Choosing a route
I’ve had a long time to think about which route I wanted to ride across the country, and I’ve settled on each of the three main routes at least once over the years. Fourtunately, underlying my indecision about routes has been the the certainty that I wanted to ride with Adventure Cycling Association. Their commitment to adventuring by bicycle, creating more routes that are connected, safe and supported by bike-friendly services, growing the cycling community and the world of bike-accessible transportation has inspired me since I read my first issue of Adventure Cyclist, their award-winning magazine.
The original route is called the TransAmerica Trail. It’s shown in orange and runs through the center of the country covering 4,205 miles of heartland. It was developed in the mid 70s to commemorate the US Bicentennial by Bikecentennial, the non-profit that went on to become Adventure Cycling Association. ACA estimates that a thousand riders complete the TransAmerica Trail each year.
The Southern Tier shown in gold runs along border of the US and Mexico and the Gulf Coast. It is the shortest of the three routes at 3,078 miles and is a good one to ride in the cooler months or when you’re short on time.
The Northern Tier is the pink route that runs along the southern shore of the Great Lakes and the Northern Plains near the border of the US and Canada. It’s the longest of the three routes at 4,291 miles. ACA typically offers a guided tour of the Northern Tier every other year, but due to cancelations during COVID, 2023 will be the first time in four years that the tour has been offered.
Cyclists typically cross the country from west to east, but there are no rules. Time on the road all depends on how many miles you ride each day, but two to four months is typical. Each of these routes features a variety of terrains and ecosystems, amazing natural features, spectacular parklands, points of interest, notable cities, small towns, agricultural communities, and best of all – the promise of meeting interesting people along the way who make up the fabric of our diverse and wonderful country.
Let the route choose you
You can plan all you want, but in the end there are so many factors that have to line up so you can set out on a three-month bike ride that your best bet is to jump when the opportunity presents itself. Don’t over think it. All the routes are great. The trip is going to be amazing.
Last year, Dan and I rode ACA’s Southern Utah Parks tour with stops in Bryce and Zion National Parks. Our tour leaders Johnny and Sue shared their knowledge of riding all three transcontinental routes. Not long after our Utah trip, registration for the Northern Tier opened, and I signed up the first day.
I always thought I would ride west to east and most likely do the TransAmerica Trail or the Southern Tier, but the Northern Tier chose me, and I am riding east to west. I’ve been holding my breath since I siged up hoping nothing would come up that would prevent me from riding in 2023.
Looks like every thing is falling into place, and I couldn’t be more excited!