Trans-America

[clivewilliamson]

I have written an article for an e-book about a ride across America with my son in 1987. I still have route sheets, but I am not certain about some descriptions of the terrain we passed through.
Can anyone confirm or criticize my descriptions?

https://ridethroughhistory.wordpress.com/2016/11/26/trans-america

[John Nelson]

Nice write up. Thanks for sharing.

I note a few errors early in the story. The surrender at Yorktown was in 1781, not 1776. You mention the "Bike Travel Association." I've never heard of this organization. You list the distance of the TransAm as 4275. I guess it might have been that when you rode, but the ACA currently lists the distance as 4228.

You might consider changing the title to something like "Cross-country ride" rather than "Trans America " since so much of your ride was not on the TransAm.

Again, thanks for sharing.

[clivewilliamson]

Hello John,

Many thanks for taking the time to read my article and make comments.I have amended the article accordingly. The Bikecentennial maps we used were issued by an organisation called The Bicycle Travel Association - presumably now defunct or had a name change.
I take your point about the title. This will be one article of 17 all identified by the name of the relevant country. So I will probably call the article 'America - coast to coast'.
Thanks again.

Clive

[JHamelman]

Hello Clive,

This is great you are writing about your bicycle travels!

I wanted to clear a few things up and point you to some resources on our website that might help.

You mention the "Bike Travel Association." I've never heard of this organization.

As far as I know, there was and is no Bike Travel Association. It was a tagline used by Bikecentennial in the early years of the organization.

You list the distance of the TransAm as 4275. I guess it might have been that when you rode, but the ACA currently lists the distance as 4228.

Indeed. While the TransAmerica Trail is still mostly the same as it was in 1976, there have been modifications made along the way. The result would be changes in total mileage for the route.


If you want to clarify your organizational history we have a detailed article available:

https://www.adventurecycling.org/about-us/history/

Also a timeline of when different things have occurred over the years:

https://www.adventurecycling.org/about-us/history/adventure-cycling-timeline/

And to reminisce about the story in one place along with some great photos, see our 40th Anniversary book about the Trail:

https://www.adventurecycling.org/cyclosource-store/40th-anniversary/sp/adventure-cycling-association-transam-book/

I hope this is helpful!

Best,
Jennifer Milyko

[clivewilliamson]

Hi Jennifer,

Many thanks for your response - very helpful. I have ordered the book 'Bicycling the TransAm Trail: Virginia to Oregon/Washington'. This should enable me to check the accuracy of my own writings.

Thanks again and best regards,

Clive

[JHamelman]

Excellent! Happy to help.

Jennifer

[CynthiaMyra]

Thank you! very useful information!

[clivewilliamson]

Thanks for your comment. Maybe you will be encouraged to venture further than daytripping.