Why are two crazy ladies riding across the United States?

Seven years ago while I was huffing and puffing to keep up with Ruth's running pace, she asked me if I would run across the USA with her.



You are crazy!" I gasped. "but I will cycle across the states with you."



We started planning the trip that day. We ordered the transcontinental maps from Adventure Cycling Association. Then Ruth's husband got a job in Evian, France, and we put our plans on hold.



Throughout the last seven years, we continued to discuss our trip. Then this last Fall, Bill and Ruth returned to Cincinnati. We looked at our maps again,checked into various cycling groups that are crossing the states this year, and kept pedaling on the back roads of southwestern Ohio.



As we learned the prices and the dates of the organized trips, we realized those trips would not work for us. We finally decided that a spring trip would work, and we decided on the Southern Tier Route. The maps route us through southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, and then to our final designation - St. Augustine, Florida.

Throughout the trip we will stay in motels and bed&breakfasts and travel as lightly as possible. We plan to average eighty miles per day, take three rest days, and reach our destination on May 1st.



Our husbands are traveling with us the first two weeks. They will carry our gear for us and will be playing golf or attending spring training baseball games while we are cycling. Hurray for our very supportive husbands!



We will try to update the blog every day. Some nights we may be so tired that the only words we will be able to type are: "We made it!" We may be in a motel without a computer or cell coverage.



We will miss our family and friends along the trip. As St. Patrick's Day is approaching we think of this Irish Blessing:



May the road rise to meet you,



May the wind be always at your back,



May the sun shine warm upon your face,



The rains fall soft upon your fields and



Until we meet again,



May God hold you in the palm of his hand.



To All: Please Take Care! Love, Mary Jo and Ruth



Saturday, March 20, 2010

Almost on the road

Don and Mary Jo arrived in San Diego by plane and Ruth and Bill arrived by car. On Saturday morning we reminded our legs how to pedal and cycled out to Cabrillo Point on Point Loma www.nps.gov/cabr/index.htmIn the afternoon we explored Ocean Beach. Nala was in her glory at Dog Beach. On Sunday Ruth and Mary Jo will start riding to the East on the bike trail that begins at Dog Beach.

Tonight we had our send off dinner with George and Jung Peairs, Don's brother and sister-in-law. We ate enough calories to last us until Texas.
Off to bed and hopefully the jitters will pass and we will pass out. We plan to depart from Dog Beach at seven am on Sunday, March 21.




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2 comments:

  1. EvieMarch 21, 2010 at 3:58 PM

    Hi Mary Jo and Ruth! I posted a comment yesterday and I did 22 sympathy miles for you today...hope the day went smoothly. Looks like you have gotten the Web site/blog working smoothly.

    Health Care bill will be voted on tonight but you guys might be sleeping soundly by the time they get around to it.

    Can't wait to see the pictures from today.

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  2. AnonymousMarch 25, 2010 at 9:24 AM

    Way to go Ruth and Mary Jo! Very much enjoy following your exploits! Keep the posts coming. If you are going thru Pascagoula Miss, please wave for me! I lived there for 6 months many years ago. Loved it along the gulf.

    John Kutney

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