This week it is exactly 10 years ago since I packed my bags and bicycle for a Coast to Coast cycling journey through the United States and Canada. I not only decided on an east-west-crossing, but also devised curso de editor de video a route which would take me largely north-south across the United States, forming a 5000 mile (8000 km)-route in total. It was a big venture; I gave up the rent of my Dutch flat, stored my belongings and scheduled to be back in The Netherlands a year later. 10 years on, the AmericaCoast to Coast is still my biggest cycling adventure. Proudly I still ride the same bike, with fond memories all along.
I started my journey in WashingtonDC, intending to explore the country westbound, just as adventure seekers did in the past. As New York City had to be on the itinerary too, I first made my way northeast, before starting the actual coast to coast. I followed a northern route, taking me to Niagara Falls, Toronto and across Lake Michigan into corn states like Wisconson and Iowa. From there I travelled through Nebraska's emptiness into South Dakota where I visited the Black Hills with the famous president's heads of Mount Rushmore. Further west into Wyoming I made my way to Yellowstone National Park and from there I started heading south to Salt Lake City and from there to the National Parks of Bryce and Zion, heading for the Grand Canyon. The last stretch of the journey took me across the deserts around Las Vegas to Los Angeles and Hollywood.
Back in 2002 email and mobile phones were well established modes of communication, but social network websites and mobile texting were still in their infancy. I remember how my hosts in WashingtonDC provided me with a mobile phone, but also how it consistency failed to pick up a signal. I sent the mobile phone back to DC, leaving emails from libraries and collect calls from public phone boxes as the only ways to communicate with home.
How different it would be today. Cyclists on journeys like this have now websites, blogs, Facebook and Twitter to hand to send continuous updates on their progress, wherever they are. I thought it might be fun to “relive” my coast to coast journey 10 years ago on Twitter, like it was happening now. I dug up my diary of the journey, just as some pictures (from before the digital camera era!). This will enable me to provide you with a daily update on my "progress", with a picture on every day. Note my "departure" is on 10th of May, so if you don’t want to miss out, start following me now on either @DutchmanCycling, @EosCyclingUK or @EosCyclingNL. If you have any memories of places I travel through, feel free to share!
Please note the Twitter feeds with these daily updates are now well out of date. You can still follow our Twitter accounts to be up-to-date with our latest news!
Please note the Twitter feeds with these daily updates are now well out of date. You can still follow our Twitter accounts to be up-to-date with our latest news!
If you want to read more and you also happen to speak Dutch, remember my Dutch language book Where are you heading about this journey is still available via publisher Kirjaboek.
What about going for a traffic-calmed cycling holiday with one of my "Cycling Dutchman" guidebooks?
Cycling in Amsterdam and The Netherlands - The very best routes in the cyclist's paradise makes you travel beyond Dutch cliches like clogs, windmills and the Amsterdam red light district, allowing you to truly explore the lowlands. The book features 1064 kms of routes and has special chapters explaining the unique Dutch cycling-minded traffic rules and its cycle route signage systems; 164 pages, colour, wiro bound, fits in standard handlebar bag, see also http://www.cyclinginholland.com.
Cycle paths and cycle lanes; the full story!
Sharing the road or segregated cycle paths? Well it is both!
Dutch style bike rides in the United Kingdom:
The London - Land's End Cycle Route Book is designed for those who LOVE cycling, but don't like traffic. The book takes you onto the most beautiful cycle routes of southern England, including the Camel Trail, Devon Coast to Coast Route, Bristol and Bath Railway path, Thames Valley route and many more! What makes the book unique is that the route is completely continuous, including detailed directions and local knowledge all the way. Get inspired; choose your favourite route sections or go for a full summer holiday adventure; 164 pages, colour, wiro bound, fits in standard handlebar bag, see http://www.london-landsendcycleroutebook.com.
Other popular Cycling Dutchman blog articles:
Other popular Cycling Dutchman blog articles:
Explaining Dutch cycling infrastructure:
Cycle paths and cycle lanes; the full story!
Sharing the road or segregated cycle paths? Well it is both!
