I am still deciding my route. My original idea was to have a compass, and ride east from San Francisco until I hit the Atlantic and then ride north to Boston that was good enough planning. Others seem to think it will require more.
I will probably for the most part follow the routes set out by the Adventure Cycling Association.
My plan is to start around August 23 or so from California and arrive in Boston for the weekend of November 13, 2011. I received the bone marrow transplant on November 14, 1986.
Since I will be starting in late August, I will have to think about the mountain passes in the west. For this reason I won’t be traveling on some of the northern most routes because it will be colder and more likely to snow. But it can snow anytime of the year in the Rockies.
Here are my three main route ideas:
- Start in San Francisco and go east on Western Express to the TransAm in Colorado and then follow the Trans America to where it meets up with the Atlantic Coast and head to Boston (4,570 miles according to Adventure Cycling) (RED route on map)
- Start in San Diego on the Southern Tier and head to Texas, go through Dallas, head to Trans America via Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky, and then in Virginia take the Atlantic Coast up to Boston. (4,600 miles? Google maps driving directions plus 40%) (BLUE route)
- Start in San Diego taking the Southern Tier all the way to Florida, and then take the Atlantic Coast to Boston. (4,950 miles according to Adventure Cycling) (YELLOW route)
It will be tough deciding between the routes. Each has its advantages and potential disadvantages. It is exciting to think about each one…I (Still haven’t been to Kentucky, Tennessee, and Florida.)
It is about 4500 miles from California to Boston on any of the routes I choose. I figure I will be traveling about 70 miles per day with a rest day about every 10 days. Should be able to make it in time for the Anniversary on Nov 14th.
My current Route ideas in October 2010
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