Blogs

Even during my childhood in Switzerland I have always been fascinated by the fact that water from the Alps drains into the North Sea, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. I imagined it would be great to follow the rivers that carry the water and so far I cycled the River Rhein from Sea to Source in 2018 and the River Rhone in 2019 from Source to Sea.

Here are a few notes from my cycling trip across the States starting on the West Coast on 4. August 2023 in Astoria, Oregon and finishing on the East Coast on 15. October 2023 in Yorktown, Virginia.  If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below. Ueli Ruprecht

My TransAmerican cycle trip has been long in the planning, with the first attempt in 2020 canceled due to Covid.  I am flying to Portland in Oregon on 2. August and set out from Astoria on 4. August, following the Adventure Cycling Association's Trans American route.  They have produced a set of detailed maps which keeps mostly away from big cities and busy highways.

After a few cycle tours, I have a good idea of how to avoid mechanicals.  With a mountain bike frame and custom built wheels, the only issues are likely to be wear and tear. 

With probably spending 2 1/2 months sleeping under the stars, and night time temperatures ranging from 0C - 25C, a good tent and sleeping bag will be essential.  When considering which tent to buy, I looked at balancing size, weight and cost.  The MSR Elixir2, a 2-man tent at 2.7kg is rather large and heavy but comfortable and with room to spread out. 

I am planning to cook breakfast and dinner and will use a multi fuel stove, burning paraffine or white gas, as the Americans say.

Navigation

With regular bike shops along the way it will be easy getting hold of standard wear and tear parts like chains, tyres or any thing else that might wear out.  I expect everything on the bike to last the 4,200 miles. However custom spokes or a Scott Aspect hanger might be more difficult to get hold of somewhere in the Midwest, so taking them along makes sense.

So, the only thing I feel I really need to be prepared for is punctures. 

With this in mind, the following items will be in my kite:

This has probably been the most challenging part of the planning.  What is the minimum you need when you expect temperatures ranging from 0 ºC to 40 ºC, rain and possibly snow?

Well, this what I am packing (I can always dump what is surplus to requirement):

First Aid Box

Whilst to date I never had to use my First Aid Box, it's good to be preparted.  It could make the difference between having to go to a doctor or just carrying on.  However, what is good about the Adventure Cycling Maps, is that it provides contact numbers for the State Highway Patrol, the Police,  the Sheriff, the Library, and the Hospital for each town I pass through.  That is, if the place is large enough of course.

I will of course have to unpack all the panniers and fit everything into an airline size bag.  The bike will also have to be partly dismantled to fit a bike box (I will also have to swap over the mirror from right to left).