Update



Look at the map below and you will see Waterman's
Tavern below Providence, RI as one of the encampments
of the the French in 1781, this pic is my standing in front
of Watermans Tavern which is now a private home.
Isn't that cool!



Hey all, working my tail off here in Kansas to bring in funds so I can get back up to the East Coast. It is not easy following your dreams and keeping the bills paid.

I am still fundraising for the Expedition (s). If you would like to help out I would be grateful. Remember, I am doing this as a volunteer. Mapping out the first bicycle route on the Washington Rochambeau Revolutionary Route!

Mapping out a bike route on a National Historic Trail, remembering sacrifices made by the American Revolutionary Soldiers so we could have the Liberty and Freedoms we so enjoy today, and promoting alternative transportation-the bicycle- for travel and transportation.

NEXT: I am talking with local communities along the W3R abut promoting tourism to their areas via the Bike Route.

I will be meeting with Eric Weis of the East Coast Greenway Alliance regarding the routes thru downtown Providence and Hartford, CT. I plan to complete the state of CT and NY in Early September, and if all the funding comes together with your help the rest of the route in time for the Anniversary of the surrender of the British to General Washington on October 19th in Yorktown, VA.

Thank so much to Shawna Beckner, Whitney Bartelli, Freeman Smith, and Stephanie Smith for their recent donations.

Peace, Bill

Expedition update June 29th, 2011

Arrived  yesterday in Woodshole and put my bike back together!

As in any major expedition there are always "glitches." As you know I am on Martha's Vineyard staying with my good friends Teri and Sean in West Tisbury. I forgot that I do not get cell reception here, so if you need to get ahold of me before tomorrow at 11am, send me email at bill@poindexterrecruiting.com



I took the ferry to Martha's Vineyard



I will be leaving MV at 1115 and getting into Newport about 3pm. I am staying at a hostel called the William Gyles Guesthouse. There was no place to camp in Newport and I wanted to spend a afternoon there before I leave the next morning.  I also wanted to find a place that future cyclists could stay at as a embarking point for the W3R Bike Route. I will pay $35 for a dorm room, plus tax.




I will leave Newport, form the Rochambeau Statue at 10am on July 1st. I am being interviewed by Jim Gillis of the Newport Daily News at 9am at the Statue.

Staying with friends in West Tisbury

And they live on the State Forest
Bike Path...go figure ;)



I plan to arrive at Joy Homestead at 3-4pm.

Peace, Bill

http://www.fox4kc.com/videobeta/0541acb7-aaed-49a5-b452-530abe18fd0a/News/Metro-Man-Following-Patriotic-Bike-Route

Expedition update: last day in Kansas City!

Flying out in the morning! I still have to pack!



Theresa, the owner of Family Bicycles supervising the
careful art of putting a bike on a small box!

 I would like to thank all the sponsors and folks who kindly donated up to this point, and especially to Family Bicycles for all there hard work making sure my bicycle is up to the challenge and boxed for the flight! So thank you to all their great staff and excellent service. I think they are the only KC Bike shop that really gets bike touring!
Thanks to Theresa the owner and Matt whom boxed my bike and gave me a great tune up!




yep there is a bike in there!

My flight to Boston leaves at 8:15am, and my good friend Mark Rainey has volunteered to give me a lift to the airport! I will arrive in Boston  at 12:30ish. Then I take a bus to Woods Hole on Cape Cod. I will put the bike back together on the dock of the Ferry to Martha's Vineyard.

Next, ferry over to Martha's Vineyard, once there I will do a quick 30 mile ride around the island and then head to my friends home in West Tisbury! Then Wed. I will tour the island and hope to get some beach time and time with my good friends, Teri, Sean, Emma, and Max.

On Thursday I will take a ferry and arrive by sea just as Rochambeau did in 1780. I should arrive Quonset Point around 12:45. This I will skillfully make my way to Newport. I will  explore Newport and spend the night...I am not sure where yet, and I depart the on the historic Cycling W3R Expedition at 10am on July 1st, at the Rochambeau statue in Newport. With the advice of, Peter Rice, Mark Dieterich of the Rhode Island Bicycle Coalition and some of his friends, and Eric of the East Coast Greenway Alliance I will head north along a very exciting route which will take me into the heart of Providence...I will share the route shortly .

I make my way to Joy Homestead is next, in Cranston, is where Lydia Rapoza will be hosting a small reception for me at their historic site! Starts a 5pm, so if you are in the area I hope to meet you. You will see the gear, bike, tent, and I juggle.:) I will talk about the Cycling W3R Expedition, how it came to be, and where it is headed.




Come to Joy Homestead at 5pm on July 1st!

 Then, on the morning of the 2nd. I will head west into Connecticut...an into history. Did you know the French officers where allowed 300lbs of personal belongings while on their expedition! It was carried by ox and cart!

I look forward to meeting you. Yes, you.

Peace, Bill

Preparing for the expedition



Gear: bike, two rear panniers, tent, and
front handel bar bag.
Photo by David Rainey

Preparing for the Cycling W3R Expedition

Thirty Days away from the expedition! I have been talking to many people about the trip and many of the questions have been similar, so, I thought it would be a good idea to share some of them with you all.

How long will it take?

"The W3R is 600 odd miles. I am searching for the most safe bike route, so I expect to add on another 100 miles. I will be cycling an average of 40-60 miles a day, depending on terrain and weather. I will be speaking to groups along the way-cyclists and historic groups and plan to take a day off every 3-4 days. I expect to be in Yorktown, Virginia by July 21st."




Rolling with friends this weekend
at the Pedaler's Jamboree
Photo by David Rainey

What will your daily schedule be?
"Up by 6am, do some yoga, break down camp by 7am. Then roll to some place I can get coffee and a roll. I will try to ride 10-20 miles from 7-9, then take a little break, the ride another 20 miles, eat lunch, and roll another 10-20, hopefully being in camp by 2pm. I then plan to explore local towns, speak at various places, and have dinner with locals. Also will spend evening blogging to you all and preparing the route for the next day. That is the basic schedule I will follow. Days off will consist of exploring towns along the W3R, mingling and interviewing the natives,  and catching up on emails."


What kind of support will you have?

"The expedition is self supported, so that means I will be carrying all the gear I need. Since I will be near towns and cities, I will forage for food on a daily basis.. :) I expect to camp outside 90% of the time.




a loaded bike, a gravel road, and a
hill is the best training

 What kind of training are you doing?

"I bike and walk every day for transportation. My cycling varies day to day from 10 miles minimum to over 50 miles per day. I am a strong cyclist, but not riding the heavy loaded bicycle, so I have been carrying panniers from Arkel (saddle bags) loaded with bricks and books and cycling on hilly routes to simulate the routes on the east coast. I have been doing bike overnight trips every weekend where I simulate the expedition, by riding a fully loaded bicycle and camp out overnight."

What is the route like, are you nervous?

"700 miles, though 9 states, and 5 major cities. There is more danger from cars than anything else. I have been cycling in a city for over ten years now so I am comfortable with cycling along traffic. I guess the only thing I am nervous about is once I get past PA I have never been in DE, MD, or VA. I will have people occasionally riding with me, so that should alleviate any fears. I am very excited!!!!


If you have any questions regarding the expedition, email me at bill@poindexterecruiting.com

Peace, Bill