The Journey Begins, Southern Tier 2012
One year ago this week, I was preparing for my first Adventure Cycling epic tour leadership role; the Southern Tier Van tour from San Diego, CA to St. Augustine, FL. My co-leader, Dave Points, and I were busily preparing for the arrival of our participants. Our anxiety about how we would fair on our longest journey for Adventure Cycling was sometimes palpable. We were both experienced riders and leaders with several cross-country adventures under our belt; but none for Adventure Cycling.Once we had met our fellow riders, packed the van, and gathered on Dog Beach in San Diego for our send-off, our anxiety vanished and we began what would be a memorable experience with 11 new friends. Over mountains, across deserts, through forests we trudged on until we felt the spray of the Atlantic Ocean 58 days later. We rode, slept, ate, and laughed our way across the country.
The other day an interested tour follower, Charles Hansen, posted the following 6 minute video about the start of the 2012 Adventure Cycling Southern Tier tour.
Southern Tier participants gathering on Dog Beach in San Diego Amid the melancholy, there is hope, joy, and a bit of envy about the leaders and riders of the 2012 Southern Tier Van tour. On March 12, my friend Dave Points and Sean Sweeney gathered their participants at the Point Loma Hostel in San Diego to repeat the route but not the journey and experiences. The experiences of each cross-country journey is unique to the riders gathered. In most instances, the riders of an epic tour are meeting for the first time. |
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| 2012 Southern Tier participants and leaders |
This year the riders are indeed from all over the globe. In addition to just a few riders from the US, we have adventurers from Scotland, England, Norway, and New Zealand! Quite the international group. Gathering on the same Dog Beach that I walked a year ago, the riders where all clad in the traditional red, yellow, black, and green Adventure Cycling Southern Tier jersey. Photos of the gathering were taken and a few shared thoughts about the journey ahead. Shortly thereafter the group departed with smiles for a journey of a lifetime. I would love to be able to read their minds.
The other day an interested tour follower, Charles Hansen, posted the following 6 minute video about the start of the 2012 Adventure Cycling Southern Tier tour.
Best wishes to the entire group. I can't wait to see the photos and videos of your journey every few days. I am definitely a kindred spirit.
Top Photo: Charles Hansen. Bottom Photo: Dave Points Video: Charles Hansen--ON THE ROAD is written by the tours team -- Mo, Paul, Madeline, and Arlen -- tours specialists and intrepid bicyclists, covering all things related to Adventure Cycling's Tours Department. Check out our 2012 ToursSource: http://blog.adventurecycling.org/2012/03/journey-begins-southern-tier-2012.html

