Why did you go coast-to-coast? Research for a book.

[Westinghouse]

I was able to recall three more influences in my life that drew me to transcontinental bicycle touring. In the 1980s, the early 1980s, maybe 1981, 82. By chance I saw a book in the Martin County library in Stuart Florida. I am not sure I can remember the exact title. It was something like... The great ride or something like that. It was the late 1800s. A man from California pedaled a bicycle from coastal California to New York City. Some of the best roads he had were like some of the worst roads we have today when it comes to road surfaces. It was one hell of a struggle for him. He must have gotten his frame rewelded a dozen times to keep it together. The weather was hell. I think he had to do a significant amount of walking.
I thought that was very interesting. That got me interested. After that I read a book on bicycle touring in particular. This book was also in the Martin County library in Stuart. According to the experienced tourist, 27x1 and 1/4 inch tires where they only way to go. I got a Schwinn Le tour bicycle and flew away to the United Kingdom.

The third influence entered my life after I had already completed two long tours by bicycle. This was also a book. Miles From Nowhere is the title.

[WVDave]

In 1996 at age 42, my wife and I rode  the Northern Tier route starting in Anacortes, but ending in Ocean City, NJ.  Ours wasn’t a group or actually solo as I rode a tandem with my wife. It was a long time ago, so I don’t clearly remember my motivation or what originally intrigued me with the idea of riding across the US.  I read a book titled (I think) “Hey Mom, Can I Ride My Bike Across the US”, written by a teacher who rode with several of his fifth grade students. I knew I wouldn’t be happy being away from my wife for an extended period of time and it took me 10 years to talk her into doing it with me. We considered riding with a group but ultimately decided we didn’t want to be constrained by the demands of a group’s schedule. We were still working and I only had a limited vacation. My wife was worried about us riding by ourselves and as we approached a deadline for joining a group ride she decided to pray about it. While driving home from Sunday church she happened to see a touring cyclist who pulled into the town’s grocery store. She followed the guy into the store to question him. He turned out to be a seasonal worker from Yellowstone who was cycling home to New England (we live in West Virginia) and he assured her that we would be safe on our own. Since that ride, we have done several other long rides, including the Underground Railroad, which may be one of Adventure Cycling’s lesser known gems. We attempted the Continental Divide, but work schedules along with the challenging logistics  interfered and it looks like completing  that one will have to remain only a dream. 

[Westinghouse]

Trail cycling and gravel roads and single tracks such as you find on The Great divide bicycle route has never interested me. All my cycling was over the road. And as we all know, some roads are better than others. It is a fact that is multiplied many times on a bicycle. The impression is your crossing beginning around Anacortes Washington was well planned and organized. One thing I learned about long distance bicycle touring. Plans for the day might not reach fruition. They might exceed themselves, and then again fail. There are variables that force us to change our plans. Extreme weather is one variable.

[davidbonn]

There isn't just one unpaved cycling experience.  It can range to basically "pavement light" to hopelessly unrideable.  On the average in 2025 you will find less traffic and usually better wild camping opportunities on unpaved roads.