Companions needed for Trans America Trip in late June - Seattle, WA start

[CycleOne]

My fellow Adventure Cyclist!

This June, near the end of the month, I leave for a Trans America bicycle trip starting in the Seattle, WA area and ending in an undetermined area on the East Coast. It will be the adventure of a lifetime and I look forward to it wholeheartedly. One issue though: I have no one to accompany me! This is a shot in the dark, but I figured I'd throw the idea out there and see if anyone is interested in joining me. For the entirety of the trip or for just segments of it.

The route is mostly open for adjustments. I won't go into great detail, but there are only two places I need to be on certain dates. They are the following:
July 4th: Colville, WA - Visiting friends for the holiday.
July 20th: Council Bluffs, IA - RAGBRAI (www.ragbrai.com) - Big biker ride in Iowa.
A bit of a hustle to get between these two locations, but the rest of the trip can be as care-free as needed.

A little about me.
I'm a male, 29 years old. I enjoy biking and camping immensely and relish the physical/mental challenges of both. With this said, I think you will find me good company on a journey that could provide some trying days.
I feel group dynamic is important for such a trip and with that said would prefer people in the area of my own age (21-35). However I'm willing to meet anyone interested in this trip. I guess you just never know who's going to 'click' and I'd be doing myself a disservice by screening people.

Things I can provide: A tent that sleeps 2/3 and cooking ware for the same amount. A stove and pots.

I've left out tons of details! This I know. This post is more to see if anyone would even be interested in such a trip. If so more details will be provided. If people are still interested, at that point arrangements to meet should be made (granted you are also in the Seattle are). This would be a serious commitment and meeting each other in person is a necessary step.

Hope to hear from you. Take care!
Jacob

[indyfabz]

As a veteran of an organized, x-country tour with twelve other people I had never met before, I would advise you, and anyone else who might be considering joining you, to be independent or at least be prepared to become independent quickly. If it turns out you are not compatible and need/want to split, having only one tent, one stove and one set of cookware is going to cause problems. Some of the people in my group annoyed me to the point I nearly dropped out at least once to continue on my own. In the end, I am glad I did not. Being in a larger group provided some insulation from the two or three people I did not get along with. I had to share shopping, cooking and cleaning duties with them every once in a while, but other than that I could limit my interaction as I saw fit and not feel on my own.

And you never know who you might click with. I was 34 at the time. My best good friend during the trip turned out to be someone who was 60.

[CycleOne]

Thanks 'indyfabz'. You're absolutely right and I'm going to take your advice.

I've been on a hand full of tours and mostly with good friends. Even then conflicts arise. One bad day with non-stop headwind is usually enough to frustrate the best of us. I'm just hoping I can find some people who can physically and mentally break these challenges without disrupting others.

Issues generally will arise though. It is a bike tour after all and a part of the fun is tackling things together. I'm glad you were able to stick out your tour. Hopefully your friendship with the people you enjoyed is better for it!

[choogakker]

Hi Jacob,

My name is Corinne, I just graduated college and I started a cross country bike trip from San Francisco to Virginia with my friend this summer.  Unfortunately my friend was in an accident on day 4, and now I am in central California looking for a way to continue my tour.  I know this is a shot in the dark, but are you still planning on making the trip and looking for companions?  I could possibly meet you at some point on your trip or even travel to Washington to begin the trip again!

Feel free to email me at choogakker at gmail dot com

Thanks,
Corinne

[CarmignanoCaponord]

As a veteran of an organized, x-country tour with twelve other people I had never met before, I would advise you, and anyone else who might be considering joining you, to be independent or at least be prepared to become independent quickly. If it turns out you are not compatible and need/want to split, having only one tent, one stove and one set of cookware is going to cause problems. Some of the people in my group annoyed me to the point I nearly dropped out at least once to continue on my own. In the end, I am glad I did not. Being in a larger group provided some insulation from the two or three people I did not get along with. I had to share shopping, cooking and cleaning duties with them every once in a while, but other than that I could limit my interaction as I saw fit and not feel on my own.

And you never know who you might click with. I was 34 at the time. My best good friend during the trip turned out to be someone who was 60.

Very good suggestion! Highly recommended

[CycleOne]

Corinne,

I've sent you an email with some details!

-Jacob

[Elmo]

Hey guys, im currently in Rhode Island, some time next week im hoping to head off towards miami. I doing a solo trip but also looking for people to meet up with along the way... Im a 23 year old English boatbuilder. Iv got a few months free from work so though id go on a bike tour. If your going to be around the east coast within the next two months give me a shout as im not really warming to the idea of doing the WHOLE trip on my own.

Cheers

Elliot

[CycleOne]

Hey Elliot,

Congrats on taking the bike touring plunge. I'll be ending my current tour here around August 30th in New York City and don't see myself continuing on afterwards so I will not be able to join you. I do hope you find someone to accompany you. If you don't I trust you'll enjoy it all the same. Maybe even more. This I say speaking from experience. I originally was set to do my current cross-country tour with two other people, but they had to cancel. I took the plunge and did it anyways solo. Being on my own has been a bit harder, but I've meet so many amazing people while traveling alone. Much more than I would have if I was touring with others. So I almost encourage you to do it by yourself.

Take care and safe travels!