Welcome to the Desert!
Original blog archive · 273 posts · Page 5 of 5
Cross-Country
for Autism
The original Tumblr archive, oldest to newest. Page 5 of 5, posts 220–273 of 273.
Hell’s Backbone: 5 miles, 12% grade, 200 feet down on either side, not a lot of shoulder :-/
Nothing like a good night’s sleep… On the ground.
Ahhhhhhh last state before Cali…
About 2 Weeks of Riding Left
..and we’re only $894 away from our goal!
"I think I'm gonna get a brownie"
"Same"
"Same"
Original video omitted from this archive.
An example of a town we come to every 85 miles or so. -Bianca
I found a Vouge, a brownie and a beer in the desert… Okay the deserts not thatttttt bad! -Bianca
Look close, there is snow….. Yes snow! We got caught in a pretty horrible storm last night and woke up to snow. And we thought we were going to have to night ride through the desert to avoid the heat, haaa
You just came from Burning Man now didn’t you?
— Waitress in Eureka NV
This guy has still yet to email me back… Better get on it soon so we can tour Norway together buddy. He was riding from Anchorage to Denver and he told us that three years ago he rode our exact route backwards! We haven’t run into many who ride to or from Boston so we had a good chat on the side of the road and I especially liked him because he ate junk food cookies for lunch- just like me! So get back to me soon this guy, I miss you.
-GR
We were invited to have an amazing lunch with a bike tour group in Utah, they saved the day
Cedar Breaks National Park
We have been looking for Dinosaur bones, but I did come across this Desert Monster that I am very pleased with discovering. What should I name it?! -Bianca
Yay Princess is up and running again! All smiles
Most people we meet think that we’re married and love to say “you’ll have stories for the kids!”
If he finishes this burger he gets a free T-shirt, can he do it? Yeaaaaaaa he did
Indeed, you will be missed. -Bianca
Our last map, so sad!
Now which way to the beach?
We crossed into California yesterday morning and what a wimpy sign! Haha we wanted something epic to dance around but that will just have to wait till we take our first swim in the Pacific!
Flying down from the Sierras right to sea level! “we wouldn’t be this high up again untill we’re on a plane” -Greg
California
Our first couple of days in California have been beautiful and the riding has been enjoyable (there are bike lanes again)! We could be swimming tomorrow in the ocean but decided to split the 90 mile day up to slow down a bit and take in the last days of the trip. We had a great lunch today with Gregs cousin, Michael, and then had a refreshing swim in the American River. Lots of pictures coming soon!!
Carson Pass was really our entry into urban/sub-urban California. It was a beautiful way to see the Sierra Nevadas for the first time not on the label of a beer bottle. Pictured here is the last bit of climbing up to the summit- while it was a difficult climb with a gain of almost 3,000 ft. it was a piece of cake when you remembered it was the last one of the whole trip!
Mid-descent Pop Tarts. Yes, please.
Then it was onward to Sacramento to meet up with Greg’s cousin. We made good time with more than 170 miles in two days (including Carson climbing) but were slowed down due to some wildlife in the road that needed protecting/saving.
Meet-up with Michael Flynn & jump into the American River. Check.
Even though Bianca got a little lost during some really intense cousin-talk we both had a great time visiting with Michael and Bianca even went in the water above her knees! It was a blast getting to see family members who have made it out of New England- like our stops here and in Kansas City. I would definitely recommend to anyone going on a long ride to hunt out and link up with family or friends you haven’t seen in a while because, for me, it was the best part of the whole trip.
Culture-Shox
It is pretty wild to come from “The Lonliest Highway in America” to the proclaimed bike capital of the country (Davis, CA) in the matter of a week. It hit me when we pulled up to a stoplight and as I turned to give Bianca directions, I realized it there were another eight people on bikes waiting for the light with us. We’re having fun doddling around and soaking it up though- I am just shocked to learn that there is a place that I consider too laid back.
Last Day on the Road!
We’re getting on our bikes now and will arrive in San Francisco around lunchtime. We’ve had an unbelievable journey and want to thank everyone who has contributed to our adventure. If you haven’t donated to the Autism Society there is no better time than now- we’re so close to our goal, the beach, and the end of a saga that has been our entire lives for two months on the road more than a year of planning. Thanks again to our families, old friends who kept up with us, new friends from the road, Marty & Geekhouse, and most importantly our legs.
“Im in there, right?”
At the wharf! It was a trip in itself finding the Golden Gate bridge in the San Francisco fog.
There it is!! As if people didn’t already look at us like we were crazy, we decided to make things a bit more flashy.
It was foggy but still smelled like victory.
I’m really bad at expressing myself through words, as most know, so it would be very hard for me to try and communicate to others the feeling of being on that bridge over the Pacific with my best friend. I guess all I can say is that it was one of the best feelings I’ve ever had, :) -Bianca
San Francisco is neat!
Tons of nice bikes. Obv.
A lot of great art. Obvs.
Finally made it to the Bridge today for a little no fog one on one time. With another trillion tourists. Bike rental companies make billions maybe trillions out here!
Very epic end to it all. We shipped our bikes out today! We’ll be home soon enough- will be poking around SF only a bit longer.
“Keep the Faith”
Only a few days left to donate.
We’ll stop taking donations shortly after we arrive home and get settled. Very happy and proud with the $4,881 raised so far and would be thrilled to raise the final $119 as we return home. Couldn’t think of a better way to end the trip!
All Done!
As my aging Mac slowly uploads more than 1,300 photos I’m left thinking: Where did the summer go? I’ve made it back to Londonderry and Bianca will be settled in New England by this time next week. I’m sure a few looked over gems from SD cards not touched since Kansas City will make it up on here eventually, but for the time being it’s all really over. A humungous thanks for everyone who has donated and/or followed us here on our little blog. We successfully raised more than $5,000 for the Autism Society- surpassing our fundraising goal.. and the trip was pretty fun too. We’ll be around Boston/Cambridge for the foreseeable future and look forward to catching up with everyone. Our e-mail addresses are also in the sidebar to the right -> so if you’ve got any questions or anything about our trip.. Bianca reallllllyyyy misses being asked every single detail of our route and ride. Seriously though, if you or someone you know has any interest in learning about touring and most importantly touring safely we’d be happy to help. Thanks again- ride safe!
The Best Part of Touring (for me) is Getting E-Mails Like This:
Hi Greg,
I hope this email finds you in good spirits.
I do indeed remember passing Bianca and yourself on a lonesome road in Kansas. It remains a regret of the trip that we didn’t just call it a day and decide to have a a few beers with you both.
The cycle across the US is by far the most wonderful experience we’ve ever had. We’d do it again in a heartbeat. I hope the ride was just as much fun for the two of you.
I must also say in the 4500 miles we cycled, we didn’t see any bicycle that were as fine as yours. Showing off the photos of your bikes to the lads in the bike shop where I work impressed them. The Icarus feather was immediately recognized.
I do have a few pairs of striped socks to send to you, as promised. Should I forward them to Geekhouse C/O Greggles?
Anyway, if you make it to Melbourne, Australia, anytime in the future, there’s a cold beer waiting for you.
Best Wishes,
Jack Dunstan
(and yes, that is a Jack Taylor tandem in the header).
-GR