Bike Trip America Astoria to New York, Adventure update #1: June 18 to July 8
Published 9:00 am Friday, July 10, 2015
- From left, Don Child, Jonathon Williams, Ryan Tallman and Bryce Nurding celebrate reaching the Continental Divide July 1 at Rogers Pass in Montana, at an elevation of 5,610 feet. After leaving Astoria June 18, the group is biking across America this summer to raise funds for Operation Comfort Warriors. They expect to reach New York City Aug. 15.
The crew: Astoria teenage Boy Scouts Bryce Nurding, Ryan Tallman and Jonathan Williams. Gearhart’s Pat Wollner and Hawaii’s Don Child are the adult sidekicks, she at the wheel of a Suburban, Don on a bike.
The journey so far: 21 days riding across Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana, almost 1,200 miles (1198.60 according to Nurding’s schedule) from Astoria to Glendive, Montana. The crew plans to arrive in NYC Aug. 15.
• Down one on day two: Mascot black lab Annie, deciding that long days in the Suburban plus no play time are not for her, has found a summer’s stay along the way more to her liking. Both Pat and Annie are happy with the decision.
• No such thing as too much food: Burning 5,000-plus calories a day, there is no diet big enough to stop the crew from eating!
• Lodging: The crew stays in prearranged churches, private homes, tents, camp grounds, state parks and ranches. They enjoy real beds and hot showers for the first time June 25, provided by the commander of American Legion Post 13 in Lewiston, Idaho. When they roll into town, a TV reporter greets them.
• June 28 & 29: The crew climbs up Lolo Pass in the Rockies and down the other side into Missoula, Montana. Fundraising for Operation Comfort Warriors reaches approximately $2,500. They receive a $200 check from American Legion Post 9 in Lincoln, Montana.
• July 1: The group crosses the Continental Divide at Roger’s Pass, elevation 5,610 feet. All water from here on flows into the Atlantic.
• July 2: They cross the last of the Rocky Mountains.
Find out more: Daily or nearly daily (due to the whims of Internet connections) details, photos and videos are available on Bryce Nurding’s Bike Trip Across America Facebook page and on Don Child’s blog at donsbike.blogsite.com