Biking Across America

See the Photos!!!

2008-08-13T18:12:00.008+02:00

Finally, the photos I took along the trip are online. Have fun!

Also, have a look at this most inspiring webpage: www.bikersbarbecue.com Reading the book "Biker's Barbecue" certainly inspired me! It is fascinating, funny and very interesting at the same time.

http://www.livestrong.org/grassroots2008/alexanderacrossamerica

Epilogue

2008-07-29T06:23:00.003+02:00

I have finished this epic trip I had dreamt about for so long and frankly, I have not yet quite realized that I have actually arrived, and achieved the target. Maybe it will take a few more days to sink in. I look at my photo with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background and think "I have really done this!"

At the moment, the thought of having arrived (and not having to bike anymore) wraps itself around me like a warm blanket. It took me seven weeks and two days to cover over 3600 miles and many times during this trip, I was daydreaming of the moment that I would arrive in San Francisco. Partially, it was this thought that kept me going all the time. It is certainly true that such a trip is not about the bike, not about the equipment or any such thing primarily, but it is about determination and willpower. What else could make you ride through days of rainstorms with an aching and swollen knee? What else could make you ride through the relentless heat of the midwest or climb two passes in one day to get the Rockies done? What keeps you going on a 140-mile-ride-day through the desert of southern Oregon? It can only be determination and willpower. - And a lot of food and water! I fail to remember how many gallons of water, Coke or Gatorade I have consumed, or how many bananas, ice creams and Snicker's bars I have eaten.

At the same time, going on such a long bike ride on my own was not only fun. There is the lonelyness that started to bug me after about three or four weeks. Apart from the forces of nature that include incredible heat, sudden rainstorms, strong western headwinds, cold temperatures in the mountains and mosquito bites, the cyclist on a trans american trip also faces obstacles like chasing dogs, unfriendly truck and car drivers and RVs that take up the road as if they possessed it. If certain passages of the posts in this blog appeared to be bitter or heavy hearted it was because this is just what it felt like whilst I tried to give to the interested reader as good an insight as possible. It is worth mentioning that many Americans were very excited when they chatted to me and found out that I rode the bike across their country. Some claimed that I get to see more of their country than most Americans do during their whole lifetime.
Most people asked me what made me go on this trip. Typically I would answer that I always wanted to see the States - and what better way is there than to bike through them. At the same time, I wanted (and needed...) a real long 3-months break from work and am raising funds for the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
Nearly at the end of the trip somebody asked me if it was fun. After thinking about it for a moment I answered that "I wouldn't call it 'fun', but it was an incredible experience I would not want to miss!"

So what do I take with me from this trip apart from the funny tan lines on my arms, legs and hands that will wear off eventually? Nothing material really except for the photos perhaps, but a heart and mind filled with unforgettable and lovely memories of sights, people and the great land of America!

It was a wonderful feeling to walk the streets of San Fancisco in the days after my arrival and just to be around other people. It was just as wonderful to get a haircut after nearly two monts and to feel (and look...) like a human again. One of the most remarkable things was the food. Whilst it was getting increasingly difficult to eat my way around fast food in he mid west (that means to stay away from it), the array of restaurants offering mouthwatering dishes in downtown San Francisco seemed heaven sent. At the same time, I no longer have to force down a breakfast that my stomach repels, just to keep me going through lunchtime. I have never been a big breakfast eater and never will be one.

A few conclusions:
The US are vast and yet full of variety,
nature is wonderful in many aspects but unforgiving at the same time,
mountains are OK - headwind is a huge source of annoyance when biking east to west,
there are other such crazy people out there who do exactly the same as I did - they ride cross country,
it is a wonderful experience to wake up every morning for over seven weeks and never knowing where I will end up for the night,
sunscreen really works at a protection factor of 55 or more,
each state really has its own character,
I can no longer eat as much as I want,
cars are the most wonderful invention of mankind!

Arrived in San Francisco!

2008-07-24T22:25:00.003+02:00

The three of us (Tony, Sam and I) leave Ron and Wendy's house in Boise late in the morning and it is an easy 65+ mile ride to "Vale", Oregon. This is the second last state that I am entering and I am getting carried away by the thought of riding into California in a few days. Vale is a real dump, and in view of the 114 miles I'll have to cover the following day I decide to make it an early night. At this stage, Tony and Sam take a different route towards Seattle and I bid them goobye. The very dry and canyon-like landscape of southern Oregon is an unusual sight. At the same time it is very desolate and you could bite the dust out here without anyone noticing. After having ridden over a summit and two passes (drinkwater pass and stinkingwater pass) and faced tremendous heat, I arrive in "Burns", Oregon in the late afternoon. The map tells me that the following day holds 117 miles of riding for me and the desert becomes even more unwelcoming. One of the towns I ride through (Wagontire) was for sale about two years ago and now nobody lives there anymore. Scary!!!
As I get to today's destination, "Valley Falls", around 6 PM it appears that everything is closed and not a soul is in town. So after 117 miles I have no choice but to ride another 23 miles to the next town named "Lakeview" where I find a cheap motel and just fall into bed. 140+ miles is definitely too much in a day. Anyhow, the prospect of arriving in the State of California the following day keeps me going. At the same time, I pay the price for the 140 mile ride of the previous day as I am really tired for about 2 more days. Every 10 miles seem like endless now. Fortunately, there are lots of steep downhill rides to the city of "Redding", California and the heat is not quite as intense anymore.
I find it hard to fall asleep at night, as my mind races about the idea of arriving in San Francisco in just a few days. The ride through northern California is mostly flat (thank god) and pretty unspectacular. On my last day, I plan to bike to "Napa" and from there to "Valejo" which is sitting on the San Francisco Bay. From Valejo, it is a nice ferry boat-ride across the bay to downtown San Francisco. Someone tells me that the 12 mile road from Napa to Valejo becomes an Interstate at some stage. Seeing as it is illegal to ride Interstates on the bicycle in California, I am strongly advised to take the bus to Valejo and load my bike onto it. I do as advised, and arrive in Valejo at around 4.15 PM. The ferry boat leaves in just 30 minutes and as I arrive I am anxious to bike up to and across Golden Gate Bridge where I officially end my bike trip across the US! I have some photos of myself and my bike taken - with the GG bridge in the backdrop.

Total miles biked: ca. 3620.

The 'Epilogue' on this trip will follow shortly!

The Heat in Idaho

2008-07-15T22:09:00.002+02:00

http://www.livestrong.org/grassroots2008/alexanderacrossamerica

I leave Rexburg again around 8 AM and take the ride through the desert-like area of rural Idaho. This has the advantage of not having to ride on the interstate highway and it is also a shortcut through Idaho. Today's target is to reach a small town called "Arco". The sun shines all day and by about lunchtime the heat gets to 35 - 38 degrees celcius. The only thing that helps stay cool is a little breeze. However, the ride through the desolate areas is beautiful. There is just nothing out there except for some stray cattle and rattle snakes. Sadly, a lot of the rattle snakes get run over by cars...
It is about 3.15 PM by the time I hit "Arco"; the first town in the world to have ever been lit by atomic power. One of the local motels offers rooms for as little as $36 (including tax) and I even get a chance to wash my biking clothes and dry them in the sun. Later in the evening I walk up and down the street of Arco and suddenly run into two bicyclists (Tony and Sam) I had met back at Mount Rushmore. We had exchanged email addresses, but frankly I never thought that I would see them again on this trip as they took a different route and are ultimately heading for Seattle. I can hardly believe it. What are the odds of meeting them again out in nomansland of Idaho? They are equally surprised and we have a good chat later in the evening. It turns out that we will be on the same route throughout Idaho. The following morning (Sunday, July 13) I hit the road just before 8 o'clock and head into what promises to be a long and hot day. It is about 90+ miles to "Fairfield" - a boring small town with a few houses, a motel and, most importantly, a gas station with a store. The last 25 miles are the hardest as there is a sudden pick up in headwind and it seems an endless journey until I finally get into Fairfield. After a good night's sleep it is roughly a 60 mile long ride to "Mountain Home", Idaho, where I plan to have lunch. Most unexpectedly, there is a 8+ mile downhill ride into Mounain Home and the scenery is beautiful. And whom should I meet there again? Tony and Sam! We have lunch together and decide to ride the 40+ miles on the Interstate 84 to "Boise", Idaho, together after lunch. Today there is a strong headwind blowing down from the north and the heat is as intense as it could possibly be. We all plan to take a rest day in Boise and Tony and Sam are staying at the home of a couple - Ron and Wendy. They very kindly ask me if I were interested to stay with them as well for the next two nights. Ron and Wendy invite me to their home and we are all in for a nice shower and an even nicer dinner offered by them. It is roast turkey, potatoes and vegetables and some lovely carrot cake with ice cream. The three of us, Tony, Sam and I are all sleeping in the lounge of Ron and Wendy's house. I get to sleep on their sofa and enjoy the much needed rest.
Today, Tuesday July 15, we are offered a delicious breakfast by Wendy and later on, Ron drives us to downtown Boise in his car. We visit a bike shop as Tony and Sam need to have their wheels fixed and later on linger through town. We venture to the "Boise State University" where we get free internet access and I get a chance to check my emails and write this blog. Some time later this afternoon, Ron will pick us up again in his car as they have dinner ready for us at 6 PM!
Tomorrow, we will ride on and enter the state of Oregon, where I will have to leave Tony and Sam again as they are heading further north. In about four days or so I will be in California. What a prospect!

Total miles biked so far: ca. 2980

Big Horn Montains, Rockies, Yellowstone NP

2008-07-12T04:48:00.002+02:00

After leaving Gillette early morning I ride the 65+ miles on the Interstate 90 to "Buffalo". By the time I get there I see some very dark clouds on the horizon and the weather channel is issuing a "Severe Thunerstorm Warning" for the area. Therefore, I decide to stay in a cabin at one of the local campgrounds. (At one of the campgrounds, the manager tells me that all cabins 'have been took'. For some reason, I have to hold myself back not to correct her - 'have been taken'. I suppose this is American English...) Strangely, the severe storm never really hits Buffalo but the area to the north apparently got some very heavy rain and hail. However,the following morning the sun is shining in the nicest possible way and I continue my journey on the Interstate 90 (I-90). The I-90 takes a turn northwards, and there is some hefty wind coming from the north today. Anyhow, I am determined to make it to a small town called "Dayton", Wyoming, that is just on the foothills of the Big Horn Mountains. This enables me to start climbing the 'Big Horns' the following morning at 7.30hrs. They go up to about 9660 feet but after a lot of sweat and some breathtaking vistas I reach the top. There is a kind of a plateau up there for about 10 miles before the 18-mile-long descent to a small town called "Shell" begins. There is some construction work going on, on the road leading down to Shell and bicyclists are not allowed to ride on the fresh tarmac. A truck comes to pick me and my bike up and gives me a ride for a few miles. After a day of a lot of sweat I finally arrive in "Greybull", Wyoming and have a good night's rest. The following day promises to be a long one through the semi-desert area of Wyoming, to "Cody", where I have lunch at a Mexican and withdraw some much needed cash. By about 13.00hrs I decide to ride on to the border of Yellowstone NP. After about 95 miles I pull up by a lodge that offers cabins. This will be the most expensive night of the whole trip. It is high peak season and the cabins costs some $149 plus tax. All other lodges are already full and the campgrounds do not allow tents for the hazard of Grizzly bears. The lodge's dining room is closed due to electricity problems, but the lodge owner offers me to have dinner and breakfast with the staff. All the staff think that I am from Sweden...!
The following day I want to make it through Yellowstone NP. It is a very nice ride through the park but the winding roads and the endless headwind take their toll on me. It is already 17.00hrs by the time I get to the notorious 'Old Faithful' geyser and we have to wait for almost a full hour until it goes off again. But I say to myself that I cannot miss seeing the geyser going off - after having come all the way. Luckily, the 30+ miles out of the park and into a town named "West Yellowstone", Montana, are blessed with lots of tailwind and downhill rides. So by about 20.15hrs I finish the day after having clocked up some 110 miles today!

The next morning, July 11th, it takes me until 10.00 AM until I finally hit the road. It is a boring, yet fairly easy 80+ miles ride to "Rexburg", Idaho.

Total miles biked so far: 2680.

From South Dakota to Wyoming

2008-07-05T22:20:00.004+02:00

I never thought that the weather in the plains of the American mid-west could change so quickly. A day of scorching heat whilst riding into Wall is followed by a day of cold wind and heavy rain. Anyhow, as there is no way around it, I leave the town of Wall early morning and start riding on the Interstate 90 towards Rapid City. Only a few minutes after I hit the interstate there are very heavy raindrops. I just manage to wheel to the next bridge to seek shelter and put on my waterproof pants and jacket as it looks as though the rain is here to stay. The fun thing about it is that there are a lot of downhill rides on the Interstate 90 and the tailwind also helps. Besides, I still believe that I am going to have a rest day at the foothills of Mount Rushmore, in Keystone tomorrow and so the soaking wet clothes and shoes don't bother me too much. The thing is that Mount Rushmore lies in a national forest surrounded by many hills, about 25 miles south of Rapid City. So it takes quite a while until I get there. I have plans to stay for two nights in the town of Keystone, which is the base town for everyone visiting Mount Rushmore National Monument... Practically all motels in town advertise rooms for $39,95 (plus tax) on their flashing billboards but when you ask for them they are never available. (Typical American...). Afer about five attempts during which I get freezing cold, I manage to actually get one of these low rates. Only to find out that for the following night, the room will no longer cost $39,95, but $199,95 (plus tax). (Oooohh, you know, this is because of the fireworks above Mt. Rushmore on July 3rd - the receptionist tells me) The motel across the road even wants to charge $299,95 (plus tax). Under the prevailing circumstances I decide to skip the rest day I had planned (and so looked forward to) but to ride on to a small town named `Newcastle`, Wyoming, after having visited notorious Mt. Rushmore. Fortunately, the weather on July 3rd could not be better and the sight of Mt. Rushmore sure is an impressive one. On the day preceeding July 4th, this national monument and the roads leading to it are overcrowded, and so after about two hours I get rolling again. Just before leaving, I run into agroup of 20 bicyclists who are also on a cross country ride - from NY City to Seattle. It turns out that they are on the ride to raise awareness for the cancer desease too. They, however, have the advantage of a support vehicle carrying all their belongings whilst they ride...
After all, there is still the `Crazy Horse` monument to be seen along the route leading out of South Dakota and into Wyoming. I arrive in Newcastle sometime in the late afternoon. Seeing as there is virtually nothing to be seen or done in this town, I have to postpone my rest day again. On July 4th, I ride the 80+ miles to `Gillette`, Wyoming, which is nestled along the Interstate 90 again. It is a beautiful ride through desert-like country and I even get to see a snake during one of my short pauses on the highway. Come what may, I WILL have my rest they in Gillette. It has now been exactly two weeks since I last had a rest day and I am beginning to feel the inherit consequences.

In Gillette, I manage to find a cheap motel that is right next to a launderette. Perhaps unlike most Americans, I wash my clothes in the launderette on the evening of July 4th and go to bed early after having eaten a cheeseburger and drunk two beers.

Today, on July 5th I enjoy the advantages of a rest day; stay in bed until 10 AM, hang out in the Starbucks cafe for about two hours (they are really much cheaper here than in Switzerland!) check out the local shops, buy some new brake-pads for the bike, go to Starbucks again, check emails and write this blog. It is very difficult to get internet access anywhere, but the local `Holiday Inn` very kindly lets me use their business centre without question, although I am not a guest.

Tomorrow, I shall be up at 6 AM again and in a few days I should arrive in Yellowstone National Park. Did I mention that I have no mobile phone reception in the whole of South Dakota and Wyoming?

Rural South Dakota

2008-07-02T03:32:00.003+02:00

Now, it took me quite a while to update the blog again but this is because the motels in South Dakota do not seem to cater for people who don't have WIFI ready laptops with them.

Anyhow, after leaving `Albert Lea` a few days ago, I am in for some heavy rain. The good thing about it is, that for the first time I get some tailwind that blows me across the midwest flats. Somehow, it seems to me as if the state of Minnesota just doen't want to let me go. It just drags on and on. Finally, I spend my last night in `Luverne`, Minnesota, bevore entering the state of South Dakota. By now, I start to feel the many miles and the heavy headwind that challenged me during the last few days. The first city worth mentioning in South Dakota is `Sioux Falls`. However, the city also welcomes me with partial rainfall and more headwind. Just by coincidence I ride along the airport of Sioux Falls and it seems all too tempting to just dump the bike and buy an airticket to LA. `But no - can't do that...!!!` So I ride on to a small town called `Salem` with just one motel in it. The following day does not promise to be a good one for bicyclists heading westwards. The wind and gusts get a pace of about 40mph (and more) and I quite literally get almost blown off the bike. It takes me all day to just complete 60 miles to `Plankinton`, SD. Luckily, things are getting easier again the following day and I manage to cross the Missouri River. Just across the river there is a friendly place called `Oacoma` and a motel offers rooms at giveaway rates. However, there is no time to "smell the roses' and I hit the road again well before 8 AM. At least, one can escape the tremendous heat when riding early in the morning. After some very hot and long miles I arrive in a small place named `Murdo`. They seem to have more motels than visitors and so the rates are very low. They also have a kind of a car museum that houses all kinds of american made cars from the 20ies up to the 80ies. They have some fantastic memorabilia and vintage cars like Mustangs and so on. Sadly, none of the cars are restored or looked after. They just stand there and slowly gather dust and rust.

Today, Tuesday, July 1st I am determined to make the 85+ miles to `Wall`, SD. It is perhaps the hottest day I have so far encountered and I need to drink gallons of water, coke and gatorade. By the time I get to my room at the Best Western motel in Wall, I can actually scrub salt cristals off my forehead. So intense was today's heat and the sweat that followed it. For the last 200 miles or so that I have done in South Dakota there were repeated sign posts for "Wall Drug". None of the signs tells you what "Wall Drug" is, but given the hundreds of signs it must be something huge. By the time I wheel into Wall, the motel's receptionist tells me that it is a very large store that has been around ever since the 1930ies. - Now I know...
Another ting the receptionist tells me that I have crossed another time zone; I am now in the "Mountain Time Zone" which means I can sleep for an extra hour tomorrow...

Well, tomorrow, on July 2nd I will reach `Rapid City`, SD, and finally see famous Mount Rushmore. I plan to have a well deserved rest day there and look at the fireworks obove Mount Rusmore that will be launched on July 3rd - on the eve of July 4th, being the US national day.

Crossing Mississippi River

2008-06-25T01:15:00.002+02:00

I have a pleasant rest day in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and manage to wash most of my clothes at the local laundrette. And I forgot to mention that I also moved into a new timzone when crossing Lake Michigan on the ferry boat. This worked very much in my favour as it lets me sleep for one extra hour... After the rest day, it is the ideal opportunity to put my new bike frame to the ultimate test. 105 miles in one day and then another 110 on the following day. The first 105 miles are planned but the 110 miles on the second day just pile up because I cannot find anywhere to stay after I cross the Mississippi River. The river does not seem all that impressive to me after all as it becomes fairly narrow near the city of "La Crosse". Anyhow, once I venture into Minnesota, the landscape becomes a bit hilly and someone tells me it is because, at the time, the glaciers did not manage to erode that area. Be that as it may, there is no accommodation to be found and so I just have to ride on. Just before 7 PM I wheel into Preston, Minnesota and finally find a very pleasant Lodge - fairly new rooms, a hot shower and a large bed are just what I need. The following morning, Tuesday, June 24th, it is more hills and headwind and I feel in my legs the 200+ miles that I have done over the last two days. Still, the weather is as nice as it can be and I should therefore not complain too much. My today's destination is "Albert Lea" where I arrive some time after 4 PM. The TA (Travel Center of America) sign strikes me and the comfort inn next to it seems like a good place to spend the night at. The weather forecast for the next two or three days is somewhat overcast and rainy but I'll just have to carry on...

Benefiting The Lance Armstrong Foundation

2008-06-20T03:16:00.004+02:00

Don't forget: My bike ride across America also has the purpose of raising funds for the LAF.

For more details and donations please refer to my below fundraising page:

http://www.livestrong.org/grassroots2008/alexanderacrossamerica

Across Michigan in Just Three Days

2008-06-20T02:10:00.006+02:00

After having arrived in Port Huron, Michigan, I have a look at my Michigan map and think: "This should be doable in three days". Somehow, I seem to forget that the weather is not always as nice as I would like it to be and there is not only the vertical distance to master but also the horizontal one, as the route to Ludington takes me not only westwards but also quite a few miles northwards this time. Anyhow, I decide that I should make it from Port Huron to Saginaw in a day. I estimate that it is a distance of about 80 miles. In the end it turns out to be just over 110 miles (!!!). To make things even worse, I face very strong headwind (just for a change) and I have to ride through two rainstorms. By the time I arrive in Saginaw I am completely worn out and contrary to my expectations it is not even a nice town... At least the motel comes at a very low rate of USD 45 including tax. The following day I face another 90 mile ride to a smallish town called Big Rapids. Strange enough, I ride through a town called St. Louis where I decide to have lunch. In the restaurant I run into a guy who asks me what I am doing and I tell him the story of my cross country ride. He finds this very exciting and instantly wants to introduce me to his friends. I turns out that I have actually run into the Mayor (!!!!) of St. Louis, Michigan and I am even fortunate enough to meet his wife. He assures me that St. Louis is the nicest town in this area by far. (Of course.... :-)) ) Because of all that headwind, the long ride of the day before and the rainstorms I feel very tired at lunchtime already and begin to have doubts as to whether I will reach Big Rapids today. But then I convince myself that I will, and by about 8pm I arrive there. The quality inn offers rooms at USD 80 and I just grab it seeing as I am so tired. At least there is the prospect of a relatively easy ride of about 65 miles for the following day to Ludington, where I will board the ferry boat to cross Lake Michigan. I actually arrive in Ludington in the late afternoon and just manage to buy the ticket for tomorrow's ferry boat ride. They charge USD 65 for a 4-hour steam-boat ride. That seems a bit steep... Anyhow, there is no choice! The girl selling the ticket to me tells me to be at the ferry-ramp at 7am as the boat leaves at 8am sharp. I do as told and am at the gate at 7am the following morning. An officer asks me if I carry any guns with me today - which of course I do not - and then lets me slip onto the boat. I take the opportunity to have breakfast on the boat and catch up with some sleep I have so dearly missed during the last couple of days. The four hours go by quite fast and by the time we arrive Manitowoc, Wisconsin, on the other end of Lake Michigan the sun is shining. For the first time in three days I have reception with my mobile phone and it gets plastered with text messages. Apparently, there are nine voice mail messages waiting for me too. I am anxious to see what's up and apparently, Trek Bicycle have managed to send a larger bike frame (21 IN) to a local bike shop in Manitowoc. (Lucky I didn't just ride through!) It is lunchtime now and I decide to eat someting in the next possible restaurant. My Mum (bless her for all her efforts!!!) tells me on the phone that someone from that bike shop will come to the restaurant I am sitting in to pick me up. Sure enough, some 20 minutes later someone turns up and it appears that, by pure coincidence, the bike shop is just around the corner from the restaurant I had lunch in. They do a fantastic job in fixing all the components to the larger bike frame, and some three or so hours later they have finished the job. The shop owner introduces me to Brian, a local who is also just about to go on a cross country trip on the bicycle. Brian on his part happens to belong to the US army and manages to get me a "government rate" at the next "AmericInn" motel. In turn I invite him for dinner and he tells me that he has just been to Cuba for the US armed forces for five months or so. (Il faut de tous pour faire un monde!)

Well, tomorrow, Friday 20th of June I want to have a relatively easy ride to Oshkosh and then take a rest day at last. After all, I badly need to wash some of my clothes...

No Drinks or Food in Canada

2008-06-16T14:29:00.002+02:00

After a nice rest day in Niagara Falls I cross the rainbow bridge to get into Canada. The terrain is flat but again there is so much headwind. Contrary to the US, I find it hard to find restaurants or even a supermarket in the small rural towns in Canada. In the US, you could at least stock up on water and bananas and chocolate bars at gas stations even in tiny rural towns. - Not so in Canada. There is just nothing there; let alone a motel. So I struggle on to get enough food and drinks and it takes a lot of luck to find a motel. You really have to head for the larger towns to find accommodation - unless you want to sleep in the fields...

On the third day (Sunday) I arrive in Sarnia (Canada) and just want to cross the bridge to get to Port Huron (US). The bridge is not accessible to pedestrians or bicyclists, so the tourist info tells me I have to order a Taxi (or Cab) in order to get across. It costs 30 bucks and tired as I am I just check into the next Days Inn in Port Huron...

A MESSAGE TO ALL THE PEOPLE LEAVING COMMENTS ON THE BLOG: I do read all your comments and it is very nice to see and read your messages. So a big thank you to Mum, Raphael, Patrick, M., and Salah from Kuwait. Keep writing. - And yes, there is a town called Geneva in the State of New York. I am sure you can find it on www.maps.google.com

Arrived in Niagara Falls

2008-06-12T15:39:00.002+02:00

Yesterday afternoon I finally arrived in Niagara Falls after I had to go through two heavy rainstorms the day before. To crown it all, I also had to deal with a flat tire. After arrival in Niagara Falls, I take a cab down to the falls to have a look at them fo the first time. I must say; They are very impressive. Even more so when looking at them at dark when they get lit up in all different colours. Today I will explore the Falls' tourist attractions, i.e. going on the boat that goes near the falls and visit the cave and walkways that go right close up to the water. It is a kind of a tourist trap but then it is one worth going into.

In a New York State of Mind

2008-06-10T04:28:00.002+02:00

The change of weather could not have been more abrupt. From heavy rainfall to a severe heat weave within just 24 hours! Bevore leaving Albany, NY some three days ago, I went into a bike shop in order to have the handlebar-stem changed to a longer one. This just helps a little bit to compensate for the too small bike frame. By about lunchtime I set off on Route 20 westward and head straight into a very hot and humid day. After having drunk gallons of water (and coke and gatorade) I arrive in a tiny little place called Sharon Springs where I stay at the Budget Inn over night. The following day is mostly overcast (seeing as it is a Sunday it probably should be...) and this helps to keep the heat at bay. After some sixty or more miles I arrive in a wannabe upmarket place called Cazenovia, NY where wannabe posh americans drive their Mercs and accommodation is available at a premium only. However, the town is located at a nice little lake. On monday morning it is somehow very difficult to get out of bed, but finally I manage. By about 9 o'clock I continue on Route 20. If I have done one very steap hill climb then I have done another 20 today. It really gets to the point where I get annoyed about those hill climbs as nearly every one is followed by a descent followed by another, yet steaper, hill climb. After about 30 miles I am quite worn out and I decide to have lunch in pictoresque Skaneateles, NY which is also sitting at a lake. Fortunately, the hills are over now and the 30+ miles ride into Geneva, NY is fairly smooth. By about 6.30 PM I arrive in Geneva and check out the motels. There are only two of them around that are within acceptable distance and neither of them is inexpensive. Therefore, I decide to take the cheaper one anyway. The weather is supposed to stay very warm but soon I will have completed my first very important stage. - I will reach the Niagara Falls! What a prospect.

When it rains in Massachusetts...

2008-06-06T23:20:00.002+02:00

I skipped my plan to stay an extra day in Boston and left just one day after my arrival. Weather wise it was a fine day (you could sweat forever) and I managed to do about 96 miles. The campground I wanted to stay at was closed - for whatever reason- so I continued anyway until I saw a sign for B&B. That`s it I thought and took the exit from the main road. I was just lucky enough to run into a guy called Peter who told me that the B&B is not operable anymore but that he stays there anyway and knows the lady (Janet) it belongs to very well. He put in a word for me with her and her response was: "Do you have camping gear? (YES) "Well, it`s ten bucks." I made it twenty bucks and she provided me with three towels (I am sure you want to have a shower) and showed me where I could set up my tent. She was watching the Red Sox win the baseball game and I went to bed due to my tiredness. The next morning I am offered a hearty breakfast before I head into a very rainy day. It gets so bad (and I get so cold and fed up) that after about thirty miles of biking I decide to go to the next motel. It takes a while until I find one, but then a hot shower and a good sleep just does the trick. The following morning I continue regardless, and what promises to be a dry day actually stays one. No sun - but that`s OK. I ride through tiny rural towns with f...ing dozens of hill climbs and it is a struggle to find the campground. (I ask myself: do they hide it on purpose?) Even the locals have trouble telling me where the Pittsfield state forest is... As I set up my tent again I am at last rewarded with sunshine. During the day, my right leg, or rather the knee area started to hurt tremendously and I decide that it might be a good idea to give it a rest. Luckily, I sleep right through the night but suddenly I hear heavy raindrops falling onto my tent. (Not again!!!) At about 6AM I get ready, plan my today`s route and have a little bite. This really promises to be a very wet day indeed. My leg still hurts like hell and there is no sign that the rain will cease. At some stage the rain gets a torrential magnitude and I seek shelter at gas stations or under trees when I can`t stand it anymore. After more challenging hill climbs and hours of rain I find a gas station that sells painkillers and more, and I notice the rain getting thinner. Finally, at around one o`clock I arrive in Albany, NY (yes, I have crossed my first state line today) after crossing the Hudson river on the Highway. I head for the next restaurant and then find a cozy (and waaaarrrmmm) room at the local Holiday Inn. This is perhaps the nicest shower I have had in my whole life - after such a miserable day. It seems ironic, but towards the evening there is sunshine!!! The receptionist tells me that they forecast nice weather for tomorrow... Let`s see.

Arrived in Boston

2008-06-03T04:43:00.003+02:00

After a fairly long journey I have finally arrived in Boston. (After paying an extra 150 francs for one very small piece of extra luggage that didn`t even nearly bring the total weight of baggage to the allowed limit.) - Well, I guess I won`t choose to fly BA again in a hurry... After arriving in the hotel in Boston I had a (very) short nap and then ventured to the bike shop. All went fine with the bike I had ordered well in advance, except that I have an uneasy feeling that the frame of the bike is way too small and not at all what I ordered. (Why did these guys in the bike shop ask me about my size and all this when I ordered the bike over the phone, I wonder?) Be that as it may, I will set off anyway and if the bike appears to be too small indeed I shall try to trade it in for a larger one somewhere along my route. Given my tiredness and the things I still want to get done in Boston I will allow myself one extra day in this very nice city. Two nights instead of one is not too bad after all...

See the route

2008-04-28T14:25:00.003+02:00

Gone shopping...

2008-04-23T16:37:00.007+02:00

It took some time - and quite a bit of melted plastic... - to get all the neccessary outdoor basics together. In view of my trip I bought: ...a sleeping bag, a tent, a pad to sleep on, a gas cooker, a pan, panniers, additional cycling shorts :-)), waterproof bike-pants, waterproof bags and last but not least a 3-litre camelbak hydration pack.

There will be many more odds and ends to be added to the above list - most importantly perhaps sunscreen. Space will be very limited and I have yet to see how much I can really afford to pack.

Don't forget to visit my page for donations to the Lance Armstrong Foundation:

http://www.livestrong.org/grassroots2008/alexanderacrossamerica

Grassroot fundraising for the Lance Armstrong Foundation

2008-04-17T11:41:00.006+02:00

A while ago, I have received a positive confirmation from the LAF concerning the Grassroots Fundraising.

See my page for donations:

http://www.livestrong.org/grassroots2008/alexanderacrossamerica

The first entry!

2008-03-08T21:16:00.002+01:00

It is with great pleasure that I announce my blog's going live. I am currently in the process planning and setting up my bike trip across the US. I will arrive in Boston on June 2nd 2008, pick up my bike (it should be a Trek 520 touring bike) and just go.

One of the planning items include a participation in the Lance Armstrong Foundation 'Grassroot' fundraising program. I have submitted my event proposal and am eagerly looking forward to the respective reply. I would like this trip to have a good purpose and raise funds for the LAF.

In one of the coming days, I will venture to an outdoor shop and buy important items for my trip, such as a sleeping bag, tent, panniers, ... and other basics.