Cross Country Usa • Explorer… (trip)

Cross Country Usa • Explorer • East & West Coast • North America

  • Santa Barbara Airport, Santa Barbara, California, United States
  • Culture & Nature
United States, North America

from $15,995* per person41 DaysSeptember
Luxury accommodations Exertion level: 3
Operator: Trek Travel 24 people max
Back by popular demand our epic Cross Country USA trip is again in our lineup—be the first to sign up for the challenge in 2012!  The goal: ambitious. The distance: 3,215 miles. The training: intense. The opportunity: unrivaled. If you're ready for the bike trip—and challenge—of a lifetime, prepare to join Trek Travel on a bicycle tour that stretches from the Pacific to the Atlantic. As the only tour operator to offer this fully supported, all-encompassing cycling trip you'll cover 3,215 miles and climb 93,000 feet over the course of 35 riding days—all from the seat of a top of the line Trek carbon fiber road bike which is included in your trip price. Your shortest day will be 35 miles and your longest day will be 140 miles. You'll have four rest days, four "rolling recovery" days with mileage of 40 to 60 miles, and 11 days with mileage of 100 miles or more. Although the challenge—and dedication to training—is substantial, your Trek Travel guides will be with you every pedal stroke of the way, offering encouragement, mechanical and logistic support, camaraderie, and renowned Trek Travel guest service. Our signature attention to detail - and exhaustive planning and provisioning - will leave you free to just ride.  You'll accomplish more physically in 41 days than most people do in a lifetime!

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United States, North America

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Itinerary

Day 1: Friday, September 14, 2012
Road Bike | Santa Barbara to East Mountain Drive Loop | approximately 31 miles with 3,100 feet of climbing
Your Trek Travel guides will meet you at the Fess Parker’s DoubleTree Hotel (633 East Cabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara,
California) at 12:00 PM on the first day of the trip. Today is the day to get everything in order, before embarking on your ride
across the West. After a hearty welcome picnic and brief introductions, your guides will take time to fit you to your bikes. It is
recommended that you have a professional bike fit early in your training. Please bring all measurements from such bike fits, as well
as saddle, pedals, GPS units, and any other equipment you would like affixed to your bike to this meeting, so that your guides can
properly setup up your bikes. Following the bike fit and a few talks relevant to the trip, you will take a short scenic spin around
Santa Barbara and the surrounding coastline and hills to get your legs warmed up and to work out any issues with the fit of your
bike. Your warm-up ride will be followed by a social hour, where your guides will discuss your upcoming adventure in detail,
before heading to one of Santa Barbara’s most popular restaurants for dinner.
Hotel | Fess Parker’s DoubleTree Resort | 805 564 4333 | www.FessParkerSantaBarbaraHotel.com

Day 2: Saturday, September 15, 2012
Road Bike | Santa Barbara, CA to Valencia, CA | approximately 79 miles with 2,500 feet of climbing
Your adventure begins oceanside, under the towering palms of Santa Barbara’s harbor. Once familiarized with some route details
and safety tips, ease into the first pedal strokes of your journey, as you cruise south along the gently rolling Pacific Coast Highway.
Bid farewell to ocean breezes until the journey’s end, as you turn east and head inland, gradually climbing through citrus, palm,
and avocado orchards. One short, but stout, hill is the final challenge between you and a welcome reception at our hotel in
Valencia.
Hotel | Hyatt Valencia & Santa Clarita Conference Center | 661 799 1234 | www.Valencia.Hyatt.com

Day 3: Sunday, September 16, 2012
Road Bike | Valencia, CA to Victorville, CA | approximately 90 miles with 3,700 feet of climbing
A 25-mile gradual climb leads you out of California’s Mediterranean climate, over the Transverse ranges, and into the vast and
sublime Mojave desert. After a brisk 12-mile descent, find yourself pedaling through the broad mountain-fringed Antelope Valley
Basin, best known for wind farms, the California aqueduct, NASA Space Shuttle landings, and the symbolic Joshua tree.
Hotel | Hilton Garden Inn | 760 952 1200 | www.Victorville.StayHGI.com

Day 4: Monday, September 17, 2012
Road Bike | Victorville, CA to Twentynine Palms, CA | approximately 90 miles with 2,200 feet of climbing
The heart of the California Mojave desert is your destination today. The breadth of the terrain may challenge you, yet you may
also find yourself pleasantly surprised by the hospitality of the desert in fall. The military town of Twentynine Palms rests beneath
the granite monoliths of Joshua Tree National Park.
Hotel | 29 Palms Inn | 760 367 3505 | www.29PalmsInn.com

Day 5: Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Road Bike | Twentynine Palms, CA to Parker, AZ | approximately 109 miles with 3,000 feet of climbing
Today you head due east, venturing through the most pristinely desolate ride of the whole trip. The seemingly barren and rugged
landscape teems with life, including the desert tortoise, bighorn sheep, many species of cactus, and scattered relics of human
attempts to tame this wild place. After this, your first century ride of your cross-country trip, you’ll arrive at your own oasis near
the banks of the Colorado River—Parker, Arizona!
Hotel | Best Western Parker Inn | 928 669 6060 | www.BestWesternArizona.com/Parker

Day 6: Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Road Bike | Parker, AZ to Lake Havasu City, AZ | approximately 42 miles with 1,300 feet of climbing
Relish a later, more relaxed start today, as you and your new riding mates only have 45 miles to conquer! Today’s active recovery
ride takes you along the gently rolling banks of the Colorado River. After stopping for some photos as you cross over historic
Parker Dam, climb along the edge of the Bill Williams Mountains, before descending into the resort town of Lake Havasu City.
Check out the original London Bridge on your way in, brought over brick by brick and rebuilt here!
Hotel | Hampton Inn Lake Havasu City | 928 855 4071 | www.HamptonInn.com

Day 7: Thursday, September 20, 2012
Road Bike | Lake Havasu City, AZ to Kingman, AZ | approximately 85 miles with 5,600 feet of climbing
After heading north out of Lake Havasu City, you’ll lay down some rubber on Historic Route 66! You’ll gradually climb up to
the historic ghost town of Oatman. Investigate the shops and marvel at the dozens of wild burros, amidst the remnants of this
gold-rush boomtown. Finally, soak in the epic views as you tackle the serious Sitgreaves pass, before descending into Kingman.
Hotel | Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Kingman | 928 718 4343 | www.HIExpress.com

Day 8: Friday, September 21, 2012
Road Bike | Kingman, AZ to Seligman, AZ | approximately 83 miles with 2,800 feet of climbing
Riding the longest intact section of Historic Route 66, you’ll make your way through Hualapai Indian lands and up onto the
Colorado Plateau. Mesas with multi-colored badlands will characterize today’s ride.
Hotel | Original Historic Route 66 Motel | 928 422 3204 | www.Route66SeligmanArizona.com

Day 9: Saturday, September 22, 2012
Road Bike | Seligman, AZ to Grand Canyon | approximately 105 miles with 5,100 feet of climbing
With the San Francisco Peaks—Arizona’s highest mountains—as your backdrop, today’s terrain will undulate through high desert
landscapes - dappled by fragrant sage, piñon pines and juniper. Experience the serenity of the largely unpopulated landscape, as
crisp desert air powers your lungs and legs to the edge of one of the world’s most geologically revealing places. Relax on the
canyon rim as you read the pages of time, written in stone on the 5,000-foot walls of the Grand Canyon.
Hotel | National Park Lodges South Rim Grand Canyon | 928 638 2631 | www.GrandCanyonLodges.com

Day 10: Sunday, September 23, 2012
Rest Day | Grand Canyon, AZ
Get up early and enjoy the spectacular sunrise on the Grand Canyon, or catch up on some sleep. Go for a light hike to flush out
the legs, catch an IMAX film, or simply get some emailing and laundry done. Today is yours to explore, dine, and recover as you
please.
Hotel | National Park Lodges South Rim Grand Canyon | 928 638 2631 | www.GrandCanyonLodges.com

Day 11: Monday, September 24, 2012
Road Bike | Grand Canyon’s South Rim Village to Tuba City, AZ | approximately 82 miles with 3,000 feet of climbing
Take your time soaking in the great views one last time, as you head out along the rim. On the road, the haunting beauty of
the variegated landscape is accentuated by legends of the Native American spirits, such as the infamous trickster known as the
Kokopelli, that are said to inhabit the region. Your final destination for the day is a small tribal town, perched on the border of
the Hopi and Navajo Nations.
Hotel | Moenkopi Legacy Inn | 928 283 4500 | www.ExperienceHopi.com

Day 12: Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Road Bike | Tuba City, AZ to Mexican Hat, UT | approximately 116 miles with 3,400 feet of climbing
Today you will know you are in the Wild West, as your route skirts the iconic mesas, buttes, and pillars of Navajo National
Monument, commonly referred to as Monument Valley. Every pedal stroke of your brief experience in Utah will be rewarded
with the awe and amazement of a truly epic ride. Grab a drink, kick up your feet, and soak in the great views of the San Juan
River from your hotel as you celebrate a great day’s ride and another state conquered!
Hotel | Hat Rock Inn | 435 683 2221 | www.HatRockInn.com

Day 13: Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Road Bike | Mexican Hat, UT to Cortez CO | approximately 101 miles with 5,100 feet of climbing
Another big ride today takes you very near the Four Corners—Utah and Arizona to the west, Colorado and New Mexico to the
east. Along the ride, hunt for ancient cliff dwellings left by the Anasazi, the ancestral Pueblo Indians, or add a few miles and stand
in the only place on earth where you can be in four states at once.
Hotel | Holiday Inn Express Mesa Verde | 970 565 6000 | www.ColoradoHoliday.com

Day 14: Thursday, September 27, 2012
Road Bike | Cortez, CO to Durango, CO | approximately 43 miles with 2,900 feet of climbing
Today you’ll bid farewell to the southwestern desert and enter the San Juan Range of the Rocky Mountains. After spinning
your way up to 8500 ft (2590 m), you’ll enjoy an epic descent into the “Wild West” outpost town of Durango. Enjoy some
time off the bike as you explore this quintessential Colorado mountain town. Tonight’s dinner is your choice so, armed with
recommendations from your guides, you can find the perfect recovery meal.
Hotel | Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Durango | 970 259 6580 | http://doubletree1.hilton.com/en_US/dt/hotel/RLDU-DTDoubleTree-
by-Hilton-Hotel-Durango-Colorado/index.do

Day 15: Friday, September 28, 2012
Road Bike | Durango, CO to Pagosa Springs, CO | approximately 70 miles with 3,600 feet of climbing
Today you’ll continue your journey through the San Juans of southwestern Colorado. After conquering today’s big climbs, you’ll
be duly rewarded with a soak in Pagosa’s namesake natural hot springs! And to add to this personal pampering, enjoy 24-hour
access to the Springs Resort in the epicenter of old-town Pagosa. Rest up and re-fuel for tomorrow’s mammoth day!
Hotel | Pagosa Springs Resort | 970 264 4168 | www.PagosaHotSprings.com

Day 16: Saturday, September 29, 2012
Road Bike | Pagosa Springs, CO to Taos, NM | approximately 141 miles with 7,700 feet of climbing
Today will be memorable and momentous, as it is the longest day of your cross-country adventure. Aspen-cloaked mountain
passes and sunflower-fringed valleys sugarcoat the challenge of this ride—the longest distance of your journey. Your well-seasoned
legs and acclimated lungs have trained hard for today. Enjoy being in the best shape of your life!
Hotel | El Monte Sagrado Living Resort | 575 758 3502 | www.ElMonteSagrado.com

Day 17: Sunday, September 30, 2012
Rest Day | Taos, NM
This is your day to rest and recover. You have worked hard and have crossed 40% of the country. Activities abound to occupy
your time in Taos. Visit the famous Taos Pueblo, peruse the many art galleries, enjoy fiery New Mexican cuisine, or have the miles
massaged from your muscles. For those who simply cannot rest, take in a round of golf, a hot air balloon ride, or a white water
trip down the Rio Grande. Of course, you can always log up to 85 more miles in the saddle on the well-known Enchanted Circle
around Wheeler Peak - New Mexico’s highest mountain - if you like. Culinary options abound in Taos, so take advantage of this
night on your own to sample the best of New Mexican fare.
Hotel | El Monte Sagrado Living Resort | 575 758 3502 | www.ElMonteSagrado.com

Day 18: Monday, October 1, 2012
Road Bike | Taos, NM to Raton, NM | approximately 92 miles with 3,600 feet of climbing
Back in the saddle and well-rested, today will be your last day in the Rocky Mountains. Climbing out of Taos on a segment of
the Enchanted Circle, you will pedal past Angel Fire and Wheeler Peak, ultimately traversing the Sangre de Cristo Mountains
and descending onto the high plains.
Hotel | Holiday Inn Express, Raton | 575 445 1500 | www.HIExpress.com

Day 19: Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Road Bike | Raton, NM to Clayton, NM | approximately 93 miles with 2,600 feet of climbing
Today you’ll ride through the wind-swept, gently undulating plains, as we slowly drop in elevation out of the Rocky Mountain
foothills. You’ll ride past the ancient Capulin Volcanoes, which were active some 60,000 years ago, and into a region that has been
at a crossroads for more than 100 million years, from fossilized dinosaur tracks dotting the countryside, to Native American and
Spanish trading routes. Your final destination today is Clayton, a quiet agricultural town in eastern New Mexico, 130 miles (209
km) from the closest metropolitan area, Amarillo, TX.
Hotel | Best Western Kokopelli Lodge | 575 374 2589 | www.BestWesternNewMexico.com

Day 20: Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Road Bike | Clayton, NM to Guymon, OK | approximately 106 miles with 300 feet of climbing
Today you’ll be riding through the grasslands of the plains, retracing portions of the Santa Fe Trail—the main route once used by
pioneers traveling from the west of Kansas City to Santa Fe. You’ll enter the Panhandle of Oklahoma, or better known as “No
Man’s Land;” it’s the final Wild West frontier. Your destination town, Guymon, OK, wasn’t settled until 1901, but today it is the
largest town in the panhandle.
Hotel | Holiday Inn Express, Guymon | 580 338 4208 | www.HIExpress.com

Day 21: Thursday, October 4, 2012
Road Bike | Guymon, OK to Woodward, OK | approximately 126 miles with 2,500 feet of climbing
Keep your eyes open for wildlife today, as you enter a region filled with deer, coyotes, raptors, hawks, and eagles. Traveling further
east and transitioning from the High Plains of the Great Plains to the Central Plains, you’ll encounter the slightly rolling terrain,
common to this area. Today’s goal is Woodward, a one-time mecca for cattle herders heading back and forth through the plains;
these days, this town is a major regional center.
Hotel | Holiday Inn Express, Woodward | 580 256 5200 | www.HIExpress.com

Day 22: Friday, October 5, 2012
Road Bike | Woodward, OK to Enid, OK | approximately 112 miles with 3,000 feet of climbing
Begin your day by leaving town through Boiling Springs State Park, once a favorite campsite of the Plains Indians, but now
a popular hang-out for deer! As you continue east, you’ll traverse through a Cross Timbers eco-system. Unique to portions of
Kansas, Oklahoma, and Central Texas, this semi-savanna terrain mixes oak forests with patches of tall-grass prairie, which formed
virtually impenetrable growth for early settlers.
Hotel | Holiday Inn Express, Enid | 580 237 7722 | www.HIExpress.com

Day 23: Saturday, October 6, 2012
Road Bike | Enid, OK to Ponca City, OK | approximately 72 miles with 1,000 feet of climbing
Today’s ride takes you into Oklahoma’s oil country. The center of oil discovery and development in the U.S., this area was home
to Phillips Oil until it merged with Conoco in 2001. The industry’s impact is obvious as you ride by the many oil wells and
refineries of the region. If you have spare time, check out the Marland Mansion, former home of E.W. Marland, the oil pioneer,
senator, and governor of Oklahoma.
Hotel | Holiday Inn Express, Ponca City | 580 762 3700 | www.HIExpress.com

Day 24: Sunday, October 7, 2012
Road Bike | Ponca City, OK to Bartlesville, OK | approximately 82 miles with 2,600 feet of climbing
Today’s ride takes you through the rolling hills and grasslands of the Osage Indian Reservation. After stopping for lunch in
Pawhuska, you’ll enjoy quiet back roads, before arriving in historic Bartlesville. If you get in early, check out the Price Tower
downtown, the only skyscraper to be completed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Hotel | Hilton Garden Inn, Bartlesville | 918 336 0808 | HiltonGardenInn.Hilton.com

Day 25: Monday, October 8, 2012
Road Bike | Bartlesville, OK to Neosho, MO | approximately 111 miles with 2,800 feet of climbing
Your last day in Oklahoma takes you through the gently rolling northeastern corner of the state, on your way to the Missouri
border. Your destination is Neosho, MO, a name that pays tribute to the nine original springs in town and means “clear, cold
water” in the native language of Osage. Today you’ll have great cause to celebrate, as you will have crossed two-thirds of the
continent!
Hotel | Best Western Big Springs Lodge | 417 455 2300 | www.BestWestern.com

Day 26: Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Road Bike | Neosho, MO to Branson, MO | approximately 90 miles with 4,000 feet of climbing
Today’s journey will take you through dramatically different landscapes, as you enter the brisk rolling hills and forests of the Ozark
Plateau and Mark Twain National Forest. The Ozark Plateau of Missouri and surrounding states is the only highland area in the
Midwest, often overshadowed by the more dramatic Appalachians to the east and the coastal and inland mountains of the west.
With its numerous shows, theme parks, lake front fishing, and flashy nighttime “strip,” you’ll see first hand how Branson has been
dubbed the “family-friendly Las Vegas of the Midwest!”
Hotel | Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing | 417 336 5500 | www.Hilton.com

Day 27: Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Rest Day | Branson, MO
Enjoy your day off here at Branson Landing, a prime location along the banks of Lake Taneycomo. Shop at any of the renowned
stores, catch a show—it’s what put Branson on the map—or rent a fishing pole and see what you can catch. You’ll have no
problem finding plenty to eat at one of the many excellent downtown restaurants. Enjoy the relaxation and dinner on your own,
because tomorrow’s “rollers” await!
Hotel | Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing | 417 336 5500 | www.Hilton.com

Day 28: Thursday, October 11, 2012
Road Bike | Branson, MO to West Plains, MO | approximately 102 miles with 6,700 feet of climbing
After a memorable day in Branson and a steep morning climb out of town, you’ll spend much of the day continuing to tackle the
twisting, hilly roads of the 1.5-million acre Mark Twain National Forest. While the hills may not look tall, don’t be fooled - this
is your third biggest day of climbing on the trip. You’ll stop for a well-deserved lunch break on the banks of Bull Shoals Lake,
perhaps the perfect spot for an afternoon swim!
Hotel | Holiday Inn Express, West Plains | 417 257 3000 | www.BestWestern.com

Day 29: Friday, October 12, 2012
Road Bike | West Plains, MO to Poplar Bluff, MO | approximately 111 miles with 5,500 feet of climbing
As you enjoy your last day in the Ozarks, you’ll continue the cultural transition from the Midwest to the South. Today’s route will
take you through a region that was deeply impacted by the Civil War. The town of Doniphan was completely destroyed during
the war, but was revived with the emergence of logging and farming, which still drive this region’s economy. Today’s destination
is Poplar Bluff, marking the end of the Ozarks and its hilly terrain.
Hotel | Drury Inn, Poplar Bluff | 573 686 2451 | www.DruryHotels.com

Day 30: Saturday, October 13, 2012
Road Bike | Poplar Bluff, MO to Union City, TN | approximately 102 miles with 600 feet of climbing
As you head east toward Kentucky and Tennessee, you’ll be greeted with flat, straight roads - and if you’re lucky, a tailwind! After
pedaling the last 83 miles (134 km) through Missouri, you’ll hop onboard a small riverboat ferry to shuttle for the mile, or so,
across the mighty Mississippi. Following a quick eight miles (13 km) in Kentucky, you’ll hit the Tennessee state line, heading for
the hotel in Union City, TN. Enjoy classic soul food as you relish your first night in the South!
Hotel | Hampton Inn, Union City | 731 885 8850 | www.HamptonInn.com

Day 31: Sunday, October 14, 2012
Road Bike | Union City, TN to Dover, TN | approximately 78 miles with 2,600 feet of climbing
Get ready for another great day, as your ride takes you through the rolling farmland of eastern Tennessee, to the Tennessee River.
After crossing, you’ll wind your way through forest roads to the historic town of Dover.
Hotel | Dover Inn Motel | 931 232 5556 | www.DoverInnMotel.com

Day 32: Monday, October 15, 2012
Road Bike | Dover, TN to Nashville, TN | approximately 94 miles with 4,300 feet of climbing
The final stretch of your journey across the heartland is lush, hilly, and exceptionally scenic. Celebrate your completion of the
third of four legs on this cross-country trek with a southern-style picnic feast, just outside of Nashville. You’ll ride to your luxury
hotel in the heart of the “Country Music Capital of the World.” If you have time this afternoon, you may want to explore the
sights and, more appropriately, the sounds of this vibrant city. Tonight celebrate your arrival in the South with a social hour and
dinner at the celebrated Oak Bar and Capitol Grille.
Hotel | The Hermitage | 615 244 3121 | www.TheHermitageHotel.com

Day 33: Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Rest Day | Nashville, TN
Home to the Grand Ole Opry and the launching pad for music careers of legends like Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley and Patsy
Cline. Nashville is the political and cultural capital city of Tennessee, but don’t let the 10-gallon hats and Wranglers fool you.
Nashville can be as hip as any east or west coast metropolis... just add a dash of Southern hospitality. Following 31 days on the
secluded byways of small town America, today is your chance to recharge with the help of humming guitar strings, sassy Tennessee
barbecue, or the healing restoration of a Shiatsu massage.
Hotel | The Hermitage | 615 244 3121 | www.TheHermitageHotel.com

Day 34: Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Road Bike | Nashville, TN to Crossville, TN | approximately 126 miles with 6,800 feet of climbing
Leaving Nashville behind, you’ll ascend into the geologically ancient and culturally rich Appalachian highlands. The sounds of
folk music, recognizable in the modern Bluegrass revival, provide an audio backdrop for riding along the twisted undulating roads
of this deeply forested region. Choose to shuttle or ride out of downtown Nashville, as you head into the rolling hills of Central
Tennessee, seeing firsthand the transition from metropolitan to rural. Today’s ride will prove to be challenging, as you’ll end the
day atop the Cumberland Plateau.
Hotel | Holiday Inn Express | 931 707 1035 | www.HIExpress.com

Day 35: Thursday, October 18, 2012
Road Bike | Crossville, TN to Sevierville, TN | approximately 107 miles with 5,300 feet of climbing
Winding your way out of Crossville, you’ll once again cross the famous Tennessee River and tackle plenty of rolling hills. If
luck is on your side today, cool air has snapped foliage into explosions of fall color. The valleys and ridges that you’ll explore
will introduce you to the geographic isolation that helped mold the traditions, cuisine, and pastoral country ethic of Southern
Appalachia. Sitting on the western edge of Great Smoky Mountain National Park, the small town of Sevierville not only serves
as a gateway to these majestic mountains, but is the proud birthplace of Dolly Parton.
Hotel | The Fairfield Inn | 865 429 8300 | www.FairFieldInnPigeonForge.com

Day 36: Friday, October 19, 2012
Road Bike | Sevierville, TN to Asheville, NC | approximately 89 miles with 5,600 feet of climbing
Begin today’s ride gradually climbing and winding your way along the western slopes of the Smoky Mountains, through pine
and oak forests. The French Broad River Valley provides both a scenic and relatively moderate route up into the Smokys, when
compared with the few other roads over the mountains. A popular bike route with the locals, following the Dixie highway along
the French Broad River takes you to your luxury hotel in the heart downtown Asheville. Check out any number of restaurants
tonight on your own in this progressive college town.
Hotel | Asheville Renaissance Hotel | 800 359 7951 | www.HamptonInn.com

Day 37: Saturday, October 20, 2012
Road Bike | Asheville, NC to Spartanburg, SC | approximately 84 miles with 4,800 feet of climbing
Enjoy a long gradual climb out of Asheville, eventually crossing the Eastern Continental Divide; you’ll leave the mountains
behind and begin the descent into South Carolina. Don’t go too fast, or you’ll miss some spectacular scenery, including the famed
Chimney Rock! If you’re feeling ambitious, make the hike to the top and enjoy 75-mile views. As you cross into South Carolina,
you’ll be entering an area known as the Piedmont - literally meaning “foothills” in French - a rolling area of ancient mountains,
serving as the last obstacle before the coastal plains homestretch.
Hotel | Marriott at Renaissance Park | 864 596 1211 | www.Marriott.com

Day 38: Sunday, October 21, 2012
Road Bike | Spartanburg, SC to Columbia, SC | approximately 103 miles with 3,800 feet of climbing
Southern hospitality, a rich history, cultural diversity, and a charming dialect make today’s ride yet another highlight of your
journey. You’ll pass by historic Rose Hill Plantation. Enjoy the shade of Sumter National Forest and cruise through quaint
southern towns, on your way to the state Capitol, Columbia, SC. Almost entirely founded on the cotton industry in the 1800’s,
Columbia was ground zero for the secession of the Confederacy in 1860.
Hotel | Hilton Columbia Center | 803 744 7800 | www.HiltonColumbia.com

Day 39: Monday, October 22, 2012
Road Bike | Columbia, SC to Summerville, SC | approximately 112 miles with 1,100 feet of climbing
You will know you are getting close to your final stop, as you descend off the Carolina Piedmont and enter the palmetto-dappled
coastal plains. On the last big day of your journey, you will cruise past Conagree National Park, which is home to the largest
remnant old-growth floodplain forest remaining on the continent. As you pedal through charming antebellum towns, you may
find yourself reflecting on the past 40 days and the amazing diversity you have experienced across this country. Tonight you will
relax in style, in your modern wooded retreat just outside of Summerville.
Hotel | The Inn at Middleton Place | 843 556 0500 | www.TheInnatMiddletonPlace.com

Day 40: Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Road Bike | Summerville, SC to Isle of Palms, SC | approximately 32 miles with 400 feet of climbing
Today is your victory lap... your Cross-Country “Champs Élysées”, where a short 35-mile spin allows you to celebrate your
amazing accomplishment. As you approach the Atlantic, the familiarity of coastal breezes and swaying palms is reminiscent of 40

Days earlier, when you set out from Santa Barbara to pedal your way across the U.S. Stately moss-cloaked oak trees line the streets
of your final destination, Charleston, as if to cheer your last pedal strokes. After riding through the colorful and historic downtown,
you’ll cross over the magnificent Cooper River Bridge, rising more than 200 ft (60 m) above Charleston Harbor. The final miles
will wind you through the beach houses and palm-lined boulevards of Sullivan’s Island, to your last stop in a truly epic journey,
the Isle of Palms. The Atlantic Ocean is the fitting backdrop to luxury accommodations, a gourmet feast, and a well-earned Trek
Travel celebration.
Hotel | The Boardwalk Inn at the Wild Dunes Resort | 888 778 1867 | www.WildDunes.com

Day 41: Wednesday, October 24, 2011
Road Bike | Charleston, SC
A celebratory farewell breakfast and a leisurely morning on Isle of Palms provides you with the opportunity to revisit the triumphs
and challenges of the past 41 days. At the end of your trip, you will make your way to the Charleston International Airport,
approximately 10 miles away to catch your departing flight. This ride-of-a-lifetime has come to a close, but the friendships and
memories produced by this epic journey have just begun. You’ll say farewell to your guides at 10:00 AM at the Wild Dunes
Resort, Isle of Palms, SC. You can then make your way to the Charleston International Airport (CHS), to depart to the destination
of your choice.

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