More info:

The bicycle trip began on  Saturday, June 10th, from the state park beach Anacortes, WA.

Links:

Ride calendar

Emergency contacts

Version: 1.2
(June 2, 2006)

Why would anyone in their right mind bicycle coast-to-coast?

Sane and rational people choose where to go for their summer vacation and afterwards decide how get there --- by car, by train, by bus, by plane.  People who do not fit into the "sane and rational" category first decide how to get there; then they think about a destination.  But at least I have an excuse ...

Howard in cycling garb

When I first started cycling in my mid-twenties, I would ride my 10-speed Raleigh from my apartment, through Golden Gate Park, and out to the Pacific Ocean --- a distance of less than five miles.  I was very proud of myself.  Up to that point in my life, my concept of the great outdoors was speeding along in a car with the windows rolled down.

A couple of years later, imagining myself a seasoned cyclist, I turned one day to my best friend, Jim, and remarked: "when I get really old, like maybe forty-five or so, I'm going to bike across the whole United States!" 

 

Reality sets in

As the year 2006 got under way, I had to face three depressing facts: (1) I am not quite in a position where I can retire for good; (2) while sitting in a corporate gray cubicle contemplating a computer screen, I am not getting any younger (not noticeably, anyway); and (3) although I am, according to my own callow observation, "really old" now, I still haven't bicycled across the whole United States.

So I came up with a compromise solution: I asked my employer (ever so politely!) for a four-month leave of absence in order to pursue my grand plan.  Considering the 25 years of experience with the same outfit, perhaps I shouldn't have been surprised that they actually granted me the leave of absence.  Life is beautiful.

This website is my way of staying in touch with the people I know and care about.  I get to share my enthusiasm and experience of a big adventure that represents --- for me anyway --- a dream come true.  Thanks for visiting these pages, whoever you are.  Your feedback and moral support are very welcome.