Show Me How: to bike across the country

Kindra Aschenbrenner, a junior and sociology major, intends to bike across the United States this summer, fulfilling her lifelong dream. Aschenbrenner, along with her sister, leave mid-May on a 10-week bike trip along the northern U.S., beginning in Portland, Ore., through Ontario, Canada, and ending in New York City.

Aschenbrenner, who has been planning this trip for almost two years, shared insights on how students can plan their own cross-country bike trip.

Have a plan

Several websites, such as AdventureCycling.org, outline plans and resources for bicyclists interested in cross-country trips. These resources include lists of rest areas and camping sites as well as blogs from bicyclists who have actually taken these trips. The site also includes group trips in which bicyclists can take part, and guided tours for families. It is important to have an established plan and stick to it for safety (and sanity) purposes.

Have a budget

Aschenbrenner said it took her a couple of years to save for the trip. Your trip can be cheap or expensive, depending on your route. If the plan is to bike through several large cities and stay at hostels or motels, you’ll need money to pay for rooms.

Aschenbrenner, who will bike primarily through rural areas, is budgeting $80 per week for food, including groceries and eating out. Decide what the biking plan calls for financially, and plan how much money you will be spent each week.

Pack light

“We are trying to be as minimalist as possible,” Aschenbrenner said. She plans to bring a couple of pannier bags, which are bicycle side-bags, and fill them with hygiene items; a couple of T-shirts and pairs of bike shorts; a sleeping bag; a camp stove; and a tent. Other items she will keep on hand are small snacks, a lot of water, a journal, her passport, and money.

Be safe

As is the case with any expedition into unexplored territory, safety should be a priority. Aschenbrenner plans to bring pepper spray, and will call her family to update them regularly. Traveling in a group or with another person is also a means of protection. Think about safety in the early steps of the planning process.

Dive in

The final piece of advice Aschenbrenner offered was, “If you want to do something, don’t just think about it. One of my favorite quotes is ‘What is life but to dream and do.’ The first step was deciding to go.”