cross country polio fund raiser for newbies

[tomwestheimer]

We are in the planning stages of doing an across the US - West 2 East ride to raise money for polio for the Rotary.  Being new to riding we want to avoid hills :-)
We understand if we do a dessert route we can get really hot but not burn out at the beginning!
Can anyone point us to a route we can take?
thanks
Newbie from New Hampshire - tom

[tonythomson]

Hey  good luck, but don't avoid hills as they can be some of the best riding, plus you only cycle 50% of the way  - the rest is down hill.  Just make sure your gearing is right.

Staying on flat ground can often be harder than hills/mountains because if you hit head winds that is harder and more soul destroying than any hill.

Tony
ps we have a web site for fund raising and ST in Feb 09 www.bike4gus.com

[staehpj1]

We are in the planning stages of doing an across the US - West 2 East ride to raise money for polio for the Rotary.  Being new to riding we want to avoid hills :-)

One of the three Adventure Cycling routes is what I would recommend.  The Trans America is great.  The climbs in the west are long but not very steep.  My two companions had almost no miles under their belts and just started off with shorter days in the first couple weeks.  They did fine.

The Northern Tier is supposed to be nice too.  The Southern tier is shorter and flatter, but you don't want to do it in the Summer.

The hard climbs are the short steep ones in the east and if you are going W - E you will be in shape by the time you get to them, Just be sure to pack light and have low gears.