Flyscout Ryder

11/23/2024

Unreal Landscapes Bicycle Touring Into Colorado's Southern Border - Cycling Across America - S4 E23.
New Mexico was exceptional but it's now time to cross over into Colorado with its massive mountains and endless beauty. This episode starts with a blue bird day on which I descend from Brazos Pass to Chama, New Mexico. The next day I ride to Pagosa Springs thru massive mesas and all kinds of varied landscapes. Pagosa Springs had me meeting, Jake, the owner of Pagosa Mountain Sports who helped me with my breaks. From there I cruise over to Durango with a mix of road construction, a little bit of tail wind, a lot of head wind, a sort of innocent Yellowjacket Pass, and crazy traffic towards the end. Oh, I also got lucky and happened upon some wildlife. Once in Durango I take a day off to document their awesome cycling infrastructure, the city, and the Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad Depot and Museum. It was all legit!

New Mexico was exceptional but it's now time to cross over into Colorado with its massive mountains and endless beauty. This episode starts with a blue bird...

10/12/2024

Spellbinding Scenery Cycling Over Brazos Pass During Fall - Bicycle Touring North America - S4 E22.
Now I'm deep into climbing and dropping on the Rockies and this one was far from easy. To get thru Brazos Pass you have to get in elevation and then keep constantly climbing and dropping over and over again up at the top before an insane 8.8 mile downhill towards Tierras Amarillas. The Aspen trees were in full fall color making for unreal scenery. This one is truly one of the most beautiful and toughest passes I have ever done.

Now I'm deep into climbing and dropping on the Rockies and this one was far from easy. To get thru Brazos Pass you have to get in elevation and then keep co...

09/28/2024

Stealth Camping My Way Thru New Mexico On My Lynskey GR300 - Bicycle Touring North America - S4 E21.
Route 66, Interstate 40 and the Great Plains are now behind me and my route is now heading to the first of endless passes on my way west. The first one is called The Mora Wall at 9,500 feet in elevation. It's one of many high passes in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. This range is the most southeastern section of the Rockies. The second pass is part of what is known as the High Road To Taos which goes from Santa Fe to Taos thru some unbelievable scapes. On my way I pass thru Las Vegas, New Mexico, where I stealth camp behind a gas station and again behind a New Mexico State University Forestry Research compound in Mora the next night. Lots of aspen trees and insane downhills on this one.

Route 66, Interstate 40 and the Great Plains are now behind me and my route is now heading to the first of endless passes on my way west. The first one is c...

09/14/2024

Digging Deep Cycling The Great Plains On My Lynskey GR300 - Bicycle Touring North America - S4 E20.
The last of three installments of Route 66 from eastern Oklahoma, thru the panhandle of Texas, and now northeastern New Mexico. The "West" is now in full effect with outstanding open scapes and golden grasses as far as one can see. The route is a mix of old Route 66 with its unique towns, Interstate 40, and its quiet frontage roads. I say good by to this iconic stretch of road and head north towards New Mexico's Sanger de Cristo Mountain Range.

The last of three installments of Route 66 from eastern Oklahoma, thru the panhandle of Texas, and now northeastern New Mexico. The "West" is now in full ef...

08/31/2024

Serious Wind Management Riding Across The 100th Meridian - Cycling Route 66's Great Plains - S4 E19.
The Lone Star State is next as I ride across the country for a fifth time. This is also where I finally jump over the 100th meridian and into the Great Plains. Texas proved to be a formidable state to cover on two wheels because of its "no joke" head winds. I learned all about why this state's panhandle, along with Kansas, Colorado, northeastern New Mexico and Oklahoma, were jointly coined "The Dust Bowl".

The Lone Star State is next as I ride across the country for a fifth time. This is also where I finally jump over the 100th meridian and into the Great Plai...

08/17/2024

Badass Times Cycling On America's Mother Road - Bicycle Touring Route 66 On My Way West - S4 E18
That's right, I'm on the Historic 66 and loving it. There is so much to see and it is plenty challenging. Continues rolling hills and inconsistent road shoulders with plenty of traffic make for alert riding conditions. Oklahoma City was plenty hectic and entertaining and I meet up with my friend, Mike. This episode is one of three covering Route 66 from Tulsa, Oklahoma to Santa Rosa, New Mexico. So buckle up and get ready to experience a bit of American history on two wheels.

That's right, I'm on the Historic 66 and loving it. There is so much to see and it is plenty challenging. Continues rolling hills and inconsistent road sho...

08/10/2024

Half Way Across the United States On My Titanium Lynskey GR300 - S4 E17.
Oklahoma is not what I expected. This is one of three episodes of the seven days it took me to get thru this state on my way to California. While visiting my fiends, the Gray's, I bailed hay, got my butt kicked playing Ping Pong, and eventually reached Route 66. This iconic road took me all the way to New Mexico, by the way. This one is not like the others...

LINK AND WATCH

https://youtu.be/2QCcyHlXRWY

08/03/2024

Broke The Law And Got Caught - Dealt With Stormy Weather - Bicycle Touring Across America - S4 E16
Yep, I once again and for the third time got pulled over cycling American freeways. This time on the Cherokee Turnpike in Oklahoma. The trooper makes me push my bike up a steep overpass. This led me to return to a terrible alternate (frontage) road with insane traffic and absolutely no shoulder. It all worked out at the end and I had another awesome day. The second day of this episode is stormy weather management trying to get to my friend's ranch. It got wet.
LINK BELOW

https://youtu.be/b_rFFBD9BvQ

07/27/2024

Stellar Cycling Infrastructure in NW Arkansas - Across America by Bicycle - S4 E15.
After crossing both the Ouachita and Ozark National Forests I take off from Fayetteville on my way to Bentonville on Arkansas' Razorback Regional Greenway. This 40 mile trail offers one of the most impressive cycling and multi-use trail systems I have ever experienced. It connect seven downtown areas, the University of Arkansas, 3 major hospitals, 23 schools, historical sites, neighborhoods, shopping areas, playgrounds, parks and lakes.
LINK ↓

After crossing both the Ouachita and Ozark National Forests I take off from Fayetteville on my way to Bentonville on Arkansas' Razorback Regional Greenway. ...

07/23/2024

Oldest & Largest National Forest in The South - Crossing America On My Lynskey GR300 - S4 E13
With 1.8 million acres, the Ouachita National Forest holds the Southern United States's crown for the largest National Forest. It is also the oldest being established in Dec 1907. On this episode I continue riding my bike on a quest to see all I can of Arkansas as I make my way across the United States. So far, Arkansas is blowing my expectations to shreds with its many beautiful campgrounds, well maintained roads, and endless natural beauty.

With 1.8 million acres, the Ouachita National Forest holds the Southern United States's crown for the largest National Forest. It is also the oldest being e...

07/06/2024

First Of Its Kind, Really. - Cycling Across America - S4 E12
In April 20, 1832, the United States Congress created Hot Springs Reservation. This is the first time the federal government put aside land intending to preserve it for public recreational use. It is the first time that the concept of our National Parks Service came about.

In April 20, 1832, the United States Congress created Hot Springs Reservation. This is the first time the federal government put aside land intending to pre...

03/16/2024

Riding Across America On My Lynskey GR300 Gravel Bike - S4 E11.
After crossing five states starting in Georgia on my way to the West Coast I ride into Arkansas, The Natural State. The plan is to traverse the entire state from its southeastern corner next to the Mississippi River all the way to one of its most northwestern cities, Bentonville. This first of three episodes riding thru Arkansas documents four days of cycling and three top notch state parks in this gem of a state. I use its interstates, state roads, paved and gravel country roads.

After crossing five states starting in Georgia on my way to the West Coast I ride into Arkansas, The Natural State. The plan is to traverse the entire state...

03/10/2024

Cycling Over The Mississippi River on I-20. Bike Touring Across the United States - S4 E11.
One of the most nerve racking bridge crossings ever. After taking off from Jackson, Mississippi, I find myself in the historic city of Vicksburg facing my worst fears as I ride over the Mighty Mississippi River on Interstice 20. With barely a shoulder I grip my handlebars for dear life as traffic screams by me.

One of the most nerve racking bridge crossings ever. After taking off from Jackson, Mississippi, I find myself in the historic city of Vicksburg facing my w...

03/03/2024

Riding Around in New Orleans On My Way West Across The United States. S4/E9.
Two days riding around in the Crescent City was total blast. Being there is like breathing American history. Spending any time along the Mississippi River is priceless.

Two days riding around in the Crescent City was total blast. Being there is like breathing American history. Spending any time along the Mississippi River ...

02/24/2024

Trafficked To The Big Easy - Bicycle Touring from Natchez to New Orleans. S4/E8
Adventure Cycling Association's Great River South Route takes you to Natchez for its final leg to reach New Orleans. It's a mix of roads that lead you to The Mississippi River Trail. This is a "must" ride along this iconic river ending in the historic city of New Orleans and its French Quarter.

Adventure Cycling Association's Great River South Route takes you to Natchez for its final leg to reach New Orleans. It's a mix of roads that lead you to Th...

02/10/2024

Bucket List Warning - Bicycle Touring The Southern Half of This American Treasure S4/E7
The Trace, as it's referred to by locals, is one of the most peaceful and beautiful roads in America. It snakes southwesterly for 444 miles from Nashville, Tennessee to Natchez, Mississippi. Commercial vehicles of any kind are prohibited and with its 55 mile per hour speed limit, along with abundant "share the road" signs, it makes for a spectacular multi-day bike ride. There are plenty of campgrounds along the way but that's about it. There aren't any power lines or commercial buildings anywhere. It's truly an American Treasure with loads of American history to learn from. There are historical markers along the way to fill you in with tid-bits of times past. Put this one on your touring bucket list.

The Trace, as it's referred to by locals, is one of the most peaceful and beautiful roads in America. It snakes southwesterly for 444 miles from Nashville, ...

02/03/2024

Cycling Over Utah's La Sal Mountains and Into Mississippi's Natchez Trace Parkway S4/E6
What a difference two and a half months on the road make. From mostly flat Mississippi to Utah's insanely demanding La Sal Mountains. Another contrast in bicycle touring across America.

What a difference two and a half months on the road make. From mostly flat Mississippi to Utah's insanely demanding La Sal Mountains. Another contrast in b...

01/27/2024

From Death Valley, California to Alabama's Appalachian Foothills Bicycle Touring North America S4/E5
No joke start to this episode with a 5.000' climb to get out of Death Valley in 18 miles. And, you'd think Alabama would be mostly flat but oh no it's not. Ridding into Birmingham was a brute and so was getting to Tuscaloosa. On the way I met up with a great dude and fellow cyclist named Richard who shared with me his encouraging ways. Coming into the romanesque University of Alabama was unforgettable.

No joke start to this episode with a 5.000' climb to get out of Death Valley in 18 miles. And, you'd think Alabama would be mostly flat but oh no it's not. ...