Hello everybody. I received the following email from a mother concerning the wisdom of her son taking a cross-country bike trip next spring. What advice or feedback do you have for her? Is this a good idea?
I have an 18-year-old son whose senior year basically ends in mid-February. He told me recently that he wants to bike from Portland to San Francisco to St. George, Utah, to Flagstaff, AZ and back home to Tucson, Arizona over a 2 month period ALONE, staying at campgrounds along the way.
For the past 2 years, he has been very involved in a youth cycling club and the local bike co-op. He is a very good student, an eagle scout and runs marathons. I am concerned about safety regarding this trip. What can he do to make it safer? Are there groups that do similar rides?
So, what advice would you have for this mom and her son concerning this trip? Comment below.
Comments
He’s 18 and an Eagle Scout, I don’t think you have anything to worry about. I think it will be a great experience for him.
For your peace of mind have him take a cell phone and get him a spot tracker (http://www.findmespot.com/en/) you can track his progress on a web page and see exactly where he is at any time. If necessary there is an emergency button he can push if he needs help.
Note: I have heard of some people who have used the emergency button and no help was sent although their family was notified. So don’t get a false sense of security with it.
When I graduated high school I toured/cycled a shorter route from San Francisco to Los Angeles, but did it with friends. Not so much for the security but because it made the trip that much better having shared it with friends. There were a huge number of cyclists and motorists we met along the way that were friendly and helpful. I would suggest he find a friend or two for the companionship, but as a current Scoutmaster I think he will be just fine if he choses to do this on his own.
My only concern would be camping out east of Sacramento
CA into Utah and down into Flagstaff AZ in February and March. It can get cold and snowy. This would be a concern regardless of age. During late spring and summer I would have no concerns about such a trip for a young man such as this. If he is experienced in camping out and bicycling in cold snowy weather and suitably equipped I would say go ahead. He might consider a motel every week or so to dry out and warm up.
You need to check out The Path Less Pedaled. Russ and Laura have been on tour for over a year. You can find out anything you need to know about routes, campgrounds, and life on the road!
I’m a Mum and a cyclist. While I would not want to deny my child an experience like this, I would honestly be a little nervous in case they got into trouble not of their own doing. So, I would really try to figure out a way for him to do this with someone else (another cycle group member?) or a way to somehow keep tabs on him – through GPS tracking or something similar maybe?
I think, if he is a responsible kid, it would be a fabulous experience that would benefit him in so many ways – I would certainly do my best to find a way to let him do it while being comfortable with my “baby” out there!
Best to you and your son.
http://www.cyclelicio.us/2010/overcoming-biking-fears/#more-5920
I know what it means to need complete peace of mind regarding this issue. I would take the trouble to go through the various cities he may be stopping in and see if you can arrange for him to stay over at the homes of various church youth ministers or other legitimate youth organizations. They may be kind enough to offer a shower and a good meal as well, and others have taken this option before. It will also be a relief to have your son offer them the quick use of a phone card to call you and let you know your son is in good shape. Even if you use this strategy every other city, it will help. (The world is not as kind as it used to be. Too bad he cannot find a friend to accompany him)
You would be amazed at the wide variety of people traveling via bicycle. Old, young, male, female, fast, slow, they have a common goal, kind hearts and usually are more than willing to help a fellow two-wheeled traveler.
This will be the experience of a lifetime for your son, and any Eagle Scout will be just fine out there. The biggest worry would be traffic and cars. Buy him the best equipment, including a rear view mirror for his helmet or bike, and reflective clothing and accessories. Have him text you every night so you know he’s safe. And every now and then, surprise him with a paid hotel room and complimentary meal. He will never forget the luxury of the hotel room his mom got him and the hot shower and comfy bed he enjoyed!
Don’t worry mom, as the other posters stated, he’s a good kid and, as long as he has enough riding experience and a cell phone with him, he’s fine.
I would tell your son that you are very fond of his ambition and that he has your support – 100%. I rode cross country when I was 17. Traveled 4200 miles over 44 days riding through 5 mountainous regions and varied climates. I rode back in the day when communication was a phone call here and there, not in the cellular world we live in today. In fact, if he is riding with others I might say leave the cell phone at home and concentrate on the comeraderie of others and the scenic highways. He’ll appreciate you providing him with the freedom and most likely you will boast more of his adventure then he might. My trip was heavily planned and each night it was important that we met our destination, which included old hotels, gyms and the likes (hostels). Parents wired cash along the way. Food was simple, fresh and healthy. He’ll go through his share of wheels and tires. From a health standpoint, it’s important that he doesn’t extend himself, physically, intially. Long haul he’ll be fine. If we had health issues that sent riders home often it was due to a knee giving out. Which does heal eventually but can be inhibiting. People are more than willing to help along the way. Go West to East.
I have an idea. Usually don’t post on these things, but I think the previous notion of setting up a network to support along the way is a great idea, but since he’s a scout, he should rely on his scout brothers to help him, instead of just church groups. They could ask for help in getting places to stay along the way and maybe even get some support like mechanical, or other supplies. Also, the local scout network (along the way) can be of assistance in setting up the routes per the weather and reliability of the roads. Route is important to making his trip safe and doable. Scouting the route in a car (no pun intended) is also a good idea. The GPS tracking thing is great too, so progress can be checkerd by family. Also, as mentioned, the ones with emergency assistance would be the way to go. Check some of the sites listed above too, so you can get ideas! Good luck and I’m jealous!
see if he can round up friend to go along with him….
ask him questions…on how he is going to cook…
shop for food…camp out….stealth camping?…..
a clear well thought out planned route…
safety issues….
listen to how he is planning this trip….
and learn to let go…..
i put my mother through hell….
taking off at 17 around the world….
with out any plan…..i was lucky….that was in the 1960`s
Let him go.At 18 I doubt that he needs permission.However, i’m sure he’s concerned about your wishes.But,cut him loose and let him fly.
Sorry but if he goes alone, then no way. If something tragic should happen you’d never forgive yourself. It’d be different if there were at least one other person going with him.
I live in a town of about 75,000 in central WI and a couple of bikers are hit by cars and killed every year. Some times they are hit and runs and the driver isn’t found.
I have been run off the road many times over the past 30 years of riding. I’ve had stuff thrown at me from passing cars, I’ve had brush backs from cars passing from behind, and I’ve had people fling their car doors open at me when they’ve come up from behind.
Every time I road ride with a small group, about 3 times a week, we have a close encounter where a car is coming towards us in our lane, usually on a blind curve, or a car is passing us too closely on a particular semi busy highway. 2 bikers have died on that highway in the past 8 years. Another favorite on this same highway is oncoming traffic passing and ending up in our lane, forcing us off the road and the dirt. My 15 year old nephew was beaten up when he entered a small town, about 12 miles from his house last summer. I think some drivers don’t particularly like bikers in their loud shirts and spandex shorts, and feel threatened by people doing something healthy. No, I trust no one.
Having said all that, I enjoy reading rider’s journals from the website crazyguyonabike.com and I don’t think I’ve ever heard of any problems.
The scouting network is a good way to go. An Android or iPhone is a must, he can blog, take pictures, use the GPS as well as a Spot tracker and a waterproof point -n- shoot as well.
Has he thought about leading a group and getting a sponsor to raise money for his favorite cause(s).
I hope he blogs his trips. I look forward to hearing about it.
Despite what some like to say, the world is a safer place than it has ever been, we just publish more crap.
I agree the world is safer place compared to what the media makes us believe
http://hubpages.com/hub/Increase-Cycling-Speed
Since you probably can’t stop him anyway encourage him. Lots of bike people along the way that would be willing to help in a pinch – Remind him that if he is hitting northern Utah in Feb early March to bring his warm socks – can be cold here during that time.
Is Bike Touring Dangerous?
Not at all: http://www.examiner.com/world-bike-touring-in-national/is-bike-touring-dangerous?cid=examiner-email