Welcome to my blog. I plan to do occasional posts before I set off and then every
few days on the trip.
On May 12th 2012 I will be dipping the rear wheel of my bike
into the Pacific Ocean
in Los Angeles and heading for the Atlantic in Boston.
I am funding the trip myself, however I am seeking sponsorship for The Multiple Sclerosis
Society. Please consider supporting my sponsorship by clicking on the "Sponsor me " link.
Note all of your donation will be going to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

I am looking forward to this great challenge and hope you find my blog of interest.
Please enter your email details on the right to receive updates. Thanks

Thursday 31 May 2012

Into Kansas on the Yellow Brick road

Today was classed as a half rest day as we only had 40 miles to do, however we had a strong head wind which made it feel like 60 miles.

We set off later than usual


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My memories of Oklahoma are grain silos





We passed through a small town called Hooker, which has less of a meaning in the UK.
As you might imagine their was a range of souvenirs on sale







We progressed steadily to the Kansas state line heading into the wind



We are in Kansas for a few days now.

We are starting to see some green grass and more population.

As an aside I am someone who never knowingly dreams during sleep, however I have been dreaming almost every night for the past week or so,mostly disconnected rubbish, my room mate Nick has also been dreaming. We have a rider who is a doctor who reckons people dream more at higher altitudes. We are at about 4000 feet, higher than Snowdon. Who knows?

Good to have a shorter day today as a full rest day is some way away.



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Location:E Hickory St,Liberal,United States

Wednesday 30 May 2012

Arrived in Oklahoma

A picture from a few days ago



- last night everyone was very tired after two really tough days.

However a good nights sleep and we were ready to go.

A pretty flat 71 miles out of Texas into Oklahoma.

Everything is big in Texas





We crossed into Oklahoma





Saw this pick up truck which really appealed to me.




We had our first cloudy day, which felt strangely pleasant with temperatures only reaching low 80's.

Whilst we had a head wind most of the way in, it was not strong and we had a five man pace line working well. Overall it felt like a recovery day in many ways, which seems odd as we did do 71 miles.

A lot more energy to do some washing, bike maintenance and generally moving around with some energy.


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Location:NE 6th St,Guymon,United States

Arrived in Texas

When doing long distance cycling one of the keys to success is balancing the issue of what speed to go at. The quicker you ride the less time in the saddle, sun and wind however the more energy you expend risking a burn out or bonk as its known. Yesterday I got it wrong I went way to fast. I got to the hotel however I was burnt out and sat for about 20 minutes unable to do much above breathing .

So today I took it real slow which meant longer in the road.

It was a tough 98 miles today as the wind was either At our face or at ten o'clock. However with perseverance we made it into Dalhart Texas.

Another state crossing



- the country side was open with cattle. We passed a cattle feeding station, we smelt it some miles before. However had a great steak for dinner.

Rode most of the day in a three man pace line. Richard was having a rough day and his memorable quote was "if I ever mention doing something like this again I am telling my wife to put me in the basement and feed me bread and water until the idea goes away."

Lots of groups of riders riding in a pace line to beat the wind





Spirits generally good in the group however a few suffering from saddle sores and general tiredness.

We are only in Texas two days, enter Oklahoma tomorrow.



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Location:Colorado St,Dalhart,United States

Tuesday 29 May 2012

It's a long way to Tucumcari, it's a long way to go

It's 107.8 miles to be precise. We started at 6.35am and the temperature was cool, 38F.
Some people had many layers on, I had my arm coolers and a light wind proof jacket.

There was snow visible in the hills



The land was flat at the beginning of the ride




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At our first sag stop we celebrated having completed 1000 of the 3,415 miles



The temperature then started to rise and and reached around 103F later in the day.

We had a tremendous down Hill run on to the plains








There were three sag stops as there was no real shops or towns anywhere on the route. We saw cattle and some horses and not much else.




The temperatures were not as extreme as expected however the wind was less than kind later in the day making the last 25 miles hard work with rolling hills and a head wind.

At least tomorrow we do not have to do a century just 95.8 miles!

I will add video from yesterday as the Internet connection is good here


YouTube Video

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Location:S Adams St,Tucumcari,United States

Sunday 27 May 2012

Day 15 Santa Fe to Las Vegas New Mexico

Left Santa Fe with temperatures in the high 50's so used arm coolers as arm warmers. A reasonable amount of climbing today, but some good winds and good roads.

We completed our last section on the Interstate, so it is quietish roads from here to Boston.

Quite mountainous countryside



We stopped at a closed bar for sag stop on Route 66
















Weather seemed cool all day, no doubt if I was in UK I would call it hot.

We arrived in Las Vegas New Mexico quite early and stopped for lunch in Charlie's Spick and Span, clearly the place to be in Las Vegas on a Sunday.

The place was full with all sorts of characters, a large Menonite family, local spanish speakers in Sunday best and live music









Great Mexican food. We then went the last couple of miles to the hotel.

71 miles today with some climbing and some rolling hills, occasionally strong gusting side winds which required great care.



I resisted the largest chocolate eclairs I have ever seen.



Thought this message was a good thought for the day.




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Location:U.S. 85,Las Vegas,United States

Saturday 26 May 2012

Second rest day in Santa Fe New Mexico

Today was our second rest day. A lie in until 7.30am and a leisurely breakfast followed by clothes washing and bike cleaning.

We then took the bus into the centre of town. The town is full of tourists and local indians selling jewellery. There are also some upmarket art shops. The architecture is quite interesting.



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After a wander round the shops and streets I met a few of the gang at Cowgirl an outdoor restaurant for lunch and a beer.

Being a rest day I have a short video of the live music on at Cowgirl


YouTube Video

Back on the bus and an afternoon nap.

We start nine days of riding tomorrow heading first to Las Vegas, not the one you might think!

Continuing to receive comments and notes of support, thanks every one.




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Location:Santa Fe,United States

Friday 25 May 2012

Day 13 Albuquerque. To Santa Fe

A 6.30am start for a 66 mile ride of which most of it was uphill.

We climbed out of town at headed for the mountains.

Stop for a call of nature



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Then more climbing




Stopped at a general store




And then more climbing





We stopped for refreshments at a trendy arty village called Madrid.
Harry enjoying a milkshake.




Nick the vegetarian enjoying a quiche




We then carried on into Santa Fe 7000 feet above sea level. As it is rest day tomorrow we are planning a visit to a micro brewery with live music.

There was no interstate riding today which was good. We have some on Sunday and then that is it no more interstate hard shoulder riding.

Body and mind in good shape.

Let the fun continue.


Location:Santa Fe,United States

Day 12 a ride into Albuquerque New Mexico

As we went to bed last night the wind kicked up a sandstorm. Fortunately the wind dropped for our 6.45 am start.

The first thirty miles were idyllic riding on a very quiet road with a 68F temperature, a kind wind and rolling road. The four man pace line of Chet, John, Richard and myself made good progress through interesting lava rock countryside.

The first sag stop included the largest chocolate covered strawberries you have ever seen. Really good.

We then had to get on the interstate. We came across a casino in the middle of nowhere. Crosby Stills and Nash were going to be performing there soon.
Managed to resist the temptation to bet on the way to the toilet in the gas station.



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Second sag stop included fresh fruit and salty biscuits.

The temperatures had lifted to the 90's.

We then had a gradual 5 mile climb up a closed lane of the interstate




We then had a descent into Albuquerque, which is a large sprawling town. We finished at the Fairfield inn having done 75 good miles.

We are losing one of the team here as he is doing the ride over a number of years and lives in albuquerque.

We are celebrating Barry's birthday today, unfortunately he had a wheel rim crack today, however there is a bike shop in town, so he is sorted.

Dinner last night was at a Chinese buffet restaurant, which was not the best however the three Brits managed to find a bar for a beer afterwards which improved the evening.

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Location:Menaul Blvd NE,Albuquerque,United States

Wednesday 23 May 2012

Day 11 the continental divide

A relatively short 68 miles.

There was a choice of breakfasts today, basic at the hotel or the full deal about 1 mile ride away. So I rode the mile for pancakes,eggs,bacon and maple syrup, orange juice and coffee.

Return to hotel for a 7.45pm start. There is a tradition to sprinkle some Pacific beach sand at the foot of each state sign to encourage good wind directions. Well it worked today wind was behind or to the side.

We passed some red rocks




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We had a gradual pull up to the Continental Divide at 7,275 feet and stopped for a break.



We then had a great flat or downhill run into Grants with an early finish today.

Most of the riding has been along Route 66. Whilst interesting the area is generally very run down and lots of closed motels etc.

Stopped at a shop for refreshments, decided not to buy a gun.



Rode all day in a four man pace line which worked very well.

As we got in early did a little preventative maintenance on the bike and some washing.

Eleven days of riding and feeling good generally. Enjoying the experience of the adventure.


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Location:State Highway 117,Grants,United States

Day 10 miles and miles keep rolling by

Today has been also about just simply riding 88 miles, simple directions pretty much turn right out of the hotel and ride to the next hotel

Firstly a picture from yesterday of Winslow and the famous corner.





As we were about to set off I had a flat tyre and a broken front spoke so some quick repairs were required. I did not puncture during the day however the group had around 20 punctures.


The temperature was around 100F. Somehow I seem to be getting used to it.
Rode most of the day in a three man pace line which worked well.

There was major road construction which held us up or around 45 minutes.

We crossed the state line into New Mexico




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Most of the stores are run by najavo Indians and sell craft items.









We also crossed a time zone so we are 7 hours different from UK rather than 8. This will make it easier to phone home at a sensible time.

The countryside again has been fairly flat although we have climbed over 3000 feet during the day.

There are a few very tired looking riders so most are in bed by 8pm.

There is a great team spirit with everyone helping each other out.

Onwards tomorrow to the continental divide.




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Location:Interstate 40 Business,Gallup,United States

Tuesday 22 May 2012

Day 9 getting the miles in

Today's riding has been about getting the miles under our belt, no fantastic scenery, no hard climbing 90 miles along relatively flat country




I had one puncture however most people had one or more. There is a lot of wire from tyres on the road. We caught his one before it got in he tube






We passed through Winslow Arizona and if you are n Eagles fan you may remember the lyrics "standing on the corner in Winslow Arizona"

There is statue there to mark the spot.




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We were on Route 66 some of the way.





A relatively easy 90 miles however the temperature did get into the 100's for a good part of the day.

We rode a lot of the time in a pace line of around 10 riders as the wind was quite strong.

Tomorrow we enter New Mexico on our way east.

onwards and upwards



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Location:Navajo Blvd,Holbrook,United States