Percorrer os EUA de bicicleta

Blog de Andy | Publicado a segunda-feira, 31 de julho de 2023

A Idency orgulha-se de patrocinar o Cycle USA para o Teenage Cancer Trust

Como parte do nosso apoio ao envolvimento comunitário e ao patrocínio, estamos a patrocinar os nossos amigos George e Christian, que estão a realizar uma Aventura Épica de bicicleta de uma ponta à outra dos EUA em julho/agosto de 2018 para angariar pelo menos 5 mil libras para a Teenage Cancer Trust. Ajudámo-los com equipamento e com a divulgação da sua jornada – eles vão ter folhetos para distribuir às pessoas que encontrarem pelo caminho, para sensibilizar e, esperemos, angariar fundos para a sua causa nobre. Felizmente, não vão ter de transportar os milhares de folhetos que imprimimos – o pai do George, o Brian, vai conduzir um carro de apoio ao longo do percurso!

Atualizações da fase

Fique atento a este espaço e ao deles Facebook e Instagram publicações para mais detalhes…

Por favor, se puder, faça um donativo para Página JustGiving de George e Christian e ajudá-los a superar o seu objetivo de 5 mil libras! Todos os fundos irão para a Teenage Cancer Trust.

Cheguei ao Pacífico! … – Sexta-feira, 10 de agosto de 2018

Boulevard para San Diego – 70 milhas

Cheesecake

Cheesecake

Cheesecake

Metam esta merda toda no mar

Praia de San Diego!

Relatório de situação: O dia de escalada nas montanhas no Dia 34 significava que a maior parte do trabalho árduo já estava feito, enquanto os nossos Hairy Bikers iniciavam a sua descida rumo à glória. Com a linha de chegada na praia do Pacífico, em San Diego, a chamá-los, podiam desfrutar da belíssima paisagem, das estradas de montanha a descer e da sensação do vento a soprar através dos seus rostos hirsutos.

Ah, a emoção do sucesso era palpável enquanto passeavam pela ensolarada cidade de São Diego. E depois lá chegaram.

Em pouco mais de um mês desde que partiram de Jacksonville Beach, na Florida, o George e o CJ pedalaram, caíram, molharam-se, exploraram, repararam e comeram o seu caminho através do continente da América do Norte, do Atlântico ao Pacífico, avistando as paisagens dos estados do sul dos EUA; flirtando com o México e as maravilhas da sua gastronomia (e os resultados na manhã seguinte); e emergiram na Califórnia, exaustos, um pouco mais velhos, ligeiramente mais sábios e, o mais importante, conhecidos agora como Jorge y Cee-J.

À medida que a enxurrada de parabéns nas redes sociais e donativos na respetiva página do JustGiving são o testemunho de, esta é uma grande conquista de coragem e determinação. O caminho foi longo, com muitas curvas sinuosas, mas os nossos Asphalt Avengers (e os seus fiéis ajudantes do Supportmobile, Brian e Andre) honraram-se a si próprios, e posso agora revelar que estão a tentar um novo desafio: vencer os americanos a comer cheesecake.

Os Americanos.

Receio que, desta vez, tenham dado um passo maior do que a perna...

Não te esqueças: por favor, doa se puderes para Página JustGiving de George e Christian e ajudá-los a superar o objetivo de 5 mil libras ainda mais (estando bem acima de 6 mil libras no momento em que escrevo)! Todos os fundos irão para a brilhante Teenage Cancer Trust.

Ainda bem que a vida custa... – Sexta-feira, 10 de agosto de 2018

De Yuma a Boulevard – 80 milhas

Tubarões!

Sismos!

Ok, montanhas!

Grandes colinas!

Relatório de situação: A atração da Califórnia e o entusiasmo por alcançar o último estado dissiparam-se rapidamente no Dia 34, quando os nossos fiéis Tarmac Troublers foram lembrados de que o estado se situa ao longo de uma falha tectónica. E isso significa... alguém? Não, sismos não. Acho que teríamos ouvido falar de um sismo na Califórnia. Oh, não teríamos? Enfim, sismos não. Exatamente: montanhas!

Montanhas. Muitas delas.

Assim, no penúltimo dia da sua viagem de bicicleta, a Cee-J e o Jorge (como lhes chamaremos até que aqueles bigodes desapareçam) passaram a maior parte do dia a subir com um calor escaldante, com os termómetros a subirem aos 45 °C a meio do dia, terminando com uns notáveis 128 quilómetros registados às 17:00 em Boulevard, CA.

Próxima paragem: San Diego e a Costa do Pacífico!

Menos de 310 para Yuma – Quinta-feira, 9 de agosto de 2018

Mohawk a Yuma – 81 milhas

George a caminho do Pacífico

Areia Movediça

Cheguei à Califórnia!

O Brian com um ar bem britânico

  Relatório de situação: Uns sólidos 130 km cumpridos no 33.º dia permitiram aos cicloturistas alcançar mais um marco, circulando novamente pela Interstate 8 e rumando ao estado final da viagem, a Califórnia! Uma grande conquista e um enorme impulso psicológico, o Oceano Pacífico está a chamar os rapazes, a apenas alguns dias de distância...

Gila Bend até, cof, S-Bend – Quarta-feira, 8 de agosto de 2018

De Gila Bend a Mohawk – 59 milhas

Relatório de situação: Toda a comida mexicana acabou por afetar os sensíveis intestinos britânicos do George, e o 32.º dia ficou um pouco truncado devido a um ataque prolongado de diarreia. Isto atrasou o início do dia (e possivelmente agravou as dores no selim...), pelo que os nossos heróis vestidos de lycra aceleraram pela Interestatual 8 para avançar um pouco, terminando o dia com 59 milhas percorridas em Mohawk, muito perto da fronteira com a Califórnia. A aventura está quase a terminar!

Casa Grande para Gila Bend – Terça-feira, 7 de agosto de 2018

Casa Grande a Gila Bend – 62 milhas

Relatório de situação: Mais um início matinal levou os nossos heróicos ferreiros de carretretas para a estrada às 7h da manhã para cumprirem o mês inteiro no selim. 100 km mais tarde (após testemunharem um incidente policial bastante intenso à beira da estrada), chegaram a Gila Bend, a menos de 300 milhas de San Diego, o seu objetivo final na costa do Pacífico dos EUA.

Por falar em objetivos finais, os de George e CJ página de angariação de fundos da JustGiving já recebeu mais de 5.000 £ em donativos para a Teenage Cancer Trust, o que significa que esmagaram o seu objetivo! Parabéns de coração ao George e ao Christian da parte de todos nós na Idency, e obrigado a todos os que doaram para ajudá-los a ultrapassar mais um marco na sua missão épica.

Se ainda não doou e gostaria de ajudá-los a superar ainda mais o objetivo, basta dirija-se à página do JustGiving e dê o que puder a esta instituição de solidariedade social importante. Para saber mais sobre a Teenage Cancer Trust e o trabalho que desenvolve para ajudar e apoiar jovens com cancro, visite o sítio Web da Teenage Cancer Trust.

Tucson para Casa Grande – Segunda-feira, 6 de agosto de 2018

De Tucson a Casa Grande – 62 milhas

Relatório de situação: Após uma chegada madrugadora a Tucson, havia tempo no horário para descansar e ainda assim pôr-se a caminho cedo. Ainda bem, pois a temperatura às 06:30, quando os nossos heróicos ciclistas arrancaram, já era de 30C. Mais dois furos dificultaram o progresso, mas afinal o dia não teria parecedo completo sem um ou dois pneus muchos, pois não? Mais uma vez, com as temperaturas a disparar para os 40C ao meio-dia, os rapazes fizeram os seus quilómetros de manhã, terminando o Dia 30 em Casa Grande, mesmo às portas de Phoenix.

O perigo espreita

Ascensão e queda das estradas do deserto

Ah, e os bichos voltaram a aparecer em força, com mais cobras e tarântulas a serem avistadas enquanto os rapazes serpenteavam pela inóspita natureza...

Benson para Tucson – Domingo, 5 de agosto de 2018

Benson para Tucson – 56 milhas

Relatório de situação: Dias de ciclismo através do Novo México e do Arizona, de pequena cidade em pequena cidade, chegaram ao fim no Dia 29, à medida que os nossos cruzados de duas rodas se aproximavam da cidade do Arizona de Tucson. Outros 2 pneus furados atrasaram o progresso e, no início do percurso, o George e o CJ tiveram algumas subidas para enfrentar – bastante penalizadoras no calor do deserto, mas passado algum tempo o terreno nivelou na habitual paisagem árida. O que sobe tem de descer, e o esforço da manhã compensou, já que os últimos 25 quilómetros mais ou menos até à cidade foram uma descida fácil e arejada.

Bowie a Benson – Sábado, 4 de agosto de 2018

Bowie para Benson – 50 milhas

Relatório de situação: Há uma razão pela qual a maior parte do Arizona é um deserto, com um ambiente incrivelmente seco e poeirento. Está calor. Nas palavras de Robin Williams em Bom dia, Vietname, ‘Nasceste no sol?‘Na verdade, a maioria das pessoas acredita que o nome vem do espanhol Zona Árida, que significa ‘Zona Árida’. É um nome adequado – mas aparentemente errado.

Calor do Arizona.

O CJ descreve as temperaturas à medida que se aproximavam de Phoenix, AZ, como ‘estupidamente quentes’. Quando as temperaturas a meio do dia atingem os 40 °C, é preciso começar a ser um pouco pragmático com os objetivos, pelo que o CJ e o George tomaram novamente a decisão de ajustar os horários e avançar o máximo possível, começando cedo de manhã para terminar antes que o calor se tornasse demasiado insuportável. Uma viagem relativamente rápida de 50 milhas fê-los passar por pequenos aglomerados populacionais e depois sair do sol à medida que este atingia o zénite. Seguindo diretamente pela autoestrada Interstate, por uma vez não tiveram de lidar com nenhum furo nos pneus…

A lendária cidade de Tucson chama no Dia 29.

Hachita para Bowie – Sexta-feira, 3 de agosto de 2018

Hachita para Bowie – 62 milhas

Relatório de situação: Madrugada do Dia 27 e já estavam de volta aos selins e à rotina habitual para os nossos veneráveis ciclistas transcontinentais. Rotina habitual, claro, significava furos – dois deles – e um pouco mais de criatividade com a rota, uma vez que o Google Maps tentou mais uma vez levá-los para o México. A despeito disso, foi um dia bastante tranquilo, com mais quilómetros papados enquanto começavam a aproximar-se do objetivo final de San Diego. Quase que consigo ouvir o Pacífico...

Columbus para Hachita – Quinta-feira, 2 de agosto de 2018

Columbus até Hachita – 68 milhas

Relatório de situação: Continuando ao longo da fronteira mexicana, os rapazes avançaram no Dia 26 para o Fim do Mundo, NM. Há bicharoca no Fim do Mundo, e, por hábito da bicharoca, quanto mais adverso é o ambiente em que vivem, mais perigosas se tornam. Na estrada em licra justa, o ambiente não é para os fracos de coração. As serpentes tornavam-se vulgares e tarântulas graúdas deambulavam por ali. Bem alto, os abutres circulavam, à espera que os assassinos fizessem o seu trabalho, como nos velhos westerns filmados no deserto do Novo México…

Oportunidade de ficar a par das notícias de Farnham

O CJ a descansar

Sim, pronto, um bocado melodramático. De facto, o Dia 26 foi um dia bastante pacato, sendo o ponto alto da viagem uma retrete colocada aleatoriamente como ‘Área de Descanso’ à beira da estrada. Parecia falta de educação não aproveitar. O Brian até tinha o seu exemplar do Farnham Herald como leitura de banho.

De El Paso a Columbus – Quarta-feira, 1 de agosto de 2018

El Paso para Columbus – 58 milhas

Relatório de situação: Após um dia duro de ciclismo no calor do deserto, contra o vento, ao longo de 58 milhas da mesma estrada que corre ao longo da fronteira EUA/México, os rapazes chegaram a Columbus, uma pequena cidade com apenas dois hotéis. Empenhado em mostrar os arredores aos nossos rapazes, o proprietário do hotel levou-os a dar uma volta logo após a fronteira para um jantar mexicano autêntico.

Espinho sem remorsos

Isto é o que penso do vosso limite de velocidade

Ponto de fuga

México por aqui

O furo no pneu do George, que já era de esperar graças a mais um espinho na estrada, não foi o buraco mais desconcertante com que se depararam no Dia 25. Aparentemente, 56 km/h não é um limite de velocidade popular em redor de Columbus — os locais crivaram o sinal de trânsito de buracos de bala…

Dia de descanso em El Paso – Terça-feira, 31 de julho de 2018

Dia de Descanso em El Paso – 0 milhas

Relatório de situação: O voo das 6:00 de Andre obrigou a uma madrugada madrugadora, apesar de o Dia 24 ser um Dia de Descanso para CJ e George. A chegada de Brian estava prevista para 12 horas mais tarde, pelo que decidiram explorar El Paso e provar o maior número possível de tacos. Aproveitaram também a oportunidade para conducer até às já referidas montanhas e levaram consigo o drone do CJ. Assim que tiverem oportunidade de descarregar as imagens do drone, publicaremos aqui algumas tomadas panorâmicas da paisagem!

Buen camino por El Paso – Monday July 30, 2018

Across El Paso – 25 miles

Relatório de situação: El Paso was the destination for a bit of logistics for the team, with Supportmobile driver Andre (CJ’s dad) flying out from El Paso at 6am on Day 24, tag-teaming with a returning Brian. This meant arriving in good time, which they did with a relatively short ride across the city to get the airport locality.

El Paso is a border town with Mexico, and as such is a real taste of Mexico in the US. Passing endless Mexican restaurants, the roads were super-smooth, and they made great time, which gave them a good chance to relax at the airport hotel. The guys have been nurturing moustaches en route, hoping to blend in seamlessly with the locals …

Mountain folk – Monday July 30, 2018

Kent to El Paso – 94 miles

Relatório de situação: It is a truth universally acknowledged that on a day of cycling in the US, you will have at least one puncture. The guys are now like Grand Prix pit teams at tyre repairs with all the practice they’ve had, and Day 22 between Kent and El Paso stayed true to form, gracing them with 2 punctures on which to hone their skills.

Biggest Mountain in the World™

Are we nearly there yet?

Everything’s bigger in Texas, as anyone from Texas will tell you. A lot. So when George and CJ approached the Mountain Time Zone, gaining them an extra hour in their day, the thought of facing some Really Big Mountains added to the trepidation of the day. Luckily, the mountains are few and far between, so they’re ones you can cycle around rather than over.

Thorny issues – Sunday July 29, 2018

Fort Stockton to Kent – 75 miles

Relatório de situação: Google Maps’ suggested route wasn’t helpful again as it wouldn’t have taken our peddlers of pedalling past any hotels for nearly 200 miles. Instead, they went down the service road along the interstate 10 – not the most scenic route compared the the spectacular scenery of the previous days, but pretty quick albeit not the smoothest road.

Supportmobile down

Not helpful

Old habits die hard, and 3 punctures later they had completed 62 miles. This time, however, it was nature subverting their progress, with thorns through both bikes tyres – and one for the Supportmobile!

The Early Bird – Saturday July 28, 2018

Iraan to Fort Stockton – 75 miles

Relatório de situação:
The cool of the early morning rewarded the guys with some amazing scenery at sun rise. In typical style, Google Maps conspired to be overhelpful by taking them down some interesting off road routes – not ideal on their spindly road bikes.

After a few detours to get back on their intended route they hadn’t got as far as they intended and ended up calling it a day at 120km with … a flat tyre.

Fearsome bedfellows – Friday July 27, 2018

Sonora to Iraan – 106 miles

Relatório de situação: Another 106 miles completed on the trip between Sonora and Iraan, with some more spectacular scenery gracing our intrepid veloteers as they conquered some steep, long hills. This left them shattered and in need of a nice restful sleep at the next stop in Iraan, TX. This was when things got interesting, however. Upon entering their accommodation, they found it was already occupied.

By a tooled-up assassin.

Google, will this thing kill me?

Yeah, shower’s free, go for it …

Spectacular Texan scenery

Armed with a hard outer shell, pincers, eight legs and a sting in the tail, the scorpion joined CJ on his pillow, prompting a quick search as to the potency of its venom. Pretty potent, as it turns out. The rule of thumb is that if your scorpion has large pincers and a small tail, its main weapons are the pincers and not the tail. This guy’s pincers were pretty puny …

Spoiler: They survived the night.

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water – Thursday July 26, 2018

Fredericksburg to Sonora – 109 miles, 1152ft elevation

Relatório de situação: Looks like Mellow Johnny’s magic was continuing to benefit the guys as they remained puncture-free for the whole of Day 18. As they pushed on into Western Texas, they found themselves in open landscapes with stunning scenery, and those big empty roads you see in films, as cars are far more scarce. The feeling of being in a film was heightened by the sight of cowboys and huge herds of wild deer.

Was that a fin?

Water: CJ’s nemesis

The mixed terrain was the day’s challenge, however – some rough ground and sun-baked roads provided some unsteady going, but the thing that proved CJ’s nemesis was water. The road dropped to a ford and the pair decided to try and ride through it. The lesson learned as CJ ended up face-down in the water: don’t try and cycle through a river …

Zen and the Art of Bicycle Repair – Wednesday July 25, 2018

Austin to Fredericksburg – 87 miles, 1788ft elevation

Relatório de situação: After a great day of rest in Austin, it was back on the road, fresh as daisies again and raring to eat up the miles as they … caught three flats in the first 30 minutes. Fortunately, they hadn’t even made it out of Austin by this stage, so they made a detour to the local bike shop, Mellow Johnny’s. They deserve a mention and a big thumbs up, as the guy in the store gave both bikes a service and found the source of their recurring puncture nightmare. Turned out the tape on the inner rims of both bikes was very worn and this would have been taking its toll on the inner tubes, especially with the miles the guys have been clocking up each day. Even more worthy of a mention was that the guy in the store helped them out … gratis. Very Zen. Thanks, Mellow Johnny.

Back on the road, George and Christian changed the planned route to San Antonio and headed instead for Fredericksburg, an old German cowboy town surrounded by vineyards, just over 80 miles away. Ultimately a successful day, but not without its challenges!

Rest day in Austin, TX – Tuesday July 24, 2018

REST DAY in Austin – 0 miles, 0ft elevation

Relatório de situação: Arriving on schedule in Austin allowed a day off cycling and a chance to look around what turned out to be an incredible city. CJ’s phone needed some TLC so they went to get it sorted and had a chance to look around and take in the sights. Sights we can’t show you many of owing to the phone being out of action … You’ll just have to imagine what an amazing city it is.

Overheating Austin – Monday July 23, 2018

Carmine to Austin – 79 miles, 1152ft elevation (planned)

Relatório de situação: Things got a bit silly with the weather as they approached Austin, with them pedalling a bit more than the planned 79 miles (owing to Day 14’s inner tube shenanigans) on the third-hottest day ever in Austin, TX – 43C (113F). They made it, albeit in a longer time than planned owing to the (very) regular stops for water. Rest day in Austin on Day 16!

Down the tubes – Sunday July 22, 2018

Houston to Carmine – 98 miles, 1198ft elevation (planned)

Relatório de situação: Quite a hilly 98 miles planned for the day, so another early start with the new Supporting Dad was on the cards. 7am saw the pair in the saddle and well on their way. The air temp was climbing above body temperature again as they got to 80 miles and it was CJ’s turn to catch a flat. At this point, they realised they’d stocked up on the wrong inner tubes at the last cycle shop, dagnammit. Postponing the afternoon’s leg of the journey, they trudged off to the nearest cycle shop to buy more inner tubes, sorting the situation in time to allow them a final 20 miles at 6pm. By which time the temperature was a fresh 40.5C (105F).

Houston, we have a problem – Saturday July 21, 2018

Liberty to Houston – 43 miles, 95ft elevation (planned)

Relatório de situação: Day 13 was slightly longer than planned due to location problems, so our indomitable riders ended up doing 53 miles rather than the planned 43. In accordance with the new regime, they started in the cool of the morning, and ‘smashed out’ the miles (CJ’s words) to get to Houston and a semi-rest day for the Supporting Dad swap. They bade a grateful farewell to Brian, George’s dad, and welcomed CJ’s dad, Andre, who at least has had a chance to acclimatise at home in the prolonged heatwave in the UK to prepare him for the Texan heat…

As they approached Houston, another problem reared its head again – CJ’s phone started playing up again. The next rest day is in Austin in a couple of days, so they’ll be spending it in another Apple Store by the sound of it!

Racing the sun – Friday July 20, 2018

Deweyville to Liberty – 91 miles, 171ft elevation (planned)

Even the roadkill is bigger in Texas

Snap from Texas. (Not even sorry)

Relatório de situação: With the early starts (and early finishes) in the plan to avoid the hottest parts of the day, the duo set off with the first flatulence of the proverbial sparrow. Not sure sparrows are the most relevant avian species for the region, but you get the idea. A quick 20 miles at breakfast time got them on the way – and got them to Texas, which was a milestone. Everything’s bigger in Texas, as we know, and the roadkill duly escalated to a boar as they crossed the state line. I should point out at this juncture that our Cycle USA riders are the observers of the roadkill, and not the cause. However tempting a hog roast might be, the schedule is tight.

The rest of Day 12 went well, staying ahead of the 38C max temperature, until yet another puncture for George which took them out of the running for 40 minutes. This meant finishing a little later than planned, but they’re still on track to rest and be up with that sparrow again on Day 13.

Hot. Real hot. – Thursday July 19, 2018

Eunice to Deweyville – 91 miles, 171ft elevation (planned)

Relatório de situação: Great day for progress – George and CJ got 94 miles clocked up, but the heat is starting to be a factor in their planning for each day. The temperatures as they approach Texas ramp up quickly in the afternoons, so it’s going to be a key strategy to start as early in the morning as possible and get the miles in before the heat of the day becomes too much.

The guys have a hard schedule to stick to now, as they have to make it to Houston for Saturday, when their support driver will change from George’s dad to CJ’s dad, with the former flying out as the latter arrives!

Unusual roadkill – Wednesday July 18, 2018

Baton Rouge to Eunice – 83 miles, 66ft elevation (planned)

Relatório de situação: Making an early start on Day 10 to regain the advantage on the itinerary, Fate yet again presented himself as a sharp-fingered demon and the guys were scuppered by a puncture on the way over the bridge into Baton Rouge. This held them up for another 2 hours…

A quick trip by Brian in the support car to fetch more inner tubes, and they were back on the road. Cruising for a blissfully puncture-free 59 miles, George and CJ were certain of making up for lost time. Then Lady Luck weighed in on the puncture action, proving herself not really on their side, and the guys called it a day there.

Hard on the outside, soft on the inside

Gator grave

Thus far en route, objects by the side of the road have been something of interest to two Brits, who are used to the odd bit of fly-tipping and unlucky badgers or foxes. Roadkill is a little different in the southern states of the USA, with unfortunate ‘gators and armadilloes among those spotted.

Back in the Saddle – Tuesday July 17, 2018

New Orleans to Baton Rouge – 96 miles, 108ft elevation

Yet another flat tyre!!

Relatório de situação: 7 days of 6-8 hours cycling have been quite mentally draining, says CJ, moreso than the physical effects on their bodies. Taking Day 8 to kick back and relax and do different stuff (even if it’s standing around in an Apple Store) has meant both brains and legs have been able to get the rest they need.

Recharged and revived, they got back on the road for Day 9, heading from New Orleans to Baton Rouge. Plagued by another string of punctures, they forged ahead, arriving just short, one more puncture being the final straw preventing them from crossing the bridge into the town proper. They’ll be picking up another bunch of inner tubes shortly …

Rest, Relaxing and iPhone Repair in New Orleans – Monday July 16, 2018

Rest Day in New Orleans – 0 miles, 0ft elevation!

A post shared by Cycle America (@cycleamerica) ligado Jul 16, 2018 at 1:20pm PDT

And I’m spent …

Relatório de situação: Sufficient miles in the bag and on-track with the itinerary, George and CJ could enjoy the sights and sounds of New Orleans for a full day, giving themselves a chance to recharge before resuming the trip.

I had always thought that all the films you see featuring New Orleans overblew the frequency with which you might chance upon people singing and dancing in the street, but there they were!

The break also gave them a chance to find an Apple Store to try and get their malfunctioning iPhones fixed. It seems they’ve been worked hard as well …

The amazing New Orleans beckons – Sunday July 15, 2018

Biloxi to New Orleans – 87 miles, 900ft elevation.

Into Louisiana

Relatório de situação: Through the swamp lands of the Deep South (and into the land of Live and Let Die), the guys crossed another state line to make it to Louisiana and into the crazy, music-filled world of New Orleans. After 7 days in the saddle, Day 8 will be a a well-deserved rest and a chance to take in the sights and sounds of this utterly unique American city!

Smooth runnings from Alabama into Mississippi – Saturday July 14, 2018

Mobile to Biloxi – 80 miles, 900ft elevation.

Relatório de situação: Following days of challenges posed by terrain, inclement weather and other road-users, Day 6 was welcome as an uneventful ride from Mobile to Biloxi, crossing from Alabama into Mississippi!

The heavens open in God’s Country – Friday July 13, 2018

Pensacola to Mobile – 81 miles, 161ft elevation (planned).

Relatório de situação: A threatening sky welcomed the guys on Day 5 as they set off for Alabama. They managed about 44 miles before the the rain started, and when it arrived, it was a deluge. After 2 hours sheltering under a tree, the downpour abated and George and CJ were able to get going again. 37 miles later, they finished the day just shy of Mobile, AL.

Roadworks and roadhogs … and a break on the beach! – Thursday July 12, 2018

Panama City to Pensacola – 106 miles, 161ft elevation (planned).

Relatório de situação: You have to take the rough with the smooth, and Day 4 was a rough one. Roadworks for most of the planned route meant there was no hard shoulder, and thus no cycle lane. The road was pitted and lumpy, which is far from ideal for road bikes with wheels you can slice ham with, designed for moving quickly on smooth tarmac. Reduced lane capacity means more vehicles in a tighter space and not everyone is as generous with cyclists as they should be. George had an altercation with an SUV at one point, but fortunately it was a near miss and all was ok.

Progress was a bit slower and more difficult, so the guys called it a day at just shy of 78 miles. They have some rest days built into the schedule, but they have decided to adapt these to be 50km days, which will be a way of keeping on track whatever the trip throws at them.

One bonus of cycling along the Caribbean coast of Florida at the height of summer, is that there is the occasional opportunity to stop and take in the view. And the sea. The pair discovered an amazing beach, and decided it was the perfect spot to cool off with a dip in a (very warm) sea and then a cool shower. You don’t get that doing Lands End to John O’Groats…

The Big Catch Up – Wednesday July 11, 2018

Tallahassee to Panama City – 94 miles, 1240ft elevation (planned).

Relatório de situação: Had Day 2 gone according to plan, Day 3 would have been a nice, comfortable 94-mile ride. But Day 2 was problematic and they guys ended up quite far short of their planned destination. This meant that Day 3 was all about playing catch up.

After 8 hours on the road (and a quick stop to be disappointed by England’s World Cup Semi-Final loss to Croatia over lunch), they arrived in Panama City, exhausted, ready for every athlete’s staple diet of massive pizza, and keen to rest some weary legs …

Another 106 miles due for Day 4, so we’re hoping the pizza does the trick.

Plagued by punctures – Tuesday July 10, 2018

Between flat tyres, the going is good

Lake City to Tallahassee – 109 miles, 1240ft elevation.

Relatório de situação: Day 2 had a 109-mile route on offer. Things didn’t go quite to plan, with the guys scuppered by a recurring flat tyre on Christian’s bike. It’s not the roads – they’re excellent, we’re told – so more likely a fault with the tyre. As a result, the final destination for Day 2 has been changed to just short of Tallahassee, Florida, with a respectable (but ultimately frustrating) 73 miles clocked up for the day.

Such trials were inevitable on a journey like this, so with bike repair underway, George and Christian will be looking to make up the shortfall with a mere 160 miles on Day 3.

The big question, of course: will they be able to find an opportunity to watch England going for a place in the World Cup Final?

They’re off! Monday July 9, 2018

Jacksonville Beach to Lake City – 80 miles, 358ft elevation.

So, this is it: after months of training and preparation, George and Christian are getting ready to go. After some quick photos on the beach in Florida, they’re hitting the tarmac on the first leg of their route across the USA.

Good luck G&C!

Day 1 edit: they’ve made it to Lake City – ‘Awesome day, 138.5km covered and only 1 fall.’

Day 2 will be more of a challenge with 109 miles and over 1200ft elevation on their way to Tallahassee. Keep it coming, y’all.

A bit of background from George

Christian and George doing a bit of tourism before the odyssey begins

From a young age, both of us have been particularly interested in sports: football, cricket, rugby etc. For me personally, I find human physical performance fascinating. At University, I completed a Sports Science degree and whilst studying also decided to participate in something that was much more physically demanding than what’s mentioned above, Natural bodybuilding: to date the hardest thing I have ever done.

Whilst fulfilling, only I was gaining from the challenge. I felt like I needed a change. In 2015, I cycled from London to Brighton, raising money for the British Heart Foundation. Already this sense of accomplishment was much greater than what I had previously got out of bodybuilding, because others were benefiting from my efforts, not just me. Whilst this was challenging, I felt that I could do more, both with the fundraising and testing my physical capabilities.

In January 2016, I mentioned to Christian that I wanted to cycle the length of Britain, from John O’Groats to Lands End. I’m very fortunate in that whatever I have said I wanted to do or achieve, Christian has always supported me. His answer was simple: “If it’s important to you, I’ll do it!”

And we did it. We completed the 1,000-mile cycle ride in 10 days, despite encountering some of the worst weather conditions I have seen! We were able to raise money for the school I work at and the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice in Farnham raising over £3,000 in total!

Even after achieving this, I felt that we could do more.

I spoke with Christian in November 2017. I told him that I wanted to cycle the width of America during my summer holidays. He said there was no way he would be able to get the time off work and it just wouldn’t be possible. But one week later, he came back with the same message as he did in 2016: “If it’s important to you, I’ll do it!”

We will be arriving in the USA on the 6th of July 2018 and driving to Jacksonville, from where we will embark on our journey. If all goes to plan and the weather is kind, we will finish in San Diego on the 16th of August – maybe even earlier if we are really lucky!