I'll be resuming my ride across the southern US (which was cut short in June 2025 due to a family emergency) in approximately a week from now. Tentative starting date will be June 9th or 10th, 2026. Plan for now is to pick up in Harleton, TX for a "day 0" ride back to last year's finishing point of Bossier City, LA (near Shreveport) and from there continue to the ride across the southern US at day 24 (It took me 23 days of riding to get from Los Angeles to Bossier City, LA last year).
This year's ride will be what I call a "doorstep to doorstep" tour. I'll still be riding somewhere to the eastern coast of Florida to finish the Ride Across the Southern US that I started last year, but from there I will turn around and ride back via a different route to my cousin's house in Harleton, TX. I enjoy this kind of tour because it demonstrates the independence that bicycles can afford--they are indeed a legitimate means of transportation, as you can simply ride back to where you started when you're finished! It will also give me the kind of mileage comparable to what I've ridden the past few years.
I will be blogging every day (more or less) during this trip just as I did last year. My blogs are written for an early childhood demographic (4-7 years of age) but I maintain a matter-of-fact style which I hope is palatable for people of all ages. I'm a preschool teacher by trade and since there aren't many people blogging about their cycling adventures for young children, I'm trying to fill that gap.
If you'd like to donate to Ryves Youth Center in Terre Haute, which is the cause for which I've dedicated this ride, you can donate here (all donations go to Ryves Youth Center; I receive nothing): Ride Across America
For information about what Ryves Youth Center is and the different services they offer, click here: Ryves Youth Center - Catholic Charities Terre Haute - Terre Haute, IN
