More Research

(Updated July 6th, 2010) It is so exciting to hear what so many people have to say as we research and develop this program. So, as many of you have wondered, here are the 'nitty gritty' details of how this program will work, and who we've talked to. (Yes, this will be a long post!)

We hope for the company to be based on one of the coasts, the exact location is to be determined. The purpose of this is to reduce cross country driving, with the starting point being so close to the coast. We intend to run two coast to coasts per summer, with a West to East route starting most likely in California and the Northwest, and ending in DE, DC, or the Carolinas. (DC, MA, DE, and RI are the top route ending points). Our maps will be obtained through Adventure Cycling.

Our intention is to have two main vehicles for operating the trips. The sag vehicle will be a Ford F-350 that hauls a 40 ft gooseneck trailer. The trailer will be half kitchen on wheels and half luggage/hauling space. The kitchen will have two ovens, 8 burners, a fridge (or coolers..we're still doing the math on that one) and drop down panels on the sides of the trailer walls for a 'concession' window to serve out of. The burners, oven and fridge will run off of large propane tanks over the tongue.

Each student will have a duffel bag to borrow, a sleeping pad to borrow, possibly a tent that they bring (or we may have one big tent instead), a sleeping bag that they bring, and camping chairs (or buckets) for sitting. All of this will be sagged in the trailer. Also, Jesse's mechanic's tools will be stored out of the bed of the truck and some of the space in the trailer. Food storage will be in the gooseneck of the trailer by the kitchen. We chose the F350 because it is one of very few trucks that will tow that large and heavy of a trailer, but that is still a consumer level vehicle; it would be a deisel. We also chose it because it is one of the top rated trucks in its class for longevity and durability.

Some cycling organizations have used large box trucks for this portion of the support vehicles. The reason we have chosen to go towards the truck/trailer side is that, used, the price difference is not that much, and 1. the truck is detachable should we need a second vehicle for any reason 2. it hauls 5 passengers instead of two for cross country trips and staff 3. the seats recline for the long cross-country drive (the box trucks' seats don't) 4. the gas mileage on a box truck is 6-8 mpg, whereas the gas mileage on the diesel f350 with the trailer is 12-16 mpg 5. when we need to get a replacement truck we can keep the trailer and replace just the truck 6. there are a lot more mechanics and dealerships available across the country for fixing a broken down f350 than there are for fixing a large box truck's engine.

The other vehicle we would be using to support the riders is a higher gas mileage vehicle like a hybrid, Volkswagon Golf, Subaru Outback, or Toyota Matrix. Water coolers would go in the back, and a rocket box would go on top filled with tools, road supplies, food, and emergency first aid. It will be stationed 20-30 miles out on the route until every cyclist is accounted for and then move to the next support spot until the route is finished. Also in consideration is a scooter or motorbike to pace back and forth along the riding route (to monitor the riders), as well as mark the road ahead of the riders each day.

Each student that signs up will receive a bike fit to their size, 2 jerseys, 2 pairs of cycling shorts, a helmet, a Road ID emergency Tag, two water bottles, two cycling socks, a jacket, 16 or so meals a week, 6 staff for support, an Inductive study Bible, the pens to mark in that Bible, and Inductive study bible materials included in their trail fee. The purpose of this is to give students a bicycle to train on before the trip begins, and to keep after the trip is finished. We not only want them to grow in God and their ability to study the scriptures, but also to instill in them a healthy lifestyle and love for cycling for the rest of their lives. Having a bicycle of their own is a crucial part of accomplishing that.

The group size is set to a goal of 60 students and 6 staff, with 6 student leaders. At the start of the trip there will be an orientation day with a run-down on road safety and a practice group ride. Initially riders will be required to ride in groups of 7 to 8. They are never allowed to ride alone.

The days will begin at 5 am, with wake up, pack up, and breakfast. by 6:15 we'll be having group prayer and teaching time for 20-30 minutes on the previous day's material, as well as a run down of the the route and the day's plans. Each person will have a map they're given for that day, and the motorbike or support vehicle will have driven the route to spray paint our symbol with arrows on the road at critical turning points. The students will ride from 7 or 7:30 am until they are finished for the day. The average day will be 70-90 miles; the shortest days could be 30, the longest could be 130. It depends on the difficulty, traffic flow, and elevation of those days. The sag vehicle will leave in the morning after we have thoroughly cleaned up and buttoned up the church, campground, or school that we stayed at the night before.

Breakfast will have been provided at the rest site, lunch will be 'y-o-y-o' where riders can eat at any cafe, grocery store, or gas station they prefer 5 days a week. This gives a great feel for the change in culture, foods, people, and experiences as we cross the country. Once the riders arrive at the next sleeping stop, they will shower with our portable system heated by propane tanks, take care of their bike maintenance, setup their bedding, and work through their Word study for the day. Dinner will be around 6 each evening, which the staff will rotate through preparing in the afternoon from the portable kitchen. After dinner, we'll break out into small groups for discussion on the study for the day, prayer time, and then they are free to explore and check out the sights and city around them for the evening before bed.

We will take a Sabbath rest day every week, and depending on the trip, structure 3 or so service projects to give back to the communities that host us. The trip lasts approx 7 weeks (50 or so days) and will vary between 3200 and 3600 miles Coast to Coast.

So far, we have connected or attempted to connect with the five universities mentioned earlier. Their Dean of Students, Student Development center, and Campus Pastor's offices are the ones we've been directed to connect with at the various colleges.

For the most part there has been great enthusiasm and excitement over this concept, and an eagerness to learn more and get plugged in. We have even had the blessing of multiple people referring their associates and other biking enthusiasts on staff at these universities to us, for co-leading/supporting the trips!

In our research, we have come across 11 different organizations that are still running a coast to coast trip of some sort in America. These are:

1. Adventure Cycling Association
2. America By Bicycle
3. Crossroads Cycling Adventures
4. Historical Trails Cycling
5. Woman Tours
6. Wandering Wheels
7. Trek Tours
8. American Lung Association of the NW
9. Cycle America
10. Student Hostel Program
11. Race Across America

Only one of them specifically targets people under the age of 50 for their rides. We want to accurately understand costs, safety, hazards, group sizes, planning, routes, supplies, support, laws, insurance, staff etc. Cost has been the biggest driver behind that.

All of these companies, except one, have been incredibly generous and helpful in answering our questions and research. Although each company runs their tour very differently, many similarities exist, enough so that we have been able to feel confident in our planning and expectations for managing our trips.

A big thank you to Wandering Wheels, Woman Tours, American Lung Association, Adventure Cycling, and the Student Hostel Program for taking extended amounts of time to answer our many questions. You are helping make this possible!

Again, please pray for a board of directors, a location to base out of, and donors to cover start-up costs and scholarships for these students!

Blessings,
Kelly