Across America Trekkers Reach Liberty

8/18 We left a friend's beautiful stone home and made our way south on route 8 to Deposit, just on the border of Pennsylvania. With the worst hills of the day behind us and two well-timed flats to repair, we had a huge lunch at the New Moon Cafe : pancakes, French toast, eggs, bacon, sausage, ham. We continued on with Liberty as our goal. Down the road outside Hancock Branton got a flat from a long and sharp piece of glass. He and John unsuccessfully attempted to patch the tube, then replaced the tube and found a major brake problem. After a loose hub was discovered and the new tube got a pinch flat, leaving Branton tubeless, the duo called a taxi to take them the rest of the way. The trio of Lydia, Katie and Tyler sped through the fifty miles to Liberty with only one five minute stop to eat a Clif bar. When they arrived the motel rooms and Chinese delivery food were waiting for them. After quickly devouring the food the Trekkers went to sleep while Lydia and John made final plans for the journey.

Across America Trekkers Flash Through South Dakota

July 25- We started our morning with chocolate and banana pancakes, expertly cooked with gobs of butter by John and Lydia in our host's kitchen. We ate them happily and scooted out the door to a local bike shop, where we picked up some bike boxes on the house. We then got a lesson in bike boxing as we packed up our trusty steads and waited at the bus station to catch a ride to Sioux Falls. Although we didn't plan on hopping on a bus, we did what we had to do to catch up on some miles we had lost due to our wonky start. After six hours of looking out at the unchanging South Dakota scenery, we arrived in Sioux Falls where we reassembled our bikes and rode into town. We arrived at the Gier's house, where we were warmly greeted with hot pizza and Jasmine tea, just as a massive downpour began. After eating our fill and playing with Ted and Bill, the two impossibly fluffy house cats, we got a hearty night's rest.

Across America Trekkers Enjoy Local Hospitality

After tuning up our bikes and resting after two exhausting days in the 100° heat, we were graciously hosted by 'Warm Showers' host Dan Calzaretta, his wife Allison, and their two kids, Gus and Sonia. They cooked us a great dinner including banana pudding and gave us tips on our cross county trek. They biked from Portland Oregon to Portland Maine as a family on tandem bikes in 2008!! Now we're resting up and preparing for our first big biking day to hopefully make it to the Idaho/Washington border tomorrow night.

Across America Trekkers are Hot, Tired, and Happy in a Motel

To celebrate the 4th of July the Across America trekkers watched fireworks shot over the Columbia River Gorge.  In the morning they set out for their longest day so far, riding 75+ miles in very, very, very, hot weather.  To beat the heat the group was up at 5 a.m. and did much of their riding before lunch.  Like many afternoons the group had a several hour siesta before riding for a few hours in the early evening.  To celebrate their long day they stayed in a motel in Walla Walla with great showers, soft beds, and T.V.  "Life is good!" -- Trip Leader Lydia