ON THE ROAD | Sea-to-Shining-Sea Bike Tour

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”

Albert Einstein

The Sea-to-Shining-Sea Bike Tour spans in segments from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean on bike—with the goal of completion in early 2023. The tour kicked off in 2001, when Joe Donnelly embarked on a fundraising bike ride for AIDS. Since then, he has completed many segments both solo and with friends (not in west-to-east order).

This blog is a compilation of stories, updates, and thoughts from Joe and his friends about the (literal) ups and downs of the journey. Enjoy!

2021

JUNE: Oceanside, OR – West Yellowstone, MT   

2022

MAY: West Yellowstone, MT – Winter Park, CO 

JULY: Black Hills, SD -Across Nebraska

OCT: West Virginia – Western Maryland (“Appalachian Fall”) 

2023

Stay tuned!

Please leave us a comment!

45 responses to “ON THE ROAD | Sea-to-Shining-Sea Bike Tour”

Leave a Reply to BeckyCancel reply

  1. The Cortaires Avatar
    The Cortaires

    Congratulations Pops!
    Another successful journey! It must feel good to be home!
    Love, Adrienne, Iñigo, Sonia, Elsa and Diego

    Reply
  2. Becky Avatar
    Becky

    Joe, You did it! I talked to you this morning before you rode the last leg. Then, after completing those final miles in record time, you jumped in a rental car and will be home for dinner! Unbelievable. You are amazing—and a time traveler too. Congratulations! Love you!!

    Reply
  3. Ed Hedblom Avatar
    Ed Hedblom

    Congratulations Joe! Great series of posts. So much of what you described about this trip iAd why I love cycling so much. It’s not about the cool bikes and endless gadgetry (ok, it kind of is). You just don’t have these experiences when you drive by car or are in a group. Riding solo and silently across the country puts you in some interesting places such as a ghost town with a saloon and an octogenarian bartender.

    Reply
  4. Paul Avatar
    Paul

    Good heavens Joe it sounds and looks like the Cowboy Trail is for horses, not bikes! So sorry to hear that you are beset not only by the poor trail but also headwinds. On the other hand, your experiences in the ghost town and with fellow travelers sound very special. When and where does this portion of your cross country ride end? I hope the remainder of the ride will be less challenging!

    Reply
    1. Joe Avatar
      Joe

      Thanks, Paul. Yes, I talked with a cyclist today who had three flats in two hours so he (and I) won’t be using the trail again. I’ve replanned my route to stay on Hwy 20 east toward Sioux City and plan to wrap up in Laurel, Nebraska, not far from Sioux City, on Wednesday afternoon. Thanks for your note snd I book forward to seeing you soon,

      Joe

      Reply
  5. Louie Avatar
    Louie

    Hi Pops! I love you! Louie. (Louie: Did I really ride around Lake Calhoun? Answer: Yes. Louie: I want to do that again.)

    Reply
    1. Joe Avatar
      Joe

      Thanks Louie! Yes, you rode all three miles plus around Lake Calhoun and were a MASTER with the pedal brakes on the blue bike! Let’s do it again soon, and maybe add a visit to
      the ice cream store in Linden Hills to celebrate at the end of the ride.

      Love,

      Pops

      Reply
  6. Elliott Avatar
    Elliott

    Hi Pops! I hope you are having a great ride! Love, Elliott

    Reply
    1. Joe Avatar
      Joe

      Thanks, Elliott! I brushed up on my camping skills while in the Black Hills and am really looking forward to bike camping with you. Let’s plan a trip when I get back.

      Love,

      Pops

      Reply
  7. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Have a great trip Pops! I love you! – Oliver

    Reply
    1. Joe Avatar
      Joe

      Thanks, Oliver! Our next cooking time is coming up
      later this month so let’s connect soon after I get back to plan the menu!

      Love,

      Pops

      Reply
  8. Ed Hedblom Avatar
    Ed Hedblom

    Sounds like Nebraska is delivering some awesome miles. I laughed at your comment about hugging another cyclist. So true 😀.

    Reply
    1. Joe Avatar
      Joe

      Thanks, Ed. It was very special connecting with both Mark and Judd. Haven’t seen any cyclists since but may in coming days. I’m very glad I’m doing this Nebraska ride solo as opposed to a large RAGBRAI-like tour as I had originally planned.

      Reply
  9. Elsa Cortaire Avatar
    Elsa Cortaire

    Hi Pops!

    I miss you and I can’t wait to see you in August!

    Love,

    Elsa

    Reply
    1. Joe Avatar
      Joe

      And I can’t wait to see you next month, Elsa. Let’s do something special together. Can’t wait!

      Love,

      Pops

      Reply
      1. Elsa Cortaire Avatar
        Elsa Cortaire

        I’ll show you my favorite park!

        Reply
        1. Joe Avatar
          Joe

          Elsa,

          I can’t wait to see it!

          Love,

          Pops

          Reply
  10. Diego Avatar
    Diego

    Hi Pops! I want to go on a bike ride just you and I soon!

    Love,
    Diego

    Reply
    1. Joe Avatar
      Joe

      Hi, Diego! Let’s do it! Sounds like great fun! Would you like to ride in Spain or the U.S.?

      Reply
      1. Diego Cortaire Avatar
        Diego Cortaire

        In the US!

        Reply
        1. Joe Avatar
          Joe

          Diego,

          Sounds great! One of the best parts of bike trips is the planning. Let’s start planning when I’m.in Spain next month.

          Love,

          Pops

          Reply
  11. Sonia Avatar
    Sonia

    Wow!
    Looks pretty! I like the landscape! It is hot there?
    Good luck!

    Reply
    1. Joe Avatar
      Joe

      Hi, Sonia,

      Thanks for your note. It’s hot in the afternoons but then rains in the evening and is quite cool overnight and in the early morning. There’s a steady wind and very low humidity so except for mid afternoon it doesn’t feel too hot. I’m starting early each morning so I get most of my miles in the morning.

      I’m so looking forward to hiking over the Pyrenees with you in about a month! I have my shell and Camino passport ready!

      Love,

      Pops

      Reply
  12. Adrienne Avatar
    Adrienne

    What beautiful scenery!! I’m glad that you’re enjoying the ride and staying safe! Love, Adrienne

    Reply
    1. Joe Avatar
      Joe

      Thanks, Adrienne. Yes it’s been great. Looking forward to being with you, Inigo, and the kids next month in Spain!

      Love ,

      Dad

      Reply
  13. Chris Randall Avatar
    Chris Randall

    The scenery makes it look like world-class biking. “So happy just to be alive underneath this sky of blue / On this new morning ….” INDEED!
    –Chris

    Reply
    1. Joe Avatar
      Joe

      “Comin’ down the road for a country mile or two…”

      Reply
  14. Becky Avatar
    Becky

    Joe, Even though we talk daily, I learn something new when I read your beautiful journal entries. I feel like I’m there with you! The songs you mention, are playing in my head too! I am so proud of you—your journey is an inspiration! I love you! Stay safe! Becky

    Reply
    1. Joe Avatar
      Joe

      Thanks, Bo. As another song which has been playing in my head says, God only knows what I’d be without you! Let’s come out here and do the Michelson Trail together some time.

      Reply
  15. Chris Randall Avatar
    Chris Randall

    Hey Joe, I hear what you’re saying about heat, wind, mushy trails, and all. But I didn’t realize you may be facing unreliable Internet connections. This ride is more arduous than I realized! We’re rooting for you! –Chris

    Reply
    1. Joe Avatar
      Joe

      Good point! It’s true that things that didn’t exist when we went to college have now become semi necessities.

      Reply
  16. Craig Oster Avatar
    Craig Oster

    Joe, what an amazing journey! I am sure that through it all you and Chris have formed a special and unique bond. I have enjoyed the writing from both of you! Such a gift you guys have to be able to do this.

    Reply
  17. nora tormey Avatar
    nora tormey

    What a fantastic trip! I loved reading your commentaries. Way to go!!

    Reply
  18. Chris Randall Avatar
    Chris Randall

    Looking mighty comfortable in the saddle, Joe! I saw that Nebraska’s lowest point is 840′ and its highest point is 5,424′, with an average elevation of 2,600′. An elevation change like that sounds like an easy day on one of your recent rides. Happy biking!

    Reply
  19. Edmund Avatar
    Edmund

    Spectacular scenery! Thanks for sharing this ongoing journey with us. What´s next?

    Reply
  20. Oliver Avatar
    Oliver

    Hi Pops! I love you and I’m happy for you! I’m happy to see you for cooking soon! Love you!

    Reply
  21. Louie Avatar
    Louie

    Dear Pops, I love you. I would like to go on a bike ride with you. The mountains look like Mount Everest. Your friend looks like you. If your beard has ice, how can you talk? Love, Louie (as told to Becky/Bono)

    Reply
  22. Jodi Avatar
    Jodi

    Should we come and pick you up in your new truck?! Incredible journey ,

    Reply
  23. Karen Quinn Avatar
    Karen Quinn

    You two continue to amaze me with each passing day! Your strength, perseverance , courage and positive attitude are inspiring! Your weather challenges, bike challenges, grizzly watching challenges…and despite it all you ride back to return the wallet! Hope you are going to write book about all this when you are finished. Thinking about you each day and hoping each day continues to get better and better and you stay safe and healthy! Can’t wait to see you in person in our neck of the woods. We’ll have the washer free too by the way so you don’t have to wash clothes in the freezing Colorado river…and hot showers! Ride ON!

    Reply
  24. Paul Marshall Avatar
    Paul Marshall

    I find myself wondering what weather conidtions have you two not ridden in during the last two years. A hurricane? A tornado? A flood? A sandstorm? Don’t even think about it…I think you have encountered everything else . More power to you!

    Reply
  25. Kelsey Fuglsby Avatar
    Kelsey Fuglsby

    What a great inspiration! We love you so much and are happy to be following along!!

    Reply
  26. Becky Avatar
    Becky

    Joe, I miss you dearly, but I am so proud of you! You are pursuing your “sea-to-sea” dream! So inspiring! And I am glad that so much of your journey has been with your dear friend Chris. Thanks for keeping each other safe—and laughing! Love, Becky

    Reply
  27. Jason Avatar
    Jason

    Keep up the good work! It’s so fun to follow you guys!

    Reply
  28. Sarah Marshall Avatar
    Sarah Marshall

    I’m so sorry you have this cold weather. It sounds like you guys have great attitudes. Stay safe!

    Reply
  29. Karen Quinn Avatar
    Karen Quinn

    Well done you two! Keep on pedaling and stay safe! Thinking about you! Hugs and prayers!!

    Reply

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