My Route, More or Less (Red line, but starting in NY)

My Route, More or Less (Red line, but starting in NY)
NY NJ PA MD VA KY IL MO KS CO UT NV CA

Make a Difference

I'm pedaling for many reasons, the most important of which is to raise awareness and funds for Pedals For Progress. P4P is a non-profit that collects used bicycles and sewing machines in the US and donates them to poor people overseas. P4P combines my love of bicycling with my growing concern for those deprived of life's most basic necessities - sparked by a visit to the slums of Kibera in June '09 (pictures). P4P improves mobility and economic options for destitute people, opening pathways to greater dignity and opportunity.

Please make a donation, if you can (please write "TSQ2USQ" in the '...honor of' field). Remember, a bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives roses. :)

My Game Plan

I'm following portions or all of three routes mapped out by the Adventure Cycling Association: the Atlantic, TransAm, & Western Express. I'll cycle through thirteen states: NY, NJ, PA, MD, VA, KY, IL, MO, KS, CO, UT, NV & CA! I'm leaving on 4/17/10, and expect to return to New Jersey by mid June - back to my family, friends, & neighbors. I plan on cycling 5 - 6 hours per day, 6 days/week, usually starting in the early AM. My laptop and phone will allow me to work remotely most days, but I won't pass up opportunities to smell the roses along the way!


Sunday, July 24, 2011

Days 50 - 54



Approximate Track: Google Maps



Day 52 | July 17, 2011. Davis, CA to Union Square, San Francisco, CA - 55 miles. I finish this journey grateful for the support of friends and family, pleased to have raised over $7,000 in donations and pledges to Pedal for Progress, and absolutely delighted to be done! After pedaling ~4,200 miles, do I have something profound to say? The best I can do is paraphrase a recent New Yorker article: what began as an escape, ended as a pursuit.


Day 51 | July 16, 2011. Placerville, CA to Davis, CA - 74 miles. Davis, a bicycle friendly college town, is awesome. Purchased fresh fruit and an apple tart at the farmer's market. Stayed in nearby Dixon and enjoyed an excellent dinner at La Cocina Mexican restaurant. 

Day 50 | July 15, 2011. California / Nevada border (Fredricksburg, CA?) to Placerville, CA - ~92 miles. For fear of cold morning weather, we started later today: 6:30 AM. The climb to Carson Pass, elevation 8,650 ft, started immediately. It wasn't nearly as exhilarating as climbing the Rockies, mostly because the monotony of the previous days' riding wasn't as severe as Kansas's corn and cattle. Route 88's lack of a shoulder and fast moving traffic made for a stressful ride, until turning onto the road to Omo Ranch, which wound through towering Redwoods and was lightly traveled. We finished the day with an excellent meal and beers at Cozmic Cafe, the only cafe I know of with a gold mine in back of the restaurant. Literally, the rear wall of the cafe is a mine entrance. 



Please donate to Pedals for Progress: https://payments.auctionpay.com/ver3/?id=w043522
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