The Great Trans-America Bicycle Journey

By Burton Smith usatrider@hotmail.com

     We are bicyclists whose joy it is to ride long-distance, across
thousands of miles, and while doing so, we raise funds to support
organizations we feel are worthy of support. We feel especially inclined
to help with missing children issues.

     The core event is this summer's adventure bicycle trip from one end
of America to the other. It's purpose will be to raise funds for the
activities of ChildQuest, a San-Jose, California-based organization,
active in finding missing children, nation-wide.  The Trans-America
Bicycle Journey will be publicized in every city on our route across the
USA. Publicity surrounding the trip is how we raise and keep the
public's interest and attention, which will result in many heartfelt
gifts.

     Each of the small number of riders (probably 4) will be a highly
motivated and committed cyclist. I myself bicycled from Kansas to Oregon
to Phoenix during the summer of 1996.  And bicycled back to North
Carolina from Phoenix in early 1997. Now we want to use our experience
and abilities for a good purpose. We feel that solving missing children
issues is a great purpose.

     My background is working as a computer consultant. I have helped
organizations with their computer needs for many years. In that
capacity, I have helped organizations with fund raising, marketing and
publicity.  I have worked out a plan for publicity before the trip,
sponsorship of miles traveled, TV and newspaper exposure in the cities
we travel through, fund raising while in those cities, an internet web
site for people to follow along with our progress as we go, and a big
party at trip's end. I have outlined the plan in the following
paragraphs.

     Right now, we are looking for dedicated tour bicyclists to
participate in the Trans-America Journey.  The qualifications of the
cyclists we want to ride with are as follows:

    1)  Owns bicycle capable of a cross-country journey.*
    2)  Already has or will obtain necessary gear for a camping journey.
    3)  Is totally confident about being able to ride 60-mile days for 3
months.
    4)  We would be especially inclined toward an individual willing to
share expenses,  but this is optional.

    5)  We are also looking for an individual with a van who wants to
have a summer fun vacation accompanying us.  Gas and food (i.e.,
expenses) can be provided for the right individual with the appropriate
van.


Note: I see long-distance bicycle touring as a transformative experience
or as a rite of passage. As such, in some cities along the route, I will
be giving a workshop entitled "Zen and the Art of Bicycle Touring."


My intent is to excite you about our vision, and encourage you to join
us.  I expect to get many applications from persons desirous of being
part of this journey. The more I am convinced of a person's sincere
desire to help with missing children's issues and combine that with a
determination to complete the journey, the easier it will be to select
that person.

Let me just say one thing here:  if you've never actually toured across
America, you may think this will be a lark. But I assure you -- it may
be a great, new, fun thing for you for two, maybe three weeks.  But then
one morning, you realize you've got to get up and slug out 60 more miles
and you don't feel it's so much fun anymore.  It doesn't matter.   We're
still going to get up and ride, through storms or dust or whatever it
takes. That's why I'd really like persons with experience, who have
perhaps already cycled America and knows they have the determination and
desire to make the whole distance. Convince me of that -- and you're in!

     From July 26 to October 31, 1997, our team of four bicyclists (and
an accompanying supplies van, hopefully) will set out from the Smoky
Mountains of North Carolina to cross America, ending our journey in San
Jose. The route is designed to pass through 25 major cities and towns.

     Before the journey begins, we will send letters and press releases
to the major media in each city we intend to ride through. And also to
the bicycle clubs in the area. Here is an optimal course of events as we
arrive in a given location...


    1) As a result of communicating with the bicycle clubs in the area
beforehand, bicycle riders will come out and ride several miles with us
as we approach town (naturally creating a festive and attractive
atmosphere.)

     2) The media, having been alerted by our press releases, phone
conversations, and by the bicycle clubs, will arrive to interview us. On
the evening news, we give the reasons why we're traveling, namely to
raise funds for Child Quest, and suggest BOTH an 800 number on the
screen AND try to make sure they state the location in town where we
will have a table set up the next day with a banner and literature.
Newspapers will be given pre-prepared text about our journey so far (no
guarantee they'll use it, but it's easy on them this way.)

     3) The following day, we raise public awareness at the table in
town or at a shopping mall, and we accept gifts from the public for the
activities of the organization. (Note: we will arrange long before we
begin the journey for the permits for the table.)

     4)  Late in the day (or the next day), we bicycle out of town and
travel for a day or two (and sometimes a week) before we reach the next
town, and do it all over again.


     This is the way we cross America, raising public awareness and
funds as we proceed. Many things still need to be done to prepare for
the journey.  I am hoping to find individuals who would be willing to
come to Asheville, North Carolina before the journey begins to help with
arrangements, and with some fund-raising before we set out. One way we
will publicize and raise funds is through a web site on the Internet.
This web site will be for the specific purpose of publicizing the
Trans-America journey and giving complete information about ChildQuest,
(with links to the ChildQuest web site, of course, which is
www.childquest.org)  Every day, our trip journal will be updated so that
those who wish may follow along with our progress as we travel.

     What is really significant about the web site is that we publicize
it's URL wherever we go, especially in any newspaper article that may be
printed about us.  We'd like people who read their daily newspaper to
feel that something is happening, right there, in their local area, and
all they have to do is hop on the Internet to find out what's going on,
in their own town.

     I hope the above information has excited you and stimulated your
imagination. If you'd like to be part of the small, select group that
makes the journey, I'd like the following information from you:

NAME:
ADDRESS:
CITY         STATE:     ZIP:
PHONE NUMBER
email address (if applicable):

BICYCLING EXPERIENCE:

YOUR REASONS FOR WANTING TO MAKE THIS JOURNEY  (separate sheet)
and WHAT YOU HAVE TO OFFER TO MAKE IT A SUCCESS


Thanks so much.

                             .... Burton Smith
                          (usarider@hotmail.com)


The Great Trans-America Bicycle Journey
32 Chancery Lane
Waynesville, NC  28786
(704) 452-9609