Cycle.org

miles – 64.4
ascent – 3235
descent – 2515
Another beautiful weather day, bright, sunny and unseasonable cool for this area. We were prepared for the 90-100 degrees typical for the area but we rode in the 70 and 80's. Today the route started flat, but the climb began in the last third. We spent many miles on the bicycle trails around Sacramento. They were wonderful, keeping us off many busy roads. Met Al along the way. We are finding others who have been as crazy as us and survived to tell the tales! We did miss a turn off the route at Folsom, but were quickly turned around by other fellow cyclists. This gave us more views for the prison that Johnny Cash sang about! We were determined to camp that night. We called ahead, finding a camp ground only a few miles off the route. So we headed off. We had climbed to around 2000 feet and when we were just a few miles short of the final destination for the night, we started on a 12% down hill grade. All that work to climb and a few short minutes we were down to 700 feet. Too tired to think too much about it then. The camp ground was on the American River where gold was discovered in California.
Bob and Julie

miles – 50
ascent – 1100
descent – 1101
Today we loaded up and started heading to Davis, CA., the urban cycling mecca of the nation! We met John along the way. He was riding a recumbent cycle, doing a cool 100 miles training for a northern USA route trek to start in a week or so. The roads were beautiful, some reminiscent of Bucks County, PA. Also lots of agriculture! We rode by orchards, acres of tomatoes, grape vines, sunflower, and other crops I couldn't identify from the bike. The route is fairly flat with some rolling hills. Bob had contacted a WarmShowers host for a place to set the tent for the evening. Kathy and Ed West graciously welcomed us into their home with a soft bed, hot shower and a breakfast that would put a bed & breakfast to shame! In the evening we picked Rainer cherries from the community orchard. What a treat!
Julie and Bob

I listened to many stories over the years of fellow cyclists riding across this great country of ours. Many of the adventures were presented at Central Bucks Bicycle Club meetings. The most memorable was a presentation by the late Emerson Custis who presented his dynamic slide show with so much passion. 15 to 20 years erson took the stage and I knew my time would come. Now Julie, my best friend and wife of 31+ years, and I started our own adventure riding across the United States of America. We started in San Francisco on June 11, 2009 and shall head East to the Atlantic ocean in Virginia. Julie and I hope you follow along and read about our adventure, and enjoy the pictures we take along the way.

Below you can find a map of our route...

Send any questions to rerjar@cycle.org and both of us will receive the question, or simply leave a comment on any story.

We started! We mailed back all the stuff we don't think we need, then dropped off the rental car in San Francisco. Loaded up, we found our way to Fort Point at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge. There was not a beach to go down to dip the bike wheels into the ocean, so we climbed down the rocks where I dipped my hands in the surf and Bob got his feet soaked! We started off on the route and immeditally started to answer questions! We met up with two young guys who were starting out on the same trek, but lost them quickly, not on purpose, but it happened. Crossed the bay on a ferry and landed in Valljo an hour later with the help of a very kind gentleman! We had our first taste of the kindness extended to cyclists we have read and heard so much about! We are hoteling tonight and hope to start camping tomorrow. The wind today was either on our faces or left arms! And it was strong. We were heading north, so the wind seemed to be from the west, as hoped for, just need to start heading in the right direction! Total of 27 miles for the day. Lots od logistics today and we planned an easy first day. We'll see what tomorrow holds!

We left LA and took two days to drive north to San Francisco via the Pacific Coast Highway. It was beautiful, once we got north of Pismo Beach. We camped out last night and it wasn't bad... except the mosquitoes and the neighbors with three dogs and a baby all in one tent! We arrived in San Francisco a day sooner than expected, so we are off in the morning.. Let the games begin!

We are getting ready to leave LA this morning. We will pick up the rental car, load up and take a few days heading north to San Francisco. Bob & Suzanne completed the Camp Pendleton Mud Run. They were very wet and dirty at the end, telling that they had a good time! Both were sore on Sunday. On Sunday, Bob & I did a test ride on the bikes and did some food shopping with the trailer & panniers. Only did six miles, but it was good to get the legs moving again. The bikes did survive the journey, despite UPS!

Bob and Julie hopped on a jet plane to Los Angeles where they will stay with their daughter a few days before heading North to the start in San Francisco. Below is the Picture of the Day. It was taken while Julie was inhaling her first beer at the airport. The "Jet Rock Bar & Grill" had about twenty taps with most being local to the Philadelphia area.

Well, we are off the the airport this morning. Everything is set... I think! We shipped just about everything west and should be arriving in LA this afternoon and tomorrow. We will hang with Suzanne & Matt until Tuesday when we will be heading up the Pacific Coast and arriving in San Francisco Friday morning. Then only pedals!

Click on the small map to see a bigger map of our trip. We will be riding on the Western Express and Trans America Trail as published by Adventure Cycling. I highlighted our trip in green.

Bob & I set out on our test run on Friday May 8th. We packed just about everything we planned to take on the tour. I had never rode with a loaded bike. Our friend Kim was going to ride out with us. While waiting for her to arrive I took the bike on a "spin" around the block. I was stunned! I could hardly get started, it was so heavy! It was twitchy and difficult to steer. But off we went. And I did make it to Tinicum park. It was 20 miles, but felt like 40! By the time I got there, I was able to grab the water bottle to drink without wondering into traffic.