The
Across America North tour will cycle through
some of the most beautiful and scenic areas in America. From the natural beauty of the
Cascades and Rockies to spectacular river crossings like the Columbia, Missouri and
Mississippi, to the national parks and monuments, each day is a unique adventure in itself.
The
Across America North ride is a scenic and
challenging fully supported 50 day bicycle tour from Astoria, Oregon to Portsmouth, New
Hampshire. This great adventure will average 80 miles per day for 3,667 miles and have five
interesting and diverse rest days along the way.
The
Across America North tour will depart the
beautiful Pacific Northwest in Astoria, Oregon. We will head out to the rugged Oregon coast
to dip our rear wheel in the Pacific Ocean and begin the trek Across America. From the mouth
of the Columbia River we�ll meander along the river to Portland. You�ll see many of the small
communities along the way and share in the local history and folklore of the region.
Continuing from Portland we head southeast and begin to climb up through the cascades. The
terrain is challenging and the scenery breathtaking. Mount Hood is visible and will continue
to get bigger and bigger as we approach and ultimately cycle past the great peak and continue
the trek into eastern Oregon. After a few mountainous days the route will settle down and
cross into Idaho, a state also know for its mountains. Here we�ll take our first off day in
Boise.
Our route through Idaho will stay mostly in the Snake River Valley. The ride can get dry as we
cycle on the Snake River Plain. You will learn a lot about yourself and the country as we pass
through small and large western towns and many Indian reservations. Relish the beauty and
contrast of the hot, dry plains with the lush green river valley. The views and vistas are
remarkable as we cross over the Snake River many times. The mountainous climbing begins again
once we pass our last oasis in Idaho, the lush Idaho Falls and begin to head up into the Grand
Teton's. �Amazing, breathtaking, tremendous natural beauty, great climbs,� are
just a few of the words and feelings you will have as we cycle through this region and down
into Jackson, Wyoming. As we depart Jackson, we�ll see many cyclists as we pass the backside
of Yellowstone National Park and marvel at the jagged peaks of Mount Hancock. Then you�ll
climb over Togwotee Pass (9,658�), cross the Continental Divide and get a nice ride down into
the quaint western town of Dubois. The westerly winds can kick up on the high plains. We
should get a nice ride into Casper, Wyoming for our second off day.
After a rest, you�ll be rejuvenated and ready to continue the high plains drift through small
western towns, and you�ll soon discover how the west was won. Next, we�ll stretch out our legs
a little and cross the border into South Dakota. It�s back into the mountains again. We�ll
cycle up into the Black Hills and through Custer State Park. The terrain is a roller coaster
of natural beauty. Watch for the wildlife and see some of the devastation of wildfires from
years gone by. We�ll climb right up to Mount Rushmore, a jewel of the Black Hills, and you�ll
marvel at this great man made tribute. Can you name all the presidents? We�ll have a great
ride out of the mountains to our overnight refuge of Rapid City. We will continue the journey,
descending still, onto the high plains of South Dakota, skirting the Badlands and roll into
Wall, South Dakota, the town that made the corner drug store and South Dakota famous. Next
we�ll stretch out our legs again for a long, dry ride to Pierre, the capital of South Dakota.
From Pierre we�ll pick up the Missouri River and tag along for awhile. You�ll never believe
South Dakota looks like this, it�s green, lush and beautifully rolling along the Missouri
River. The views are outstanding and in many cases, you can see for miles along the river
valley. Soon we�ll kick out back on the flat South Dakota prairie and spin into Sioux Falls
for our third off day.
From South Dakota we�ll cross into southern Minnesota and ride the sometimes rolling landscape
northeast to the Minnesota River. Then due east crossing the Mississippi River into La Crosse,
Wisconsin. We are now officially in the East!! The terrain really begins to roll up and down
in rural Wisconsin. We�ll pass by real small town America. The farms and the fields, the
animals and the environment, the rolling hills and valleys make for super cycling. The route
will take us past the tourist mecca and Wisconsin riverside town of Wisconsin Dells. We�ll
continue the roll to Fond du Lac, just south of Lake Winnebago, and make the final rolling
push to Manitowoc on the shores of Lake Michigan. Here we�ll take the fourth off day of the
tour.
Plenty to do on the off day in Manitowoc but hurry, at noon we�ll board the 410� SS Badger and
leave Wisconsin behind. A relaxing four hour cruise across Lake Michigan will land us in the
Michigan town of Ludington. Off the boat, explore town before heading over to this evenings
motel. Now it�s off to cross Michigan by bike! We will stick to the country roads, smaller
cities and towns as we take a straight shot across this very flat farming region. Ending up
in Port Huron, we will cross the border and go �INTERNATIONAL,� as we hop the Bluewater Bridge
and cross into Ontario, Canada. Welcome to Canadian Hospitality!! We will continue to cycle
very flat rural Canadian farmland and head over to London, Ontario. The next day we�ll
continue the trek to Brantford, birthplace of Wayne Gretzky. We say goodbye to our Canadian
friends in a spectacular way as we cross the Rainbow Bridge over Niagara Falls, and cycle back
into the United States. You will have plenty of time to explore the falls as we will take our
fifth and final off day in Niagara Falls, New York.
Our final leg in the
Across America North tour
will take us across upper New York State through the rolling farm country past Rochester.
Then we�ll following the Erie Canal through Liverpool to Little Falls and finally along the
Hudson River to Latham. The final few days will take us across the Appalachian mountain range to
Vermont and into Brattleboro. Next, we�ll ride the roller coaster road across the border into
New Hampshire. The final day we�ll roll right down to the ocean on the New Hampshire seacoast
and dip our front wheel in the Atlantic Ocean. With a special side trip into Maine, you�ll get
to add another state to your list of cycling conquests.
