The Route Map

Here is a photo of the route map. Can you imagine clipping this route guide onto the handlebars?? :)

FAQs

I have posted some of the basic info about this ride under "my profile" (see "About the Ride") on the right side of the home page. I should answer the most common question first - I am only riding one-way; I am going to take an airplane home!! (Yes, one of my sisters was quick to make sure that I understood that a plane could fly me TO Boston as well).
Of course, the other common question --WHY are you doing this?????-- does not have quite as succinct of an answer yet. While I see many reasons now, I imagine the answer will evolve over the 7 weeks on the road. For now, the short answer is that I have wanted to do this for ~ 20 years. Even in the 15 years when I got away from bicycling, I still remembered this dream whenever someone asked me about my dream vacations.
Truth be told, with my crazy schedule while I try to cram in the training rides, I have wondered why I didn't pick an easier dream vacation - say, sitting on a beach somewhere, doing nothing....

Final Preparations

Took the bike in for a final "check-over". Figured I'd be laying down some more money to get the bike ready for the journey. The mechanic puts the bike on the workstand - spins the cranks, looks, listens and feels as the bike is going through the revolutions. In less than one minute, he determines the bike is absolutely ready for the 3400 mile, 7-week trek. After a few rounds of me saying "are you sure???", and him answering "yes- the bike is ready to go- you've got a great bike in excellent condition".... he puts the bike down, looks me in the eye and says- "trust me - the bike is the last thing you need to worry about on this trip". OK, point taken.