REGISTERED RIDES
We found 162 rides that match your search criteria.
1976 GOLDEN SPOKES EAST - 1GEWB702G
We rode from Pueblo, CO to Yorktown, VA. Group of 11. Toured Makers' Mark Distillery in KY. Had so much fun I decided to ride the full transam 4 years later. (Stephen De Dalto, Jul, 1976)
1OFWB614
Great! 2 groups with same dates, schedule. 30 days on trip. Dick, George, Marie, Janice, the Nagels, Eric, Harold, Bob (Susan R. Smith, Jun, 1976)
ALL RECUMBENT RIDE COAST TO COAST 83
Four of us started in the bay area and went north to Baker, OR then along Bikecentennial trail to Damascus, VA, then north to Warren, NJ, then to Indianapolis, IN catching a corner of Maine and crossing the foot of Ontario, Ca (Richard Kandarian, Jun, 1983)
BIKECENTENNIAL '76
Cycling across the US with a group of 12 ("The Vultures") was a life-defining experience. In addition to appreciating the vastness, beauty, and wildness of the land I learned about strength, endurance, and human relationships. It taught me a huge lesson about "I can". Plus it was great fun! (De Herman, Jun, 1976)
BIKECENTENNIAL 1976
(Steve Shambeck, Jun, 1976)
BIKECENTENNIAL 76 TRANSAM
(Bob Carson, Jun, 1976)
BIKECENTENNIAL RIDE WEST TO EAST 6-05-76
(Richard Gendernalik, Jun, 1976)
BIKECENTENNIAL TRANSAM
Camping group of 15 people, 10 Americans and 5 Dutchmen. 3 women in the group.
I ended up marrying one of the Dutchmen the year following B76 and still live in The Netherlands, 31 years later. (Pamela McMillan-Erkens, Jun, 1976)
BILL & TOM'S CYCLING ADVENTURE
I had graduated Moravian College in May and within a week was on a train to Washington state to begin a trip of a life time. My brother (2 years younger) met me in Missoula. A day does not pass where we don't think about an event from the "Trail" (Bill Savoth, Jun, 1976)
CHIEFTAIN
The Chieftain Trail started at the Oregon coast and headed eastward over the Cascades, through the eastern OR deserts, up Hell's Canyon through to the Sawtooth Mountains and ended in Missoula, MT. This was a fantastic trip with great companions! I continued onward to Spokane, WA alone. (Michael Lampi, Aug, 1976)
COLONIAL VIRGINA TRANS AM TRAIL
fully supprted Bikecentenial '76 ride across Virginia - not sure of precise details after all these years (Kevin Newman, Jun, 1976)
GOLDEN SPOKE WEST
We had a boy 16 years and one 12 years old, that was our son.Laura Jennifer,Don,Don ,Katy and Bill and my husband were all in our group Don Erickson was our leader.It was a wonderful time.I did most of the cooking.Don't rember them all. (Corry Van Boheemen, May, 1976)
GOLDEN SPOKES WEST
The trip was once in a lifetime experience. I rode with great people all of whom I have lost contact, but whom I would like to reconnect. I remember only riding in 1 day of rain for 6 weeks! (Carol Lothrop Broadbent, Jun, 1976)
GREAT WEST (OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT)
(Ted Cohen, Jul, 1976)
ITAWB518
Thirty years later, I can watch "SURVIVOR" on TV and think, "You wimps!" Ha! (Chip Haynes, May, 1976)
MISSOULA TO JACKSON HOLE
(Tim Schnake, Jul, 1976)
ROCKY MOUNTAIN? SINCLAIR, WY TO PUEBLO, CO
Awesome, definitely one of the highlights of my life! Beautiful scenery including snow capped mountains and waterfalls! It tested my mind and endurance on the hills and into headwinds. Fantastic people! Had hot Cookies somewhere along the way. The hot springs in Saratoga, WY were just what the doctor ordered for tired muscles. Scary Moment: I almost got blown off the road by a logging truck while going downhill! We lost a rider to injury the 1st day. Had a dog follow be from Breckenridge up Hoosier Pass! Thanks to my leader John Briggs who helped me get my back wheel respoked! John also wrote an article on the trip for the November 1976 Bicycling Magazine of which I still have the copy. Love the memories - I should have gone on more organized rides! Not too old, want to do another next summer.
(Bill Gasson, Aug, 1976)
SUNSET RIDERS
We called ourselves the Sunset Riders because we could never seem to break break camp very early, or make camp very early... Loved the trip. If you are lucky enough to have the freedom to spend a whole summer doing something as wonderful as this, ENJOY it! (Sam, then Sally Miller, then Hirshman, May, 1976)
TRANS AM
At 17, I was the assistant leader of our trip. There is not a day that passes that I don't think about that ride. What an experience! (Tom McAllister, May, 1976)
TRANS-AM
I was the leader for a 14 person Trans-Am camping trip which went from the east coast to the west coast in 1976.
This trip was one of the greatest experiences of my life. It was so much fun that I rode across the country again, via the Nothern Tier trail, in 1999, with my 13 year old son. I would love to hear from anyone who was on this trip. (Andrew Beckerman-Rodau, May, 1976)
TRANS-AM TOUR EAST - WEST 1980
I was the BikeCentennial Tour Leader for this TransAm - great group - full self-contained tour and all - strong group spirit and team effort (Karl (Max) Sherman, Jun, 1980)
TRANSAM EAST TO WEST 06/14/1976
Trip started 6-14-1976 camping, fast(55 days), trans-am East to West. Great trip, life changing! (Richard Heerschap, Jun, 1976)
TRANSAMERICA - WEST TO EAST
I was riding my bike over the Pali on the island of Oahu with a friend who told me about the trip. I packed my bag, went home to train in Oregon. It was the grandest adventure of my life where I met the best person in the world, my husband, Bill. (barb (brushe) samsoe, Jun, 1976)
TRANSAMERICA TRAIL
Esther and I were in the first West to East Bike-inn group. Our group, The Sprocket Rockets, included an Englishman and a non-english speaking Japanese man.
The beauty and expanse of the land and the good nature and generosity of those we met restored my faith in America. (Michael and Esther Paul, May, 1976)
Asia
BANGKOK TO CHENGDU--AN AMAZING RIDE FROM THE TROPICS TO THE HIMALAYA
This ride in Thailand, Laos, and China covered an incredible variety of terrain, climate, and cultures from Thailand's steamy Bangkok to China's Himalayan glaciers. (Bill Weir, Dec, 2004)
CAMBODIA--A SWING THROUGH THE SOUTH
This leisurely ride looped through Battambang, Phnom Penh, Kampot, and Koh Kong, then back to Thailand (Bill Weir, Dec, 2006)
CHINA--END TO END
I realized how diverse and big the country is on a 180-day ride that began in the southeast corner, swung to the northwest, then out to the far west. (Bill Weir, Mar, 2006)
INDIAN HIMALAYA--SACRED HEADWATERS OF THE GANGES
This spectacular ride visited temples of the 4 sacred Char Dham sites, where Hindu priests were friendly and welcoming. I had very good weather. Except for the usual landslides, roads were paved; traffic was light. (Bill Weir, Sep, 2005)
KYRGYZSTAN--IRKESHTAM TO BISHKEK
Other cyclists had good things to say about Kyrgyzstan, so I was keen to visit this mountainous former Soviet republic. (Bill Weir, Aug, 2006)
NORTHERN LAOS AND NORTHERN VIETNAM
The ride started in Luang Prabang after the slow boat trip from Huay Xai, then wound along rivers and across mountains to the new border crossing with Vietnam at Na Meo, then across Vietnam via Halong Bay to China. (Bill Weir, Feb, 2006)
NORTHERN THAILAND ADVENTURES
The jungle mountains and historic towns of northwestern Thailand attracted me for the natural beauty and culture of the region. (Bill Weir, Dec, 2005)
SOUTH INDIA--CYCLING AMONG GODS AND GODDESSES
From the historic city of Cochin in Kerala, I followed the coastal plain around to Tamil Nadu and finished at Chennai (Madras), visiting people and many temples and ancient monuments along the way. (Bill Weir, Sep, 2006)
Australia/New Zealand
NEW ZEALAND HONEYMOON
My Wife Carroll and I enjoyed a self supported B&B/motel/hotel bike tour from Aukland along the east coast to Wellinton and South Island West coast ride up to Nelson. (Tom Kabat, Feb, 1991)
Eastern Europe
THE FORMER CZECHOSLOVAKIA AND POLAND
A friend and I biked for two weeks in Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland, staying in B&Bs and taking trains to cover long distances in the short time we had. (David French, Sep, 2005)
Europe
TUSCANY AND UMBRIA
Hill towns of Tuscany and Umbria, Italy; a pre-arranged but self-guided and self-contained tour. (Jay Anderson, Apr, 2006)
Great Divide MTB Route
BEST SIX WEEKS IN MY LIFE
My husband 14 yr. old daughter and I bike fromRoosville to Ashton Idaho on the Continental Divide Route (Elizabeth Burt, Jun, 2001)
Lewis & Clark Trail
BIKECENTENNIAL
(kirk wittorff, Jun, 1976)
BIKECENTENNIAL TOUR.
(Bill Clifford, Jun, 1976)
LEWIS & CLARK TRAIL (THE EASTERN PORTION)
Back in the saddle again. This will be the first long distance bicycle tour since Bikecentennial trans-america '76. Adventure Cycling was putting the finishing touches on the Lewis & Clark Trail and that seemed like the perfect fit. (Brad Bergerson, May, 2003)
OREGON TO MAINE
Following Lewis and Clark trail from Astoria to Iowa, then participating in Ragbrai, then following the Northern tier from Muscatine to Bar Harbor (Larry Albert, Jun, 2006)
North America
NORTHWEST PASSAGE
Experiemental Bikecentennial trip to extend the Great Parks North from Jasper on to Seattle. Group of 10 pedaled north from Missoua through the Canadian Rockies then south through Kamloops and Victoria, BC. Ferried to Port Angeles, WA and then into Seattle (Ken Russell, Jun, 1979)
TOP OF THE WORLD TOUR
Biked from Seattle to the northern tip of Vancouver Island, BC then ferry stops in Southeast Alaska. Flew to Fairbanks, Alaska then bicycled from Fairbanks to Missoula, Montana. Six people rode the whole trip plus seven others joined us for various portions. Provided trip reports to Bikecentennial to plan their North Star route. (Ken Russell, Jun, 1977)
Northern Tier
NORTHERN TIER, EAST TO WEST
Two of us used Bikecentennial maps to do the Northern Tier route from Maine to Washington. (David Sogg, Jun, 1985)
RIDE OF A LIFETIME
Last leg of a family trip (1991-2006) on Northern Tier route. Wife/mon, Vicki, died 5/19/05. Some of her ashes plus extra family and friends (15) are finishing the trip (crossing Maine) this July. (Robin Shields, Jul, 2006)
Other Cross-Country
TRANS AMERICA BICYCLE ADVENTURE
Starting at the Golden Gate Bridge covered the distance to join the Bikecentennial Route in Salida CO. From there to Yorktown VA I stayed either on or close to the transamerica route. (Van U'Ren, May, 1996)
Other Organized Tour
BICYCLE THE AMERICAS
I rode with a group of about 100 people from Las Vegas, Nevada to Washington, D.C. We began the trip on Juky 4, 1976 and ended up in D.C. around mid-August. The group originated out of Anaheim, California. I will never forget the experience, particularly because I wasn't quite 16 amd I was on my first adventure across the country. I have lost touch with people from the trip, but well remember the great people and sense of spirit about the trip. Meeting folks across the country was fantastic. (Whitney Finnstrom, Jul, 1976)
Other Road
GOLDEN SPOKE WEST
(Jack Perlmutter M.D., Jun, 1976)
VERMONT GREEN MOUNTAINS LOOP
I organized the ride with my wife and 4 friends. Late spring in Vermont gave us good weather and light traffic most places. I used the Adventure Cycling maps. We had a support vehicle and took turns driving. (Mark Lowenstine, Jun, 2006)
TransAmerica Trail
TRANSAMERICA WEEBLES, 1982
Three college friends traveled the US by bike in 1982 following the BikeCentennial TransAmerica Trail. (Jan Hogle, May, 1982)
(TOSSED SALAD!) WEST TO EAST 1976
Incredible, fantastic, terrifying and a once in a lifetime experience that at times I still can not beleive I did. I learned so many things about myself and the larger world that summer and it forever changed me...for the better. (Debra Nuñez, May, 1976)
1976 BIKECENTENNIAL TRIP
I started as an independent memeber in Jamestown, VA. I completed all 5 tours ending on the west coast. I had the trip of a lifetime traveling arounds different tour groups. I believe I am the only rider who did not experience a flat tire or a broken spoke. (Frank Allen, Jun, 1976)
1976 TRANS-AM W TO E
This was a life-changing event for me. It gave me great memories and a sense that I could accomplish anything. (And it's a great coversation piece at parties, too!). I hope other members from my group will attend the Brunswick, MD reunion. (Jonathan Solomon, Jun, 1976)
1976 TRANSAM WEST TO EAST
My Bikecentennial cross-country trip was the adventure of a lifetime! There's nothing like seeing the country from the seat of a bicycle! I was in a group of 15, ranging in age from 16 to 66. About five or six of us still keep in touch every year. (Eileen Kadesh, Jun, 1976)
1FTAWK519
First transamerica trip going from west to east, averaging approx 90 mi/day. We were the first to arrive at most bikeinns - trailblazers! (Christine Bottaro, May, 1976)
1GWWB616
The Bikecentennial ride was my first group ride, my first overnight ride, and my first time west of Kansas. It started my serious interest in bicycle touring, and I havent' stopped in 30 years. (David Wessling, Jun, 1976)
1OFEB708
Great! (Jeff Stetekluh, Jul, 1976)
1TAEK531 1976 E-W
The "76" tour was my first bicycle tour. When I reached the Pacific Ocean,I was having such a good time, that I continued south to LA.
You can have the "Summer-of-Love", I'll take the "Summer-of-Bicycle" anytime. It was a 80-day, 4th of July, American celebration! (Ken (Kim) Edmonds, May, 1976)
1TAWK526
West to East, camping on the 1st Bikecentennial ride leaving from Reedsport Oregon (Joseph Martin, Apr, 1976)
6-16-76 WEST TO EAST
(Monte Krog, Jun, 1976)
A SENTIMENTAL RETURN TO THE TRANSAMERICA TRAIL AFTER 31 YEARS
A reunion of my Bikecentennial 76 group inspired this ride. Amazingly, 10 of the 12 us got together for a weekend in Virginia. (Bill Weir, Aug, 2007)
AMERICA BY BICYCLE
It was 1974, we were married 3 months and Bikecentennial was being planned. We felt the pull of the road and set out as a photographer-writer team to discover the world. We're still together, still happily biking, 32 years and thousands of miles later. (Lynn Hartman, Jun, 1975)
B76 -- TRANSAM TRAIL
Began riding from Astoria with two other independent cyclists. Informally joined a group in Illinois to complete ride as the final group in. (mauri booton, May, 1976)
BIKECENTENIAL 76
It was called a family trip. It was the first year of Bikecentennial. I think we went through Appalachia. I had never even seen a mountain before this trip as I'm third generation Chicago. (Julie Mennecke-Hnatiuk, Jul, 1976)
BIKECENTENNIAL
I rode the TransAmerica trail from west to east with three Australians, six Dutch, and four Americans. We stayed in Bike-inns. The camping group on the same schedule called us "tourists." They called themselves the "Cafe Coasters." (Frank Oberc, May, 1976)
BIKECENTENNIAL
Fantastic trip, great people - all from USA except me - the lone Canadian. Still cycling, now with my daughter. Would love to reconnect with fellow riders. (Dorothy Heavenor (Wells), Jul, 1977)
BIKECENTENNIAL
(Scott James, May, 1976)
BIKECENTENNIAL
East to West
Bike Inn, Cook (Doug Deardorff, Jun, 1976)
BIKECENTENNIAL
By sticking to back roads I experienced few distractions, got to meet people from small town, rural settings. Also, I rode with different groups, many from different countries. The comraderie is what I remember most fondly. (Mark Donaldson, Jun, 1976)
BIKECENTENNIAL "TAE 602"
A life changing experience. I was just out of college, not sure what i wanted to do and my buddy had done the trip solo in 1989. It was an amazing feeling of freedom. You had your own transportation, lodging and meals. You could go anywhere. (Tony Strauss, Jun, 1991)
BIKECENTENNIAL '76
In 1976 I rode the western half of the Transam as an independent rider (James Blodgett, Jul, 1976)
BIKECENTENNIAL '76
We rode self-contained as a Bikecentennial group from Astoria, Oregon, to Jackson, Wyoming, in 1976. There were 9 of us, strangers at the beginning, but lifelong friends by the end of the trip. We are all now in agreement that it was one of the most significant events of our lives. (Leslie Rock, Jun, 1976)
BIKECENTENNIAL '76
Astoria, Oregon to Missoula, MT on the TransAmerica Trail. (David French, Jun, 1976)
BIKECENTENNIAL '76
TransAmerica Trail for Bikecentennial from Colorado to Virginia (Steve French, Jul, 1976)
BIKECENTENNIAL '76
Bikecentennial had sold out for individuals, but two friends and I went anyway. A wonderful journey with many adventures. I continued doing long tours for some years after. Travelled as "The KMA Gang". (Kevin Montgomery, Jun, 1976)
BIKECENTENNIAL '76
I went East to West with a camping group of 15. We had a mother & daughter team (Shirley & Coleen), a tandem couple (Len & Lori), Yuichi from Japan, and I'd list the rest but I can't remember a couple of names so I won't go further (old age). (Robert (Bob) Hess, May, 1976)
BIKECENTENNIAL '76: TRANSAMERICA TRAIL TAEK531
I had never been west of PA before this trip. Completing it stands as one of the things in my life that moved me most, and that I am most proud of. (Diane Reese, May, 1976)
BIKECENTENNIAL 1980
We started with 12 riders in Williamsburg and ended with 5 riders in Portland. Our trip delayed because of Mt St Helens. Kansas was the hottest, but had the nicest people. There were many highlights - Lolo Pass, Jenny Lake in the Tetons, the rivers in Idaho, and the Oregon Coast. (Bob Rorke, May, 1980)
BIKECENTENNIAL 1980
williamsburg to ......we disbanned as a group after our leader left the trip after breaking both ankles in a bouldering incident . i believe that most everyone finished, i rode for a while with joan (iowa) and dowa (sp?) from germany (tracy tripp, May, 1980)
BIKECENTENNIAL 76
The TransAmerica Trail (Justin Heinecke, Jun, 1976)
BIKECENTENNIAL 76
As a 17 year old with 3 high school buddies in a "Bike-Inn" group of about 12 other riders, I had a life improving adventure. I have enjoyed bike touring ever since. (Tom Kabat, Jun, 1976)
BIKECENTENNIAL 76
(Frances Sampson, May, 1976)
BIKECENTENNIAL 76
Rode entire route from east to west. First part through Virginia as part of a 10-person camping tour; the remainder as an Independent with several other Independent friends. (Randall Smith, Jun, 1976)
BIKECENTENNIAL 76 (1OFEB708)
3 guys and 5 women set out from Yorktown, VA to Carbondale, IL on a 30 day adventure of a lifetime.
Those 30 days in the summer of 1976 will always be the absolute best time I've ever experienced on a bike. (Jeff Weible, Jul, 1976)
BIKECENTENNIAL 76 INDEPENDENT RIDER
I started in Missoula on June 8th and rode to Williamsburg taking photos for a multimedia/ photographic exhibition at the Birmingham Museum of Art in August, 1976. It was an incredible trip! I made a lot of very good friends from around the world. I still keep up with some of them. (James Terry, Jun, 1976)
BIKECENTENNIAL TAWK606
Life changing...memorable...fun. The perfect adventure, especially for launching into adulthood. (David Doty, Jun, 1976)
BIKECENTENNIAL TRANS AMERICA RIDE
It was a fantastic experience to travel at approximately 15 miles per hour and see the entire United States from coast to coast. Great people along the way and what an accomplishment it was. I still have the route map hanging in my office at work. (Jeffrey Ritter, May, 1976)
BIKECENTENNIAL TRANS AMERICA W TO E BIKE INN
(Barbara Millett, May, 1976)
BIKECENTENNIAL TRANSAM
This tour ruined my life! Not really, I met my wife, decided working wasn't all there was, and haven't stopped touring since. (Steve Lay, Jun, 1976)
BIKECENTENNIAL TRANSAM
The greatest experience I've ever had! (Phyllis (Bray) Lay, Jun, 1976)
BIKECENTENNIAL TRANSAM 1993
(Brian Martin, May, 1993)
BIKECENTENNIAL TRANSAMERICA TRAIL
We were a camping group. We rode
from Organ to Virginia. (D. Joan Tangel, Jun, 1976)
BIKECENTENNIAL W-E
Biggest trip of my life, at that point and at this point. A wonderful time meeting cyclists from all over the country and juust riding every day for almost two months. (Steven Sweedler, May, 1976)
BIKECENTENNIEL 1976 THOMAS J ROACH III
first, i would like to get in touch with a guy named "otter". he was from bellingham, washington. i have a few photos of us!! my trip was a gas !! good people, wonderful country and we were the first !! (thomas j roach III, May, 1976)
COAST-TO-COAST (THE BIG ONE)
It was the trip of a lifetime. This is when life started for me . . . I met my future wonderful wife, Barb, on this trip. (Samsoe Bill, Jun, 1976)
COLONIAL VIRGINIA W TO E FULL SERVICE
This was my first tour of any kind and was done on a bike with sew-ups. Never again! But I had a tremendous time and met some great people. (Walter Smith, Jul, 1976)
CONNECT THE DOTS TOUR
30 year reunion with Transam friend Art, his son Luke, and friend Joel who just finished the Transam! (Eddie Mixon, Aug, 2006)
CROSSCOUNTY 76
Santa Barbara to Reedsport, OR;
Entire Bikecentennial Trail;
Yorktown to Washington DC / end (Glenn Griffin, Jun, 1976)
DON'T REMEMBER
This was so long ago that I have forgotten most of the details. I was the tour leader. (Tom Wolford, Jul, 1976)
EAST TO WEST TRANS AMERICA
Bike Inns, purchase food, 16 began
9 finished, 82 days, 11 rest days,
Went with best friend Tracy Mayfield
We rode Parmonts with BlackBurn racks and Kirkland tour paniers. (Doug Deardorff, Jun, 1976)
GOLDEN SPOKE E TO W LATE JUNE
I was a leader with a great group consisting of teenagers, college kids, and a teacher. We stayed in bike inns; 3 of us rode together to finish a full transam as independents. Incredible dream summer. Highlights include heat and mosquitos, breaking into a swimming pool, learning how to coax a morning fire out of coals, the noise of a cow chewing, focusing on the next grain silo ten miles away, promising riders going east that there will be trees, getting granny gears in Pueblo, flying off mountain peaks on those steep Rocky Mountain downhills, riding into Sinclair, WY after a long day and a flat tire and seeing smiling faces waiting for me, leaving a resume in Missoula with BikeCentennial, tall pines rubbing their tree tops in inky black night, riding almost blind on a moonless night in Yellowstone Park, sweeping down a mountain with the smell of cedar soaking through me, eating a crepe after crossing the Cascades, chasing seagulls at Haystack Rock, the history of Astoria, family loaning me money to keep me riding to that end goal. (Gayl Teichert, Jun, 1976)
GOLDEN SPOKE WEST
Without a dought the best summer of my life. (Bob royals, Jun, 1976)
GOLDEN SPOKES
I rode in a group of 10 traveling from Yorktown VA to Pueblo CO. The group I rode with was Bike-in group (Millard Gold, Jun, 1976)
GOLDEN SPOKES E E-W 6/21
My role was an assistant leader for a large and diverse group of 15. The trip started on my B-day, Lynn the leader brought a cake which we enjoyed at wonderfully buggy Camp Chicahominy (ChickenLobotomy)! Five days into the trip I crashed going down the third mountain of the day two miles from the camp. I was rushed to the only avilable medical facility - the funeral home! I was patched up, but the bike was toast, so Stuart & Polly Crook forwarded me to Berea KY for repair while the rest of the group caught up...some leader! The rest of the trip went wonderfully, we delivered the Golden Spoke in Pueblo and four of us continued west. I stopped in Missoula for the beginning of school at UM. Two years later I completed the Trans-Am trail with a friend from college - we dipped our wheels in the Pacific. I'll never forget this experience! (Barbara Forbis Kilts, Jun, 1976)
GOLDEN SPOKES EAST 1GEWB702G BIKE INN TOUR
The best trip I ever took in my life. Even up to now and I travel the world often. I continued riding on my own for another year before going home to Hawaii. (William (Bill) Spilliard, Jun, 1976)
GOLDEN SPOKES EAST E-W CAMPING
Yorktown to Pueblo, then on to Missoula and finally Calgary,was a long journey with amazing people and geography along the way. Sometimes with companions, sometimes solo, it was a turning point in my life. (Parker Mann, Jun, 1976)
GOLDEN SPOKES WEST
45 days, from Astoria to Peublo, with Ranger Rick (Bill Foreman) leading the way. Chasing moose in Yellowstone, going to the hot springs in Oregon, crossing Hooser and Togwotee passes, missing Amy, Carl, Bill, and Kathy at the reunion in '01, having the pictures to prove a "dream of a summer" DID EXIST! (John Ludway, Jul, 1976)
GOLDEN SPOKES WEST & TRANSAM
This trip was like a big juicy slice of American Pie; thick crust pizza served in a cast iron pan. Not a week goes by that I don't reflect upon some part of this trip -- unforgettable experiences, friendships, and the grandness of it all. This journey changed my life! (Jane Gnass, Jun, 1976)
INDEPENDENT
A friend and I rode as "independents, which was a trip option. Of course, we mingled with many others - singles and groups along the way. An incredible experience with memories galore! (Brenda (Cross) Lee, May, 1976)
INDEPENDENT TRANS AM
My Trans AM trip in 76 was a very rewarding experience. The kind that is challenging both mentally and physically. Yet it was an enlightening trip that showed the wonders of the US, not only the land but the people. I'll always remember the the people (Michael Birck, Jun, 1976)
ITAWB520 BLAZING SADDLES
First major bike adventure, first time overseas, met lots of great people from around the World. Fantastic scenery! (Russell Moore, May, 1976)
ITAWB526 - BIKECENTENNIAL 76
the experience fo a lifetime, memories that have lasted a lifetime, a lifetime love of bike touring (Kevin Hume, May, 1976)
LEWIS & CLARK TRIP, W TO E, BIKE INN
This trip was my first extended long distance bike tour. I have done a lot of touring since, but I still have great memories of this trip.
We had 14 people in the group at the start at Astoria and finished the trip in Wyoming with 12. Tom Colbert (from Iowa) and Donna Norris (Montana) were the leaders.
One member of our group was Cynthia Gorney, a reporter for The Washington Post newspaper. She wrote great stories about our trip that were published about every other day in the Post from June 21 to July 26, 1976. At many points along the trip we would stop at local libraries to try to find a copy of the latest Post to read about ourselves.
Some trip highlights that I remember are:
Eating the evening meal at Rose Lodge, Oregon. It was at a Grange Hall being used as one of the bike-inns and was run by an elderly lady. She prepared a bowl of spaghetti for a large group of very hungry bikers. As she came tottering out with the bowl, we all descended on the poor old lady, quickly devoured the spaghetti and looked about for more & we were still hungry. The battle cry in our group at mealtime for the remainder of the trip was Remember Rose Lodge!! and then we would dive into the meal.
Climbing up White Bird Hill. We yelled and shouted to each other on the many switchbacks as we rode up the hill.
Going skinny-dipping in the Jerry Johnson Hot Springs. It was out in the middle of the forest along the Lochsa River in Idaho.
Going on a moon lit walk, with a friend, past the bubbling hot springs in Yellowstone Park.
Being in a photograph that ended up on the cover of the Nov. 1976 issue of Bicycling magazine. Greg Siple took a picture of the group he was leading. Steve (another member of our group, a young bike racer from California) and I ended up in the picture also. I still proudly show the magazine cover to all my biking friends.
Buying a sports coat and tie at a local second hand shop at the end of the trip in Jackson, we all got dressed up, and went out to blow the rest of our pool money on food and drinks and celebrate the end of a great trip. (I still have the sports coat) (Jim Nelson, Jun, 1976)
OLD WEST
International contingent of riders from Jackson Hole, WY to Missoula, MT. (John Fischer, Jun, 1976)
OPENING THE FRONTIER
We stayed in Bike Inns (school gyms, frat. houses. churches, community centers and ate in cafes. Every night there was group coming from the opposite direction, and a lot of information and advice changed hands. (Cynthia Nagel, Jun, 1976)
SELF SUPPORTING TANDEM RIDE
Self built tandem with Brother from Colarado then on down to San Francisco ( we left the trail and headed to the redwood forest on the California Oregon border passing through Crater lake (Douglas Rogers, Sep, 1976)
SUMMER FUN
From Reedsport, Oregon to Yorktown, Virginia, self-contained with a group put together by Bikecentennial (TAWK525). The best summer of my life. (Brad Bergerson, May, 1976)
TAE527
2nd Trans-Am. Leader of TAE527. Great bunch of folks - everyone completed the ride in great shape. High Point of the trip - Mt Evans, Colorado 14,156 by bike! Wet first couple of weeks then wonderful weather. Did part of the Great Parks route in Colorado including Trail Ridge Road. Flightseeing of Mount St. Helens with ash. After B76 trip ended, a friend joined me in Portland. We rode back roads through Washington and British Columbia ending in Vancouver, BC. The people along the route were even friendier than in 1976. (Ken Russell, May, 1981)
TAEK612
Absolutely one of the great highlights of my life. I also rode 600 miles from New York State to the Williamsburg start, and 600 miles from Reedsport to San Francisco. One of the highlights of the trip was the friendliness of the people, especially in the Midwest. We were one of the last groups to start across country, and found friendlier locals when we took a slight detour off main trail. (David Stupke, Jun, 1976)
TAEK613 BIKECENTENNIAL 76 E-W
I still have wonderful memories of the summer of '76. The freedom of being on the road, cycling across America, will stay with me forever. (Yafa Napadensky, Jun, 1976)
TAEK614
Great memories. It is a shame that our group have lost touch with each other. Now that 30 years has past we really should try to reconnect! (Daphne Cant, Jun, 1976)
TAETOW,JUNE14
I was one of about 14 in the group. We had a female group leader from Canada. We also had an eagle scout in the group. His name was Dwight. (Terry Mann, Jun, 1976)
TAKE613 TRANS AMERICA
Wow, to go back to being young, in the best shape of my life, knowing nothing and not caring and having the epic adventure we did is a memory I treasure. I still bike and dream of doing it again! (Randall Bennett, Jun, 1976)
TAWK517
A life changing experience!! Thirty years later, there are few days that I have not thought back to that wonderful summer. I have used that summer to put a framework around the rest of my life. Lessons that were learned and people that I met have stayed with me for thirty years. Thank you Dan and Greg. (Josh Sanner, May, 1976)
TAWK518
The ride changed my life. I returned from my trip, finished my degree in Wildlife Biology, and then entered the bicycle business! (Mike Hites, May, 1976)
TAWK518
(Bill McMurray, May, 1976)
TAWK519 (TRANS-AMERICAN TRAIL CAMPING)
This trip has become the benchmark against which all subsequent trips have been measured; it was the best summer of my life. (Bob Buccini, May, 1976)
TAWK522
I was the trip leader of the "Cafe Coasters". (Randy Stout, May, 1976)
TAWK601
Left Oregon on June 1, 1976; rode a lot with tawk602 group. The trip had & has a profound impact on my life and outlook. (Jim Cossitt, Jun, 1976)
TAWK606 TRANSAM
People along the route kept saying this would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I thought I would tour forever. They were right. Although I have done a lot of touring since, 1976 was a truely unique experience and I think about the trip quite often. The trip defind how I approach life - always take the opportunity that comes, no matter how crazy it sounds. (Tim Morken, Jun, 1976)
THE TRANS AMERICA TRAIL
(Marjan Schavemaker, Jun, 1976)
TRAN-AM BIKECENTENNIAL TOUR - 1981
This was my second trip as Group Leader for a Trans-Am tour (the other was in 1980) - it was great the first time and better even the second time in 1981. I also rode on a Trans-Am tour W-E in 1978 as a group member. Our standout effort on this trip was riding at night through most of Kansas and Eastern Colorado. That year, it was incredibly hot (and esp. in Kansas) and our group was wearing down and even showing signs of heat exhaustion trying to ride 60-80 miles during the heat of the day. It was discouraging. No one wanted to take a bus or other transport, and everyone wanted to ride the whole way. So, in Kansas we stayed at a local church and decided in a group meeting the switch timeframes and ride all night, then sleep all day. The minister there (unfortunately I did not keep his name) really came through for us and called ahead to our next 4-5 stops and contacted local churches - they knew we were coming and would let us sleep in the church basements all day. We then started the next "days" ride at about 10-11 pm and rode all night to our selected destination - the churches were ready for us, and often had simple meals ready, or offered to do our laundry, and we had an early breakfast and went to sleep until the next night's ride. We did this 4-5 nights in a row and made it across KS and eastern CO this way. For safety, we all had many extra lights on our bikes and rode together as a single group - if someone had a bike repair or flat, everyone stopped and waited. At that late hour not many cars were on the road, and because it was so flat and roads so straight, you could see and hear them coming miles before they arrived. Then, we all pulled over off the side of the road as a group and let the car pass before going on. It was surreal in many respects and exhilarating and bonded the group like no other experience. To be out riding across Kansas at 3:00 in the morning, to see and feel the sunrise from the
very first break of night to sunrise itself was an amazing feeling, and the accomplishment of making the ride against all obstacles I think forged a strength and determination in this group that carried us all the rest of the tour. (Karl (Max) Sherman, Jun, 1981)
TRANS AM
OUR GROUP MET IN REEDSPORT OR, AND AFTER SOME GROWING PAINS WE JELLED AND BECAME A "FAMILY" AND DID IT. (HENRY REILING, May, 1976)
TRANS AM WEST TO EAST, INDEPENDENT
Started on June 19 with my buddy Ben from Reedsport Oregon. Rode along with other independents and a west to east Golden Spokes group for the first half of the trip. (Randall Higa, Jun, 1976)
TRANS AMERICA
This trip was one of the highlights of my life. (Kevin Aker, Jun, 1976)
TRANS AMERICA (TAE604)
Road the Trans America Trail with Bikecentennial in 1981 (TAE64) from Williamsburg, VA to Portland, OR. (Christopher Marsh, Jun, 1981)
TRANS AMERICA WEST TO EAST
It started as an uncertain adventure, and turned into a lifetime memory. There were some HARD days, some easy days, and a true feeling of seeing America's scenery and meeting her people. Developed friendships some of which continue today. Rode with my wife and we consider B'76 our greatest adventure. We rode thru snow,rain,heat,wind,mountains,flat land and learned a lot of American history. There were individual bad days-but in hindsite-a total great experience. (Stewart Lanting, Jun, 1976)
TRANS-AM X 3
Rode west to east starting in Portland to Astoria to Yorktown.
Third crossing as this time recreated '76 ride. (Fred Werda, Jun, 2006)
TRANS-AMERICA TRAIL
I rode with a Bikecentennial group on the Trans-Am from East to West. This was my first bike tour and it was a great summer. (Christopher Hughes, Jun, 1977)
TRANS-AMERICA TRAIL
We rode west to east in one of the first camping groups in the inaugural year of the Trans-America Trail. (Bob Buccini, Apr, 1976)
TRANS-AMERICA W TO E
A life changing experience. Got to join a friend in 2003 for the Colorado Rockies section again. Hoosier Pass (11,541 ft) got steeper in the last three decades! Only regret: my bike got stolen on the last day in Yorktown. The bike was worn out but that saddle was nicely worn in! (Mark Dana, May, 1976)
TRANS-AMERICA WEST-EAST
(Shelly Leichter, Jun, 1976)
TRANSAM
Riding the Transamerica Trail was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Setting out on a journey with a group of mostly unknown cyclist (two friends were in the group) was so exciting. Not only did I get to see "the country" I got to know very well people from many other parts of the country. (Julie Dunn, May, 1976)
TRANSAM
Lead GEEK602 from Yorktown, Virginga to Pubelo, Colorado then contined on to Astoria, Oregon as an independent rider with a friend from Ohio. Wonderful experience to have so many riders on the road every day and to have the local folks excited about the idea. We had 12" of rain in 24 hours in the Ozarks and didn't even notice the hills. First sight of the Pacific Ocean. (Ken Russell, Jun, 1976)
TRANSAM 1986 E-W
Journey of a Lifetime! I began the trip solo, but I rode with many people, including the bikecentennial group led by Clayton Black. I have many memories and friends from that awesome summer of 1986. (Dave Tuzinowski, May, 1986)
TRANSAM WEST HALF /1976/ EAST FINISHED 1978
Great trip. Has been life molding experience. (T. Darryl Hickey, Jul, 1976)
TRANSAM WEST TO EAST 76
From "Sisters" Oregon to "Falls of Rough" Kentucky, this nation is littered with bikecentennial memories that I will always treasure. Bikecentennial was a coming of age ride for me. A 15 year old kid with a "chaperone" I had never met (set up by bikecentennial), four dutchmen/women, an English bloke, a pro skier, and a host of other characters, this Bike Inn group set out on an oddessy that would change many of our lives. Certainly it changed my own. Thank you bikecentennial! (Greg Whitehouse, Jun, 1976)
TRANSAM WEST-EAST
"Captain" of a total of nearly 200 Dutch riders who participated in the 1976 Bikecentennial Tours. Fantastic experience that was leading to my Bicycle Touring Company 'Fietsvakantiewinkel' (25th anniversary !) (Gijsbert Valstar, May, 1976)
TRANSAMERICA
(Lisa Campbell, May, 1976)
TRANSAMERICA EAST TO WEST
We were a group of 12 people and a poodle. We called ourselves the Vultures because we were ravenous when it was time to eat. (Kathleen Bohan, Jun, 1976)
TRANSAMERICA JUNE 14, 1976 W TO E
For most of the group, myself included, the trip across the states was the experience of a lifetime. We were a "bike inn" group nearly evenly consisting of Dutch and American riders. (Thomas Cassell, Jun, 1976)
TRANSAMERICA TRAIL 1976
We had a great time and completed the trip in the prescribed time even though we rode 4700 miles (Robert Freeman, Jun, 1976)
TRANSAMERICA TRAIL 1976
Group 0f 12 riders, ages ranged from 16 to 28. Three women and 9 guys. East to West crossing. A tripp of a lifetime, still enjoy looking back on it after 32 years. (Bob Richey, Jun, 1976)
TRANSAMERICA TRAIL EAST TO WEST CAMPING
I was co-leader in a group of 12 which, soon after leaving, joined up with a group of 8 to cross the country east to west. Out of our merged group there were 2 marriages, and one of them is still going strong. (Carla Majernik, Jun, 1976)
TRANSAMERICA TRAIL IN '76, TAWK519
Our group, the "Peanut Butter Pedalers", was the 3rd or 4th camping group to leave from OR. Lloyd Sumner (author of "The Long Ride") was our awesome leader. It was a life-changing experience that 30 years has not dulled. We experienced the "real" America and discovered the kindness of surprised local folks. (Tom Kalina, May, 1976)
TRANSAMERICA W TO E
The experiences of this ride have influenced every aspect of my life since then, from the intimate knowledge of the geography of the country, to the personal feeling of having accomplished it. I see Greg Whitehouse on the registry, I was an Ohio kid, him a Cali kid, first person I ever heard say "dude"! I still think of you and our group, my friend. (Edmonds Bill, Jun, 1976)
TRANSAMERICA WEST TO EAST
I was in the Bike-in Group that left Reedsport on 5/28/1976. We were snowed on three times. We paralelled our friends of the great camping group TAWK528. (Daniel Phelan, May, 1976)
TRANSAMERICAN TRAIL
This trip was a personal pilgrimage and celebration of the bicentennial. This ride established in my mind an everlasting faith in the fundamental goodness of rural Americans. (Arthur Malm, May, 1976)
TRANSITION06
Solo, self-contained. Mixture of camping, motels, and hostels. (Clifford Davis, Jul, 2006)
U.S. WEST, CAMPING
Thirteen of us, 7 males and 6 females started out from Astoria, Oregon heading for Pueblo, CO. Along the way we had the ups and downs common to all long distance, self-contained bicycle tourists. We mostly were in good spirits even when camping after a day of rain or a not-so-good camp dinner. It remains a high point of my touring career (I led 13 tours between 1976 & 1993. PLB Life Member (Peter L. Bower, Jun, 1976)
WILLIAMSBURG VA. TO PUEBLEO
The transition from womb into the world. (Gary Parido, Jun, 1976)
United States Perimeter
1FTWB616
West to East, we were an accelerated group nicknamed the Fast Ones (53 days for ~4200 miles). Unforgetable trip. (Mark Brecher, Jun, 1976)
Western Europe
WEST COAST OF IRELAND
I took a friend along - on this, my second trip to Ireland - to show him the beautiful countryside. Cycling through counties Clare, Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal, Londonderry and Antrim, we covered 41 miles a day and stayed in B&Bs throughout our trip. At night, we sought out trad music in the local pubs. We returned to our starting point on the train from Coleraine, N. Ireland via Dublin to Limerick, then cycled back to our starting point in Newmarket-on-Fergus. (David French, Jul, 1994)
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