On June 18, Ocean View residents Brett and Jennifer Dieste-Buffington and Russell Littleton will embark on a journey few have ever taken: they’ll bicycle coast-to-coast, more than 3,600 miles across a northern trek of the United States of America.
Coastal Point • JOHN DENNY
Ocean View residents, from left, Russell Littleton, Jennifer Dieste-Buffington and Brett Buffington will embark on a jorney across the northern United States, over 3,600 miles, in about 50 days.
Their voyage begins in Astoria, Ore., and will take them over the Cascade and Rocky Mountain ranges and through the Columbia, Missouri and Mississippi river crossings — all the way to Portsmouth, N.H., in 50 days.
The trip is broken down roughly into five 700 miles legs, or 70 miles per day. In 2004, the Buffingtons cycled the last leg of the cross-country ride known as the “New England Meander,” which ranges from Niagara Falls, N.Y., to Portsmouth, N.H. — 556 miles. And it was during that three-state excursion that they met up with a group that had taken the cross-country route and were inspired to do the same.
“We did a portion of the trip in what was called the ‘New England Meander’. And we’d hooked up with a group coming across, and it was then that we started thinking, ‘Oh, my God. Could we do the whole thing?’” Jennifer said.
“The people said it was incredible,” Brett Buffington recalled. “And we decided that we had to make it happen.”
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go on this ride,” she exclaimed. “We did our research and were pleased with the organization (America by Bicycle) and the enthusiasm of biking that we do. So we decided that if we could do this comfortably that we would go for it.”
“You only live once,” she added.
Participating cyclists really only have to worry about rotating their hind parts on the bike seat when sore and shipping their bikes out west. But other than that, it’s pretty much downhill — at least when they aren’t climbing one.
They’ll enjoy nightly hotel accommodations decked out with buffet dining to replenish the heaps of calories burned throughout the day, have their bags driven ahead to the next stop and won’t have to worry about getting stranded with a busted bike because America by Bicycle will have a mechanic on-hand to take care of any busted bikes along the way.
The Buffingtons have participated in an AIDS benefit ride from Raleigh, N.C., to Washington, D.C., and a handful of one-day century rides (100 miles) but nothing ever of this magnitude. So, in preparation, they began riding — a lot.
In 2006, the trio logged 5,500 miles, which put them over the 8,000 mile mark (8,100 miles) for the past two years.
All three cyclists ride Trek bikes, which are similar in quality to those that are used in the Tour de France.
The challenge will come when they must transfer their Delaware and East Coast riding experience to the steep ascents up the Cascades and Rocky Mountains.
Fortunately, the trio have not only dedicated themselves to riding long distances but also are genuinely excited about seeing sites such as Mount Rushmore, Grand Teton National Park and others that the northern continental United States has to offer.
“We’re definitely going to get a very big dose of reality with all the climbing we’ll have to face,” Jennifer Buffington admitted.
“It’ll take a week or two to get it adjusted,” Brett Buffington said. “But it’s all about volume. If you ride enough, then you’ll be ready and your body will adjust to the terrain.”
And though there may be days that the aches and pains might wear down on the group, it’s apparent that the opportunity to see sites without looking through a windshield is something that will push them along the way.
“Getting up day after day to do it (will be a challenge),” Brett Buffington said. “But it’s rewarding, too, because can look at how far we’ve come.”
“This should be pretty cool,” he continued. “We’ll be able to see the U.S. in another way. I’ve never really traveled out west. I did the Europe thing. But this is a unique way to travel the U.S. And the simplicity of it makes it great. We don’t have any real responsibilities except get up, eat, look at the map and ride.”
This will be Littleton’s first multi-day bike ride, but he already has the mental approach of a seasoned veteran.
“We’re not going for a race. It’s a tour. And we’ll be able to ride at our own pace and just enjoy the day,” he said.
The trio will post pictures and comments of their travels nightly, if possible, on their blog, at jenandbrettbikeride.blogspot.com, for those interested in keeping up with their travels.