The historic first-ever Maine to Florida tour of the East Coast Greenway was a success! Having starting September 12, this small band of intrepid bicyclists became the first to travel the entire length of the East Coast Greenway while helping to raise critically-needed funds to sustain our organization in its role of developing and sustaining the ECG trail system. This was our first "end-to-end" tour event along the 2600-mile route from Calais, Maine to Key West, Florida.
This small group (click here to meet the group) pedalled from Canada to Key West along the 20% of the ECG now complete, and using low-traffic roads in between those trail segments. The tour departed Calais, ME on September 12 and arrived in Key West on November 3, an average of 60 miles per day (not counting rest days). The trip consisted of four segments:
 riding in coastal Maine |
 Smathers Beach, Key West |
A support vehicle accompanied the tour. Accommodations were basic: camping, homestays, economy motels, B&Bs, and church basements. When meals were not donated or otherwise arranged, a meal allowance for eating out was given to each rider in the amounts of $6 for breakfast, $7 for lunch and $15 for dinner. A tour organizer accompanied the group and handled daily logistics, supported by the van with two personnel. Local tour leaders joined periodically to guide the group. Daily stops at points of interest were scheduled. At least one media event was held in each state, at which the cyclists became ambassadors for the ECG. One rest day was scheduled for the midpoint of each segment and one at the termination of each segment, for a total of 7 for the entire trip. Participants made their own arrangements to get to the start point and from the end point, with help from the ECGA.
Participants have raised $10,000 for the entire journey or $3000 per segment if doing less than the entire tour. The Alliance provided some guidance on raising those pledges but responsibility rested with the participant. ECGA also raised corporate support with the aim of maximizing the amount of pledge funds that went to ECGA operations and program activities.
Click here to see through-rider Myron Skott's tour weblog - updated daily with audio entries, photos, and text!
Click here to see the itinerary for the tour.
Click here to meet the Tour Planning Team - the coordinator, leader, and support vehicle driver.
Registered tour riders were offered custom web pages!
The Kruimers Myron Skott Carroll Webber David Wood
The ECGA prepared resources to help riders accomplish their fundraising goals. Click here to see the ECGA Tour donation form, and click here to see the Fundraising Guide.
Click here to see the NY Times feature article about the ECG, which mentions the tour! (pdf format)
Any questions can be sent to the ECGA via email: ecga@greenway.org.
"Finally, here are bikes that fit right into your life. Transportation Breezers deliver comfort and performance as you go where you need to go." Thanks to Breezer for donating a bicycle for trail inspection and tour support purposes.
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