Our route...

Santa Monica, Californiaclose

Santa Monica cityscape on a sunny day

Situated on Santa Monica Bay, it is surrounded on three sides by the city of Los Angeles.

Santa Monica is named for Saint Monica of Hippo because the area on which the city is now located was first visited by Spaniards on her feast day.

The Santa Monica Steps, a long, steep staircase that leads from north of San Vicente down into Santa Monica Canyon, is a popular spot for all-natural outdoor workouts. Some area residents have complained that the stairs have become too popular, and attract too many exercisers to the wealthy neighborhood of multimillion-dollar properties.

The city is well known as one of the leading sustainable cities in all of the US. Three of every four of the city’s public works vehicles run on alternative fuel, making it among the largest such fleets in the country. All public buildings use renewable energy.

Albuquerque, New Mexicoclose

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 2007

Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico. It's the county seat of Bernalillo County and is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande.

It's generally believed that the growing village was named by the provincial governor Don Francisco Cuervo y Valdes in honour of Don Francisco Fernández de la Cueva, viceroy of New Spain from 1653–1660. One of de la Cueva's aristocratic titles was Duke of Alburquerque, referring to the Spanish town of Alburquerque.

Albuquerque boasts a unique nighttime cityscape. Many building exteriors are illuminated in vibrant colors such as green and blue. The Wells Fargo Building is illuminated green. The DoubleTree Hotel and the Compass Bank building are illuminated blue.

Forbes Magazine rated Albuquerque the best city in America for business and careers in 2006, and the 13th best (out of 200 metro areas) in 2008.

Oklahoma City, Oklahomaclose

Oklahoma cityscape on a sunny day

With small mountain ranges, prairie, and eastern forests, most of Oklahoma lies in the Great Plains and the U.S. Interior Highlands—a region especially prone to severe weather.

The state's name is derived from the Choctaw words okla and humma, meaning "red people", and is known informally by its nickname The Sooner State. Formed by the combination of Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory on November 16th, 1907, Oklahoma was the 46th state to enter the union.

The state holds populations of white-tailed deer, coyotes, bobcats, elk, and birds such as quail, doves, cardinals, bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, and pheasants. In prairie ecosystems, american bison, greater prairie-chickens, badgers, and armadillo are common, and some of the nation's largest prairie dog towns inhabit shortgrass prairies in the state's panhandle.

In the state's largest urban areas, pockets of jazz culture flourish, and Native American, Mexican, and Asian enclaves produce music and art of their respective cultures. The Oklahoma Mozart Festival in Bartlesville is one of the largest classical music festivals in the southern US, and Oklahoma City's Festival of the Arts has been named one of the top fine arts festivals in the nation.

St Louis, Missouriclose

St Louis cityscape on a sunny day

The Missouri River forms the northern border of St. Louis County, exclusive of a few areas where the river has changed its course. The Meramec River forms most of its southern border. To the east is the City and the Mississippi River.

Nicknamed the "Gateway to the West" for its role in the westward expansion of the United States, the city gave the moniker in 1965 to the new Gateway Arch built as part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial; the Arch has become the iconic image of St. Louis.

The Hill is an historically Italian neighborhood where many of the area's best Italian restaurants can be found. The Hill was the home of Yogi Berra, Joe Garagiola, and other noted athletes. The boyhood homes of Berra and Garagiola, and broadcaster Jack Buck's first home were all located on the same block of Elizabeth Avenue. Three granite plaques mark the location of each home as well as the dates when their most famous residents were inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Beer commercials have made the city well known as the home of Anheuser-Busch, and recent legislation proposed making Budweiser the official beer of Missouri.

Indianapolis, Indianaclose

Indianapolis cityscape on a sunny day

Indianapolis is similar to many other Midwestern cities. A mix of deciduous forests and prairie covered much of what is considered Indianapolis prior to the 19th century.

Jeremiah Sullivan, a judge of the Indiana Supreme Court, invented the name Indianapolis by joining Indiana with polis, the Greek word for city—Indianapolis literally means "Indiana City".

Every May since 1957, Indianapolis holds the 500 Festival, a month of events including a mini marathon and festival parade, the latter being the day before the famous Indianapolis 500!

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in Speedway, Indiana, is the site of the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race (i.e. Indy 500), an open–wheel automobile race held each Memorial Day weekend on a 2.5 mile oval track. The Indy 500 is the largest single–day sporting event in the world, hosting more than 257,000 permanent seats.

Columbus, Ohioclose

Columbus cityscape on a sunny day

Columbus' broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest behind Cincinnati and Cleveland. It is the fourth largest city in the American Midwest.

Named for explorer Christopher Columbus, the city was founded in 1812 at the confluence of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers, and assumed the functions of state capital in 1816.

Academy Award-winning movies filmed in Columbus and the central Ohio area include Steven Soderberg's Traffic in 2000 and Jonathan Demme's The Silence of the Lambs in 1991. The Shawshank Redemption was nominated for an Academy Award and was filmed at central Ohio locations in 1994.

Modern Columbus has emerged as a technologically sophisticated city. It is home to the world's largest private research and development foundation, the Battelle Memorial Institute and The Ohio State University, the nation's largest campus.

New York City, New Yorkclose

New York cityscape on a sunny day

The most famous city of them all, New York, plays host to some of the most famous places and attractions on the planet—from Times Square to Broadway, and the Empire State Building to Brooklyn Bridge.

The state is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east. It also has a maritime border with Rhode Island, as well as an international border with the Canadian provinces of Ontario to the north and west, and Quebec to the north.

Both state and city were named for the 17th century Duke of York, James Stuart, future James II and VII of England and Scotland.

The Brooklyn Bridge, built between 1869–1883, connects Manhattan with New York's most populous borough—Brooklyn—at the time one of the country's largest cities. The bridge is one of the most magnificent landmarks in New York.

Brooklyn, founded by Dutch settlers in the 17th century, was an independent city until 1898 when Brooklyn decided in a close vote to become a borough of New York. At that time the Brooklyn bridge had connected the two cities for 15 years.

Click on the city names above for a short teaser.

May 20th, Update: Adam's brother Andy (who's also in charge of the support van), created a trailer using live footage of the journey up to Albuquerque for you to watch. We hope you enjoy it!

Video camera pictureLearn more about the route

Video camera pictureRead well-wishes to the team

We're on the news!

STV: Caught up in American tornado

June 1st, Update: STV heard about our terrifying experience passing through Tornado Alley and wrote an article about it! Check it out here: "Scots cyclists caught up in American tornado"

STV news article on CycleUSA 2011

Napier News Channel Feature

Napier University News Channel did a report on us and our story. Here's the video so you can learn even more about us...

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Who are these guys?

We're a typical bunch of mates from Edinburgh, Scotland, who love cycling and are passionate about making a difference!

The human contribution is the essential ingredient. It is only in the giving of oneself to others that we truly live."

Ethel Percy Andrus 1884-1967, first female principal in California

This is our way of giving back to a cause we feel very strongly about. We hope our adventure inspires many more of you to do the same.

whereI'm from Portobello, a seaside suburb outside Edinburgh city centre.WhyThis is a challenge I want to be proud of, with a hope that it inspires others to make a positive change in their lives. Most of all I want to be able to hand Maggie's a nice big cheque at the end!last adventure A previous 3 month tour of the US — where I ended up in many strange and interesting places.
whereI'm from Joppa, Edinburgh's easternmost suburb.WhyTo help people and their families suffering from cancer and to challenge myself by doing something which is out of my comfort zone.last adventureThis will be my first major adventure, so I'm crazy excited!
whereI'm from Musselburgh, East Lothian's largest town.WhyThe whole adventure and the satisfaction of supporting a great cause will give me an experience I'm sure will set me up for the rest of my life.last adventureworking on Great Keppel Island, Australia for 6 weeks in 2010; camping in the forest, surrounded by white beaches and blue water! Perfect!
whereI'm from Portobello too!WhyI want to be an inspiration to others and myself. Having lost relatives to the battle against cancer, helping Maggie's and raising awareness would bring me huge satisfaction.last adventureExperiencing a whole new culture and awesome nightlife in Thailand. Also, Scotland football trips with the tartan army!
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Our inspiration...

The idea for this project was born out of a culmination of different thoughts, ideas and moments of great inspiration.

I [Adam] was hugely inspired by a track cycling event in Manchester and the dedication of the athletes to the sport.

Track Cyclists

Cycling seems in essence such a simple thing; but what appears to be a relatively easy skill can become a life-long passion for some. The very act of learning to ride a bike is one of the most memorable events in our childhood.

I wanted to push myself to the limit with some sort of challenge, inspired by the drive and determination of the cyclists. I also wanted to make a difference and I knew that if I undertook a challenge, I wanted it to be in the US.

American flag

I had had a trip there cut short unexpectedly in 2009, which had left me with a sense of something unfinished. And so the idea to cycle across the States in order to raise money for charity was gradually formed.

Bringing a team together

Knowing that the potential to make a difference would be greater if more people were involved in the project, I recruited another three lost souls in need of direction and looking for a challenge.

It was really important to have the right team in place, as not only is fitness extremely important for us to complete this challenge, but a huge amount of organising and planning is necessary to bring everything together!

Now for a small personal note to the team:

Guys,

You've been great friends of mine for many years and I know that together we'll make a great team too.

I truly appreciate the support you've shown so far, and I'm sure that you'll get everything and more out of this amazing experience! Cheers!

Adam Kent, Cycle USA 2011

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Thank You!

We'd like to extend a huge thank you to all our corporate sponsors. It's great to see how much these brands care about this cause. Please take a moment and get to know them a little better...

And not to forget...

Also, we have a great many people—from friends to family, and many more—contributing to our challenge. Thank you everyone!

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Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres

April 20th, Update: A recent quote from the Head of Maggie's Edinburgh

What these 4 guys are planning is amazing! Maggie's are delighted that they are undertaking such a phenomenal challenge and raising remarkable sums of money for the Edinburgh Centre. The money that they raise will help us to continue to provide the much needed ongoing emotional and practical support for people affected by cancer. Thanks so much guys, and good luck!"

Andrew Anderson—Centre Head, Maggie's Edinburgh

When this idea began to materialise, initially we thought to raise money for several different charities and split it between them.

Yet after contacting a number of charities to discuss the project there was one that stood out; sharing our enthusiasm and really encouraging the idea.

Maggie's logo

This charity was Maggie's. Admittedly our knowledge of this charity and the work they do was limited at first, but it didn't take very long to realise what a fantastic contribution they make.

What is Maggie's?

A Maggie's Centre is a place to turn to for help with any of the problems—small or large—associated with cancer."

Maggie Keswick Jencks

Under one roof you can access help with information, benefits advice, psychological support both individually and in groups, courses and stress reducing strategies.

You don't have to make an appointment, or be referred and everything offered is free of charge.

Who is Maggie?

The story of Maggie Keswick Jenkcs is a truly moving one.

Maggie was a writer, a landscape designer, a painter and a mother of two. She and Charles Jencks founded the organisation.

In May 1993, Maggie was told that her breast cancer had recurred and spread to her bones, liver and brain. When asked, her Dumfries oncologist gave her 2–3 months to live.

Photo of Maggie

By joining a trial involving advanced chemotherapy Maggie extended her life by a further 18 months and it was in this time that her idea for a cancer caring centre was born.

In order not to be a 'cancer victim', she believed you needed help with information, that would allow you to be an informed participant in your medical treatment.

Whilst being treated at the Western General hospital here in Edinburgh, she drew up a blueprint and plans for a pioneering venture, in a stable block in the grounds of the hospital.

Maggie died in July 1995. The first Maggie's Centre opened in Edinburgh in November 1996.

We could spend all day telling you what a great charity we think Maggie's is but to be honest our words would not do them justice. The comfort and support that they offer to cancer sufferers and their loved ones is truly touching!

Learn a whole lot more about Maggie's here.

Maggies centre

This is why we feel so strongly about this charity. It's a true story of emotion and shows how the inspiration of one person can make a better future for so many others!

Tony Robbins, the inspirational success coach, once said:

I'm proud of human beings, because they get excited to contribute once they've had the chance to experience it, not talk about it."

Tony Robbins, author and success coach

We can't tell you how excited we are to be helping Maggie's amazing legacy, and we'd love you to be a part of it with us.

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Leave us a message

Or if it's a little more private, you can email us here (this encrypted link will open your mail program)

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Cycle USA 2011 Privacy Policy

This privacy policy sets out how Cycle Usa 2011 uses and protects any information that you give us when you use this website.

We are committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. Should we ask you to provide certain information by which you can be identified when using this website, then you can be assured that it will only be used in accordance with this privacy statement.

We may change this policy from time to time by updating this page. You should check this page from time to time to ensure that you are happy with any changes. This policy is effective from 7th March 2011.

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We may collect the following information:
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We require this information to be able to stay in touch with you and provide you updates on our fundraising efforts and planning progress for the journey. Your details will not be shared with any other companies or third parties.

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