Three States, One Thousand Miles, One Week, One Goal.

On June 21, 2011, we took on our second challenge: a 1,000 mile bike ride from San Francisco to Salt Lake City. This route is commonly known as one of the most challenging cycling routes in America, due to its steep climbs, lack of water access, temperature extremes (as high as 110 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer), and long distances in between towns. Traveling from city-to-city, we reached out toward communities along the way and spread our message of cancer research, awareness, and prevention. And most importantly of all – we hoped to inspire others to take a stand against cancer.

From the coastal city of San Francisco, our planned route took us through agricultural valleys, dry and barren deserts, and climbs over the spine of the Sierra Nevada. Nonetheless it was a ride full of challenges and obstacles, ranging from heat exhaustion to dehydration and of course, fatigue. However, after traveling into the heart of Utah, and nearly 1,000 miles of pedaling, our journey had ended in Salt Lake City, the “Crossroads of the West.”

The total distance between San Francisco and Salt Lake City is approximately 1,000 miles. We completed the journey at around 70-130 miles per day, which depended on the terrain and weather conditions. We traveled enitrely solo and without a support vehicle and hauled our own equipment, clothing, and camping supplies using cargo trailers attached to our bikes.