Dave's "Race Across America" Trip

Not sure if you know this but in 1976 Dave and 2 buddies road their bicycles across the United States.  Starting in Lakeside, CA and ending in Falls Church, WV. They did it in 6 weeks. Only spending 2 nights in a bed.  The rest of the nights were spent on the ground and in parks on picnic tables. Dave did not have a single flat tire the entire trip.  When Dave saw that there was an opening to drive a Media van with photographers filming the riders in the "Race Across America" he jumped on it.

 

The Race Across America begins at the Oceanside Pier and take the racers over the Coast Range into the searing desert heat. After crossing the desert they climb into the cool Rocky Mountain air reaching 10,856 feet on Wolf Creek Pass, CO. After descending the mountain passes racers cross Great Plains, the Mississippi River and the relentless rolling hills of the Midwest. They must conquer the humidity and steep climbs of the Appalachian Mountains before they reach Annapolis, MD and the cool water of the Chesapeake Bay.  Solo racers leave on the 10th and the fastest solo racers will cover the 3,000 miles in just under 8-days. The teams will leave on the 14th and will cover the same miles in just over 5-days.

 

Media Crews and Drivers

 

 

 

 

 

 

Met Dave Zabriskie a long time Tour de France rider along the way. He was participating on a Four Man RAAM Team in 2014.

 

Met up with Frank Ryan in Greenville, Illinois.  He is walking across America. 

He left California on March 15, 2014.

 

 This was a fun adventure for Dave! He enjoyed meeting the riders and crew members participating in the race. At the top of Wolf Creek Pass in Colorado he took time to call Skeet Maize who had been on the 1976 trip with Dave, they enjoyed a moment to share their memories from their trip east. In the end, Dave decided that traveling in a 10 wheeler is much better than on a 2 wheeler! So lets get back on the road and see what else this country has for us to see!