Padilla Bay bike path

Simple pleasures

Cool Bike Stuff

Foggy crossing at Deception Pass

History of Bicycling

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Sailing Adventures

Fort Worden Park campsite

The Border-2-Border Challenge is a bike touring journey on the West Coast of the USA from the Canadian border (White Rock) to the Mexican border (Tijuana).  The trip took place from August 4 through October 11, 2013.  The goal of the venture was to see places in a softer light, talk to strangers, smell the flowers, taste the fruit and wine along the way -- life in the slower lane. 

The entire trip was self-supported and routed as close to the Pacific Coast as possible.  The detail maps of the planned route and overnight stays can be viewed in the Route section.

On a bike tour, life slows enough to digest every sight, every smiling face, smell every scent, and see every facet of places visited.  There will be no specific itinerary or time limit but it will follow a pre-planned coastal route.  Otherwise, as they say in sailing, will travel "where the wind blows."

There are videos which depict trip preparation, filming on the road, viewing places visited, noting trip highlights, meeting challenges faced, and the psychology of the biker as he pushes on even when the riding gets difficult.

If this journey and videos motivate more humans to get on their bicycle for local riding or even for touring adventures, then the mission is successful.

"The Bicycle Song" by David Rovics

Why Do It?

Why do the Border-2-Border challenge?

• An adventure based entirely on one's own efforts and overcoming challenges...akin to the  pioneers who settled the West with covered wagons -- risk takers, self sufficiency and determination
• Living the minimalist lifestyle--everything needed to live and exist is on the bike
• Re-discover the real America, people reaching out, helping others
• Photograph and film the Pacific Coast tour border to border, release a documentary next spring
• Experience the journey up close and slow--sight, smell, sound
• To be a super-green person for two months, with minimal footprint on the planet
• Inspire others to ride and set sights on adventures

One of the goals is to make BikeTourWC.com the definitive website for  information and resources on touring the West Coast of North America.

Preparation

1. Be mentally prepared and know what you're getting into.
2. Tailor the equipment to the trip objectives.
3. Understand your limits with realistic daily mileage expectations.
4. Priority one is staying safe and healthy.
5. Test out gear and understand basic repair.
6. Keep a journal in print and online.
7. Research and fine tune the route.
8. Get fit but don't obsess about it.
   

Safety Is Priority #1

• Visibility most important, wear a bright nuclear yellow vest
• Ride only in the direction of traffic flow in a single line
• Red flasher lights...can never have too many in the rear
• Good rear mirror to see what's approaching from behind
• Stay on course, don't wobble or sway...going uphill shift into lower gear to help keep steady
• Watch what is ahead, always...rocks and potholes sometimes, but more often road kill, or blown out tires with wire radials sticking out
• Wear an approved helmet, always
• Good brakes are must
• Good touring tires will aid in preventing accidents and flats
• Balance the loads on bike, weight the fully loaded panniers, and shift items around if needed...an overloaded can result in cracked rims over time
• Extra caution is needed on bridges...usually they are narrow and/or small or no shoulders...wait for a clearing from behind and go across as fast as possible
• Wear glasses to protect eyes from flying debris and bugs
• Front lights...avoid riding at night if possible
• Always keep both hands on handlebar to maintain balance and control
• Glance in the rear view mirror to make sure no vehicles are coming before passing other bikers on a no-shoulder, or small-shoulder road
• On highways, proceed carefully when crossing on-ramps and off ramps, glance in rear view mirror before proceeding
• Watch out when traveling on a lane with parked cars on the right; some drivers may swing open the driver's side door without looking first, thus creating a potential collision with the door; this could be along side streets or beach areas where cars park on side of road.
• Cross railroad tracks at right angles
• Do not wear headphones when riding
• Use extra caution when it is raining as roads can get slick and allow extra time to stop
• Use proper hand signals when turning and stop at stop signs and red lights
• Be wary of large trucks/semi-trailers turning right at an intersection...never be next to the truck.  Always move behind the truck.  View the video to learn why.

The mantra is AMD = Awareness + Mindfulness + Determination

"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving."
~ Albert Einstein, letter to his son Eduard, 1930

Einstein conjectured his theory of relativity while riding his bike.

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