The 9th edition of the Trans Am Bike Race launches on June 4th at 6 AM from Astoria, Oregon. 46 riders from 14 countries will depart as a group but will functionally be on their own individual self supported journeys across the United States. There is no support system for these riders, there is no relay system to communicate messages, riders are on their own and face all circumstances on the course of their own accord. This is a solo challenge and the race is merely a common place for all to challenge themselves simultaneously.
We are not the authority of how riders choose their journeys. The TransAmerica Trail is nearly 50 years old and has existed in various forms, for the most part the route has not really changed significantly in this time. Riders have come to see the route as it has been for literally decades. For as long as endurance cycling has been a thing, the rules are simple, ride the route under your own power.
A note on the 2023 routing: While the route hasn’t changed, we’ve offered up multiple options for riders to cross the US. We’ve provided a second option to cross Kansas, an alternative to bypass CO/KS to traverse Nebraska and Iowa, and additionally added the US Bicycle Route System Data for Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, and Virginia. RIDERS HAVE THE OPTION TO CHOOSE THEIR OWN ROUTING. NO ONE IS FORCED TO RIDE THIS ROUTE.
Additionally, we literally created a second race that follows lower traffic roads and bike paths, it’s called Bike Nonstop US and while it’s geared for bikes with a little wider tires than the TABR, any rider in the TABR who decides they’d like to follow the Bike Nonstop US route is more than welcome. WE ARE NOT THE ENFORCER. We provide some choices for riders and they are at any time allowed to choose differently. We are not saying we endorse riders simply riding random routes across the US, what we are saying is no one in the name of the Trans Am Bike Race is sitting somewhere insisting riders ride down a certain road. All riders make their own decisions.
We do not actively advertise this race, we used to but we can’t continue to recruit people in the name of racing this route, EVERY RIDER CAME HERE BY CHOICE FROM A DREAM LONG AGO. We do not judge how they get across the United States, we simply provide an option for them to depart as a group and the rest is up to them.
Riders are self supported, but the community around the race continues to provide support. This may sound like a contradiction and to those who say all of the support offered by the community cheapens the race, we laugh heartily. Every year gracious people along the route offer up their homes and free time to support these riders. THE RULES SAY ONLY TAKE SUPPORT IF IT’S EQUAL OPPORTUNITY. That means riders are typically expected to run their own ship and only use resources that are equally available to all racers. It’s a pretty simple concept, but it gets confusing sometimes for folks a bit outside the sport. For those along the route who are wondering if they are somehow breaking the spirit of the race by offering support, yet somehow not in a fully 100% equal and utopian fashion, we say more power to you. If you choose to try to help these racers, it’s amazing that you want to be a part and WE MAKE ZERO JUDGEMENT ON ANYONE LIVING ON THE ROUTE TRYING TO SUPPORT THESE RIDERS. We realize trying to catch every rider is exhausting and we’re not trying in any way to discourage those that have for years, or just recently discovered the joys of helping people out on the route.
This is a 50 year old touring route and we thank everyone along it who comes out to cheer people on, bring snacks and beverages, and occasionally help a racer out. No dot watcher has ever broke a rule of the race, because the rules to them, don’t apply. If a racer chooses not to accept support, that is their choice, but there is no harm in the offer.
For Eric Fishbein and John Egbers. We remember those that we have lost in this race and continue to wish their families, friends, and the greater community strength and resolve. It is our hope that no one ever has to experience tragedy from this route again and we cannot forgot those that have paid the ultimate price for living a dream. We miss them dearly and ache for those who share these same wounds.
We’ve said before, we’ll say it again, it’s just a bike ride. We do not mean to belittle our own event, but it’s true that the seriousness of the race pales in comparison to the importance of our lives and the safety of the greater community. Have fun, be kind, Ride Yr Bike. We wish all racers and the greater community a fantastic 2023 Trans Am Bike Race.
Nathan and crew
