end is nigh

I started this trip thinking I’d try to cycle the TransAmerica trail in 60 days. I booked my return flight with a week or so spare in case I couldn’t make the mileage. Since I was going to have to average over 70 miles a day.. and hadn’t cycled 70 miles in one day, it seemed sensible to have wiggle room.

But I’ve pushed through. At the start, I tried to keep above the minimum mileage in case something went wrong, in case I needed spare time to deal with injuries (to me or the bike). But I’ve avoided this so far, and enjoyed the changing scenery and combination of mental and physical challenge that comes with longer days. This has culminated with an expected end date 10 days ahead of schedule! (16% faster than planned!!)

Back-to-back 100 mile days and 70 mile rest days felt inconceivable at the start, based on blog posts from other cyclists (suggesting 90 days for the route), the inordinate amount of stuff I’ve been carrying (~35kg + bike) and my inexperience (zero bike touring in the past). The moral and practical support from people at home and on the trail has been invaluable to exceeding expectations. The belief people have in me, the advice they’ve shared, and the support given has enabled me to keep cycling through sweltering heat, chilling snow and hail, and plodding up winding hills through 30mph winds. So thank you to everyone who has helped over the last few months.

But also thank you for helping Rape Crisis. We recently reached £7000, an amazing amount for a charity who’s services are in huge demand; who’s services I’m endlessly grateful for. While the names of perpetrators of sexual violence pepper the headlines and positions of power, survivors are living their lives, often carrying feelings of shame, hurt, and other flavours of shit with them. But in supporting Rape Crisis, especially publicly, we enable both services and social change which counter these experiences.

With just 4 days until I reach Astoria (the end of the TransAmerica trail), it feels like time is running out to raise awareness for the work of Rape Crisis and the strength of survivors of sexual violence. So please share and donate! So we can reach as many people as possible :)