So I have an opportunity here that I think I just have to try. I have to be in Tacoma, WA in June and am going to ride there (I live in RI on the east or 'right' coast). Having done some long distance riding and looking to expand on that, I am going to try to squeeze in a CC 50, which is an Iron Butt Association recognized event: coast to coast across the US in 50 hours or less. Most people who do this use the southern route, basically from Jacksonville, FL to San Diego, CA (or the other way) as that is the shortest distance across the continental US and right around 2350 miles. Unfortunately I have to start in RI and end up in WA so the southern route is not going to happen. The route shown below is about 3100 miles, although the time limit is still 50 hours.
I have a SPOT locator and will post the URL for the map showing my progress (or lack of progress) in almost real time- it is updated every 10 minutes and I will leave the tracking feature on for the duration of the trip. Please feel free to take a look, and if the track stops suddenly long before the coast, feel free to point and laugh.
I am confident in a successful CC50 because of the Michelin PR2s on the bike (not really, that was just for Cap'n Bob). Of course KiPass will carry the day and bring the bike to the coast even if I am not on it (again not really, that was just for Steve). I have no real expectations other than this will no doubt be a grueling trip whether I make it w/in the alloted 50 hours or not.
Any useful thoughts or non useful but amusing thoughts gratefully accepted. Roughly the route will be from the coast of RI to Chicago, IL, and on to the Pacific coast in Washington state. As everyone can see in the map below, it is three easy steps, A to B to C.
The timing of the ride will basically hinge around Chicago as I would like to pass through that area in the middle of the night to avoid potential traffic jams. Otherwise the route looks pretty open with the exception of passing through Tacoma. I would like to avoid these major cities if at all possible but I don’t think it is practical to ride around either Chicago or Tacoma.
Brian