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Southern Tier Cross-Country Bicycle Tour
On September 18, 1999 I plan to ride across the U.S. from San Diego, CA to St. Agustine, FL. I will be travelling with up to 15 other cyclists on a route sponsored by Adventure Cycling. Formerly BikeCentennial, Adventure Cycling is a non-profit organization that promotes bicycle touring and sponsors several cross-country cycling trips each year. There are three cross-country routes: The Northern Tier route that starts in Seattle, Washington and passes through most of the northern border states and ends in Bar Harbor, Maine, The Trans-Am route which is the original BikeCentennial route starting in Yorktown, Virginia, passing through the Central states to Colorado where it heads north through Montana, Idaho and Oregon, ending in Portland, Oregon; and the Southern Tier route, which extends from San Diego to St. Augustine, Florida.

I will be taking the Southern Tier route starting on Sept. 18. A group of 13 cyclists are signed up for the trip and they will be joined by a tour leader who will ride with the group. The tour leader will manage the logistics of the tour, helping the group to decide where to camp, when to take rest days, and to reach group decisions. There will be no sag support; each cyclist will carry their own gear, including tent, sleeping bag, group cooking gear, group food, and all personal items. A tentative itinerary has been established, but the group will be flexible as to when and where we will stop each day. The plan is to have a rest day every 7 to 10 days.













58 Day Inn Tour
Dates:
• 3/9/06-5/5/06
• 3/8/07-5/4/07 (Details for 2007 trip will be provided soon!)
Tour Start: San Diego, CA

Tour End: St. Augustine, FL

Average Mileage: 55 miles daily

Total Mileage: 3,098 miles

Twice as many rest days and lowest average mileage of any transamerica tour!

Trip Price: $7690 (Double Occupancy)

Includes: Lodging, breakfasts and dinners on riding days, snacks throughout the day, SAG support, detailed maps, one bike maintenance class, mechanical instruction as needed, mechanical support, state line parties, send off banquet and celebration dinner party.

Van Support: We carry your luggage, and you if necessary.

Single Upgrade: $2,000 (Sorry, singles not available for 8 nights)

Rental Bike: Not available for cross country tours.

Participants: 27 women, maximum

CROSS COUNTRY: THE SOUTHERN TIER 2006

BREAST CANCER FUND RAISER

Are you interested in the cycling adventure of a lifetime? Here's your chance! An unforgettable journey from San Diego, California to St. Augustine, Florida. Along the way you'll experience scenic, rural America and small town hospitality. A van carries your luggage. Dry, warm beds and a hot shower every night! Descriptive, "can't get lost" maps by Adventure Cycling. This tour is specifically designed for women over 50.

"What you have done for women our age cannot be measured. I thank you for changing my view of the world and my attitude towards aging. I feel inspired."

Jane Hackenburg, Cross Country 2002

"I believe riding with WomanTours Cross Country...is an Adventure of a Lifetime. The challenges conquered, friendships made, strength gained both physically and personally. [It]...is a GIFTED experience that every woman deserves to give herself....with the proper training and great attitude to venture into the unknown...this trek is an achievable goal. I plan to do the Northern Tier in 2004...and to think the most I did on a daily basis was 14 miles around my lake!!!!"

Joan Robinson, Cross Country 2001

We dip our tires into the Pacific Ocean across from our hotel on Friday morning at an early hour catching the sunrise over the city. Our route takes us by the marinas as we leave the city of San Diego beginning the experience and adventure of a lifetime over back roads of the southernmost part of the United States.

After 4 days of cycling, we have a day off to let our bodies recover after conquering the mountains east of San Diego, and, to prepare for more "bumps" ahead. Our miles per day are moderate as we know it is early in the season and not everyone has had the opportunity to be in tour shape. By this point, the group will begin to gel and move into its touring rhythm.

This ride is a fundraiser for the National Breast Cancer Coalition. You are encouraged, but not required, to seek sponsors to contribute directly to the NBCC in your honor. Since 1988, this tour has collected over $150,000 to help fight breast cancer.


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TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

1. Women only! A supportive atmosphere for and by women celebrating what we can do in "life after 50".

2. We make every effort to stay in motels when possible. The founder of WomanTours, Gloria Smith, age 63, has put in her time on hard ground, waking up in a wet tent. She likes a soft bed after a 50 to 80 mile day. How about you?

3. There will be eight rest days over the course of the trip. These are often scheduled at scenic stops where there will be an opportunity to explore the area. We strongly believe in conducting a tour which gives our travelers time to see the natural wonders of our country and to have some time off to keep our bodies healthy and strong.

4. Reasonable price; $7,690 for a 58 day inn tour. We try to keep the price reasonable yet still provide the comforts of sleeping inside.

5. Small, intimate group of 27 plus staff. We become one big family.


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DETAILS

The Tour: Limited to 27 women plus staff. We advise making an early application as we anticipate this trip will fill quickly.

Mileage and Terrain: The first week we will average 50 miles a day with a variety of terrain. The second week will be the most challenging as we cross the continental divide.

To Join: Register on-line or call us at 800-247-1444 to make your non-refundable registration deposit of $200. The first payment of $2,500 will be due by November 1, 2006 ($1,000 is nonrefundable). The balance of the trip fee is due January 15, 2007.

DISCOUNTS

Register for the 2007 tour by May 1 and receive $500 off the tour price. Sign up for any WomanTours trip in 2006 at the same time you register for the Cross Country Tour and receive a 10% discount on the shorter tour.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DISCOUNTS

Cancellation & Refunds: The $200 registration fee is non-refundable. If you cancel prior to January 15th, $1000 of the $2,500 payment is refundable. The other $1,000 is not transferrable to another tour unless we are able to fill your space.

Trip Insurance: We will provide you with a source for trip cancellation/interruption insurance. WomanTours cannot refund any fees unless we are able to fill your space.

Tour Details: Help on training, transportation, a what to bring list, and a route sheet will be sent upon receipt of your registration fee.



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Potential DAILY ITINERARY 2006 TOUR

(Please note that the specific stopover towns and mileages are subject to change, especially considering the hurricane damage. We will continue to update the website.)

Date Location Miles
March 9 San Diego, CA 0
March 10 Alpine, CA 33
March 11 Jacumba, CA 46
March 12 Brawley, CA 68
March 13 Blythe, CA 91
March 14 Blythe, CA 0
March 15 Salome, AZ 63
March 16 Wickenburg, AZ 60
March 17 Phoenix, AZ 54
March 18 Gold Canyon, AZ 57
March 19 Globe, AZ 52
March 20 Safford, AZ 78
March 21 Safford, AZ 0
March 22 Buckhorn, NM 81
March 23 Silver City, NM 36
March 24 Silver City, NM 0
March 25 Kingston, NM 48
March 26 La Mesilla, NM 90
March 27 El Paso, TX 65
March 28 Fort Hancock, TX 48
March 29 Van Horn, TX 74
March 30 Ft. Davis, TX 84
March 31 Ft. Davis, TX 0
April 1 Marathon, TX 60
April 2 Sanderson, TX 54
April 3 Amistad, TX 110
April 4 Bracketsville, TX 42
April 5 Camp Wood, TX 50
April 6 Vanderpool, TX 40
April 7 Kerrville, TX 50
April 8 Kerrville, TX 0
April 9 Blanco, TX 66
April 10 Bastrop, TX 95
April 11 La Grange, TX 44
April 12 Navasota, TX 65
April 13 Navasota, TX 0
April 14 Cleveland, TX 73
April 15 Kountze, TX 55
April 16 DeRider, LA 99
April 17 Opelousasas, LA 92
April 18 Simmsport, LA 66
April 19 St. Francisville, LA 50
April 20 St. Francisville, LA 0
April 21 Franklinton, MS 107
April 22 Wiggens, MS 75
April 23 Pascagoula, MS 67
April 24 Dauphin Island, AL 46
April 25 Dauphin, Island, AL 0
April 26 Pennsicola, FL 69
April 27 Crestview, FL 56
April 28 Marriana, FL 90
April 29 Tallahassee, FL 76
April 30 Live Oak, FL 99
May 1 Live Oak, FL 0
May 2 High Springs, FL 55
May 3 Palatka, FL 73
May 4 St. Augustine, FL 46
May 5 Tour Ends shuttle to Jacksonville

RETURN TO TOUR LOCATIONS

RETURN TO TOUR DATES


WOMANTOURS: 800.247.1444 • 2340 ELMWOOD AVE., ROCHESTER, NY 14618 • INFO@WOMANTOURS.COM



Last Updated: March 14, 2006




Adventure Cycling Association - Bicycle Tours & Maps, Bicycle Gear & Equipment
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