FAQ's

Here is a few of the questions people often ask me and something that resembles what I say in response.

Where are you starting from?

McLean, Virginia (10 miles from Washington D.C.)

Where are you finishing?

Florence, Oregon (West Coast)

How did you prepare?

My first bike challenge goes back in 1987 when I started in Geneva (Switzerland) towards Narbonne (Southern France). I have always been interested in different kind of sports and started in my early years with track and field, switched then from Volleyball to swimming where I finally got the affinity for Triathlon in the early 1990s. Mostly doing short distance competitions I decided in the season of 1999/2000 to accomplish the long distance triathlon in Nice. The idea to attempt the Transamerica Bicycle trail has been in my mind for a long time and I waited for an opportunity to do it. Once I decided to go for it, I focused my preparation as much on the mental as on the physical aspect. Mentally I wanted to make sure that I gather ample knowledge about all predictable and unpredictable (weather, traffic etc.) aspects of the route. I thus did a lot of research in the internet, read papers and blogs about this historical trail, spoke to people who did it before and studied the web-site of the Adventure Cycling Association (www.adventurecycling.org). Physically I prepared myself riding my road bike and during the cold winter months at home riding it on a stationary indoor home trainer which was the perfect workout partner to train for sprints to intervals to all-day cruising.

How many miles will you ride each day?

The overall plan is to average about 80-100 miles a day. The hot and relatively humid weather conditions at the D.C. metro area has helped me a lot to get attuned with my mind, body and kit to the challenge. The mileage is obviously dependant on terrain, weather etc. Total mileage is around 4200 miles, give or take a few detours!

Who is going with you?

Just me as I rather go my own pace and make decisions to suit myself. However, if you are reading this and you fancy the trip please contact me.

How long will it take you?

With daily average mileages and rest days I should finish in around 40 to 50 days.

What will the weather be like?

Hopefully Spring like temperatures when I start, apparently Virginia can get warm in May and then getting warmer as I head West. Cooler in the Rockies especially at altitude but Summer in the mid West can get extremely hot. However, I am expecting lots of variations in weather.

So what will you do when you get to the end?

I might stay 1 day in Florence and then I will fly back to my family to Washington D.C. from Eugene (Oregon).

Where will you stay each night?

I am planning to overnight most nights in a motel or B&B but will carry on in any case a sleeping bag as at some point I might stay overnight at a Baptist Church, a cabin or other public facilities.

Why are you doing the trip?

It has been a dream for a long time and now it is the right time for me to attempt it.

I live on the TransAmerica route. Can I offer you any hospitality?

Absolutely! Just contact me through this site.