Central Oregonian

A biking adventure across the country

Gary and Sally Goodman launched a new adventure last weekend, as Gary began a bicycle trek across the southern tier of the United States

RAMONA MCCALLISTER/CENTRAL OREGONIAN

Gary Goodman will be riding his bicycle across the southern United States with his wife Sally driving their motorhome.

Ramona McCallister

February 18, 2013

Most people have a long bucket list to tackle upon retiring from a long career, but few have the ambition of biking more than 3,000 miles across the country.

That would be the case, however, for Gary and Sally Goodman, who recently retired from their long-time business, Septic Pros in Prineville. Three weeks ago, they officially started their life after retirement, and among the things that Gary said he wants to do, a long bike ride was on the list.

Gary and Sally have made other treks across parts of the United States and even went across the country of Ireland on bicycle. Sally noted that they did a northern United States bicycle route 15 years ago, for the American Lung Association.

“After that, we thought, ‘I wonder if we will ever be able to this again,” she said.

Gary noted that when they did the prior seven-week cross-county bike ride in 1998, he found it very exhilarating.

“I found it to be one of the most totally cleansing, therapeutic, activities I had ever done,” exclaimed Gary. “After a while, it just comes down to wanting to get through a day’s ride, have a warm place to sleep and maybe a hot shower, and get some food. You forget just about everything else.”

The Goodmans drove down to San Diego, Calif. on Saturday to get ready for the most recent adventure. They will be using their 1991 Toyota motorhome as their base camp, and they will take both of the bicycles. Sally will, however, be driving the motorhome most of the time.

“My ambition is to cycle across the southern tier of the United States, which goes from San Diego, Calif. to St. Augustine, Fla.,” said Gary.

He recited the exact amount of miles — 3,060 — with an average of 50 miles per day, and Gary hopes he can ride more some days, so he can have a few days when he can take a break. The couple plan to be at their destination in two months.

“I have to be back in April for a babysitting commitment for some grandchildren,” commented Sally.

The Goodmans also have some babysitting while they are gone, as well. Part of the reason the trip is possible for them is that they have someone house sitting for them.

Gary said he will be taking his bicycle maps, which routes bicyclists from the main roads. The evening before launching the drive to San Diego, Calif., the couple could be seen hovering over maps, and making calculations and plans for the upcoming trip.

“It should be an adventure,” said Gary.

He indicated that people have asked why he would take on this trip. He cited a comment made by Sharon Sites Adams of Prineville, who was the first woman to sail across the Pacific Ocean.

“She said, ‘I just didn’t see any reason why I couldn’t.”’