Pedalling From Coast to Coast: Trans American Cycling Adventure | Episode 1

[@COYSMike]

And we're off. This is going to be some great viewing again over the coming weeks and months. Hope you're doing well, however many days you are now into it. Keep safe!

[@matryderadventures]

Cheers Mike 👍👍

[@Garyskinner2422]

​@@matryderadventuresJust started watching, you're currently just woken from your first day drinking a coffee 60miles in, in a forrest area, I was thinking are there any bears or wildlife on your route and if so how will you deal with such potential threats.

[@matryderadventures]

​@@Garyskinner2422there are black bears everywhere and Grizzly bears in Montana. I always make sure that I don't sleep with my food and, when in Grizzly country I'll carry bear spray.

[@Garyskinner2422]

@@matryderadventures Christ, maybe that was the source of your anxiety, it would be always a worry for me, as you know all we have to worry about in the UK is wasps or hedgehogs ganging up on us.

[@lcdy1280]

Beautiful adventure! Keep up !❤😊

[@catfishdog]

I’m also a big anxiety sufferer at the beginning of tours. Good luck to you, I look forward to the rest of your series.

[@the3rddeck999]

I wish you luck and safe travels from Canada. You're nervous because this is an Epic ride. Not many people have ever attempted such a monumental adventure. I'll watch every episode

[@colinvincent6599]

I’m envious. Looking forward to following your journey

[@lesezeichen7203]

There are these cycling adventure videos "movies" on youtube where the protagonist is filmed from the side telling you how this trip totally changed their life. Voice over some b-roll telling you how hard the trip was... this is not that and I absolutely love it! Thanks Mat, please never change

[@matryderadventures]

I'll try to keep it up. Thanks for watching 👍

[@kevinquinn6874]

Thanks for sharing your adventure Mat! Excited to follow along. Be safe and enjoy! 🚴🏻‍♂️🤍✌🏻

[@ryansadventurepage]

About to watch this for the third time. I’ve became obsessed with bike packing videos lately fantasizing about the day I can finally do it myself

[@Redbird4912]

I find that even though it's something you've been really looking forward to, it always takes a couple of days to get into the routine of a cycle tour. Have fun on your journey.

[@kevinseversonandhisvizslas8287]

It’s Thanksgiving day in the United States, I’ve got a horrible cold, and I’m just started binging this series. Thanks again Matt!

[@matryderadventures]

Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you're feeling better. Cheers

[@KarlKyhl]

I’ve been watching these videos in reverse order, and wow, your shirt looked amazing in the first one!

[@matryderadventures]

🤣 it faded fast.

[@vahpr]

Very much enjoyed your Divide video, nice to see you back at it. Though I cringed watching the busy, narrow, shoulderless roads, very much like here in northern Va, which is why I ride more gravel, less road these days unless it’s with a group. Have a safe journey, thanks for sharing your adventures

[@matryderadventures]

Yeah it is a bit of a baptism by fire, I am told the roads become a lot quieter as I move inland, which I am starting to find. I am also happy to be flexible with the route if I find I'm not enjoying it.

[@smokcamp820]

Super excited for you Have Fun best wishes and safe travels.

[@JRmntain]

Time to start watching this series 🍿

[@chrisbailey2861]

As a guy who also deals with anxiety (in a big way) I appreciate you being so open about it. So glad you can push thru and move on. Very inspiring. 😊 Looking forward to the series...no matter where it takes you. Thanks for bringing us along!!!!

[@chrisbailey2861]

Oh....and thank you Ross for putting all the videos together...as always very well done!!!!

[@matryderadventures]

Thanks. I appreciate the support. We have to keep kicking anxiety's ass.

[@arthursmith9281]

It's great to see you underway again. Much anticipated!

[@Charlie-vw9ur]

Excellent ... the adventure begins ! what a start - fully loaded and 60 miles back to back to back ... Go on Mat ! Shame the route doesn't take you down to Crater Lake, incredible place but I'm sure you will be seeing some epic country on this trip. Looking forward to the next one ...

[@DeanGeeves]

Wonderful! Never looked forward to a video series as much as this one, first instalment didn’t disappoint. I suffer anxiety too Mat so hearing your thoughts and watching you make these trips is hugely inspiring. Stay safe and be lucky

[@matryderadventures]

Thanks. That's nice to hear. We have to push through.

[@ScottChichura-p4p]

Excellent adventure. Your drone footage is very nicely done.

[@benarrowsmithgroundhopper]

I woke up this morning feeling grumpy. Put this on to my delight; as was not expecting it. It put a big smile on my face. Just brilliant again. My wife says I am you and you are me. Frightening. Feeling jealous. Looking forward to more instalments and I hope you are enjoying the trip. Keep up the great content.

[@ClayLeMar]

Great humor and good vibes! Keep it up!

[@juliethrower1185]

Yay, a new batch of videos are out❤ brilliant. Wow, some of those roads do look hairy, take care. Obviously, you can't beat a tinker with your B screw😂 let's hope that piece of your transport doesn't cause you too many problems. It's looking good, no easy trip, but nothing ventured, nothing gained, so take it all in and enjoy. Amazing 😊. Good old Ross, well done again.

[@robengland7495]

Brilliant, absolutely enjoyed watching

[@ryansadventurepage]

I plan to do this trip in the upcoming coming years. But I’ll be riding a e trike since I’m disabled but plan to pedal as much as I can

[@martinschwartz7342]

Great video. I will be twiddling my thumbs waiting for your next video.

[@williamhilliard7386]

Relax and take your time Ray, we get to live vicariously through your experiences thank you.

[@gotrailmark]

Brilliant! Best of luck to you on your adventure 🚴🏕️ Can’t wait to tune in!

[@regbillings4955]

This is awesome, i am really enjoying your bicycle/camping adventure tour, great video footage :)

[@neiljacks5379]

Been so looking forward to this Mat, and you never disappoint. Fantastic that you are underway... and for sharing how difficult that was. I was listening to a cycle touring podcast only yesterday, discussing 'the threshold mile' and just how difficult and daunting it can be to get started, and how it is often the most challenging part of any tour. Clearly, you are not alone in your apprehension. Thanks so much for bringing us along.

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

Very nice video. Thanks for taking us along Mat!

[@iowen8585]

Glad to see you back in the US Mat! Great video as usual! Stay hydrated and safe!

[@dolittle6781]

Thanks so much for taking us along with you. It’s really a great way to see the country! Yes, anxiety can just be our body’s way of trying to keep us safe. That’s its number one job! Didn’t see any rear view mirrors on your bike. What’s up with that? Would be great if protected bike lanes existed for the whole trip for cyclists like some of us. And yes, we do say twiddling your thumbs in this country it’s a little bit outdated but it’s nice to hear it from time to time.

[@matryderadventures]

I have a little mirror on the bar end but it keeps falling off. I might need a better one.

[@VanJolene]

That's the first time I have seen a bunny on the beach 😮. I get more nervous biking on busy roads, too, and that101 is busy in summer. Oregon st parks have cheap hiker biker spots with chargers and fix it stations. There are a lot of bears on the coast here. When it is hot inland, the coast here is often cool and foggy or rainy. You had great weather. I wish I had known what day you went over the pass. Can't wait for the next upload. Thx for the video.

[@rupert6126]

Made my day to see your first upload - thank you. I hope you enjoy the experience as much as I enjoy your honest ramblings 😉. Safe journey to Virginia.

[@dwl231]

Alright Mat, go get em! Your GDMBR stuff from last year was some of my favorite viewing in a long time. Have a great trip.

[@wendym5137]

All the very best with it, Mat.. This was awesome .I can't wait for more .

[@emusp]

I really loved your GDMBR videos. Stoked for another USA adventure.

[@elzabethmorgan8020]

Great to see the video - hope Ross is feeling better. Looking forward to following the journey, and also meeting you somewhere along the way. Take good care - it’s a bad wildfire season in the west, so lots of smoke.

[@matryderadventures]

I hope to see you out there somewhere.

[@texasflood1295]

If it helps any, I understand your feeling when you are at the beginning of a big event. To me it feeling impossibly large and I feel like I will never be able to finish. It’s too big. But after I start, that feeling goes away, and somehow, I always find a way. Good luck, be safe, and enjoy every mile.

[@Ztereally-yx7zy]

Love seeing some off the coast rode that I have ridden in the past. I hope to do this ride in the future.

[@katesmiles4208]

Fantastic! I'm looking for a bit of adventure, and America is becoming more and more appealing as a destination. I'm a chicken so it's terrific that you are testing it out first. 😂Good luck. Safe and happy travels.

[@Riseupforhumanity1]

So stoked to follow along! Wish I could join youuuuuuu ☺️ getting my Catalyst Swift handlebar bag on Monday! Yippee 🥳

[@greetb9330]

Here you go! Great to see you get underway, unpack your kit and get set. The bike looks good Matt, plenty of carrying capacity and hope you keep that Deraiileur purring. It will be an interesting contrast in style compared to GDMBR, go steady in that traffic mate. Grand that someone kindly provided a iced cold tin, always welcome. Best of luck to you, look forward to seeing you progress, and hope Ross is on the mend. G

[@matryderadventures]

It's good to be underway, I've escaped the busy roads for now and I am really enjoying it, as you said it is a contrast to the GDMBR, and on those busy roads in the first few days I did wonder if I'd made a mistake, but the last few days have been amazing, covering miles easily on quiet roads in amazing surroundings. Thank you for commenting 👍

[@greetb9330]

@@matryderadventures You are very welcome. Enjoy seeing your progress, do what is right for you mate. Best of luck.

[@8rett]

Another adventure! Have so much fun! Can't wait to see it all unfold

[@momof2dogs]

Welcome back to the states Matt! Excited to follow your adventures this time around. Can't wait till you get to my home state of Colorado. Be safe and stay cool.

[@MacroHiker]

Good luck! I’m looking forward to following along

[@scottsugimoto8223]

Off on the next great adventure! I have been eagerly awaiting the first of hopefully many videos. Stay vigilant a d safe outvon the open road Mat. Take care , be well my friend

[@matryderadventures]

Thanks Scott 👍👍

[@Ian.54321]

Good luck Matt. Looking forward to following the journey.

[@neilskrebba5600]

Great - you're back on the road - I love your videos

[@arthursmith9281]

My father taught me the term "twiddling your thumbs" when I was a kid in the fifties. Also, before moving to Mexico, I lived in Portland, OR for twenty years, traveled innumerable times along the Oregon coast, and most of the state's roads, for that matter, as a professional land surveyor, so I actually know, virtually foot by foot, the start of your trip. Camped many times at Barview County Park. In short (haha), it's even easier than before relating to your journey. Enjoy!

[@CaptMorgan24]

I also know about “twiddling your thumbs” but I am from South Africa, now living in Portland, OR

[@davewright8206]

i like you matter of fact style , and i am loving the views .

[@deancassidy1149]

Hey MAtt.Congratulations for getting underway - that first step is nerve wracking eh. I just wanted to say how much i enjoy your videos. I love your relaxed manor and commentary, and im really looking forward to seeing this series ( after following your last GDMBR ride as well ). and, i wanted to say that watching your videos encouraged me to do my first long distance bikepacking rode. Ive just finished riding from Budapest to Zurich along the danube ( 1300 km ), bike packing and camping. I had a fantastic time, and thought of you ore than once. Anyway, keep up the great work and vlogs - you make. difference and motivate people all over the glove ( im following you now from back home in New Zealand ). See ya when you come out here for the Tour Aotearoa !!!

[@matryderadventures]

Wow. What an awesome ride. I would like to do that at some point. I'd love to meet up in New Zealand. Cheers 👍

[@robertkowton5875]

I appreciate you sharing any mechanical issues. Shows reality and how its important to be willing to learning a bit how to fix a bike.

[@matryderadventures]

Thanks, it's honestly part of why I went with this bike for the ride, I have a pinion gear box bike which I rode on the GDMBR and honestly didn't have one mechanical issue the whole way, so even though I know logically I should have adapted that for the roads, I liked the idea of riding a derailleur bike and dealing with any challenges that presents, it's certainly going to force me to learn how to do it all properly! 👍

[@johnmcdowell1771]

Thanks for the video Mat, good journeys

[@lisarobertson7011]

excited to follow along on your adventure - wheels up and safe travels.

[@QuickCampingWithJohn]

I've been waiting for this!!

[@sheilajones9249]

Soooooo happy you are back on the road, your 1st Transam video was fab, hubby and I are eagerly awaiting seeing your amazing journey. You are such an inspiration to all of us. Stay safe, stay hydrated and well nourished and if course plenty of suncream. Send recovery vibes to Ross and hope he is feeling human again🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@christoomey9890]

Drone shots are amazing. Can’t believe you are carrying a drone with you. Best of luck. I’m in for the trip.

[@asbjrnkristiansen429]

Here it is, finally 🤩 The big one. Of course you're a bit apprehensive about it, who in their sane mind wouldn't be? There are a few potential unforseens attached to a trip of this magnitude but I'm sure everything will work out a treat. It normally does. Besides, the apprehensiveness usually disappears into thin air once you get that first day of riding down (as we also saw in this video). I'm not much one for envy, but man do I wish I could do this trip anytime soon too 🙂 Good luck going forward, Mat, and stay safe. Looking forward to the rest of the series. Oh, and Ross: Thank you so much for all the work you put in piecing together all the footage Mat sends across the pond. Hope you've recovered fully. Though you mostly are the one looming in the background, you too are a hero in the making of this series, and thus in the life of this channel 🙂 On that note I lift my Guinnes high and say: Cheers guys :-) (No, I'm not drunk 😋) Sincerely A.K.

[@matryderadventures]

Thanks for a great comment. Nothing wrong with being drunk 🤣🤣

[@davidnaylor5475]

Excellent as usual. Thank you

[@Trekon2]

Welldone Mat, really enjoyed your video, and there's plenty of places to eat and drink along the way so far. Great of that couple to invite you to their place. For me you don't have to do the ride by shots if don't want to ? Could be good to chat to locals now and then especially fellow cyclists perhaps, take care and I'll be tuning in again 👏👋

[@Hartofohio]

Love your videos Mat! So pumped to follow along as you travel across America 😊

[@CyclingHeaven]

Good luck. Watching with avid interest as plan to do this solo in 2 years but am nervous of the camping bit and American roads.

[@matryderadventures]

Roads are a bit scary but not too bad. Camping is very easy. Don't worry at all about that.

[@kmccarthy1842]

I did the TransAmerica route over 20 years ago although I had nowhere near your cycling experince. I took my time, averaging just 60 miles a day and going from east to west. I enjoyed it immensely as I'm sure you will too. Take care, stay safe.

[@hammockdweller]

Great video, thank you for taking us along with your trip. The coast to coast is still on my bucket list. Wishing you a nice ride from the Netherlands. 🇳🇱

[@BrianSmith-um8ux]

looking forward to following your adventure, you will have an awesome time. I did East to West in '21 and '22 and I'm enjoying seeing your trip (a reverse of mine). be safe!

[@MartinPGrindrod]

Wonderful and thank you for letting us share this amazing adventure, hopefully your mechanicals are behind you now - he said feeling slightly smug having two Rohloffs in the fleet :) have a safe journey and looking forward to the next installment.

[@218colin1]

Great first video mat. Nice to have a supporting team behind you. Well ros anyway who needs a team when you have him. Can’t wait for more episodes

[@patdunne3277]

Hi Mat this is gonna be good!! love the 1st instalment feeling nervous for you pal. Big challenge but know your gonna smash it 👍

[@sbusterhyman]

Excited to follow this trip! Having an audience I’m sure helps push you along but I think most people are here for you and aren’t owed anything so do what’s best for you. Hope to get to wave you on when you’re near-ish to my neck of the woods.

[@jameslowe2979]

Looking forward to this, really enjoyed your last big US trip. Great work from your good buddy Ross piecing it all together

[@yvindramsdal5805]

Hi Mat. Have the time of your life. Love your videos and your honesty. And thank you for sharing your anxiety, I also feel the way you do. But like you said its only in our head and it wont win.

[@Brackers64]

Great to see you started your ride Mat, exciting adventure ahead! Cheers Bob...

[@mads205]

Getting started is hard part, once on the road everything is just as it should be, you are free to do what ever. Best feeling.

[@ranxxerox6407]

This is going to be fantastic. Enjoy the trip and keep safe. Vlog the food please :-) especially the food!!!

[@matryderadventures]

Thanks, I'll make sure to include plenty of food! Hopefully it will be a little healthier in general than the GDMBR.

[@davidn.5803]

Best of luck to you Mat. I'll be following your ride across America. Dave in Colorado.

[@eisvogel8099]

Leaving everything you know behind for something you can't know would make me anxious as well. Maybe it's that kind of "letting go". Atb, I'll definitely follow you on your journey ( the inner and outer one) 🙏

[@parduez]

Great start bro. This is gonna be good.

[@matryderadventures]

You're coming next time

[@dannyk3718]

Damn good to see you back on the road Mat . I'm feeling a little envious of the journey ahead of you but I'm going to go for a handy 80km loop over the Cork n Kerry mountains in the morning in your honor mate . Stay safe, travel well and see you in the next 1

[@matryderadventures]

Hope your ride went well.

[@dannyk3718]

@@matryderadventures It was a cracker thanks mate but more importantly I hope all is well with you and I trust your chewing up miles

[@RobertMoerkerk]

Yes! the man, the myth is back!

[@louspeed1]

Welcome to the US! I'm looking forward to another of your tours. BTW, I did a section of the GDMBR from Banff to Whitefish after I watched your trip and loved it (though it was challenging at times).

[@matryderadventures]

Brilliant, I love hearing stuff like this, I am sure people see my videos and think "well if he can do it I guess anyone can"! 😉

[@mickilkr]

Excellent video! I'll never wrap my head around a derailure

[@KevinNewberry-qo5dd]

It looks like your settling in nicely! Have been waiting for your videos to post. It's gonna be an exciting trip for ya and we will have and nice shower and meal waiting for ya in Kansas

[@matryderadventures]

Sounds great to me. I'll see you soon.

[@matryderadventures]

My email is [e-mail] and the tracking link is share.garmin.com/share/matryder I'd appreciate an email closer to the time. I'm hopeless at remembering stuff. Cheers.

[@KevinNewberry-qo5dd]

@@matryderadventures absolutely 💯%

[@simpletruth5224]

Good luck and enjoy the adventure! I’ll be watching you along the way.

[@robdwall]

Bon voyage. Going to be epic!

[@BPM-x4k]

Hell yeah! A new adventure. Looking forward to this one

[@royunderwood7514]

Great video. I live in NW Oregon so seeing places I visit and have toured myself makes it interesting. Hope you enjoy the ride.

[@freightdawg6762]

i Like this Guy Look forward to watching this trip

[@UntitledCyclist]

I’m so excited about this series. Ride safe Mat.

[@seanoreilly6774]

Great cycling well done watching you from Ireland.

[@HomeInBeing]

Yay 🎉. I did watch most of the podcast 😁

[@matryderadventures]

Great, most is pretty good, it ended up being long! Thanks for commenting 👍

[@klammi85]

In Finland we don't twiddle our thumbs but we pyöritellään peukaloita. Best of luck! Waiting for the next video🎉

[@merrillaldrich9170]

Welcome back to the US! We do twiddle our thumbs here, and you are absolutely right that those businesses need to pay people more! Supply and demand.

[@freddixon]

This will be a challenging bicycle adventure but since you finished the GDMBR you got this. Inspiring as always ;

[@egalegal2058]

Great you‘re out there. I hope you will have a lot of fun. In case you will have to fiddle around with the derailleur: a) you should have taken the pinion 😊 b) sunscreen and water is a great „soap“ to clean those hands from the chain grease

[@matryderadventures]

Thanks, that's a really useful tip! 👍

[@daveanolik8837]

Stumbled upon this video- so fun! Looking forward to following. Just to note: you might want to have your derailleur *hanger* (the alloy thing that your rear derailleur is bolted into, which in turn is attached to your frame) checked for being slightly bent when you pass a bike shop. Easily straightened, and new ones are usually 20$ or so. Good to keep one as a spare in your kit. There’s just no getting your shifting to work perfectly if it’s a little bent. Safe travels!

[@PerfDayToday]

Heh! Welcome to my backyard (live in portland). And Boneyard RPM one of my fav IPAs. I’ve done 8 bikepacking trips on Oregon’s highway 101 over the past five summers. Found ur channel watching gdmbr videos. Look forward to your XC 🇺🇸 journey-thanks for taking us along. Next time you are in Tillamook, you can have the marina in Garibaldi ferry you and your bike across Tillamook bay. Abby’s 🍕 is from my hometown. Cheers!

[@RobertGolden-ug4lt]

Excited about your journey .. busy roads ..have you tried a review mirror that clips on your glasses..they work well

[@matryderadventures]

I did look into them, I wasn't sure if I would find it distracting so instead opted for a mirror on the end of my drop bars, it does work well but I may have a go with the clip on glasses mirror in the future and see how it compares. Thankfully I am finding myself on generally much quieter roads now than I had in those first few days.

[@timparsons2741]

Awesome ! Another adventure .

[@Wheresdools]

Looking forward to the coming months….. following you across the USA 👍