What we are doing - The Southern Tier Route

It has been two years since the last big adventure, so we decided we had to follow through with an idea we had....doing a long distance bike trip.  Eileen Claiborne, my supply person and email editor for my Pacific Crest Trail trek, turned me on to a great organization, Adventure Cycling Association.  So we checked out the routes and maps they have on file and corresponded to the time off we could get from work (2 months in spring).  We decided on the shortest of the cross country routes that work well with spring - the Southern Tier.  March 26-31 Marit will meet daughters in La Jolla, CA which will conveniently put us in San Diego - the launching point for the Southern Tier.  Our new touring bikes, Surly Long Haul Truckers, are being sent out and we will  truly be embarking on an adventure.  Neither Mark nor Marit have ever been on a bike trip for more than 2 days.  We have never used racks and panniers or done anything remotely like this.  BUT we know from our long distance backpacking trips that we will get in shape as we go and we will deal with whatever comes our way.  Mind over matter! We are so excited to be out seeing the country by pedal power, meeting new people, camping in the wilderness or campgrounds, sometimes staying in hotels and getting to take a hot shower, eating lots of amazing food whenever we can, and enjoying all the adventures the universe has in store for us.

The Southern Tier Route is 3.069.5 miles and goes from San Diego, CA to St. Augustine, FL.  As stated in the Adventure Cycling Association Toursbook -"After dipping our bicycle wheels in the Pacific, we'll climb eastward, riding through Southern California, Arizona, and New Mexico.  In Texas, we'll parallel the Rio Grande River before hitting the Texas Hill Country.  From there, it's on to Louisiana and the heart of Cajun Country.  Finally, we'll pedal along the Gulf Coast of Mississippi and Alabama, cross Florida's panhandle, and ride to the adventure's end in St. Augustine." Hope you enjoy the ride and the blog.  Happy spring!