The
Fast America Ride is an event for cyclists who
want to see the U.S.A. Fast! It is an aggressive and very challenging fully supported 33 day
coast-to-coast bicycle tour.
The Fast America Ride will cycle through some of the
most beautiful and scenic areas in America averaging 110+ miles per day and cycle through 14
states. This is the perfect tour for cyclists who want to increase their cycling ability, learn
new skills and see the country in just over a month. From the natural beauty of the southern
Sierras and Rockies to spectacular river crossings like the Arkansas, Missouri and Mississippi,
each day is a unique adventure in itself. You�ll depart Orange County, California for an
exciting ride to Amesbury, Massachusetts, in 33 days and over 3,400 miles. See the beauty of
America that only a cross country bicycle tour can offer.
The
Fast America Ride will depart from Orange
County, California at Costa Mesa. We will head over to the southern California coast at Newport
Beach, dip our rear wheel in the Pacific Ocean and begin the trek across America. We will then
head inland and follow the Santa Ana River to the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. After a
little climbing to get us over the San Andreas Fault, we will be rewarded with a terrific ride
down to the desert floor. We will then roll into Palm Springs for the first evenings overnight.
The next day we�ll do more substantial climbing up off the desert floor and cross Chiriaco
Summit and continue east through the arid southern California desert just south of Joshua Tree
National Park. The desert continues as we cross the Colorado River, the terrain flattens out
and the landscape turns agricultural. Wow, they grow everything here. It�s amazing what a little
water will do! The terrain begins to roll up again as we cross into Arizona. The climbing really
becomes mountainous as we cycle up and over Yarnell Pass and we have a good downhill run. Up
again, we�ll ride through the Prescott National Forrest and down through the town of Prescott.
Crossing the Prescott Valley, we�ll tackle the toughest climb of the trip, Mingus Mountain. Get
ready for a fast and wild descent back to the desert floor. In the middle of the descent you�ll
pass through the old mining town turned artist colony of Jerome. On the other side of Jerome,
the switchbacks straighten out and give way to a nice straight descent. Here�s a great
opportunity to open it up and see what gravity can do for your maximum speed. The climbing isn�t
over yet as we�ll ride up through the red rock town of Sedona and tackle Oak Creek Canyon. The
climbing is intense but the views and vistas are worth every inch. The ascension ends for a
while as we cycle through Flagstaff, gaze at Humphrey�s Peak (12,663�) and get a great descending
reward on the way down to Winslow, Arizona. The Eagles will help you �Take It Easy�!
Next we�ll cycle across the rural western desert plains. The terrain will range from flat to
intermediate rolling as we gradually descend for a few days. The climbing will begin again as we
pass the four corners, cross into New Mexico and roll up and over the Continental Divide. We�ll
really stretch out our legs as we cycle through the Acoma and Laguna Indian Reservations, conquer
10 mile hill, and finally experience an exciting descent into Albuquerque. Here, we'll take a day
off. One more day in the mountains will see the western states climbing over as we transverse
Glorieta Summit and roll down to Las Vegas. The western desert slowly gives want to the high plain
as we spin into Texas. Now the terrain really flattens out as we cross the Oklahoma panhandle and
blow into Kansas. You can see the huge grain silos of the next town up ahead for over 20+ miles,
it�s really that flat. The winter wheat harvest is under way as we pass the great wheat fields of
Kansas, and you�ll understand how �Prairie Schooner� got its name. A little tail wind can go a long
way out here. Hopefully we�ll have more than our share. Our final two days in Kansas will see the
terrain begin to kick up and roll again.
Missouri will really get your attention with its rural beauty and extreme roller coaster terrain.
You�ll understand what we mean as we cycle through 1000 Hill State Park. Soon you�ll chalk up another
state, cross the Mississippi River and the east is at hand. You�ll notice how much more vegetation
and how green it is here compared to the Western half of the country. The days are racing by now and
so is the country. The momentum continues and the terrain flattens out again as we pass many farms
and cornfields of Illinois. We'll overnight in Springfield, the town Lincoln made famous, and have
another off day. Then, we'll continue into the great state of Indiana. Next we�ll cross into rural
Ohio and the terrain will pick up and roll a little more. Our short hop through Pennsylvania will
take us past Lake Erie and the largest body of water we�ve seen since departing the Pacific. You can
almost feel the Atlantic looming ahead. The final push for Boston is on as the roll picks up across
upper New York State. The landscape is scenic and rural as we cross north of the finger lakes region.
Then we�ll pick up the Erie Canal to Syracuse and Amsterdam. Then we�ll spin over to the state capital
of Albany. The final few days will take us up over the Mohawk Pass, part of the Appalachian Mountain
Range and into Vermont. Vermont and New Hampshire are like a roller coaster, but will settle down the
closer we get to the Atlantic Ocean and our date with destiny. Our final few miles will see us ride
to Salisbury Beach and dip our front wheel in the Atlantic. Finally, you have done it !!
