R3A2 Rolff's Radical Ride Across America

Washington DC to Harper's Ferry 60 miles (178 total) Standing with Kevin of Rails to Trails Conservancy at the start of the C&O trail Eastern Box Turtle The title of this post, The Behemoth, comes from the fact that the company we are renting Laura's bike from delivered a 50 ton e-bike monstrosity. It works great but is impossible to maneuver in tight places. Our biggest challenge was climbing and descending the stairs to the bridge leading to Harper's Ferry over the Potomac River.  So many diverse views This is Lauren. Our paths crossed as we entered Harper's Ferry and she was continuing on the Appalachian trail. She began her trek from Georgia on March 8th. She had already completed 1,000 miles and "only" 1,200 to go. The Appalachian trail goes through Harper's Ferry. Her youtube channel is: Lauren takes a hike  Stone House B&B Harper's Ferry

  Annapolis MD to Washington DC - 50 miles. Well, I did have an interesting welcome to DC and I genuinely believed my life was in danger. Soon after this sign, I entered a road that took me around the Washington football stadium. I heard a siren but figured it would pass by some distance away from me. Then I heard the roar of an engine and screeching tires and saw a car racing through the parking lot coming in my direction. I realized this was a high speed chase and I better find a tree or something to hide behind or I might get hit by that crazy driver. There were no obvious hiding places so I picked up my pace. After about 50 yards, I saw a long line of policemen standing next to their parked cars cheering and having a good ol' time. It dawned on me that this was a high speed chase practice drill. After my heart returned to it's rightful place, I wondered, "Why wasn't there any warning signage?" DC landmarks that I rode past. I met up with Kevin, one of the plan...

This is my Aunt and Uncle who graciously hosted us for two nights. A visit with them was so enjoyable. It was great to reconnect after not seeing them in over six years. It reminded me of what my grandfather said at every family reunion where he would look around and say, "what a wonderful family!" This is Savannah. She was the clerk at roadside market where I stopped for a banana and honey cinnamon cashews. She noticed my bicycle and expressed interest in my adventure. When I gave her a R3A2 coaster she said she would pray for me and insisted on paying for my favorite bottled tea - Joe Tea green tea. I was hot, there was a head wind and I was riding on a highway, but this act of kindness energized me. Thank you Savannah! This is Jackie. He and some other gentleman were closing up church for the day. It was 90+ degrees and I knew I needed to douse my head with water. I asked if I could borrow a hose and Jackie said he lived two doors away. He gave me a bottle of cold water. A...

Dipping my rear tire in the Atlantic Ocean. Couldn't do this without the loving support of my wife! I am riding a proposed trail called, The Great American Rail Trail - primarily for cycling. There  is a proposed coast to coast hiking trail called, The American Discovery Trail. Saw this sign for that trail about 30 miles into my ride.

 In October I rode across the state of Washington. This was practice for my ride across the USA. Here are some pictures from the ride across Washington State.

My setup in October 2020. Note racks on both the front and the rear with panniers on either side of both racks, heavy tent on rear, heavy sleeping bag on front, A-frame bag. This is a picture of my bicycle configuration as of May 2021. Note that I have only one rack and that's on the rear and it has two smaller paniers. Also note that there is no A-frame bag; instead I have a handlebar bag. Also the heavy tent and sleeping bag have been replaced with ultra light tent and sleeping bag.   One of the main purposes of the ride across Washington in October of 2020 was to practice for this Summer's right across the USA. I learned a lot, including: 1) Warm Showers ( www.warmshowers.org ) is an awesome organization. I met some wonderful people through warm showers and even made a couple of lifelong friends who I believe are going to join me for a portion of my ride this summer. 2) Saddle sores can seriously impinge on one's cycling pleasure :-) 3) Painful cycling "hot foot...

 The seed was planted years ago - I don't know exactly how or when. Early last summer it germinated and became a seedling. By the end of the summer it had doubled in size and was recognizable as Rolff's Ride Across America.  In October 2020 I rode solo, unsupported across Washington State. The trip across WA caused the plant to mature; and now I am scheduled to leave on my cross country adventure on May 22nd.  Dipping my rear wheel in the Pacific - Day 1  Forest trail - Day 1