Today was our much anticipated day that concluded this wonderful TransAmerican journey to the Atlantic Ocean. You will see we started our day with a sunrise view across the Saint Johns River and ended with a ceremonial dipping of our bicycle wheels in the Ocean behind our hotel.
If you have been following us on the trip via my website, please continue to check back beginning in at least two weeks. It is my plan to post additional thoughts after I get home to Fishersville, Virginia and reflect on this experience. I also plan on sharing my ideas on the specific planning, training, equipment, and riding strategy to cross the country on a bicycle.
I will say now that we were extremely fortunate. We did this in the best fashion with a caring and competent SAG support team, Julie and Carol, and with both of them transferring our luggage to hotels/motels and scouting out restaurants for health dinners . Doug Wayne was an impeccable planner, covering the route design details and lodging logistics. There were no major equipment failures, no significant riding incompatibilities, no medical issues or injuries, no illnesses, and amazingly we were never subjected to rain or even a light drizzle.
The second morning we did wake up to a snow storm at the highest elevation on the route in Pine Valley, CA. For that situation, we were able to rely on the Wayne’s RV to take us to a lower elevation that was below the snow line. This enabled us to stay on schedule with all the preplanned hotel reservations for a total of 45 days. According to my Cateye odometer, we traveled 2875 miles. Steve Leibo even rode extra miles the last week (yes, he was crazy to add mileage to our already 80 mile plus days to hit the 3000 mile total). I simply boasted to Steve that Doug and I were more efficient riders, completing the trip in less distance. I usually completed a shower and cracked open a beer while he was adding 15 to 20 extra miles. Ha ha.
I am in awe! What an awesome achievement. Congrats to riders and SAG support.
WELL DONE, Steve, Doug and Steve!!!
Thank you Bob! I am glad to have my Maine Bro follow me on the tour.
Congratulations on completing a most epic journey! I had read your posts every single day with anticipation. This was an amazing trip that you did and it is inspired me to do the Natchez Trail next summer (2026). I have bragged to many of my family and friends about the ride that you were doing and how awesome it is! Again, congratulations!! Well done!!
Don, I appreciate having you follow me regularly, and claiming it provided inspiration for your own bicycling goals. Thanks for keeping up daily, even when it might of been a bit tedious reading some days. I will be cheering for you doing Natchez next year, and might even consider doing it too.
I can’t imagine your feelings of exhilaration and gratitude for your good fortune, and I look forward to reading your reflections on your incredible achievement. Congratulations! (And thank you for sharing your thoughts and photos along the way.)
Marsha, I am glad to get to know you better through our recent communications and your responses to my blog. I may need to promote us to “First” Cousins, having shared this experience with you and having received all your well wishes.
Excellent, well done. Impressive effort and results — Congrats to all involved!
Thank you Lew.
Congratulations Steve! I’ve read your posts almost daily and have thoroughly enjoyed your trip. How on earth did you guys manage to have no rain at all. That is just amazing.
Congratulations on a job well done! I really enjoyed following along your journey.
Jim, it was great to know you were following this. Maybe cycling is my next big thing, not rock ‘]climbing (inside joke).
Incredible achievement! Congrats Steve and Doug and Steve!
Thank you Mark. I look forward to our next ride in The Valley with you and Sally.