I (Scott M.) was introduced to biking converted rail trails while traveling the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP: Pittsburgh, PA to Cumberland, MD and onto Washington DC) with my son, Josh, in 2012.  The following year, Scott G, our wives and I started an annual tradition of a week trip of bike touring by completing the GAP and C&O Canal at the peak of foliage color in October.  What an awesome trip!  I was hooked...

We have been regular members of the Rails to Trails Conservancy ever since and have biked rail trails in MD, VA, PA, OH, and now many in WA, ID and OR since we moved to Seattle.  I have wanted to bike cross country since I was 25, but it never work out time-wise.  After the launch of the campaign to complete the Great American Rail Trail (see first entry), this was the only route that I have ever considered.  While not finished yet , we are thrilled to be trailblazers...

Why now?  As mentioned, the timing was just not right after my retirement from the Army. Scott G and I have discussed this adventure on and off but not been able to make it work until now. This is our belated 60th birthday celebration!  A huge thanks to our wives, and to Charles, Alex, Grace, Aurelio and my whole team and Gates Medical Research Institute for allowing me to complete this dream and covering for me in my absence. Carpe diem!