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



Thursday, April 29, 2010

Day 40, White Springs to Gainsville, 90 miles

After eating a delicious breakfast of French Toast and scrambled eggs cooked by our hostess, we started riding west to rejoin our route.
We enjoyed seeing our shadows in front of us but we were not paying close attenion to our route.
After riding seven miles we noticed the same tomato field that we saw yesterday.
Luckily a lady was there and she told us that we had missed our turn five miles back. Despite adding ten miles to our day, the morning was pleasant and it was the perfect day for two good friends to ride. We cycled back the five miles and turned south on route 137 and crossed I10. This is only the second time that we have missed a turn in nearly three thousand miles.
(Mary Jo by the tomato fields, YESTERDAY!)
Down the road we saw the Whistlestop Deli. We purchased sandwiches for our lunch and could not resist the blueberry scones and a quick jig with the chef.
At noon we stopped at the Ichetucknee Springs State Park. While eating our sandwiches we watched a man swimming laps across the pristine natural pool formed by the spring. We both had the same idea and quickly changed into our swimsuits and took a quick dip in the seventy-two degree water.
During the afternoon we cycled through beautiful pasture land and through the town of High Springs.
We were now approaching Gainesville. We followed the tree lined route 232 into Gainesville. There was a clearly marked bike lane and it made our cycling into the city less nerve-racking then cycling into Tallahassee. We cycled passed the University of Florida and found the Super 8 Motel.

Tomorrow we are taking a bike trail out of Gainesville and will cycle to Palatka. It will be our last full day of cycling.

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7 comments:

  1. JodeeApril 29, 2010 at 7:27 PM

    I looked all over for a photo of the swimming, but alas! None were to be found! What happened?

    Seriously....you had SWIMMING SUITS WITH YOU?? I think Terry Z. must have packed your bags for you.

    I'm so excited for you as you near completion of such a great challenge but disappointed to be near the end of such an entertaining armchair adventure for me.

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  2. John B.April 29, 2010 at 9:58 PM

    "A perfect day for two good friends to ride."

    Key words: Two good friends

    Sounds like your friendship is about 3,000 miles stronger. Good for you.

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  3. julia kApril 30, 2010 at 4:58 AM

    Every day gets better and tomorrow will be the best with your reunion. We will miss the photos and banter so much. Enjoy the final ride "for this trip". Julia

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  4. DonApril 30, 2010 at 6:54 AM

    Max and I are in Cumberland,MD at a B&B after visiting Falling Water in PA. There a bike trail called Great Allegheny Passage that goes from Pittsburgh to Washington DC along a rails to trails route. We thought of you and then how much we enjoy riding in the car.

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  5. bostonbobApril 30, 2010 at 8:51 AM

    congratulations!!! Now what do I read everyday instead of your great adventure?

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  6. Jon MorleyApril 30, 2010 at 9:08 AM

    That spring looks incredible... and cold! Finish up strong!!

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  7. JodeeMay 1, 2010 at 7:43 AM

    OOOPS! I guess I posted my earlier comment too quickly :-) The springs look WONDERFULLY REFRESHING! You guys did an awesome job journalling in photos along the way! Thanks!

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