency, who found me temporary jobs I could work at for short periods of time. In this time, I found myself working in a laundry at a local boarding school, a roofing paintshop, and inspecting pharmacuticals amongst other jobs in a packaging factory. I'd be lying if I said that this work wasn't ridiculously boring, but in hindsight, it wasn't stressful in the least and it's allowed me to be in the position I am now.
Christmas and my birthday came and went, and I slowly accumulated everything I needed, including my bike at around Febuary time. I went to my local bike shop, who specialise in building bikes to order. I was looking for a bike that would do the job, yet not break the bank. To cut a long story short, I bought a 'pimped out' Bronx RX 1000 T, basically a Dawes Galaxy in disguise. Carbon fibre front forks, aero handlebars and Schwalbe Marathon tyres are amongst things I've added to it. When I get a good one, I'll add a picture.
I opted for panniers rather than a trailer to carry my kit, a trailer just seemed like a whole load more to go wrong while I'm there, not to mention trying to get it there in the first place. On the recommendation of Andy, I forked out £350 for Arkel GT-54's and T-28's (in royal blue :) ), which I must say I am dead chuffed with, and so far are well worth the money. They have about a million pockets, which is useful for someone like me who can never remember where stuff is (providing you remember where you put it in the first place), and for when it's raining so you don't get all of your stuff wet.
I am of course, doing this in aid of a charity. I chose a charity called 'Facing Africa', a charity that deals with treating and preventing a disease called NOMA. I can almost guarantee that you won't of heard of this before, but believe me, it's a worthwhile cause. The more money and awareness I can generate for this cause, the greater a success this it will have been. I suggest you visit the Facing Africa website for some further background reading, I'm sure it'll be evident as to why I am doing this when you do.
I finished working about three weeks ago, and I reckon I've got enough saved to last me the whole way accross now. That said, I will taking a tent and I'm planning to camp about 4 to 5 out of 7 nights along the way, staying in hotels and relying on the generosity of others for the remainder. I've spent my time off training almost everyday, getting myself saddlefit. I recently got back from a weekend trip where I cycled probably more than I will be planning to cycle everyday carrying more kit than I will be, and that indicated that I was nearing the point of being saddlefit enough to sit in a saddle for 8 hours a day.
I will be updating this blog everyday ((wireless) internet access permitting) with my progress, and will be my main point of contact.
For more information and an online donation form, please visit http://gregstransamericacycle.co.uk/
::Edit::
I've just found out that I'm going to be charged $300 by Delta for shipping my bike to the USA. This was partly my fault for not being specific enough when asking my travel agent "Will I be allowed to take my bike to America using Delta?", and partly my travel agent being sneaky and forgetting to mention that it'd cost a bomb. This will probably sound fairly cheeky, but if anyone would like to donate some money towards this setback, please get in touch through my website. Thank you! :)
