The End

65 days after leaving Union Station, Washington we rode triumphantly over the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco and very suddenly our trans-continental journey was over. We'd cycled 3590 miles for the Bone Cancer Research Trust spread over 52 days.

Apologies to those regularly Team Bones followers but we won't be posting a full update until next week when we are back in the U.K. However that belated final installment will be rich with hilarious anecdotes and breathtaking photographs that should aptly describe the final leg of our journey as well as filling a few of the gaps that have appeared in the blog along the way. Hopefully it will be well worth the wait.

Thanks to everyone who's been so generous in supporting our journey across Washington D.C, Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and California. Your donations and encouraging/inspirational messages kept us going the whole way.

...a much needed progress report from Nevada

Day 59 to Lovelock, Nevada. 76 miles.

A relatively long day was firstly brightened up by a suprise truck-stop 30 miles in and some of the largest breakfasts so far ("Why is the weight not falling off?") and then by an afternoon dip in a clear cool lake where the locals were wowed by Martin's stand in boxer/swim-shorts. He's definitely not one to leave anything to the imagination.

Day 58 to Winnemucca, Nevada. 56 miles.

Imagine someone holding an industrial hair-dryer on hot in your face and then trying to cycle into that in 100 degrees heat. Annoying. Fortunately we stumbled across a nice motel with a pool and a dinner which served outrageously big portions of baby-back-ribs (you don't need a complementary portion of spaghetti with the ribs and chips... obscene).

Day 57 to Battle Mountain, Nevada. 76 miles.

Long road, stinking hot, lots of dirty meat based food, standard day.

Day 56 to Elko, Nevada. 50 miles.

After hitting the snooze button too many times we had an unplanned lie in. Fortunately it was only a 50 mile day so we were only in the saddle for three hours. i'm starting to curse my decision to buy hat red spandex bib. Every time I need I pee I have to get practically naked by the roadside and every time Dan takes a picture. You'd think it would stop being funny... he doesn't think so.

Day 55 to Wells, Nevada. 61 miles.

Shorter day in terms of mileage today but two dirty great hills which we timed to climb at midday... idiots. Half of Well's (where we stayed in the evening) had been destroyed by an earthquake a few months ago. After Joe was ripped-off paying $20 for a bag of sodas in the local mini-mart and we were forced to have a Burger King for dinner we decided the scenic tour of the town probably wasn't neccesary. It would be fair to say that in terms of appearance towns in Nevada aren't he most quaint or charming.

Day 54 to Wendover, Utah. 102 miles.

Up early for the standard motel 'complementary continental breakfast' of an instant coffee, stale sweet muffin and bowl of corn puff cereal, we hit the road by 7.30. It was a good thing too as it was hitting 90F by 9am. Fortunately I had smeared myself in factor 60 (yes you can buy it and no it doesn't rub in) not to mention that stylish doo-rag to keep the sun off my long head. Dan and Joe have got pretty to used to the sun and have the most outrageous T-shirt/shorts/gloves tan lines.

Today's trip was along the salt planes so thank goodness was completely flat. The scenery was stunning even if the road was dead straight for 80 miles and luckily there's a big hard shoulder so we could ride side by side and have a chat. I didn't once have to reach for the ipod for an uplifting hit of High School Musical which was a good sign. We got to Wendover by 4 so had plenty of time to watch rubbish TV in our motel and snack heavily.

Day 53 to Lake Point, Utah. 27 miles.

My bike arrived by lunchtime (after Delta had shipped it to another city in Utah). So after screwing it all back together and stopping off at a bike shop to stock up on spare inner tubes, we started as a threesome in ernest. We got nearly 100 yards before stopping for an all you can eat Lebanese buffet lunch... start as you mean to go on. After having braved the lentil and onion based meze (brave being the right term for Joe who has been a touch more regular than he'd hoped.) we joined the interstate which was to be our home for the next 500 miles. 27 miles later having been laughed at constantly for my ridiculous 'don't leave much to the imagination' cycling shorts and a bright orange doo-rag we arrived at Lake Point. It turns out the name was deceiving as at no point could you see the Lake from our soulless truck-stop motel. Still some undercooked chicken wings from a restaurant with less atmosphere than a derelict Harvester soon lifted the mood and we headed to bed ready for a big day tomorrow.

...and then there were three.

Sunday 20th - 1000's of miles on the plane.

Hello blog readers. Let me introduce myself i'm Martin "Assistant to the Team Leader" Stew.
I'm one of Dan and Joe's friends from Uni who's joining them for the last 800 miles to San Francisco. Those of you who have seen the photo in that little red spandex number will realise i'm here to bring a little much needed style to the trip.

Before I tell you what you we've been up to since I arrived, allow me to vent a bit of my anger with Delta Airways. Firstly they stung me for excess baggage. Then they decided it would be hilarious to put me next to a six foot five vegan Maurie who was tattooed from head to toe and seemed to extend his disdain for animal products to a revulsion for deodorant (i've checked the ingredients of my Right Guard and there's no meat in a roll on). Then on the next flight from New York to Salt Lake City I was put next to a Bubba Gump look-a-like who had never flown before and started shrieking with genuine terror when we hit a bit of turbulence. I had to prise his hand of my inner thigh and turn up my headphones to drown out his whimpering.

Anyway enough about the flight. I was met at the airport by the boys Brad and Kyra, two friends Dan and Joe had met in Utah. The first thing that struck me was the fact they looked like two mountaineering hobos. It is impossible to appreciate how ridiculous Dan and Joe's beard's are until you see them in person. Joe's course wispy offering looks similar to Gary Johnson from Team America after he's been valmorphorised. Meanwhile Dan's grotesque growth makes him look like the reversible character from the Daddies Sauce bottle. He is also constantly snacking on bits of food which gets snagged in his beard not dissimilar to Mr Twit.

Day 41 - Moab, Utah (95 Miles)/ Day 42 - Rest

Having slipped into a routine of late starts and early finishes in Colorado the prospect of our first day in Utah and introduction to the deserts of the west was not an appealing one - 100 miles with no services.

Despite it still being a struggle for Dan to eat in the mornings we were up at 5:30am and after driving/cycling through were tucking into a McDonalds the only available breakfast in Fruita at that time. By 6am we we were on the road laden with 20 litres of water between us and a lunch-box brimming with power bars/beef jerky.

7 hours, our first ride along an interstate (US80), border #8, a ghost town (Cisco - a series of abandoned shacks in the desert), a brief squabble, a quick bite by the pool at Uath's only AAA 4* rated resort (http://www.sorrelriver.com/index.php) - technically that is a service?, 95 miles and some of the best scenery so far later we arrived.

Having built the confidence a bit we should now have an idea of what to expect on some tough desert days ahead in Nevada when the Assistant to the Expedition Leader Martin joins the journey (Salt Lake City on the 21st).

Day 39 & 40 - Fruita (56 miles & rest)

It was a fairly uneventful day from Delta, at least as far as Grand Junction, the last major town in Colorado. I (Joe) did my now customary trick of managing to find that needle in a haystack to pop my brand new 'bomb-proof' tyres on the outskirts of the city, and so yet again the pair of us walked the last mile or so to the nearest bike shop to have team member's tyres coated in Kevlar, set in concrete, filled with jelly, ANYTHING TO STOP THEM POPPING. The diagnosis was simply that I am the 'unluckiest man in the world.' Bodes well for the desert.

From Grand Junction we headed 7 miles West to Fruita, a really friendly small town with a great campsite on the Colorado River. The next leg of the journey would take us to Moab (mo-ab) in Utah, 97 miles away with no reported services on route, so it was an easy decision to take day 40 as a rest in Fruita to prepare for this first foray into the desert.

The rest, as ever, was spent lazily pottering around town, eating, doing laundry and sleeping, but the long trip to come was always at the back of our minds. The alarm was set for 4am in an attempt to avoid the worst of the heat.

Day 38 - Delta (49 miles)

We woke up to freshly baked cinnamon rolls and hot coffee, which fuelled us up for the 1000ft ascent that was the first job of the day. Cerro Summit was a great ride, and from the top it was all downhill to Montrose. We found a great sports restaurant, and really enjoyed the Wimbledon men's singles final over eggs, ham, pastries. hashbrowns, toast...why is the weight not falling off? Sadly, Montrose was where Parker went his separate way, heading West to follow the 'Western Express' to San Fran, while we headed North on our jaunt to Utah.

Delta was a gentle ride away, and we enjoyed a few quiet pints that evening before hitting the tent, sorry to see Parker ride off into the sunset (or imminent storm as it looked, unfortunately) but excited at the prospect of a reunion on the West Coast, which is beginning to become more of a reality that a distant dream.

Day 37 - Cimmaron (45 miles)

With hangovers to rival Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum, us three weary revellers headed West, hoping to get to Montrose by night. The scenery remained impressive, with the road winding through rock faces and alongside mountain streams before ascending once again over Black Canyon. A great lunch stop at Elk Creek ended any hope of Montrose, but after 45 miles we were more than happy to arrive at the campsite at Cimmaron, decorated with signs of 'fresh baked pie.' Buffalo burgers and hot peach pie went down a treat, and when Parker made a campfire by the side of a babbling brook we had the distinct impression we had stumbled into an episode of Dawson's Creek. Another good day in the Rockies.

Why is the weight not falling off?

After 40 days hard cycling and 2400 miles Expedition Leader is still perplexed with the question "why by the weight not falling off?"

Days 35 & 36 - Rest and 4th July

Day 35 was spent milling around Gunnison waiting for the celebrations to begin in earnest. We were becoming familiar faces in the local brewery by the evening of Day 35 - we just couldn't keep away from the IPA and gigantic nachos. Thankfully Parker had remained with us for this Independence Day weekend, and assured us that there was nothing quite like a small town 4th July.

4TH JULY What a great day! After watching a high school baseball match on a field surrounded by mountains we headed...for the brewery to warm up the voices for the Star Spangled Banner. At half eight the organised town celebrations were due to begin, so we walked to the college sports pitch. We were singled out by the MC as being the only Brits in town, who generously offered 'no hard feelings.' Local boy scouts then gave a lesson in flag etiquette, and as two more senior veterans passed with the Stars and Stripes three serving members of the US military pledged allegiance to the flag. A local high school girl - 'Britney' - sang the national anthem, which was warmly received by the congregation, hands firmly on hearts. The firework display was out of this world, and seemed to gain approval from the masses camped out under blankets, with many a cry of "U-S-A" soaring over the more violent explosions. More beers in a 'cougar' bar - answers on a postcard! - put the final nail in our 4th July coffin, and we retired, reassured to be in 'the land of the brave.'

Day 34 - Monarch Pass & Gunnison (57 miles)

The early wakeup call had us packing our tent at half three in the morning. With the temperature well below zero we wrapped up warm and were headed up the mountain by twenty past four. Our hopes to be at the summit for sunrise were perhaps a little bold, as the 11 mile climb up the best part of 3,000 feet proved a tough challenge, made all the more difficult by the thinning air, but by twenty to seven we were proudly standing beneath the summit marker displaying 11,312 feet.

The freezing conditions couldn't dampen our spirits as we watched the sun creep over the highest peaks to the East. In anticipation of the 9 mile descent to Sargents we put on whatever remaining clothing we had and rolled over the hill, with Dan's cry of 'it's all downhill from here' echoing across the valley. The 30mph downhill ride turned us into rolling blocks of ice, and once in the Trading Post at Sargents we sat for four hours thawing out with coffee and Elk burgers. We were joined by Parker, a fellow biker we had met in Salida, and decided to stick together for the ride to Gunnison. It was not all downhill.

The small ski town of Gunnison looked perfect for 4th July, so we set up stall in a cabin on the edge of town and made our way to the local brewery to start the celebrations early.

The best day so far by about 11,312 feet.

Day 33 - Mayville (12 miles)

After a leisurely morning in Salida we made the short trip to our 'basecamp' in Mayville in preparation for the ascent to Monarch Pass. At about 8,500 feet, the temperature was noticeably cooler as we camped under the stars, but we got our heads down early with the alarm set for 0300AM.

Day 31 & 32

On arrival in Pueblo it dawned on us that having rushed through the first 2100 miles of the journey we now have 3 weeks to meet up with the third member of the team (Marto) in Salt Lake City 500 miles away leaving plenty of time for a leisurely trip through the Rockies and Utah.

Day 32 to Salida, Colorado (60 Miles)

After leaving Canon City at around midday it was a relief to have a gently inclined journey into the Rockies climbing several more thousand feet to 7000 on reaching the small ski town of Salida. Despite a few threatening dark clouds the weather held out and we arrived having had some of the best scenery so far.

After an evening on some local 8.5% Colorado I.P.A. we decided another small day was in order and hope to have an early one tomorrow with the intention of being at the snow covered Monarch Pass (the highest point of our journey - 10, 300 ft) for the sunrise on day 34. Having both vowed never to do anything like this ever again we thought we should make the effort.

http://www.dickgilbert.com/colocam-monarch1.htm

Day 31 to Canon City, Colorado (41 Miles)

A hot last day on the plains/eastern desert and a taster of things to come as the Rockies slowly crept closer into sight.

Day 27 (75 miles), Day 28 (123 miles), Day 29 (51 miles), Day 30 (rest)

Apologies for the week long delay since the last full update, but racing through Kansas we hardly had time to sleep.

From about 30 miles into the mountains of the East, Kansas had become an almost mystical place in our minds, with the thought of long, flat roads heading due West keeping us going through the rougher sections. We had received warnings though that there could be trouble in paradise, with the notorious South Westerly winds that constantly sweep the plains getting the better of many a trans-continental biker. Someone must have been smiling on us though, no doubt amused by our previous struggles, because for the most part the winds were no more than a gentle cross-breeze.

We were more than a little smug to roll into Great Bends having notched up 145 miles in a day - no doubt a record that will stand for the duration of the trip - assisted by a strong tail wind.

The only bad weather came during the nights, and one particularly bad thunderstorm a few miles East of Cassoday, where we had pitched tent for the night, had Dan scuttling round the tent at 4am in his tiny man-pants checking the guide ropes were sufficiently tight. Because that would have helped in a tornado.

The people were lovely, the scenery amazing, and overall Kansas was our favourite State thus far.

In Tribune we met two American bikers also travelling to San Francisco, James and Jack. It was great to meet some new people, and we spent the next two days to Pueblo comparing the relative drinking cultures of our respective homelands. Other than a dust-storm just after the Kansas/Colorado border, the weather remained a friend, and a big day to Ordway left only 51 miles before a much needed rest.

The bikes are currently in a shop, with mine in particular needing some much needed TLC - 9 punctures in 13 days is too many, and I am not carrying my bike and bags for another mile as I had done in Kansas. Other than that in Pueblo we will eat, sleep and recharge the batteries for the ascent into the Rockies, which have been looming on the horizon for the last couple of days.

Day 23 (78 miles), Day 24 (88 miles), Day 25 (145 miles) & Day 26 (97 miles)

Kansas has been kind to us..

We've been very fortunate with the weather in Kansas and the 'Great Plains' have allowed us to rack up some big mileages. We are hoping to have a rest day in either Pueblo or Colorado Springs where a full update and pictures will hopefully be posted.

Pattie Counter Newsflash

Dan - Thank you to all those who have shown faith in my abilities to consume unseemly quantities of broiled meat but due to a very disappointing weigh in this morning it seems that I have somehow managed to cycle 1850 miles and put on 2lbs for my troubles. Due to this I am conceding and will no longer be pursuing the crown 'HRH the King of Patties'.

For interests sake we will continue to count patties consumed for the remainder of our journey.
Sorry again to all those who I know will take this news as hard as I have but I refuse to peddle across a continent and add another spare tyre around the mid rift in the process.

Day 22 to Butler, Missouri (91 Miles)

We spent a hung over morning slowly but steadily completely the final leg of the 200 mile stech we'd done on the Katy Trail. Although it is a fantastic faciity and much needed rest from the traffic we were both glad to be back on the tarmac.

Both still really suffering from the day before we somehow dragged out and long day reaching Butler City Lake near the Missouri-Kansas border just in time to pitch our tent in the last light of the day. After couple of buds and a brief chin wag with a few local fishermen (about how to reel in a decent cat fish) we hit the sac and were serenaded to sleep by the consistant mooing sound of what we were told were the bullfrogs.

Day 23 - now in Kansas. Update to follow

Day 21 - Resting in Sedalia

1 am on our rest day and pity was taken on us by two Sedalia locals Chuck and Michelle.

Apparently they couldn't bare to see us in those states (the norm after a rough day) on a garage forecourt (Dan scoffing and Joe out cold snoozing - more photos of both to follow) clearly lost and needing some sort of direction. Having shown us to the nearest motel we thought it only fair that we should visit them at the Biker Bar (Chez When) they own in town to say thank you.

We are not entirely sure how eating and drinking (inc. sampling a range of local beers) all night and then not being allowed to pay a dollar for the pleasure is saying thank you but too much beer and honey whiskey later it appeared the debt had been repayed. They appeared to be thrilled we'd spent the night with them and their local biker clientel - who even insisted on contributing towards the trip (they'd obviously been told about Joe's sleeping position next to pump number 4 the night before) and apparently we've got some bad boi Chez When t-shirts in the post.

This is just another example of the warm welcome we've recieved across America. This was on top of $10 we'd already been given by the local bike shop owner who we'd been in to see for tyres inner tubes earlier in the day. Despite being a former and very modest US cycling olympian (in the 80s/early 90s) he still pandered to our egos saying it was a great thing we were doing which deserved a beer on him.

Having had a fairly dismal introduction to Sedalia and ending up spending our day off in a particularly seedy Motel (Ramada Inn) we left still exhausted but with it in a much more positive light.

Days 18, 19 & 20 (265 Miles)

Day 20 to Sedalia, Missouri (94 Miles) & Day 21 resting

We left Jeff. City on the KT Trail on the advice that although highway 50 to Sedalia might be 30 miles shorter it would definitely not be worth the day on the side of a busy shoulderless road.

On time and having Joe's tyre (that had gone flat in the night) fixed by 9 am we were on route riding the trail enjoying relatively easy riding and some great scenery next to the Missouri River. Unfortunately 20 miles upstream we reached a closed/flooded KT trail. After an hour walking the heavy gravel detour we were advised (by a passing highway warden) that we could rejoined the trail but might have to ride in a few inches of water. Of course a few inches turned into the best part of a foot and we/the bikes/panniers got very wet. There should be some good pictures to follow but we are currently having technical difficulties.

Eventually having passed the flooding and pressing on we reached Booneville (where the KT leaves the river) by late afternoon and after a quick feed decided to try and save a good day by aiming to ride another 30 - 40 miles to Sedalia before dark. Of course we didn't make this and following trail rules we had to leave the trail at sundown to take none other than highway 50 (which turned out to have an annoyingly generous shoulder) f0r the last 10 miles into town. As a final rubbing of salt in the wounds Joe's back tyre blew out about 5 miles from town and we finished a terrible day with another hour and a half walk into town.

We didn't get to bed until gone midnight at which point we decided a rest day was very much needed tomorrow.

Day 19 to Jefferson City, Missouri (89 Miles)

The Katy Trail proved to be a good choice of detour as we clocked up some good miles and reached Jeff. City early enough to enjoy a ride around the sites in the light looking for a place to stay.

Day 18 to Union. Missouri (82 Miles)

We braved the roads south of St Louis to meet up with the old Missouri-Kansas-Texas railway which for the large part of Missouri has been renovated into a bike trail (the M-K-T or "Katy Trail"). Apart from being particularly unpopular on the roads (being told repeatedly to "please get off the road" but with varying styles and wordings) the day went without any major problems.

Day 17 to St Gen, Missouri (54 miles)

We didn't leave Murphysboro until gone 1pm. Really grim day cycling hungover but we made it across the Mississippi and into our 5th state (Missouri). We've changed route slightly and are heading north to take what is now called "the Katy Trail" across Northern Missouri. This was primarily to avoid crossing another mountain range (the Ozarks in Southern Missouri) as we'd heard a lot of negative things about how tough they were and how unpleasant the roads are there but also as we thought a few days riding the old Texas - Chicago railroad route along the Missouri River would be a better/easier/quicker option. Roll on Kansas!

Oh we also crossed the Mississippi at a place called Chester, Illinois today where Popeye was apparently created. There should be a few photos of us in front of Popeye statues on the slide show shortly.

Day 15 to Murphysboro, Illinois (105 miles)

After the wasted afternoon on day 14 we were relieved to reach the Ohio River and border to Illinois by midday on day 15 we were even more relieved to cross over into our fourth state of the journey to find that it was flat.

Having previously said that we'd make the best of good terrain/weather we got our heads down and managed to peddle on for our second 100 plus mile day.

It was an afternoon sharing the road with some of the 17,000 Harley Davidson bikers that had amassed in Southern Illinois for a festival that weekend. We got a chance to chat to a few whilst refuelling at a service station, talk about being on the road, compare bikes etc. Having previously feared our skin-tight outfits might have been a bit too much of an eyeful for that leather-clad bunch we were relieved that they looked beyond the sweat wicking hot-pants and we were soon accepted - the lycra wasn't fooling anyone. They knew we were bad boi!

By early evening we arrived at our destination, ate "the best Ribs in the US" (justly described by bon appetite magazine), were treated to a few drinks as we told them we'd chosen the route to sample their world famous pork products and ended up being adopted by some bar staff and taken out for a night on the tiles.

Probably not a good idea to roll into bed at 3 am after a night of Red Rook beer and Jack Daniels Whiskey but we'd had a great day and felt it was deserved.

Day 15 to Dixon, Kentucky (54 Miles)

After a frustrating day 14 having lost several hours to the unpredictable American weather we were up early and looking for a big day on 15.

A;as this was not to be as we were forced to take shelter in a McDonalds (yes it was convenient timing) as a tornado warning siren sounded during our afternoon Gatorade break. It was a fairly surreal experience to receive complementary tornado survival tips whilst being served up a couple of Ronald's best patties by one of his trusty spotty faced teenage employees. All knowledge is good knowledge though I guess and if there comes a day when the sky does open up and the apocalypse is upon us, there may be mass hysteria but Joe and I will be safe and sound curled up around a u-bend in the gents.

Fortunately we were spared taking the McSurival position as 3 hours later this dreaded tornado still hadn't materialised. Unfortunately it had prevented our big day 14 and we made it to the nearest town for a patty, bath and early to bed.

Day 13, 107 miles Elizabethtown, KY & Day 14, 89 miles, Central City, KY

We were both relieved to get on and do a few big days now we're out of the hills. Although still rolling hills it's been far better than East KY & Virginia and apart from the odd downpour the weather has finally given us a little bit of a break (although still in the 90s).

Early start tomorrow hoping for another big day with the aim of getting ahead of schedule in case the mountains in Missouri turn out to be tough.

Sorry but not much else to report....oh except tonight was our first chance for a beer in over a week as Kentucky up to now has been "Dry". A couple of buds in frosted glasses washed down our second dinner very well.

Days 6 - 11 (4th June - 9th June)

Day 11 to Berea, Kentucky - 59 miles

Finally out of the mountains. The warm welcome and pleasant university town of Berea was the obvious choice for a much needed rest day.

Special thanks to Janet who came out into the heat to ask us what we were up to, found us a local (very luxurious) hotel and bartered us an incredible price to stay. It was some much needed mothering which we, at that point two very bedraggled washed out boys, both really appreciated.

Day 10 to Boomeville, Kentucky - 60 miles

Another disappointing mileage was largely down to one of Dan's so far successful short-cuts going horribly wrong. A dead-end 8 miles downhill on a gravel track (marked as a link-road on the map) isn't a fun place when it's approaching 100 degrees and you're being heckled by hill-billies.

Luckily we managed to meet a very nice a self-confessed hill-billy called Eddie who agreed to move his assault rifles (which were for deer hunting?) aside to put the bikes in the back of his pick-up and return us to the point where we left the road. Despite losing about 2 hours and a lot of energy we both considered ourselves very lucky to be out.

Day 9 to Hindman, Kentucky - 80 miles
Not much to report except much more of the same - endless mountains. Glad to make up on the mileage for the disappointing Day 8. Joe also uttered "this is the least enjoyable thing I've ever done" for the first time - a catchphrase that he would be groaning repeatedly in Days 10 & 11.

Day 8 to Breaks Interstate Park - 41 miles

The 41 miles we managed on day 8 is testament to the difficulty of the cycling around the Virginia/Kentucky border. The thermometer once again rose up to 100F and the hills continued to rise. The distance between each 3000 foot peak of the New Appalachians decreased, and we began to dread the downhill sections because at the bottom the climb would begin again.


Unflattering as it may be the photo above really gives an idea how we were feeling on day 8.

Neither of us has a very clear recollection of this day - but by four o' clock we decided to cry defeat and cycled into the Interstate Park to camp amidst the cicadas, who had emerged from their 17 year dormancy period.

Day 7 to Rosedale - 73 miles

We headed West towards the heart of the mountains early in the morning of day 7, and despite heavy legs and blistering heat yet again made steady progress throughout the day. The terrain became increasingly unforgiving, with steep gradients and poor road conditions, but we pressed on and by half six the mileage for the day was respectably in the high sixties.

Eager to get the most out of a hard day, we decided to press on past a campsite to treat ourselves to a motel for the night, and the final hour was fuelled by the thought of a hot bath and cable TV...

To say the motel was a bit of a disappointment would be to refer to the Appalachians as 'a few little hills.' Our arrival at a small group of roadside shacks was greeted by a gaggle of grumpy drinkers on the curbside and the comforting clanging of a broken air-conditioning unit that we were assured by the very friendly owner had been in that state of disrepair for some days. The room would have drawn complaints from inmates in Third World prisons, the local 'restaurant' proved to be a counter in the nearby petrol station, which of course had closed thirty minutes before we arrived, and the room had a worrying 'annex' in the corner - an unlocked door leading to a room with no glass in the window. But at least we had two microwaves.

We managed a good night's sleep though.

Day 6 to Wytheville, VA - 57 miles

The tiredness and the heat really took their toll on day 6, with the 100F temperatures cooking us both on the roads, despite factor 45 sun block.

Points were accrued on the pattie counter with two Tex-Mex burgers (double patties smothered in chili) at a grotty little petrol station, and this looked like being the high point of the day...until we met a great couple also doing the Trans-Am trip, Mike and Carolyn.

Under their guidance we stopped for a free night's camping in the public park in Wythville, and it was brilliant to sit up chatting about the route and getting some much needed advice about the trials to come.

Now in Kentucky.

Sorry for the lack of updates over the last 5 days. We are still alive but have had a fairly eye opening 6 days hanging out with the hill-billies and haven't seen a computer since we left Christiansburg. R]It's rest day tomorrow in Berea (a town with internet and everything) so full blog update hopefully to follow shortly

Day 5 to Christiansburg, Virginia (80 MIles)

Just a quick post as it's been a real toughy today. A good morning was followed by a miserable afternoon where we spent the majority climbing large hills in the rain.

Spirits were dampened further when we hit Roanoak and had our first taste of American road rage (from a very fat man in a 4x4). Joe fell off as a result of his antics. His prized jacket hasn't faired too well but apart from that's he's fine but after so much warmth and welcome in Virginia it was a real shame.

On arrival at our stop for the night we discovered that the rain that we'd been soaked by all afternoon was part of a storm that generated the first tornado in Roanoak since 1973. Hopefully it got the fatty in the monster truck.

31st May - 2nd June (Days 2, 3 & 4)

Day 4 - Lexington, Virginia - 65 Miles
After a long day yesterday and a bit of beer tasting in that evening (coupled with an excellent 16" Pizza) it wasn't too much of a suprise that we overslept and weren't on the road until 10:30. The cycling was good but too much stopping and distractions (such as the 88 Year Old "Cookie Lady" of Virginia - very famous apparently. Worth a google perhaps?) took it's toll on the milage.

We had a couple of firsts to day though.
1st time...
someone chased us out of a restaurant to get their photo taken with us (an excitable chap from Kentucky -Ernest, if you read this post they picture or send it to us. Thanks again for your support), we had a puncture (on Miguel the bike formerly known as "the Beast") & scale had to scale a mountain.

Day 3 - Charlottesville. Virginia - 90 Miles
After two disappointing days on the milage front we were keen to have a big one and put a dent in Virginia. Despite having to cycle in sweltering heat and through a rather large thuder storm we we're very happy to roll in to Charlottesvilles with the day's milage behind us. Nice to know what we can aim for on a good day.

Day 2 - Aquia, Virginia - 35 Miles
Bit of a rubbish day. Didn't set off until the afternoon, ended up in a really grubby campsite and had a really terrible night's sleep in the hottest tent in the world. Too hot...

And so it begins...(Union Station, Washington D.C. to Route 1, South of Mt Vernon Estate - 28 miles)

Thankfully the bikes were waiting for us at Union Station in Washington. A little less fortuitous was the fairly extensive damage each bike had sustained during the long trip from Heathrow. We found an excellent bike shop - Capitol Hill Bikes - where the beasts were treated to a (rather costly) spruce up.

The long delay meant that our first tentative pedals in the US were along the streets of the nation's first city during rush hour, but Washington is a really lovely place, and having passed the major landmarks we slowly made our way out of the city on the Mount Vernon bike route. This picturesque trail took us through old town Alexandria, and spirits were pretty high...

By 10pm, and the last of the light long gone, we were still about 10 miles from our intended destination, but fortunately we hit a great motel on US1, and after an enormous meaty pizza hit the hay for the first full day of cycling.

Leaving NY

After four hours sleep we hit the Subway at 7am for Penn Station to get the Amtrak to Washington DC. We had taken our bikes to Penn St the previous evening to get them on the 3am haulage train, which proved more than a little tricky.

Pattie Counting: An Idiot's Guide

One beef pattie corresponds to one Pattie Point added to the counter.

If more than 1lb of beef is consumed in any one burger, an additional 'bonus' PP is added to the counter.

Six sliders (finger burgers sold as bar snacks) equates to one pattie, and thus one PP. Sliders cannot be carried forward.

ANY pattie (including any slider ordered but not eaten) left unfininished will result in one negative PP.

Englishmen in New York

Having decided to have a good sleep out after the previous long day's travelling, Dan proceeded to crawl off his top bunk at ten to seven and parade around our small hostel room in his tiny pants declaring himself ready to 'get on.'

We had a hearty breakfast that more than impressed the Expedition Leader - I think he's finally found a people that understand his attitude to food portions - then headed Downtown on the Subway, first stop Penn Street Station to confirm the train to DC, then a leisurely stroll through NY.

The Expedition Leader was worried that his small child's handkerchief of a towel might not provide adequate coverage of his crown jewels on the campsites, so spent a good forty minutes in an outdoor sports shop comparing the thread count:size:compactibility ratios of the replacements on offer. He ended up with an exact replica of his own towel.

More food, a few beers and a few more blocks on foot, we were both pretty exhausted, and hit the sack again resolving to have a lie-in in the morning...

Arrival in the US of A (New York)

After a lengthy sitting in Terminal 3's O'Neil's having arriving at Heathrow a precautious five hours early we took-off on time and were underway (1600 GMT). Two puzzler crosswords, a lesson from Joe in the on board mini-golf computer game and an epic travel-scrabble battle later we were circling JFK airport (due to bad weather) eager to land.

After a turbulent descent and Joe's running commentary ("that's unusual. I thought the landing-gear was lowered at 9000feet on an AirBus") we were finally on the ground (8ish NY time/0100GMT). Through the finger printing, face recognition test and charming interview ("only you boy's on your bycycling journey? you like girl's boy?") unfortunately the bikes looked pretty battered from the journey. Tired, hungry and keen to get stuck our first American Hamburgers we decided to leave all bike worries until the morning.

2400NY time we were tucked up in our bunk-beds content with the generous patties of meat we'd just demolished and ready for some kip.

Off to explore today and access any damage to the kit. Pictures will hopefully follow shortly.

St Philip's Chambers generous support

Many thanks to St Philip's Chambers in Birmingham for their generous donation and support. As an award winning multi-disciplinary set of 171 barristers, widely recognised as one of the most innovative and forward-looking chambers in the UK, we greatly appreciate their kind donation and look forward to celebrating our return with them in September.

Team Member's Contribution

As the self-styled 'expedition leader' says, lift off is now fast approaching, and the preparations are far from complete... it's a funny mixture of emotions: excitement at the adventure that lies before us and dread at having to spend the next three months sleeping under tarpaulin with a sweaty fat lad. Dan's regular 'weight updates' over the preceding months have kept me amused - as well he knows, only 'large' people celebrate losing fractions of pounds - but my big-boned companion keeps his spirits high (they are known for being jolly, of course) by bellowing sprightly renditions of 'Les Mis' classics down the phone during his daily commute with staggering gusto. Such aural treats became less frequent towards the end of his period of employment, as Dan took to the streets of London on 'The Beast' to do some much needed training. For my own part, training has been steady if not spectacular. Above is a photo of me taking my first tentative pedals on any bike in close to a decade, and whilst the miles since then have improved my cycling proficiency, there is still a long way to go. Like Dan, the journey to work seemed to provide the perfect opportunity to build the fitness, and for several weeks I took to the toe-paths of Birmingham's canals twice daily... My distaste for early mornings curbed the enthusiasm after a few days, and a gaggle of rather vicious looking geese on the grass verge put the final nail in the coffin of my cycling commute, but I have been circling Bartley Green reservoir regularly since then, and the odometer fitted to my bike is now displaying a much healthier number. Thank you to everyone for your kind donations so far - I can't tell you how much I appreciate all the support, and I know that Hannah is delighted with the response. Please keep reading the blog, any words of encouragement along the way will be gratefully received.

The time has come...almost

Three days to go and the reality of the trip is beginning to hit home. 101 things to do, packing, re-packing, bike dismantling, probably some kind of route planning as well.

This time next week we'll be underway and hopefully we'll be able to pack the blog with breath-taking photography, updates of our progress and hilarious anecdotes from the adventure (apologies in advance for the inevitable over use of words like "amazing").

Thanks to all who've supported the journey so far. Both of us and Hannah really appreciate the support and encouragement. We hope you enjoy following our journey, we'll do our very best to earn your generous sponsorship and look forward to seeing you on our return.

Note to self

A valuable lesson learn't the hard way. Don't cycle all day in the sun without suncream and if you do probably don't wear a vest.

The Challenge

To cycle of 3,500 miles unsupported through America from Washington D.C. on the Atlantic coast to San Fransisco on the Pacific and attempt to raise £20, 000 for Bone Cancer Research in the process.

The intended route, a planned 58 days in the saddle, consists of three parts

1. The Atlantic Coast
   
2. Transamerica
   
3. Western Express
   

but given the enormity of the journey and our shady navigation skills the possibility of detours in the 10 states in between is high.

Tickets are booked and at 16:00 on the 27th May our journey of a lifetime will be underway.

The Motivation

In February 2007 Joe's sister Hannah was diagnosed with osteosarcoma ~ http://www.halashawks.co.uk/Hannah/.
Her story over the months that followed has been the major motivation/reasoning behind the decision to cycle across the USA raising money for Bone Cancer Research ~ http://www.bonecancerresearch.org.uk/.