Mette and Stephen and the route across AmericaIn January Stephen purchased a Tacx cycle trainer. It has helped us prepare for the physical onslaught that cycling the TransAm will be. Mette has spent 20 mins. 5 mornings a week on the Tacx. Stephen has spent less time on the Tacx after twice puncturing the back tyre - which doesn't even touch the ground! Is it an omen??? Pretty much every weekend has been spent cycling either longer trips (Cambridge and back: 75 miles) or shorter trips of around 35 miles. The question remains whether the preparation has been good enough. We will find out when we are battling the hills of the Blue Ridge and the dreaded Ozarks.
Mette's first ride on the Tacx Kristy kindly sent us the US map which we have used to mark out the TransAm route. We are using Adventure Cycling's recommended TransAm route. It is 4,287 miles long and most cyclists take from 50 to 80 days to complete it. Our intention is to average 75 miles per day and complete it in 60 days. That may be ambitious. Much will hinge on our fitness and the weather and also if we are enjoying it! After all, this trip is meant to be fun. The other limiting factor is the 90 days that our US visa will allow us to stay. We have no intentions of outstaying our welcome!
Jon has recommended that we check out the Farmer's Almanac for long term US weather forecasts. We think we have picked a good summer for the TransAm. It is meant to be cool and dry. Although we suspect that British cool and Kansas cool may be quite different. According to the BBC weather forecast temperatures are set to reach 30c in Richmond next week. Not sure that classifies as cool in our books.
