Introduction

Eastward Whoa!  The adventure will soon begin.  Portland Oregon to Portland Maine by bicycle. (Actually, I will start with my back tire in the Pacific Ocean at Fort Stevens State Park, just West of Astoria, OR at the mouth of the Columbia River, then make my way East to Portland Or and beyond).  This is a road trip of a different kind.  No 70+ mph dashes across portions of the country to see just how far one could get in a day by car (as I did with my parents and siblings as a kid).  Rather, I'll be moving slow, seeing, smelling, hearing, and feeling the country.  I'll be off of interstates, on roads connecting small towns where I can meet and chat with the local folks.

View Western Origins in a larger map

Western Origin - The starting location of my travels at the Pacific Ocean

Solo.  No van support.  No tour groups or guides.  Just me and my bike for 4,042 miles ( 6,505 kilometers).  I'll be heading East following the Lewis & Clark trail to Dickinson, North Dakota, and then the "Northern Tier" bicycle route to Portland Maine.  The route, established in part through a non-profit organization called Adventure Cycling, can be viewed here: Adventure Cycling Routes (Lewis & Clark route in brown, Northern Tier route in purple).

My Bike:  2014 Co-Motion Cascadia

Thankfully, my beautiful wife Victoria will join me at various stages throughout the trip.  She is my inspiration, and it's her support that is making this big adventure possible.

It all starts June 5th.  For now, it's all about getting ready...   physically, mentally, and logistically.