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



Sunday, March 21, 2010

Day One; San Diego to Pine Valley: 53 miles

We arrived at Dog Beach for a seven am departure and were greeted by Dolly and Dick Hartman former residents of Cincinnati.
After the ceremonial dipping of our rear wheels in the Pacific Ocean, we began our trek on the bike trail along the San Diego River. The traffic was light on Sunday morning and we made good time.

After twenty miles we began the long, steady climb to the Laguna Mountains. However, one must stop and smell the roses or the sweetpeas.

We continued the long grind upward to four thousand feet where in Pine Valley we saw a cyclist that had already gone to pot.

We celebrated tonight by having cherry pie with ice cream. Our jitters have left us and we are excited about the remaining 41 days!
Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road,
Healthy,free, the world before me.
The long brown path before me leading wherever I choose..... Walt Whitman


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7 comments:

  1. John B.March 21, 2010 at 9:10 PM

    Henceforth I ask not good-fortune—I myself am good fortune;
    Henceforth I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing,

    Strong and content, I travel the open road.

    You go, ladies!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Becky, Jon and Madeline SchneiderMarch 22, 2010 at 4:39 AM

    Sounds like a great first day!

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  3. EvieMarch 22, 2010 at 6:28 AM

    Great pictures!!! Health Care passed, but I guess you know that. Making plane reservations today!! I wish I could be as poetic as John.

    ReplyDelete
  4. kimberly10iMarch 22, 2010 at 2:03 PM

    I love your photos and posts...cannot wait to hear about your daily adventures! I am so inspired! Safe journeys!

    ReplyDelete
  5. John B.March 22, 2010 at 10:00 PM

    Lots of help from Walt Whitman.

    ReplyDelete
  6. MaxannaMarch 23, 2010 at 9:53 AM

    What a glorious start! This is going to be such a GRAND ADVENTURE!

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousMarch 23, 2010 at 4:00 PM

    MJ and Ruth, you rock! You're a little bit crazy, but that's why we love you. Take care, and smell lots of roses.......Kathy Saul

    ReplyDelete

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