About Us

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Based in Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati, we three are longtime single cycle riders. After early retirement, Karen and David bought a jumbo-sized Cannondale tandem. It's white (very), trimmed in red. We call it the Pillsbury Doughboy. We were joined by Bill, an old friend, on his 14-year old single Cannondale and made the call that started this adventure. He's supposedly retired but continues to find real work when he chooses.We planned to pedal self-supported across the U.S. in Spring 2011 from San Diego CA to St. Augustine FL. In beginning this adventure we agreed philosophically with Jean-Jacques Rousseau: "The person who has lived the most is not the one with the most years but the one with the richest experiences."

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Changing the Plan

3/29/11
Plans are meant to be changed. Aren't they?
Now that the bike is packed, we're reviewing, perusing, no, we're fixated on route planning.
May be detouring through San Antonio, other locales. Stay tuned. Anyone who's done the Southern Tier, post your viewpoint.

Re tandem packing: we're using a cardboard tandem bike box. Airlines don't know what answer to provide when you tell them you're flying a tandem. Have the poor customer service rep put the detail on the reservation information. 
Be ready to a-fib your packing person when you test jump on the box to see if it will hold. David just about had a seizure when I tried to simulate baggage handling procedures.  
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Friday, March 25, 2011

The Plan Day 2 & 3

(note: these posts will change as we experience the actual route; you will get the complete blood, sweat and tears action plus pix)
The crystal ball view:
We be huffin' and puffin' SOON. 
Profile shows from Tempe to the (nearby) Gila Cliff Dwellings, using the possibly less strenuous Santa Rita alternate route.

At the start of our climbing, we'll pass by the ruins of Besh-Ba-Gowah, two acres of "development" abandoned maybe 600 years ago, two centuries before Columbus discovered America. 
This pueblo was the Ryan Homes of its day: 150 ground floor and 60 second-story home and storage structures.

If we're feeling primitive, we may check in at the nicest "unit" for rest and relaxation. And maybe a little sweat lodge time.
Also nearby is Gila Hot Springs Ranch, and, if we're more offroad, the lovely and alluring "Scorpion Campground." Ask Bill about his scorpion experience in Central America. 

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Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Let's Get Started

Bill, aka Bike Touring Buddy, "Want to ride across the U.S.?"
We decided:  Uh, SURE. 
"It's now or never." Song #1. Gulp.
Route: Southern Tier 
Mileage: 3200 plus.
Time: Sixty days max. 
"On the Road Again" Song #2

SAN DIEGO: Takeoff Plan
From #7 (airport) we assembled our bikes, loaded the panniers and proceeded to somewhere near #2 to dip our tires in the ocean. We followed that little northward blue line to the orange route west following the channel and dunked. Then headed to the Padre Trail Inn in Old Town for additional trip prep and pre-ride snoozing. A nice Mexican restaurant was across the street. I made a note to self: Must restrain Captain David on the margueritas.

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