My cousin (Matt) is starting his attempt to ride the perimeter of the USA today. He is 25 and left his job in Minnesota in supply chain management at Land o’Lakes to make an attempt at this. I am super excited for him! He has a twin brother, and personally, I am always fascinated by the dynamic of twins and that might be the hardest part he faces on this self-supported trip. Regardless, I wish him well and lots of riding prayers for a safe voyage.
He is a very religious and he is hoping to raise $25,000 for a youth camp he has been involved in over the years for kids with disabilities. Route is pictured below, and although he has no hard dates being self-supported, I am sure he could use some help with a wash of clothes, a place to stay, some latex tubes Although not a triathlete, he has committed to doing the majority of his commuting via bike even in harsh Minnesota winters. I think he did 8,500 hundred last year. Anyway, I figured there might be a few people interested in following along via his Instagram.
edit I followed up with my cousin today as there were a bunch of people offering assistance, thank you btw. Especially those that offered to lube his chain, lol. Anyway, If you don’t have social media/Insta to send him a DM then send him a message thru his contact page on his website. He is going to need a way to organize the dates/homestay as he makes his way around the country.
It looks like he will be riding by my place in Michigan near the end of September or beginning of October. If he is ok with dogs, he would be welcome to the guest bedroom and can use the laundry.
Is he looking for folks to host him? We live near Boston close to MA/RI, and would be open to that. What is best way to contact him? via Instagram?
I think the best way to contact him is just to send him a DM via Instagram. As for places to host, his plan is to camp pretty much everywhere and then try to connect with friends in places where he can but I am sure he would love to meet new people along the way. He is a super good kid from a nice family and he just really loves to bike and has a very positive attitude and sense of humor. Based on his first day it looks like he already had a flat on a nice thick tire. Funny, I rode in Tucson one winter in Tucson with the same Supersonic tire, with pointy things everywhere, and didn’t have a flat for six months.
I think I will forward this thread to him but Goodyear sounds great if he is going thru Phoenix. However, I am not sure his route is 100% set. If it was me, after heading to Tucson, I would just continue west to Kitt Peak and not even beeline (pun intended) up to Phoenix. Great stretch of road there and I am sure Paul Thomas would love to add another horse to his stable even if only for a few hours of companionship.
Good stuff! I remember years ago there was someone else here who tried something similar and posted their blog link, was fun to follow and read some of the stories. IIRC, he started in VA and went counterclockwise, making it to TX before he had to stop (I forget the reason).
I’m just outside of Boston if he needs anything when coming through this way. Best of luck to him!
Looks like he’s doing a reverse Seattle-to-Portland route? I live just a couple miles off the STP route where it crosses through Spanaway (near Tacoma). I’ve got a bunch of family stuff this weekend, but I could offer laundry, shower, and even a guest bed if he’d like…
I know your cousin Matt a little bit through the Minneapolis cycling scene. He’s hooked up with a an awesome group of riders here that routinely put in a ton of miles. He’s a super great guy. I wish him all the best.
Although not a triathlete, he has committed to doing the majority of his commuting via bike even in harsh Minnesota winters. I think he did 8,500 hundred last year. Anyway, I figured there might be a few people interested in following along via his Instagram.