I started from San Diego on May 3 and finished June 11 at Tybee Island, near Savannah. My training regiment consisted of watching DVDs and eating Oreos, so I was in subpar shape when the ride began, but I knew I would be okay. It takes not very long to get into shape, maybe just a week or so, or a few days. Actually, it was very tough in the beginning, crossing the California desert. On day three, starting in Brawley, CA, I left at 10am when the sun was already high. In retrospect, I should have left much earlier, at dawn. If you cross the desert anytime in the summertime, you have to be so careful. If you've ever played Grand Theft Auto, crossing the desert during the daytime in summer is a bit like that. Your character can run at high speed for about 10 seconds, then you have to let him rest for about 30 seconds. I had spent all my energy by noon and was taking 10 minute breaks under a bush for every 5 minutes of cycling. The sun was just so cruel and I had drank most of my water. I made it through, in the end, but had to stop for the night in Palo Verde, 20 miles before Blythe. If it hadn't been there I probably would have had to hitch a ride to Blythe, I was so exhausted. That was the third day.
After that, things got much easier. You find your groove after a week or so. I'd never done anything physical like this before; just traveling by bus or plane through other countries, so there was a certain apprehension. From Arizona to eastern New Mexico, when I was climbing through the mountains, all I wanted was a bit of level ground. Be careful what you wish for, for when I was bored on the flat, windy plains of Texas I only wanted a bit of mountains for something to look at. But so it is.
There was never any part of the trip that you could call dangerous, even in the desert; cars passed by every couple minutes at least, ensuring that hitching was always an option. So if you're worried about whether or not you can cross the US on a bicycle, worry not. You can do it! As Steve said, pack light. That's the best advice you'll receive: don't pack anything you won't use! If you bring two changes of clothes plus a bit of food and lots of water, you'll still have room left in two panniers for a camera, iPod, and even a book. Actually, you'll have lots of room left over. I stayed in motels most nights but brought a bivy sack (like a tent, but in the shape of a sleeping bag for one person) and a light sleeping bag and still had plenty of space in the two panniers on the back of my bike. Because of this I was able to use a racing bike and go faster, as opposed to a heavier touring bike.
The trip was filled with good memories and friendly people. I was sad when my riding partner gave up in New Mexico but carried on. I followed Steve's route until Texas, when I had to hitch a ride to Lubbock, TX to fix my bike. That took me off course, so I got onto route 82 hundreds of miles before Steve had. But in the end it worked out well. There was even time for a side excursion into New Orleans, 200 miles out of the way.
Before I started this trip I was worried about being fit enough, physically and mentally. Physically I can honestly say it's nothing to worry too much about. Even if you're out of shape you'll get fit soon enough by biking just a bit the first day, then a bit more on day two, and so on. I averaged about 70 miles each day and managed to finish about six weeks later, exactly on schedule. Since it was so hot outside, especially in Louisiana, I started at dawn and biked about 7 hours a day. I hitched a ride a few times when I had bike troubles and had to visit a bicycle shop.
It was a great experience and after having traveled to a few other countries, I finally got to see my own. It's a beautiful country, mostly in the places where development and urban/suburban sprawl haven't reached. The confidence you feel after completing such a trip makes it worth it a hundred times over, and anyway it's infinitely better than sitting at home watching TV.
You really followed my route all the way into Texas? Dude, you actually biked from Safford AZ into Glenwood NM? Ha ha ha... that ride (with those two passes) kicked my ass so bad! :p)
And what did you think of Datil, New Mexico? Ooooooh and Tatum, New Mexico is such a budding metropolis, isn't it?
I sure hope you didn't take Highway 82 into Alabama. That was not an enjoyable road at all.
Where did you cross the Mississippi River?
So many questions... but hey, once again I say CONGRATULATIONS!
Joe, you are my current hero having just completed Steve's trip. I'd be interested in your answers to my questions that I just posted under MiamiUGuy. People tell me wind isn't much of a factor east to west or west to east, but seems most people leave the west first. Also terrain...looks like a major gradual uphill climb in NM if coming from east. Again, congrats. Rick
