Why did we decide to cycle the East Coast Greenway?

Welcome to our blog post about our upcoming adventure on the East Coast Greenway in the USA!

Stretching over 3,000 miles from Maine to Florida, the East Coast Greenway is a breath-taking route that connects vibrant cities, charming towns, and stunning natural landscapes. Designed for non-motorized travel, the trail offers a safe and scenic pathway for cyclists, walkers, runners, and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages.

You might be wondering why on earth we've chosen this epic route, and to be honest, there are days even we question our sanity! Picture it: two slightly out-of-shape 50+ year olds embarking on a 3000-mile cycling odyssey. What could possibly go wrong?

But fear not, there's method to our madness! Here's why we've opted for this particular journey:

Firstly, after doing a good amount of snooping and digging around and after consulting with the East Coast Greenway Alliance, we're confident that we'll be the first UK couple to complete this route from start to finish. We cannot tell you just how much excitement this has added to this adventure.

To achieve something like this and in our midlife years is just so wonderful to us. The alternative way in which we choose to live is all about trying to stay youthful in our minds, growing as people even if certain aspects of life are no longer applicable to us and to making the very most of every age and stage.

Practically speaking, we needed ample time to replenish our coffers. Living in our van Heidi allows us to earn money without the huge overheads that make saving up a much slower process. So, we came back from our last trip and immediately found work. Let's face it, these adventures don't come cheap, and we're keen to avoid dipping into our emergency fund, unless absolutely necessary, of course.

We also fancied escaping the UK for at least part of the autumn/winter months, which narrowed down our options a bit. Having cycled a lot and completed some much smaller cycling routes over the years, we do know that cycling in the cold or in the extreme heat is not always pleasant, so a route that had a milder temperature was needed.

As for the weather, well, we're hoping for mild conditions as we pedal our way from Autumn in Maine to the warmer climate of the Florida Keys. In theory, things should warm up as we go – watch us encounter the coldest, wettest season in living history!

With the East Coast Greenway passing through a whopping 16 states including, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, District of Columbia, Washington, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida there's plenty to see and do along the way. This isn't a race for us – it's a voyage of discovery. We aren’t aiming to break any cycling speed records on this trip and think we will be away for about 3-4 months.

And finally, while we both love immersing ourselves in different cultures and languages, we felt the pull of an English-speaking country this time around. It'll give us the chance to really connect with the locals without any language barriers getting in the way.

This promises to be the trip of a lifetime and we so pleased to have you along for the ride!