Pandemic 2020

As I was planning for my 2020 ride, I knew I would experience many challenges. A global pandemic was not one of them.

It's no surprise, but I'm not cycling the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail this summer. A series of roads and multi-use paths, the TABT is a cross-country route that goes from Yorktown, VA to Astoria, OR. That's over 4,200 miles! My route this summer would resume where I left off in 2016, beginning in Goreville, IL. 

I realized when school was transitioning to home-learning and orders were put into place to limit travel that I'd have to delay my ride. Though cycling may seem solitary, there are so many interactions that happen throughout the day. It may be the convenience store where I refill my water bottles and buy a mid-day snack or even the kindness of a stranger to offer me a place to stake my tent in her yard. I stopped at libraries to send email and charge my devices. I was grateful for restaurants and cafes so I could eat a meal without the prep and cleanup required to feed myself. So, even though I might be cycling solo at the edge of the road, I was never truly accomplishing any of my ride "all by myself". 

There are people sick and people dying from COVID-19. Missing my bicycle ride is a small loss, but a disappointing loss nonetheless. 

Here are updates from Adventure Cycling Association, if you're interested in how this organization (a huge support for the bicycle touring community!) is responding to COVID-19.