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Bike Across America

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dip tires in pacific ocean before cycling across America

Dipping tires in Pacific Ocean near Cannon Beach, Oregon, before cycling across America.

celebrating the end of biking across america

80 days later, dipping tires in Atlantic Ocean after cycling 4,500 miles across America

I had the great fortune to cycle across America on a self-contained bike trip from Oregon to North Carolina (in 2008). I was not an avid or experienced cyclist before the adventure, but the cross-country adventure seemed worth the attempt.

Biking across America by Pueblo, Colorado

Rolling into camp in Pueblo, Colorado.

I bought a touring bike, gear, maps, and plane ticket. I took a 90 day sabbatical from work and flew out to the west coast. 4,500 miles and smiles later, my bike tires rolled into the Atlantic Ocean.

Some quick facts about my bike across America adventure:

  • Roughly 4,500 miles cycled from Astoria, Oregon to Topsail Beach, North Carolina.
  • 80 days total.
  • 56.25 miles per day.
  • Never had a century, a 100 mile day.
  • 11 US states (Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina).
  • 15 blown tires between two bikes.
  • Over $4,000 raised for NC student scholarships
  • Total cost, including bike and airfare, roughly $4,200.

Here’s every blog post from my Bike across America adventure.

Below you’ll find articles that will help you plan, pay for, and succeed on a bike trip across America.

Tips for Biking Across America

How much does it cost to bike across America? January 19, 2016 by Mark Kelley
Selecting a touring bike Choosing a Touring Bike to Bike Across America November 14, 2015 by Mark Kelley
How much do you need to know about bike repairs and maintenance before biking across america? November 13, 2015 by Mark Kelley
How Long Does it take to Bike Across America? November 12, 2015 by Mark Kelley
10 Tips for Preparing for Your First Long Distance Bike Tour November 11, 2015 by Mark Kelley
10 Ways to Find Free or Cheap Places to Sleep when Biking Across America November 10, 2015 by Mark Kelley
What is the Difference Between Self-Contained and Supported Bicycle Tours Across America? November 8, 2015 by Mark Kelley
8 Tips to Successfully Ride a Bike Across America November 7, 2015 by Mark Kelley
A Simple Budgeting Tool for Planning Long Distance Cycling Adventure October 3, 2015 by Mark Kelley
3 Tips to Ship your Bike Across Country or Around the World March 26, 2015 by Mark Kelley

Comments

  1. isabelle says

    January 9, 2018 at 10:25 am

    Thank you for your information. It was very helpful to read.

    Reply
  2. Jon says

    May 7, 2023 at 5:13 am

    If you had 15 flats over 2 bikes then something is wrong with your setup or you are incredibly unlucky.

    Maybe you have old or cheap tyres or badly built wheels.

    Even 2 flats pr bike is a lost.

    Reply
    • Mark Kelley says

      July 5, 2023 at 3:27 pm

      No doubt my partner had too much packed weight on his thin tires. We also found he had a decayed tire liner that cut into tubes for a while. Hope this information helps on your bike trip across America. Good luck.

      Reply

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