WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?
Because it's me. This is not some kind of whim. It is a planned bit of what many would call insanity that I have been working on since January. After much thought, continuing along in a comfortable routine seemed equally insane. So I prefer to think of this more as a break in between jobs. I have always thrived on challenges and my job as it was just didn't offer enough anymore. It was time to move on for quite some time and sure, the easiest thing would be to limp through the rest of my career here and just go quietly into retirement. But I am hopeful when I get back that I will be recharged and excited about finding new opportunities. Other reasons: I just had to know what this experience really feels like and not read about it in a book. I love the USA. It’s the Forest Gump in me. ("I just felt like ridin'") If I don’t do it now I never will. I hope this can be a vicarious thrill for anyone who would like to come along for the ride from the comfort of home....

ARE YOU DOING THIS FOR ANY SPECIAL CAUSE?
Not really, but if I was, it would be to promote the anti-cigarette movement. Cigarettes are just plain evil. I would also like to start an anti-Segway movement. Does this largely sedentary society of ours really need a device to circumvent walking? What do you think Christopher Reeve would trade to have his legs back?. And the third thing I would promote is a movement to ease up on the TV watching...although it has been my livelihood for nearly 30 years and I'm sort of biting the hand that feeds me, I think there is way too much of life spent through the tube. Get outside, out of the tube and into the real world more. 95% of all TV is CRAP and you know it...So if you smoke, watch a lot of shitty TV and are thinking about how much fun it would be to own your very own Segway, then I say think again....

HOW DID YOU TRAIN FOR THIS?
Tried to ride 10 miles a day minimum every day since May. In early July stepped up to 25 miles at least 3 times a week. In August stepped up to 50 miles a day with a loaded touring bike. (About 55 lbs of gear)

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE YOU?
Best guess is anywhere from 40 to 60 days.

HOW MANY MILES A DAY?
50 or so for the first week or two and gradually increase to 75.

WHAT IS THE ROUTE?
Ocean to ocean starting August 18th in Atlantic City. West to Gettysburg, PA then briefly down through Maryland and on across northern West Virginia, then into Kentucky heading for the town of Berea where I pick up the Transamerica bike trail. This will take me through the rest of Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and Eastern Colorado. At a town called Ordway, Colorado I’ll head south and cross some more of Colorado along its Southern border, then dipping down to northern New Mexico heading toward the Four Corners area. Then on through Arizona diagonally southwest, and finally across the Imperial Valley of California ending up in San Diego at the Pacific Ocean. See Map

WHAT KIND OF BIKE?
Trek 520 Touring bike, loaded with the stuff I'm taking with me.

WHAT ARE YOU TAKING WITH YOU?
Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, water bottles, cooking stove and full day's worth of meals. The full gamut of personal items, first aid stuff, bug spray, radio, pen and paper, maps, tire pump, patch kit, small tools, 3 days worth of clothes, poncho, hat, sunscreen, sweatshirt, sweat pants, towel, washcloth.

WHERE WILL YOU SLEEP?
Camp 6 nights, hotel/motel every seventh

WHAT ABOUT FOOD?
Plan to buy all meals. Sometimes restaurants, sometimes buy groceries and prepare meals at campsite.

WHAT DOES YOUR FAMILY SAY ABOUT THIS?
They aren’t exactly crazy about it but they know me and understand me.

WHAT DOES YOUR JOB SAY ABOUT THIS?
I tried to take a leave of absence. Employees are permitted to “for good cause” unfortunately they did not consider this good cause and denied it. It's funny, but if I had a secret heroin addiction and needed a few months in detox they would have said sure, okay, hurry back. Anyway, I resigned explaining it was important enough to me and a tough choice, but one I had to make. Hopefully, all for the best.

ARE YOU TAKING A CELL PHONE?
I have always hated them but have "caved" to others on this. Just in case, but damn I hope I never need it so I can prove I was right about not needing it.

WILL YOU BE PACKING HEAT?
No, the holster causes nasty chafing. Also, crazy people like me shouldn't be allowed to have guns.

WHAT IF IT RAINS? Not to worry, I have an umbrella. What I'm really worried about is Twisters... Dorothy!

WHAT ABOUT SEX?
Not tonight dear, I'm too tired. Besides, I'll have no feeling down there after sitting in the saddle all day. :)

DO YOU WEAR SPANDEX SHORTS WHEN YOU BIKE?
Fuck that homo garb!

MALE FRIENDS CLAIM THAT BIKING MAKES THEIR BALLS NUMB. WHAT DO YOU DO TO KEEP YOUR TESTICLES FROM GETTING NUMB?
Taint a problem.

COULD IT JUST BE THAT YOUR BALLS ARE IN SHAPE?
It's probably related to the tilt of the seat.

DON'T YOU WORRY ABOUT RIDING THROUGH WEST VIRGINIA WITH YOUR REAREND UP IN THE AIR?
Well, I did hear banjoes off in the distance - SOOOOOOOOOOIE!