From Yorktown, VA, to Astoria, OR

Quick recap: In this section, we’re aiming to crowdsource details about epic trips – then provide the whole playbook for the experience to y’all.

• Have you ever gone on an epic, once-in-a-lifetime trip? Tell us about it here.

🚶‍♂️ Who: Gillian G. from Columbus, OH

☀️ Length of trip: 85 days

💬 Quick recap: I rode my bicycle coast-coast across 10 states on the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail solo and unsupported last summer. Prior to this, I did not consider myself to be an avid cyclist and had bought my first pair of bike shorts for the trip. My logging varied from camping in city parks, to national parks like Yellowstone, to many generous people who opened the doors to their homes, churches, cabins, and community centers for me. Having never been past Chicago, I was most excited to see the western United States and the Rockies (gorgeous!). Of course, I had the large advantages of being young, white, able-bodied, having family support, and the ability to save money to take time off work, but I hope that more people will get to experience the country in this way, and I am so grateful that I could take this journey.

🤔 Anything you wish you would’ve known?... You need to lube your chain everyday. Do not buy cheap shorts off of Amazon to wear for 3 months.

😍 MUST dos: Be sure to stop and smell the roses, take pictures, and talk with the people in town. Otherwise it's the same experience you could have in a car.

🙅‍♀️ Must don’ts: Don't feed the bears, don't pet the dogs in the hills of Kentucky, don't be afraid to turn down hospitality. Always listen to your gut!

EXPENSES

✈️🚗🚆 Transportation: $0 😉

🏨⛺🏠 Lodging: Camping 38 nights (45%); Hostels/shared spaces 21 nights (25%); Hotels 5 nights (6%); Private host with a shared room 9 nights (11%); Private host with a private room 11 nights (13%). Total cost $457 (4 nights of hotels were gifts and not included).

🏰⛷️🎫 Activities: $3000 for all expenses over three months; about $33/day

🍔🍕🥗 Food: $3000 for all expenses over three months; about $33/day

P.S. Have your own epic trip you’d like to share? Tell us about it here for a chance to be featured in next Wednesday’s newsletter.