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, May 1, 2010

Day 42, Palatka to Anastasia State Park, 47 miles

3052 miles! 42 days on the road! Eight states! We actually did it by just pedaling our bikes. It was an adventure of seeing backroad America and meeting so many helpful and kind folks.

For the last time the rooster alarm went off and for the first time Ruth got out of bed before Mary Jo. After seeing the beginning of the sailboat race on the St. Johns River, we started off for the last time.

We helped another turtle across the road and helped some workers pick cucumbers. Later this summer, the workers will be in northern Ohio picking cucumbers.
It was becoming hot and the wind was coming from the east. We approached St. Augustine and passed the park where Mary Jo ended her East Coast Ride nearly five years ago.
We went over The Bridge of Lions to Anastasia Island. With our excitement and maybe a few tears in our eyes we almost missed the entrance into the state park. We quickly turned around and there were Don and Bill with a congratulatory banner. Now we were crying.

We cycled down the park road to the beach, pushed our bikes through the sand, and reached the ATLANTIC OCEAN! The front wheels were bathed by the surf.

After setting the bikes down we ran into the cool, refreshing waves. We did it, we found the Atlantic Ocean.
Mary and George, who we have been sharing the road with these last few days, appeared to congratulate us. Next year they are planning to do a transamerica crossing.
The guys had done their usual and brought a picinic lunch to us. I don't have to tell you where the sandwiches were from. Then four champagne glasses appeared with a bottle of champagne.
Two beautiful trophies appeared; Ruth had a red bike on her trophy and Mary Jo had a blue bike. (Thank-you Evelyn.) We ate the best picnic lunch ever!
We arrived at the Super 8 motel with another congratulatoy message.
Tonight we eat a healthful dinner, hopefully no fried food. Tomorrow we head back to Cincinnati and we will try to remember how to live a normal life.

When we return to Cincinnati, we will do one more blog.


"It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters in the end." - Ursula K. LeGuin

18 comments:

  1. Congratulations to both of you. When I first heard that you were doing it by yourselves, I thought "what a crazy idea, they will never make it." But you did and did it just the way you said you would. I am so impressed.

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  2. I am so, so, so, so impressed! You are absolutely amazing! What a wonderful trip! And you did such a beautiful job with the blog. Thank you so much for the good times we shared with you. I'm going to miss this so much:)

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  3. You both look so beautiful! Must be happy.

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  4. WOW!!! 3,052 miles from sea to shining sea!!
    Congratulations to both of you energetic and determined gals!
    I've really enjoyed reading the blog and seeing the photos each night and will REALLY miss them. I don't suppose you would want to keep biking from Florida to Maine, so we could continue reading your blog and seeing new photos of the back roads of America???
    We are so thankful you made all 42 days safely on the road and with nothing worse than a flat tire. Here's to you both!! Enjoy your rest.

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  5. CONGRATULATIONS!! I'm impressed and amazed and awed by the two of you! What a feeling of accomplishment you must have! I'm so happy for you that you completed your adventure safely and yet I will miss the nightly sharing. Have a safe and RELAXING trip home!

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  6. Congratulations on the road very well traveled. What a journey indeed, these past six weeks but also the years before. It's great to have been focused on your goal, and to have been able to achieve it. Kudos to the SAG team, too. I've enjoyed the ride.

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  7. I choked up when I saw the pic of your SAG team and the sign they made for you. What a happy and proud moment that must have been for you all. Another inncredible journey :) Heartiest congratulations to you both, Ruth and Mary JO!!!

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  8. I'm crying right now...what a journey, what an accomplishment, what wonderful husbands, and what an inspiration!Congratulations and ....yeaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyy!

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  9. How blessed we are to have you in our lives to inspire and entertain us. What a beautiful end to your ride with Bill and Don at the water edge with all the goodies. We really look forward to seeing you this week!!! Love, Julia

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  10. Congratulations for following your dream and embarking on such an amazing journey! You've taught us about the values of friendship and living life to its fullest. Cheers!!!

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  11. YOU TWO ARE AN INSPIRATION TO ALL OF US KINGS!!!

    Can't wait to hear all the stories

    With enthusiasm and admiration...Barb King

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  12. Congrats on such an amazing trip completed! Reading about your journey has been inspirational. :-)

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  13. Thanks for your inspiration -- and what a wonderful blog of your trip. I hope to make such a journey one day, and I'd love to do it your way rather than take one of the commercial tours...

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  14. When are you starting your next trip? My evenings are not the same without you two.

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  15. Super Women!
    Crying tears of joys for you both! What an amazing adventure and a true love for each other is felt from every posting!
    When I grow up I want to be Ruth and Mary Jo! :)

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  16. Julie King wants to be you guys when she grows up!!!!

    Can't wait to hear more, your blog is just awesome

    Barb King

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  17. I have tears in my eyes as I read about your final victorious day! What an inspiration you both are! Congratulations on your accomplishment ladies,I'm in awe. And your husbands are gems...way to go guys! My daughter is friends with Becky and I've been following you and your journey since the beginning. It was an honor to come along and read about your adventures! Blessings to you all! Dawn Bruner

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