the birth of our 2025 USA cycling adventure

At the beginning of March 2025, we'll be leaving our home on wheels behind in the UK and embarking on a thrilling adventure across America!

But let's rewind a bit, to the summer of 2023, a time when our trusty 32-year-old Hymer motorhome, Heidi, decided to test our resilience in the South of France.

Our summer 2023 escapade was marked by hiccups and challenges, starting before we even left the UK. Undeterred, we set off for our 90-day Brexit allowance adventure into Germany. The trip was plagued by a series of setbacks, COVID for us both that lasted for 6 long weeks, a sick dog back at home that needed ongoing care for weeks. Relentless rain and bad weather that saw us leaving Germany and heading for the warmth and sunshine of France, only to find ourselves in 40 degrees. An unexpected detour back to the UK that saw us stranded at Gatwick for five days due to air traffic control failures, and when we finally returned to France, only to have Heidi break down 20 minutes into our drive.

Our month-long wait for repairs confined us to Sète in the South of France.  Sète is nestled on the Mediterranean coast of France, is a picturesque and vibrant town that captivates visitors with its unique blend of maritime charm, cultural richness, and a laid-back atmosphere and so all was not lost.  Heidi does tend to choose her meltdowns wisely, thankfully. Grateful for a cozy Airbnb and incredibly hospitable hosts, we made the best of our situation, exploring the local wonders by boat and bike, but our hearts as always were longing to be moving on.

While our stay in Sète was filled with delightful moments, being stationary without our beloved home-on-wheels took a toll on our spirits. A major engine issue, a hefty 6000 Euro bill from Mercedes awaiting us and depleted travel days, we faced the sad fact that we would need to abandon our plans and head back to the UK for the winter and back to work to pay for repairs.

On a low evening, whilst awaiting repairs to Heidi, we indulged in night out with dinner and wine, tapping into our travel budget. Reflecting on our van travels over the years, we unanimously declared daily bike explorations as our favourite travel activity. The freedom, exploration, and joy of discovering hidden gems on two wheels became our bliss – the sun on our faces, feeling like kids again, the open road ahead, and our panniers packed for picnics.

Inspired, we imagined a life where we set off with just our bikes, essentials, and an endless road ahead. The idea lingered, and that night, as we returned to our rented apartment with full hearts, we realised it didn't have to be a dream – we could make it a reality.

After scouring the internet for long-distance cycle routes, and ideally those with the perfect weather, we found one that caught our eye. The East Coast Greenway begins in Calais, Maine (not to be confused with Calais in France) just over the Canadian border, and stretches all the way down the East Coast to the Florida Keys. A 3000-mile journey of open road, bikes, and total freedom awaited us – and we were sold!

As we gear up for our American adventure, the prospect of 3000 miles of exploration, freedom, and endless possibilities fills us with excitement and a renewed sense of purpose. Join us as we trade the comforts and adventures of van living for the freedom of our bikes as we discover the wonders that await along the open road.