Sunday, June 04, 2006
Day Minus 4 - Training
So in preparing to cycle across America, the recommendation is to have 2000 miles before setting out on such an adventure. I am sure it's a good idea. Then there is reality, practicalities and priorities of every day life that get in the way. But let's just say the more miles the better, each day is about getting miles on the bike. I have just had 3 days of back-to-back 50 miles.... I am tired. So I now focussing on the more important stuff: MENTAL ATTITUDE... Just tell me I can't do it and that's all I need to know... I am now as ready as I will ever be... Bring it on!
Day Minus 14 - Getting There - Planes, Trains and Automobiles
The starting point is Astoria, Oregon. Getting there is all about 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles' (not in that order).
Arriving in Boston (via Iceland), my training regime commenced ( a few weeks back) with intensity in New England - catching some coastal winds (headwinds that is), a more than fair bit of rain (as opposed to drought challenged London) and lots of hills in New Hampshire. Shortly, I am heading to Chicago to catch the Empire Builder 27 to Seattle (wwww.amtrak.com).
For those of you new to Train Travel in the USA, PBS Television reported 'Amtrak's 'Empire Builder' passenger train service parallels US Highway 2 along the Hi-Line in northern Montana. Passenger depot stops, from east to west, are in Libby, Whitefish, Glacier National Park, Browning, Cut Bank, Shelby, Havre, Malta, Glasgow and Wolf Point. While on board, passengers experience many of the same vistas first viewed by the early settlers. The Empire Builder is a train for people who think big. It can carry you to the greatest of the great outdoors -- a National Park spanning two nations, Glacier International Peace Park, and a major mountain range, the Rockies. And it does it all under the famous Big Sky of the northern prairie -- a sky that is bigger and grander than any you've ever seen.'
On Saturday June 17, I will take a bus to Astoria.
Arriving in Boston (via Iceland), my training regime commenced ( a few weeks back) with intensity in New England - catching some coastal winds (headwinds that is), a more than fair bit of rain (as opposed to drought challenged London) and lots of hills in New Hampshire. Shortly, I am heading to Chicago to catch the Empire Builder 27 to Seattle (wwww.amtrak.com).
For those of you new to Train Travel in the USA, PBS Television reported 'Amtrak's 'Empire Builder' passenger train service parallels US Highway 2 along the Hi-Line in northern Montana. Passenger depot stops, from east to west, are in Libby, Whitefish, Glacier National Park, Browning, Cut Bank, Shelby, Havre, Malta, Glasgow and Wolf Point. While on board, passengers experience many of the same vistas first viewed by the early settlers. The Empire Builder is a train for people who think big. It can carry you to the greatest of the great outdoors -- a National Park spanning two nations, Glacier International Peace Park, and a major mountain range, the Rockies. And it does it all under the famous Big Sky of the northern prairie -- a sky that is bigger and grander than any you've ever seen.'
On Saturday June 17, I will take a bus to Astoria.
Motivation and Trip Planning
People have asked me: 'Why?' ... And my answer is simple: 'Why not?' Always in pursuit of a new challenge and on a career sabbatical, I could only turn to my love of the outdoors and pursuit of adventure. On a more serious note, I feel just so lucky to be able to give this a go - I hope I can make it.
As for cycling, I am a recreational cyclist most known for trapsing down Oxford Street fighting off the buses on my fold up Brompton.
