Author Archives: Anna
When we began to plan the route for this trip, we had several agendas in mind. The most important was to pass through centers with a strong bike presence, so we could learn what different cities across the country are doing to promote bicycling. We did some research and came across Bicycling.com’s “America’s Top 50 Bike-Friendly Cities,” which was the basis for our initial destination choices.
By the time we had mapped our final route, we were excited about seeing some of those Top 50 places firsthand to learn what makes them bike-friendly. Though we’re not yet halfway done with the tour, we’ve already gained a lot of knowledge and insight into what various cities are doing to encourage cycling and introduce it into mainstream culture.
So, how exactly does a city qualify to be placed on a list of the top 50 bicycle-friendly cities? Continue reading
A Test Of The Mind
posted by Anna
I clearly remember him saying, “You guys will be able to do it physically, no problem. It’s all mental though, that’s the hard part.” These words of wisdom came from Gerald, the bike mechanic who checked over our bikes prior to starting the tour, and the source of much useful info we’ve had need of in the last three weeks. But it wasn’t until recently that we really understood what Gerald meant about the mental challenge of this trip.
I’ve always wondered about the thought-process of long-distance bicyclists. What do they think about on long stretches? What could possibly be going through their head on their tenthhour of pedaling? How do they stay motivated, even during hardships faced on the road?
Well, this journey has given me a lot of insight into the workings of the mind during such trying times. Continue reading
Slow Travel and Airbnb Go Hand in Hand
posted by Anna
Traversing the country by bicycle means slowing down. It means zooming in on the details of the sights you’re passing and having time to reflect on your surroundings. Slow travel makes memories more authentic and associations with places stronger.
This approach extends not just to how we travel during the day, but our choices for lodging arrangements each night. As a conscious decision to engage with more people throughout our trip, we decided to skips traditional hotels whenever possible and stay with locals instead. The way we are doing this is through a unique community called Airbnb.com.
Airbnb is a community marketplace that connects travelers and hosts all over the world. People can list and book accommodations online. The best part is that it’s open to everyone. Hosts can rent out their rooms, spare apartments, or an entire house, while travelers can enjoy a unique lodging opportunity. Continue reading
On a long stretch of unpaved trail, away from traffic and big cities, two bicyclists ride. With no one else for miles, the only sounds they hear are the whir of the wheels turning, an occasional snapping twig under a bike tire, or a whoosh of fallen leaves swept up by the momentum of their passage.
Spring weather has gifted the trail-side with flowering Trillium, fragrant wild leeks, and a healthy display of life that has been dormant for months. Hawks circle the open expanse of water searching eagerly for fish. The occasional fly-fisherman wades into the meandering river, casting his fly rod with skill and precision.
This roughly 335-mile stretch is the combined route of two of the Northeast’s most impressive trail systems: the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal Trail and the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP), creating a complete, off-road corridor from Washington, DC to Pittsburgh, PA — and our path for four days. Continue reading
Before starting this trip, I couldn’t help but have flashbacks to our touring experience in New Zealand. In the winter of 2007 Boris and I went on a 1-month cycling trip around New Zealand’s South Island on traditional bikes. It was inspiring, beautiful and certainly challenging!
So, having had some bike travel experience as a reference, on the Trans-American tour I was anticipating muscles that were immediately sore, followed by unforgiving and steep hills — all compounded by the addition of fewer road shoulders and endless traffic.
I remembered us cycling at the speed of a whopping 4 mph up an incline in the heat of the day in New Zealand, and the passing vehicles honking at us to cheer us on. But I’ve realized in the last few days that this trip is — and will be — very different from our past experience. It took some time for us to really get it – we’re riding electric bicycles, which means that barriers like steep hills and headwinds are not altogether removed, but certainly made easier. Continue reading
