Q3 & Q4 2019: Cycling the TransAmerica Trail Prelu(d/b)e
Torvil and Dean, French and Saunders, and the double act closest to my heart at least........Grant and Phil, you have to agree things are often ‘better together’ (no that’s not meant to be an opportunity to discuss Brexit). So after completing seven challenges so far I’ve decided to shake things up somewhat and embark on my own double act, combining Q3 and Q4 this year.
The rather ambitious, and what now feels an increasingly unachievable plan for said double act is to try and cycle, self-supported, the vast majority of the TransAmerica Trail, starting in Astoria, Oregon before ending up in New York, in total a c.5,000 mile route. If all goes according to plan I’ll be sipping Manhattans in Manhattan mid-October. With c.60 miles to complete each day on my own, added to which my inability to even get on the right train from London to Scotland only the other day, that’s one big if. Saying that I have now at least got myself and my bike (Billy) to Astoria in one piece. There was a mild pre flight panic (one of a plethora if I’m being honest) that the bike shop had wrapped up the wrong bike before I left and although I like to think I have a relatively good sense of humour unwrapping someone else’s steed post flight would have not been a laughing matter, at least not for me, although definitely for you all I’m sure.
In accepting a BAFTA in 2017 Phoebe Waller-Bridge (if you don’t know who she is get out from under the rock you’ve been hiding under as you’ve missed out on some genius work) regaled what I thought was brilliant advice her Mother had given her: ‘You can be whatever you want to be as long as you’re outrageous’. By being outrageous she probably meant something more glamorous than wearing lycra for three months and trying to peddle solo across at least ten US states but this challenge is my attempt at least to be outrageous. Or if not outrageous, at least properly out of my comfort zone. Over the years I’ve loved and been inspired following friends’ intercontinental bike rides, transoceanic rowing and sailing achievements but became increasingly frustrated that I had not achieved something of a similar(ish) calibre, and as the years went by that visceral feeling of wanting to have a proper adventure of my own only deepened.
When plotting what my adventure might be I was very aware of my limits. Any water that’s choppier than a pancake makes me seasick, which for any crew I’m with is a godsend as the seasickness usually manifests in me being (almost) silent. That therefore ruled out the high seas, and with a desire to cover a relatively large distance I opted for a bike rather than a hike. Inspired by Cheryl Strayed’s book Wild (a recent film adaption has Reese Witherspoon playing Cheryl) the initial idea was to cycle the Pacific Crest Trail, but before long completely unrealistic thoughts about continuing on into South America started to creep into my head. Thankfully I came to my senses, also coast to coast seemed more definitive, and so the TransAmerica route it was to be. West to east given the prevailing winds, let’s just hope they don’t change direction!
Planning only really came into its own fairly recently, too recently if I’m honest, bar perhaps the carb loading which has been on an ever increasing trajectory since my return from New Zealand in March. In a nutshell, I feel like a combination of Cheryl (Strayed), WIA’s Ian Fletcher and Love Actually’s Colin Frissell, just a lot less vocal about specific parts of my anatomy. A rather cosy not to mention underprepared nutshell you could say but a pretty accurate reflection nonetheless.
For someone whose colleagues previously once said they could tell what day of the week it was by what I was wearing, it’s safe to say I like routine. Although I know the route at a high level and have all the maps downloaded, following suggestions from others I will only be booking where I’m staying a few days in advance ie more spontaneous, less routine. Given this the next few months will either feel utterly liberating or completely terrifying. Although you could say with the amount of time I’ll have to spend with Billy life will be the definitive in routine……militant. I’ve recently become discovered the world of Warmshowers so will be relying on that a lot as an option for a roof over my head, saying that I do have a tent in tow too but after the drizzly weather in Astoria today its rather dampened my enthusiasm for said abode so I’m going to give myself a few days before setting up camp, literally.
A few thank yous to mention before Billy and I get on my merry way tomorrow......first, my boss Mark. This trip would not be possible if you hadn’t generously agreed to my sabbatical request so thank you again. I’m sure you and the rest of the A4 crew feel you’re on your own sabbatical without having me around whinging away. I’ll be back to reclaim the window seat and analyse in-depth pressing issues such as scampi gate before too long I’m afraid.
Secondly, Geoff at Sigma Cycle, Nelson at London Bike Kitchen, Tom T-M, Alex T, Roper P-C thank you for helping me navigate the vortex that is the cycling kit world. I would have found it even more daunting than it was if you hadn’t patiently answered my endless questions. I hate to say you won’t be off the hook until I finish though.
Last but by no means least my parents. It would be an understatement to say that I’m much looking forward to us having a conversation where we don’t discuss James Cracknell’s bike accident but equally I know I’m extraordinarily lucky to have two parents who love, worry and support as much as you have done. I know you will be cringing at this mention (that's assuming you’ve actually managed to find this website) and not wanting to embarrass you more I will keep it short and sweet and borrow some words from Chris Evans which he said to his wife as he signed off from his Radio 2 breakfast show......‘thank you for giving me enough certainty and security to be able to feel confident enough to embark on a bit of uncertainty’. Even if that uncertainty does feel exceptionally overwhelming at this precise moment.