I have to admit, I still think about my cross country ride a lot. It was a great experience and one that I will remember forever. Not only did I meet wonderful people on the tour but also, I got to see America in a much more interesting way. I felt that I absorbed a lot more of a cross country trip by going on a bicycle than blazing down an interstate at 70 mph in a car.
When I flew back to SFO from Boston last August my family drove down to the airport to pick me up. I saw that my son, Sean in particular was interested in talking about the trip. He and I had ridden many rides in Sonoma County (albeit on the bike trails only). As we were driving home he said that he wished someday that he could do the same. I told him that while on the cross country trip Nancy and Ken W. mentioned that they may plan a few bike trips in 2011 on the east coast. Sean said that if they do organize a trip "we should try to go".
I have learned that Nancy is an incredibly organized person and plans bike trips out in wonderful detail. Each day's ride is very doable so that every rider can ultimately get to the night's destination. So I thought it would be great if Sean and I could go on one of the trips to "test the water" to see if he could later do a cross country trip.
This last fall, Nancy notified a number of people of possible trips including starting in Washington, D.C. and riding to NYC. (Also she mentioned that the riders could continue on all the way to Quebec). I emailed back expressing interest in the DC to NYC portion.
Right around the first of this year Nancy emailed application forms and I quickly sent mine and Sean's back to her with deposit checks to reserve spots. I was also hoping that some riders I met last summer would also join the ride. Most particularly Ed, as we shared a lot of great times together.
(I got a box sent to me from Ed around Christmas time that was a wonderful surprise. He had sent me a bike jersey that he ordered from a bike shop in Whitefish, Mt. The bike jersey had "Going to the Sun" on it. Last year when he and I were riding through Whitefish I did not get the jersey. I was a little superstitious that if did get it before I actually go over the "Going to the Sun" Hwy. in Glacier Nat'l Park somehow I would not make it. Once Ed and I did, in fact make it, I wished that I had one. So it was a treat to get it in the mail from Ed.)
Once I applied for the trip I knew that I had to get a bike suitable for the ride for Sean. I thought a good bike for most conditions would be something like a Specialized Tricross. I was able to find a 56 cm. frame on Craigslist and I put a lot of parts on it from my Cannondale touring bike. I liked it so I also bought a frame for me on Ebay, size 58 cm. and bought parts for it as well.
Both bikes are now ready to ride. I took Sean out on the Rail To Trails in this area a week ago so that he could learn the shifting of Shimano STI. He seemed to do OK with it. I have not put on clipless pedals yet as I am concerned that he will fall with them.
We need to get out and ride on some of the busier roads with hills so he can get used to more varied conditions but the weather around here has been either rainy or very cold. I am hoping for better conditions soon.
Bike frame I bought for Sean. Starting to put components on it.
Sean's bike ready to go
The bike I'll use
