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



Friday, March 26, 2010

Day Six: Surprise Az. to Tempe Az 44 miles
















Today was a nice change of pace as we rode through Phoenix. We rode along a 12 mile bike path and through pleasant neighborhoods filled with the scent of orange blossoms.














It was interesting to see many homes with arid landscaping using native plants.














While we were pedaling away, the guys were enjoying watching their second spring training baseball game.














There was also a chance encounter with another adventurer who is walking across America to promote healthy life styles. His sign reads 'Go walk 20 minutes today' Check out his blog at www.enjoythewalk.org

We may be slow but we are inefficient! - Quote from our waitress at lunch.
Posted by

4 comments:

  1. John B.March 26, 2010 at 10:25 PM

    The only quote I can think of in the same vein as the one from your waitress would get your blog in trouble. So I'll just fill in the sketchy information you provided about the baseball game:

    Ken Griffey Jr. shows his old form with game-ending grand slam
    Griffey, who is batting just .179 this spring, delights the fans and teammates with a walkoff grand slam against Cincinnati.

    Check out the story at:

    http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/mariners/2011454269_griffey27.html

    Why the panniers? You gave your SAG crew the day off for baseball?

    ReplyDelete
  2. HiHoOhioMarch 27, 2010 at 6:31 AM

    Mary Jo and Ruth
    what an amazing trip so far! Wow! I am following you across the west. Can't wait to see you in Austin Texas!!!! Mary Jo, the Blog looks like it is working perfect! Have a great trip. Sun is finally starting to show it's face in Cincy.

    ReplyDelete
  3. DonMarch 27, 2010 at 9:45 AM

    A suggestion for the blog. Let us know at the end where you will be going the next day. We would like to look forward in addition to looking back.

    ReplyDelete
  4. lshewMarch 27, 2010 at 4:24 PM

    I'm late in getting connected, but Ken sent me a link to the blog and I've read about all 6 days at once...wow, what a journey so far...and what literary skills! I'm loving this...keep up the good cycling!
    Laura S.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)