The Route So Far - Google Maps


View X-America by Bicycle in a larger map

Why?

We are doing this ride to raise money for Research Autism. We are aiming to raise £20,000.
We are supporting Research Autism because my cousin Jamie is severely affected by the disease, and I have seen its effects not only on him but on the whole family." He is 13yrs old, but cannot yet talk.
Just take a moment to imagine not being able to talk.
Imagine understanding everything going on around you, but not being able to comment.
Imagine having to be dressed every morning in clothes you don't choose, and then hurting your parents as you try to tell them you wanted the blue shirt today.
Imagine being swamped by having to hear everything that everyone is saying around you, and not being able to listen to just one thing at once. Jamie loves being in a swimming pool, just floating, legs held motionless by the weight of the water, while he keeps his ears underwater to just relax, hearing nothing.
He understands everything - he appears to have a photographic memory - but can’t get his thoughts out.
Frustration leads to despair, and anger, which is just one of the many things that his family has to deal with.
He has extremely specific eating requirements and requires round the clock supervision. Jamie is at the severe end of the autistic spectrum, but given that one in 100 people suffer from the disease (with varying severity), and that everyone has some autistic traits, it is shocking that so little is known about it'.
Click here to support our cause and donate to Research Autism.
Read the "Meet Jamie" post - the only post in February, for more information about Jamie, and a poem - painstakingly slow for Jamie to type, but ultimately incredible.

Photo Video - New York to St Louis

June 13, 2010

Hitchhiking

 

Alex complete with birthday balloon's on yet another endless vista

Day 48 - Ruby's Inn - Gas Station on junction of 14 and 86. - 38 miles - 2 waves, 2 burgers: Totals - 55 waves, 108 burgers

In the gas station, I stayed in the same place for a longer time than I have for over 2 months. Alex's hitchhiking escapades were epic, but he got back in the end. We waited in the Gas Station until Carol had finished work, and followed her husband Mike to their house nearby. After a long chat about politics, guns and war - Mike is retired Special Forces - we hit the floor and were asleep instantly.

The result of this short day is that we have two half rest days - it is only 40 miles tomorrow to Cedar City, although we do have to go over a 10,000ft pass, with more snow a likelihood. We need to break in Cedar City to wait for the bike shop to open on Monday - this will be our last bike shop for 480 miles and we need to buy new brake pads and tires if we are to cross Nevada safely.

We will miss out on Zion national park, which is a shame but not a disaster - the rocks will still be there when we come back another time and it wouldn't be so special in 5 degrees wearing all the clothes we have with us.
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