Bike Trip USA

It began with a belief.

“These kids need this.”

30 years later, that’s still the belief.

“I was skeptical at first.”

“It’s a lot to wrap your head around.”

I was they new guy, and they brought me in. Now, I’m fighting to keep it alive.

Why?

Because I believe in it.

Now more than ever in the history of modern culture, THESE KIDS NEED THIS. A fresh-air, open-road, grit-builder of a bike trip. 200 miles of open-air survival and wide-eyed enjoyment. An experience to anchor the transition from childhood to adolescence. An invitation into strength, but also an invitation to keep…on…playing!! Keep being goofy. Keep being weird. Don’t grow up, DO get strong.

At the core, Bike Trip USA is about strength of spirit. Grit and determination and sharing the load. Staying together, shepherding the pack. No one gets left behind. Heart Attack Hill?? NOT ONE PERSON HASN’T MADE IT UP THE HILL.

I always wondered what Jeff meant.

It was my first trip - he was Jeff Merasco, 15+ year trip director. The keeper of all knowledge, and he was adamant.

“We’ve never not had everyone make it up the hill,” he had said to me.

I was worried. Jeff can be a hardball at times, so it made me a little nervous about how he might react. There were a couple kids I was nervous about!

Jeff wasn’t the first one up the hill. Kadence was. A student. A strong pedaler. Jeff was there soon enough. And as soon as he got off the bike, he started running back down.

“Come on back down!” he yelled up to the strong pedalers now gathering at the top.

They all followed his lead, now greeting and cheering the rest of the riders. Some riders looked as though they might fall over, as they ground their way one revolution at a time… up the hill… teetering on the edge of balance.

Jeff pushed them. We all pushed them. Hands on their backs, we pushed them until they got their momentum again.

Not one person didn’t make it up the hill.

And that’s what Bike Trip is all about.

Strength of Spirit.

Strength of relationship.

Strength of character.

Registration for 2025 is now open.

$50 Deposits are due by March 10, 2024.

[NOTE: Due to rapidly growing interest in this year’s Bike Trip, final cost will be calculated at trip inception with final payment due at that time. Total cost will not exceed $250 and will be reduced as much as possible, as sponsorship dollars arrive. Typically, we cover costs at around $200 per rider.]

If you’re committed at the full amount, go ahead and register today. If you want to do the trip but you’re worried about cost, here’s what we can tell you:

Bike Trippers are really good at raising funds. We’ll show you how to make it happen.

You come up with the registration, and we’ll work to get you the rest by trip start.

We’ll see you July 7th, 2025 for our Kickoff Breakfast, and if you aren’t pedaling on the trip, we’ll see you at the concert, Friday night July 12th, for a concert in the parking lot.

Practice dates will be announced soon. Check back for details because, and THIS IS NEW FOR THIS YEAR:

Practices are open to any member of the Bike Trip USA Cycling Team. That’s right!!!

You can ride with the team, even if you’re not riding for the trip.

We’re SO EXCITED to be able to offer this opportunity at a base membership of $50 per year. Broken down, that’s less than $2 per managed group event.

IF YOU’RE REGISTERED FOR THE TRIP, YOU’RE REGISTERED FOR THE TEAM.

But you can still register for the team and attend all team events, even if you’re not registered for the trip.

We want to share the love of cycling with as many people as possible.

Come join us!