Geoff Thomas - Bike USA 2007 - And beyond!
Raising Awareness for Lupus in Australia, the USA & Worldwide.
CYCLING AROUND THE USA FOR LUPUS
& other valuable organizations
New York City - Seattle - San Diego - Melbourne - New York City
www.bikeusa2007.com - And beyond!
About Geoff & His Various Routes
Home About Geoff & The Journey News, Media & Photo's Contact
You're welcome to read a little more about me and the following details of the entire route below.
After numerous requests, I've recently listed the details of my 2003 journey across Australia. This info can be found towards the bottom of this page.
Kind Regards, Geoff Thomas
BIO
Geoff was born and raised in Sydney,
Australia a 'few' years ago now.
His passion for travel has taken him to numerous countries including Russia, Japan, Canada and extensive visits to the United States.
Other regions visited have been The South Pacific, Great Britain and many European countries.
Geoff has attempted to set up Rugby League teams in Jamaica, gained media accreditation as a freelance photographer at Grand Slam & international tennis tournaments and has a feature film script in the bottom drawer.
It's also rumoured he was once a Butcher.
Having spent a period of time in Daytona in the late nineties, his favourite NASCAR driver was Geoff Bodine, making it easier to explain the variation of his first name.
He recently returned to school to study Radio Broadcasting as a 'mature aged student' and beat quite a few 'kiddies' in the process.
In 2003 he cycled over 5000 kilometres to cross Australia from coast to coast and rates it as one of his most memorable experiences... Despite yet another flat tire on the finish line at Perth!
This 'taste' of long distance cycling led to the belief that you don't give up.
Cycling across the United States had been an ambition for quite a few years. After riding 9018 miles around the country, it turned out to be a bigger journey than originally planned.
Diagnosed with a mild form of Lupus in 2003, Geoff aimed to raise further awareness for the disease and all forms of it in America, and importantly in Australia, where it is a relatively unknown condition. He also understood the enormity of Lupus in the Asian region close to home and the fact Lupus is a global concern.
Within moments of finishing his monumental trip Geoff wrote various magazine and web articles and hopes to one day finish a book regarding his journey.
Geoff was glad he managed to listen Roy & H.G. doing Sunday 'arvo' radio from Australia to take his mind of those big hill climbs (unfortunately he can't listen to them anymore they're no longer on JJJ) - and it was a relief to finally get those bloody cycling shoes off!
He also realizes computers can be just as frustrating as 44 flat tires.
The Entire Route and Daily Mileages
On Sunday September 30, 2007 I completed my 156th. day on the road and my entire trip in New York City.
This page gives a detailed description of my entire route, mileage and all destinations over a 5 month period.
Despite not wanting to see a bicycle for a very long time and now being on the other side of the planet, I aim to raise further awareness by keeping this site up and running.
It would be a shame to let the experience fade away, so I plan to further my knowledge of Lupus and assist where I can.
It was a pleasure to represent The Lupus Foundation of America and I appreciate The Alliance for Lupus Research contacted me after learning of my ride when I was battling with the weather on the northern tier early on. The support I received was fantastic.
Please feel free to contact me regarding this journey. I'll try to respond as soon as possible to all your emails and I really appreciate your kind words. I'll also post all media articles that continue to be written on the News/Photo's page. Otherwise try a search engine and just punch in Geoff Thomas - Lupus.
You can view the entire trip on the 'wobbly' table below. I never did have time to sort that out after riding all day!
Bold yellow print denotes the completion of an E/W, N/S, W/E or S/N journey.
For additional info regarding the places I visited, see Rand McNally or Map Quest or Google Maps
Oh, and remember I couldn't use the most direct routes as I wasn't allowed on the wide shoulders of freeways in most cases. Another example of variances includes my final ride into New York. As I couldn't take a tunnel, the 'hike' to the George Washington Bridge and then south down Broadway probably tripled the distance it would take a car to get to the same point. Therefore distances maybe greater than those displayed on maps and some of the back roads were absolutely bone-rattling.
Date Depart Arrive Miles Kms Total Miles
S. Sep. 30 Secaucus, NJ New York, NY 21.11 33.78 9018.61
S. Sep. 23 - S. Sep. 30 - Secaucus, NJ - - - 8997.50
S. Sep. 22 Cinnaminson, NJ Secaucus, NJ 87.13 139.41 8997.50
F. Sep. 21 Aberdeen, MD Cinnaminson, NJ 101.88 163.01 8910.37
T. Sep 20 Alexandria, VA Aberdeen, MD 86.67 138.67 8808.49
W. Sep 19 Alexandria VA / Washington D.C. - - 8721.82
T. Sep 18 Alexandria VA / Washington D.C. - - 8721.82
M. Sep 17 Alexandria VA / Washington D.C. - - 8721.82
S. Sep 16 Fredericksburg, VA Alexandria, VA 46.18 73.89 8721.82
S. Sep 15 Fredericksburg, VA - - - 8675.64
F. Sep 14 Fredericksburg, VA - - - 8675.64
T. Sep 13 Richmond, VA Fredericksburg, VA 59.67 95.47 8675.64
W. Sep 12 Emporia, VA Richmond, VA 66.43 106.29 8615.97
T. Sep 11 Rocky Mount, NC Emporia, VA 74.93 119.89 8549.54
M. Sep 10 Mt. Olive, NC Rocky Mount, NC 63.66 101.86 8474.16
S. Sep 9 Wilmington, NC Mt. Olive, NC 76.43 122.29 8411.45
S. Sep 8 Nth. Myrtle Bch, SC Wilmington, NC 71.03 113.65 8335.02
F. Sep 7 Georgetown, SC Nth. Myrtle Beach 54.07 86.51 8263.99
T. Sep 6 Mt. Pleasant, SC Georgetown, SC 60.26 96.42 8209.92
W. Sep 5 Mt. Pleasant / Charleston, SC - - - 8149.66
T. Sep 4 Mt. Pleasant / Charleston, SC - - - 8149.66
M. Sep 3 Beaufort, SC Mt. Pleasant, SC 74.17 118.67 8149.66
S. Sep 2 Beaufort, SC - - - 8075.49
S. Sep 1 Richmond Hill, GA Beaufort, SC 69.01 110.42 8075.49
F. Aug 31 Brunswick, GA Richmond Hill, GA 61.60 98.56 8006.48
T. Aug 30 Amelia Island, FL Brunswick, GA 65.95 105.52 7944.88
W. Aug 29 Atlantic Bch, FL Amelia Island, FL 24.05 38.48 7878.93
T. Aug 28 Daytona, FL Atlantic Beach, FL 89.15 142.64 7854.88
M. Aug 27 Daytona, FL - - - 7765.73
S. Aug 26 Titusville, FL Daytona Beach, FL 51.03 81.65 7765.73
S. Aug 25 Melbourne, FL Titusville, FL 61.04 97.66 7714.70
F. Aug 24 Melbourne, FL - - - 7653.66
T. Aug 23 Melbourne, FL - - - 7653.66
W. Aug 22 Orlando, FL Melbourne, FL 82.81 132.50 7653.66
T. Aug 21 Ocala, FL Orlando, FL 77.02 123.23 7570.85
M. Aug 20 High Springs, FL Ocala, FL 63.56 101.70 7493.83
S. Aug 19 Perry, FL High Springs, FL 73.68 117.89 7430.27
S. Aug 18 Tallahassee, FL Perry, FL 66.30 106.08 7356.59
F. Aug 17 Bonifay, FL Tallahassee, FL 87.87 140.59 7290.29
T. Aug 16 Milton, FL Bonifay, FL 92.26 147.62 7202.42
W. Aug 15 Daphne, AL Milton, FL 62.48 99.97 7110.16
T. Aug 14 Gautier, MS Daphne, AL 65.64 105.02 7047.68
M. Aug 13 Slidell, LA Gautier, MS 85.51 136.82 6982.04
S. Aug 12 Denham Spgs, LA Slidell, LA 86.69 138.70 6896.53
S. Aug 11 Opelousas, LA Denham Springs, LA 78.19 125.10 6809.84
F. Aug 10 Lafayette, LA Opelousas, LA 24.84 39.74 6731.65
T. Aug 9 Lake Charles, LA Lafayette, LA 77.91 124.66 6706.81
W. Aug 8 Orange, TX Lake Charles, LA 52.03 83.25 6628.90
T. Aug 7 Liberty, TX Orange, TX 71.31 114.10 6576.87
M. Aug 6 Houston, TX Liberty, TX 54.40 87.04 6505.56
S. Aug 5 Giddings, TX Houston, TX 89.64 143.42 6451.16
S. Aug 4 Austin, TX Giddings, TX 61.67 98.67 6361.52
F. Aug 3 Fredericksburg, TX Austin, TX 78.16 125.06 6299.85
T. Aug 2 Junction, TX Fredericksburg, TX 65.26 104.42 6221.69
W. Aug 1 Ozona, TX Junction, TX 95.20 152.32 6156.43
T. Jul 31 Fort Stockton, TX Ozona, TX 113.74 181.98 6061.23
M. Jul 30 Balmorhea, TX Fort Stockton, TX 51.41 82.26 5947.49
S. Jul 29 Van Horn, TX Balmorhea, TX 72.64 116.22 5896.08
S. Jul 28 Fabens, TX Van Horn, TX 95.15 152.24 5823.44
F. Jul 27 Fabens, TX - - - 5728.29
T. Jul 26 Fabens, TX - - - 5728.29
W. Jul 25 El Paso, TX Fabens, TX 32.73 52.37 5728.29
T. Jul 24 El Paso, TX - - - 5695.56
M. Jul 23 Las Cruces, NM E l Paso, TX 53.01 84.96 5695.56
S. Jul 22 Lordsburg, NM Las Cruces, NM 121.84 194.94 5642.55
S. Jul 21 Willcox, AZ Lordsburg, NM 75.68 121.09 5520.71
F. Jul 20 Tucson, AZ Willcox, AZ 84.56 135.30 5445.03
T. Jul 19 Casa Grande, AZ Tucson, AZ 75.83 121.33 5360.47
W. Jul 18 Casa Grande, AZ - - - 5284.64
T. Jul 17 Gila Bend, AZ Casa Grande, AZ 64.21 102.74 5284.64
M. Jul 16 Wellton, AZ Gila Bend, AZ 88.82 142.11 5220.43
S. Jul 15 Yuma, AZ Wellton, AZ 37.34 59.74 5131.61
S. Jul 14 Holtville, CA Yuma, AZ 53.82 86.12 5094.27
F. Jul 13 Ocotillo, CA Holtville, CA 47.75 76.40 5040.45
T. Jul 12 Alpine, CA Ocotillo, CA 65.78 105.25 4992.70
W. Jul 11 San Diego, CA Alpine, CA 36.67 58.67 4926.92
T. Jul 10 San Diego, CA - - - 4890.25
M. Jul 9 San Diego, CA - - - 4890.25
S. Jul 8 Oceanside, CA San Diego, CA 43.05 68.88 4890.25
S. Jul 7 Los Angeles, CA Oceanside, CA 90.41 144.66 4847.20
F. Jul 6 Los Angeles, CA - - - 4756.79
T. Jul 5 Los Angeles, CA - - - 4756.79
W. Jul 4 Los Angeles, CA - - - 4756.79
T. Jul 3 Santa Barbara, CA Los Angles, CA 106.07 169.71 4756.79
M. Jul 2 Santa Maria, CA Santa Barbara, CA 73.30 117.28 4650.72
S. Jul 1 Paso Robles, CA Santa Maria, CA 71.86 114.98 4577.42
S. Jun 30 Salinas, CA Paso Robles, CA 106.55 170.48 4505.56
F. Jun 29 Santa Clara, CA Salinas, CA 72.64 116.22 4399.06
T. Jun 28 San Francisco, CA Santa Clara, CA 48.87 78.19 4326.42
W. Jun 27 San Francisco, CA - - - 4277.55
T. Jun 26 Santa Rosa, CA San Francisco, CA 80.44 128.70 4277.55
M. Jun 25 Ukiah, CA Santa Rosa, CA 64.79 103.66 4197.11
S. Jun 24 Nth. Leggett, CA Ukiah, CA 76.09 121.74 4132.32
S. Jun 23 Eureka, CA Nth. Leggett, CA 86.08 137.73 4056.23
F. Jun 22 Crescent City, CA Eureka, CA 85.51 136.82 3970.15
T. Jun 21 Gold Beach, OR Crescent City, CA 57.79 92.46 3884.64
W. Jun 20 Bandon, OR Gold Beach, OR 55.54 88.86 3826.85
T. Jun 19 Florence, OR Bandon, Or 84.33 134.93 3771.31
M. Jun 18 Lincoln City, OR Florence, OR 78.42 125.47 3686.98
S. Jun 17 Portland, OR Lincoln City, OR 89.57 143.31 3608.56
S. Jun 16 Centralia, WA Portland, OR 99.96 159.94 3518.99
F. Jun 15 Seattle, WA Centralia, WA 88.24 141.18 3419.03
T. Jun 14 Seattle, WA - - - 3330.79
W. Jun 13 Seattle, WA - - - 3330.79
T. June 12 Seattle, WA - - - 3330.79
M. Jun 11 Cle Elum, WA Seattle, WA 89.82 143.71 3330.79
S. Jun 10 Vantage, WA Cle Elum, WA 56.14 89.82 3240.97
S. Jun 9 Ritzville, WA Vantage, WA 88.43 141.49 3184.83
F. Jun 8 Ritzville, WA - - - 3096.40
T. Jun 7 Coeur d'Alene, ID Ritzville, WA 97.89 156.62 3096.40
W. Jun 6 St. Regis, MT Coeur d'Alene, ID 102.29 163.64 2998.51
T. Jun 5 Missoula, MT St. Regis, MT 80.64 129.02 2896.21
M. Jun 4 Missoula, MT - - - 2815.57
S. Jun 3 Butte, MT Missoula, MT 123.32 197.31 2815.57
S. Jun 2 Belgrade, MT Butte, MT 75.19 120.30 2692.25
F. Jun 1 Big Timber, MT Belgrade, MT 75.46 120.74 2617.05
T. May 31 Billings, MT Big Timber, MT 83.55 133.68 2541.58
W. May 30 Billings, MT - - - 2458.03
T. May 29 Forsyth, MT Billings, MT 111.65 178.64 2458.03
M. May 28 Miles City, MT Forsyth, MT 45.67 73.07 2346.38
S. May 27 Glendive, MT Miles City, MT 80.92 129.47 2300.70
S. May 26 Williston, ND Glendive, MT 102.61 164.18 2219.78
F. May 25 Minot, ND Williston, ND 130.03 208.05 2117.16
T. May 24 Rugby, ND Minot, ND 68.05 108.88 1987.13
W. May 23 Devils Lake, ND Rugby, ND 59.35 94.96 1919.07
T. May 22 Grand Forks,ND Devils Lake, ND 89.77 143.63 1859.72
M. May 21 Grand Forks - - - 1769.94
S. May 20 Detroit Lakes, MN Grand Forks, ND 128.51 205.62 1769.94
S. May 19 Little Falls, MN Detroit Lakes, MN 109.59 175.34 1641.43
F. May 18 Anoka, MN Little Falls, MN 79.88 127.81 1531.83
T. May 17 Hudson, WI Anoka, MN 59.57 95.31 1451.94
W. May 16 Osseo, WI Hudson, WI 98.23 157.17 1392.36
T. May 15 Tomah, WI Osseo, WI 71.52 114.43 1294.13
M. May 14 Portage, WI Tomah, WI 70.21 112.34 1222.61
S. May 13 Beloit, WI Portage, WI 95.97 153.55 1152.39
S. May 12 Chicago, IL Beloit, WI 90.37 144.59 1056.42
F. May 11 Portage, IN Chicago, IL 68.24 109.18 966.02
T. May 10 Elkhart, IN Portage, IN 75.77 121.23 897.77
W. May 09 Wauseon, OH Elkhart, IN 107.53 172.04 821.99
T. May 08 Port Clinton, OH Wauseon, OH 72.80 116.48 714.46
M. May 07 Cleveland, OH Port Clinton, OH 72.52 116.03 641.65
S. May 06 Warren, OH Cleveland, OH 81.69 130.70 569.13
S. May 05 Franklin, PA Warren, OH 65.36 104.76 487.44
F. May 04 Du Bois, PA Franklin,PA 69.19 110.70 422.09
T. May 03 State College, PA Du Bois, PA 65.72 105.15 352.88
W. May 02 New Columbia, PA State College, PA 65.37 104.59 287.15
T. May 01 Hazleton, PA New Columbia, PA 62.93 100.69 221.77
M. Apr 30 Stroudsburg, PA Hazleton, PA 55.21 88.34 158.83
S. Apr 29 Fairfield, NJ. Stroudsburg, PA 67.77 108.43 103.62
S. Apr 28 N.Y.C. Fairfield, NJ. 35.85 57.36 35.85
For those who are interested, I've decided to add a detailed route of my 2003 journey across Australia from Sydney to Perth.
All distances are listed in kilometres. One mile roughly equates to 1.6 kilometres (kms).
For more details regarding certain towns and places, please refer to Google Maps Australia.
Unlike the US journey, this trip is listed from start to finish.
Incidentally, there was only seven miles difference between riding across Australia and the first leg of my US journey from New York to Seattle... Oh, and our roadkill's bigger than yours!
Cycling Across Australia - The Stats.
Total days riding: 45 Total Rest days: 16 Total kilometres: 5340.92 Total Miles: 3337.50
Biggest distance in a day: 222.83 kms / 139.26 miles on the Nullarbor Plain/Eyre Highway (remains the longest distance cycled by Thomas in a day).
Flat Tyres: 7 (6 bicycle - 1 trailer). Falls from bike: 5 (3 in one day - Lithgow to Orange).
Fastest speed: 62 kmh / 39 mph Average distance per day: 118.68 kms / 74.18 miles
Average load including water: 22 kilograms / 48 pounds
Animals spotted: Flies - millions, Camels - 2 (both deceased), Dingoes - 12, Kangaroos - thousands (most deceased).
Rain: 3 days whilst riding Wind: Mostly afternoon cross winds - Three days totally in favour - Five days totally against. Heat: Hottest on-road temperature - 48 Celsius / 118 Fahrenheit.
The Route
Date From - To Daily Kms Total kms
(New South Wales)
Feb 1 Sydney Katoomba 106.58 106.58
Feb 2 Katoomba Lithgow 42.66 149.24
Feb 3 Lithgow Orange 119.17 269.03
Feb 5 Orange Parkes 101.51 370.56
Feb 6 Parkes West Wyalong 141.50 512.06
Feb 11 West Wyalong Collingullie 152.22 664.29
Feb 12 Collingullie Albury 122.68 786.98
(Victoria)
Feb 13 Albury Yarrawonga 97.19 884.17
Feb 14 Yarrawonga Echuca 152.31 1036.48
Feb 16 Echuca Kerang 98.20 1134.69
Feb 17 Kerang Manangatang 145.62 1280.31
Feb 18 Manangatang Murrayville 168.11 1448.43
(South Australia)
Feb 19 Murrayville Tailem Bend 179.39 1622.83
Feb 20 Tailem Bend Glenelg (Adelaide) 131.14 1753.79
Feb 23 Glenelg Port Wakefield 112.86 1866.84
Feb 24 Port Wakefield Port Pirie 128.49 1995.33
Feb 25 Port Pirie Iron Knob 165.35 2160.69
Feb 26 Iron Knob Kimba 90.56 2251.25
Feb 27 Kimba Wudinna 102.21 2353.46
Feb 28 Wudinna Streaky Bay 132.00 2485.46
Mar 2 Streaky Bay Smokey Bay 75.05 2560.51
Mar 3 Smokey Bay Ceduna 44.43 2604.94
Mar 5 Ceduna Nundroo 154.80 2759.74
Mar 6 Nundroo Nullarbor Roadhouse 146.01 2905.75
Mar 7 Nullarbor Roadhouse Nullarbor Plain* 136.98 3042.73
(Western Australia)
Mar 8 Nullarbor Plain* Nullarbor Plain* 222.83 3265.56
Mar 9 Nullarbor Plain* Caiguna 187.06 3452.62
Mar 10 Caiguna Balladonia 184.33 3636.95
Mar 11 Balladonia Nullarbor Plain* 113.30 3750.25
Mar 12 Nullarbor Plain* Norseman 83.60 3833.85
Mar 13 Norseman Gibson 183.32 4017.17
Mar 14 Gibson Esperance 27.43 4044.60
Mar 17 Esperance Ravensthorpe 192.30 4236.90
Mar 18 Ravensthorpe Jerramungup 118.45 4355.35
Mar 19 Jerramungup Albany 180.59 4535.94
Mar 21 Albany Denmark 54.43 4590.37
Mar 22 Denmark Walpole 67.82 4658.19
Mar 24 Walpole Pemberton 134.83 4793.02
Mar 25 Pemberton Augusta 127.75 4920.77
Mar 26 Augusta Prevelly (Margaret River) 67.78 4988.55
Mar 27 Prevelly Busselton 71.39 5059.94
Mar 30 Busselton Bunbury 55.86 5115.80
Mar 31 Bunbury Preston Beach 66.97 5182.77
Apr 1 Preston Beach Woodman Point 112.44 5295.21
Apr 2 Woodman Point Perth 45.71 5340.92
* Nullarbor Plain refers to the Eyre Highway. Overnight stops where marked were undertaken by free camping on the side of the road without facilities.
The entire contents of this site are covered by copyright including all images
©2007-2008 Geoff Thomas
Geoff Thomas accepts no legal liability or responsibility whatsoever resulting from this website, organizations involved or his journey in the United States or thereafter.