Ride Registry
RIDE DETAIL
TRANS AM WEST TO EAST, INDEPENDENT -- Reedsport, OR to Yorktown, VA, June, 1976|
Total Miles: 4100
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Load: Panniers
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Rider: Randall Higa; 19 years old, Engineer, Non-Member UNITED STATES Email
Summary: Started on June 19 with my buddy Ben from Reedsport Oregon. Rode along with other independents and a west to east Golden Spokes group for the first half of the trip.; Self-Planned
How did ACA Help? I registered with Bikecentenniel and purchased the maps and guidebooks. The National Geographic article in 1973 (Dan and Liz!) was the initial inspiration to tour. I kept up with B'76's plans from 1975 which further provided inspiration.
Health Issues: Other than TB (see above), my biggest issue was a sore knee. It began to hurt somewhere in Oregon and thankfully got better by the time we were in Missouri.
Motivation: It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the US with other cyclists to celebrate the bicentenniel with a bicycle and Bikecentenniel. I knew it was going to special! The challenge of crossing the country by bicycle was also nice motivation.
Most Challenging Aspect:Some of the long days in the saddle were mind numbing. Due to a sore knee, I couldn't keep up with faster riders so I did a few days where I got into camp well after dark. Also, TB (tired butt) was another challenge that I had to deal with -- at least I wasn't alone on that one!
Favorite Experience: My favorite experience was eating homemade ice cream in Kansas on a blistering hot day. Mrs. Vogel plcuked us from the highway and took us to her home where we feasted on the best ice cream I have ever eaten in my life. It sure beat riding in the heat against a headwind!
Least Favorite: My worst experience was the day that I rode into camp at 10:00 PM in Idaho. It was a long hot day and we were trying to cover long distances so we could make Grangeville for the 4th of July.
Tips: The first recommendation is to plan ahead and do as much research as possible. The second recommendation is to take advantage of every opportunity for new adventures.
Date Entered: Jan, 2011
Photo by Dennis Coello
