Field notes from my tour across the USA
0
4
Riding across the U.S. is something Ive wanted to do for 40 years.
I realized that dream this summer, starting in Washington D.C. on May 3, I completed the journey on Thursday, July 18 when I arrived on my bike to my home in North Bend, Washington.
I had built up a special bike for this trip. A Woodrup, built by Kevin Sayles out of Leeds, G.B.
A proper British Touring bike suits my personality and it was a good topic of conversation along the way.
Bike is assembled and ready to go by NBend, on Flickr
Heading East to West, I took advantage of several well known and documented routes:
While I was out on the road, I sent out emails via a bcc to a small number of friends and family that I called TransAm Field Notes so they could track my progress and hopefully not worry so much while I was gone. It was a bit of a nuisance to do but in the end, Im glad I did because they were appreciated and also I ended up with a journal of sorts that will help me to remember things as time goes by.
Ive compiled them now to share with you on the forum with very few edits from their original form. They were sent at random points on my journey and numbered so I could keep them straight so as to be able to retrieve one in case Id forgotten an email recipient which happened a few times. These words are kind of personal to me and I feel like Im stepping out on a limb sharing with strangers so please cut me a little slack. I dont claim to be a great writer or photographer, just a guy who has lived vicariously thru the words of others on their adventures and this is my attempt to repay that in return.
Field Note 1
I just settled into my tent after my 1st day of riding.
I started my tour officially at the Lincolin Memorial and followed various bike paths until I connected with the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Tow Path in Georgetown. The towpath was used by draft horses back in the 19th and early 20th centuries to pull canal barges on the canal. Now it is this wonderful dirt path that follows the Potomic river for 180 miles to Cumberland WV. Tonight I am camping in a free hiker biker site just off the trail near the town of Brunswick Md. after riding a bit over 50 miles today. The camp has a killer view of the Potomic. A light rain is starting to fall and there's some thunder in the distance. Hoping for a quiet night
The towpath by NBend, on Flickr
Camping along the Potomic by NBend, on Flickr
Field Note 2
Last night I signed off to you with light rain and thunder in the distance. Now to tell the rest of the story.
I had just turned the phone off and was going to sleep when a dozen teenaged scouts and 6 adults descended on the campsite. Awww man, but oh well, the sites belong to all.
Super noisy for the next hour as they set up camps all around me, the adults doing their best to corral the kids. Then the heavens opened up wiping away any negative thoughts I may have held for them. Thunder, lightning and intense rain for the next 2 hours like I've never seen before. Scary and awesome. Must have rained several inches. It was deafening, drowning out the frequent train noise as they ran along the track 50 yards away. Lightning illuminating my tent.
My tent.. Love that thing. It kept me dry though the night. Wow.
So this morning I broke camp glad to get away from all those kids and relieved to have come through that storm unscathed.
I rode up river to Antietum Creek and took a quiet side road to visit the Antietum Battlefield just outside Sharpsburg, Md. The countryside is beautiful, many old farms dot the rolling landscape.
Pennsylvania county side by NBend, on Flickr
The feeling was somber riding through the battlefield. Placards and monuments document the progression of Lee's attempt to invade the north. I was struck by the thought that the victors write history. Here, most of the monuments pay tribute to Union Forces. The losses on both sides were horrible.
Antieum battlefield by NBend, on Flickr
Checking the weather I see more thunderstorms and flash flood warnings for tonight. I played my wise old man card and got a room for the night in Shepherdstown Wv.
My muddy and wet tent is hanging to dry along with laundry. A real gypsy camp, I am watching bluegrass on a public channel and drinking a beer in bed. What a way to wait out a storm.
Drying off tonight by NBend, on Flickr
I realized that dream this summer, starting in Washington D.C. on May 3, I completed the journey on Thursday, July 18 when I arrived on my bike to my home in North Bend, Washington.
I had built up a special bike for this trip. A Woodrup, built by Kevin Sayles out of Leeds, G.B.
A proper British Touring bike suits my personality and it was a good topic of conversation along the way.
Bike is assembled and ready to go by NBend, on Flickr
Heading East to West, I took advantage of several well known and documented routes:
- The C&O Towpath to Cumberland, Md.
- The GAP Rail Trail to Pittsburgh, Pa.
- Several map sections of the Adventure Cycling Chicago to NYC route
- Several map sections of Adventure Cycling Underground Railroad route
- A bunch of map sections of Adventure Cycling Trans America Trail route
While I was out on the road, I sent out emails via a bcc to a small number of friends and family that I called TransAm Field Notes so they could track my progress and hopefully not worry so much while I was gone. It was a bit of a nuisance to do but in the end, Im glad I did because they were appreciated and also I ended up with a journal of sorts that will help me to remember things as time goes by.
Ive compiled them now to share with you on the forum with very few edits from their original form. They were sent at random points on my journey and numbered so I could keep them straight so as to be able to retrieve one in case Id forgotten an email recipient which happened a few times. These words are kind of personal to me and I feel like Im stepping out on a limb sharing with strangers so please cut me a little slack. I dont claim to be a great writer or photographer, just a guy who has lived vicariously thru the words of others on their adventures and this is my attempt to repay that in return.
Field Note 1
I just settled into my tent after my 1st day of riding.
I started my tour officially at the Lincolin Memorial and followed various bike paths until I connected with the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Tow Path in Georgetown. The towpath was used by draft horses back in the 19th and early 20th centuries to pull canal barges on the canal. Now it is this wonderful dirt path that follows the Potomic river for 180 miles to Cumberland WV. Tonight I am camping in a free hiker biker site just off the trail near the town of Brunswick Md. after riding a bit over 50 miles today. The camp has a killer view of the Potomic. A light rain is starting to fall and there's some thunder in the distance. Hoping for a quiet night
The towpath by NBend, on Flickr
Camping along the Potomic by NBend, on Flickr
Field Note 2
Last night I signed off to you with light rain and thunder in the distance. Now to tell the rest of the story.
I had just turned the phone off and was going to sleep when a dozen teenaged scouts and 6 adults descended on the campsite. Awww man, but oh well, the sites belong to all.
Super noisy for the next hour as they set up camps all around me, the adults doing their best to corral the kids. Then the heavens opened up wiping away any negative thoughts I may have held for them. Thunder, lightning and intense rain for the next 2 hours like I've never seen before. Scary and awesome. Must have rained several inches. It was deafening, drowning out the frequent train noise as they ran along the track 50 yards away. Lightning illuminating my tent.
My tent.. Love that thing. It kept me dry though the night. Wow.
So this morning I broke camp glad to get away from all those kids and relieved to have come through that storm unscathed.
I rode up river to Antietum Creek and took a quiet side road to visit the Antietum Battlefield just outside Sharpsburg, Md. The countryside is beautiful, many old farms dot the rolling landscape.
Pennsylvania county side by NBend, on Flickr
The feeling was somber riding through the battlefield. Placards and monuments document the progression of Lee's attempt to invade the north. I was struck by the thought that the victors write history. Here, most of the monuments pay tribute to Union Forces. The losses on both sides were horrible.
Antieum battlefield by NBend, on Flickr
Checking the weather I see more thunderstorms and flash flood warnings for tonight. I played my wise old man card and got a room for the night in Shepherdstown Wv.
My muddy and wet tent is hanging to dry along with laundry. A real gypsy camp, I am watching bluegrass on a public channel and drinking a beer in bed. What a way to wait out a storm.
Drying off tonight by NBend, on Flickr