Astoria, Oregon to Yorktown, Virginia · 2026: Sunday, June 7th
VERDICT The longest self-supported bike race on earth—4,200+ miles from Pacific to Atlantic, crossing 10 states, no support crews, pure transcontinental adventure.
A 4,200+ mile expedition from Pacific to Atlantic following the historic TransAmerica Bicycle Trail.[11]
Course Profile
Editorial verdict
The longest self-supported bike race on earth—4,200+ miles from Pacific to Atlantic, crossing 10 states, no support crews, pure transcontinental adventure.[4]
The TransAmerica Bicycle Trail was created by Adventure Cycling Association (then Bikecentennial) in 1976 to celebrate America's bicentennial. The Trans Am Bike Race formalized this crossing as a competitive self-supported race in 2014, inspired by Tour Divide's success. In 2023, the event was rebranded as Trans Am Bike Nonstop under Nathan Jones / Ride Yr Bike LLC. Founded in 2014. By Based on Adventure Cycling Association's TransAmerica Bicycle Trail (created 1976 for Bikecentennial).
Reputation: The longest self-supported bike race on earth. The road equivalent of Tour Divide. America's great cycling pilgrimage.
2014: Mike Hall wins inaugural race in 17d 16h 29m, sets template for event
2016: Lael Wilcox becomes first American winner AND first female overall winner (18d 10m), overtaking leader on final day
2017: 250 starters, 175 finishers—largest field, memorial for Mike Hall killed during Indian Pacific Wheel Race
2019: Abdullah Zeinab sets current course record of 16d 9h 56m
2025: Jonas Majerski smashes record with 14d 13h 2m
[03]
The Course
Photo: YouTube / Mortalbicycler
A 4,200+ mile expedition from Pacific to Atlantic following the historic TransAmerica Bicycle Trail. The route passes through 10 states, crossing the Continental Divide in Colorado and the Appalachian Mountains in Virginia. Surface is roughly 90% paved—quiet county roads, bike paths, and low-traffic highways. The character evolves dramatically: Pacific Northwest forests, Rocky Mountain passes, endless Kansas plains, Ozark rollercoasters, Ohio River farmland, and steep Appalachian ridges. This is America condensed into one transcontinental ride.
Signature challenge: The complete American experience—4,200 miles coast to coast through every landscape, every climate, every mental state across 2-5 weeks of self-supported suffering.
200
MILE
Mitchell, Oregon (CP1)
First checkpoint. Eastern Oregon is dry and sparse—services thin, carry extra water. Psychological transition from coast to interior.
800
MILE
Montana/Wyoming
Rocky Mountain crossings begin. Near Yellowstone/Grand Teton. Beautiful but demanding elevation. Lander to Rawlins has sparse services.
1400
MILE
Hoosier Pass, Colorado
Highest point at 11,542 feet. Major psychological milestone. Altitude affects everyone. Snow possible any time.
2200
MILE
Kansas Plains
The great mental test. 400+ miles of relentless wind, endless horizon, and psychological monotony. Flat in profile but brutal in execution. Has ended more Trans Am attempts than any mountain.
3500
MILE
Appalachian Mountains
Final 700 miles have 15,000 feet MORE climbing than first 1,150 miles through Rockies. Steep, punchy, roller-coaster grades when you're already destroyed. Virginia has the most total elevation gain of any state.
RIDERS REPORT
Missouri rollers
Referenced as a challenging terrain section that riders are relieved to get out of.
[04]
From the Field
Traffic stops when they're moving cows - we decided to go east west and one of the reasons for doing that if we wanted to see these riders each other along the way.
Onyx Financial Advisors, LLC · 661 views
Nothing I ever do works out sometimes I feel like my life is a sinking ship - bike component failure at 100 miles requiring conversion to single speed.
Mortalbicycler · 91 views
Richard · 866 views · 16:24
RACER
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[07]
Training
June 7, 2026 TRANS AM BIKE RACE
RIDERS REPORT
Two headlights recommended - one 1,100 lumen for night visibility and a backup light. Front wheel dynamo to charge battery and devices while riding.
Rear light that can be seen from outer space - extremely bright USB rechargeable light with flashing option.
Solar charger for charging devices while riding or at campsites on nice days.
Paper cue sheets as backup navigation in case electronic devices fail.
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Train for Trans Am Bike Race
RACE DEMAND PROFILE
Durability
10
Climbing
10
VO2 Power
10
Threshold
5
Technical
4
Heat
10
Altitude
8
Race Specificity
10
3 WORKOUTS BUILT FOR THIS RACE
Each workout below is selected from our archetype library based on Trans Am Bike Race’s specific demands. Click any workout to see the full execution protocol.
DurabilityProgressive Fatigue
2hr+
Power targets INCREASE as duration goes on — reverse-pacing that builds race-finishing strength.
4233 miles. Your legs will beg to quit after 120. This trains the power output you need from mile 130 onward.
EXECUTIONEach block is harder than the last. By the time you hit threshold, you’ve been riding for 80+ minutes. The final VO2 effort is the test — can you go HARD when everything says stop? This is how you win the last 20 miles of a gravel race.
HEAT PREP June in Astoria, Oregon to Yorktown, Virginia — June start means variable spring weather across 4,200 miles. Oregon coast can be cool and foggy. Rockies may still have snow at Hoosier Pass (11,542ft). Kansas brings relentless wind and potential dust storms. Missouri/Kentucky humidity builds. Virginia's Appalachians are steep, hot, and humid. Temperature swings from 40s in mountains to 100°F+ in Kansas plains. Begin heat acclimatization 10–14 days before Trans Am Bike Race — 20–30min sauna sessions or midday rides in full kit. Pre-load sodium 48 hours out. Target 500–750ml/hr with electrolytes on race day. Race-day realities: Virginia humidity and heat in June.
NUTRITION Ultra-distance fueling for 4233 miles: 80–100g carbs/hour from mile 1 — don’t wait until you’re hungry. Practice your exact race-day nutrition in every long training ride. Carry backup calories. 4233 miles burns 8,000–12,000+ calories — you cannot replace them all, but you must try.
ALTITUDE Trans Am Bike Race with 175,000ft of climbing, much of it above 8,000ft demands altitude preparation. Arrive 5–7 days early for acclimatization. Expect 5–15% power reduction at altitude. Increase iron intake 4 weeks out. Hydrate aggressively — altitude increases fluid loss by 20–40%.
TERRAIN Mixed terrain at Trans Am Bike Race requires surface adaptability. Include weekly rides on primarily paved roads following the historic transamerica bicycle trail to build confidence. Expect: paved roads (90%), gravel roads, bike paths.
EnduranceTerrain Simulation Z2
2hr+
Zone 2 with rolling terrain simulation — undulating power that builds fat oxidation.
Every hard session works better with a bigger aerobic base. At 4233 miles, base fitness is the difference between racing and surviving.
EXECUTIONStay in Zone 2 the entire time, but undulate your power to simulate rolling terrain. The rises push the top of Z2; the valleys ease off. This builds terrain-responsive pacing without leaving the aerobic zone. Your body learns to modulate power without thinking.
POWERRises: 72–78% FTP | Valleys: 62–68% FTP | All within Zone 2
CADENCERises: 80–85rpm | Valleys: 88–92rpm
POSITIONAlternate: hoods on rises, drops on flats. Build position endurance.
RPE3–4 throughout — never hard, but never mindless
RACE-SPECIFIC: TRANS AM BIKE RACE
HEAT PREP June in Astoria, Oregon to Yorktown, Virginia — June start means variable spring weather across 4,200 miles. Oregon coast can be cool and foggy. Rockies may still have snow at Hoosier Pass (11,542ft). Kansas brings relentless wind and potential dust storms. Missouri/Kentucky humidity builds. Virginia's Appalachians are steep, hot, and humid. Temperature swings from 40s in mountains to 100°F+ in Kansas plains. Begin heat acclimatization 10–14 days before Trans Am Bike Race — 20–30min sauna sessions or midday rides in full kit. Pre-load sodium 48 hours out. Target 500–750ml/hr with electrolytes on race day. Race-day realities: Virginia humidity and heat in June.
NUTRITION Ultra-distance fueling for 4233 miles: 80–100g carbs/hour from mile 1 — don’t wait until you’re hungry. Practice your exact race-day nutrition in every long training ride. Carry backup calories. 4233 miles burns 8,000–12,000+ calories — you cannot replace them all, but you must try.
ALTITUDE Trans Am Bike Race with 175,000ft of climbing, much of it above 8,000ft demands altitude preparation. Arrive 5–7 days early for acclimatization. Expect 5–15% power reduction at altitude. Increase iron intake 4 weeks out. Hydrate aggressively — altitude increases fluid loss by 20–40%.
TERRAIN Mixed terrain at Trans Am Bike Race requires surface adaptability. Include weekly rides on primarily paved roads following the historic transamerica bicycle trail to build confidence. Expect: paved roads (90%), gravel roads, bike paths.
HVLI ExtendedMulti-Hour Z2
4hr+
The long ride. 4 hours of pure Zone 2 — massive aerobic volume for ultra-distance preparation.
4233 miles rewards fat oxidation. This volume work shifts your fuel mix so you're still burning fat at hour 5, not bonking at hour 3.
EXECUTIONThis is the big one. Four hours in the saddle. Perfectly steady Z2 — no café stops, no coasting downhill, no surges. Practice race-day nutrition (80g carbs/hr). Alternate positions every 30 minutes. This ride builds the aerobic capacity that makes everything else possible.
POWER65–70% FTP — if heart rate creeps up after hour 3, drop to 60–65%
CADENCE80–90rpm — find your rhythm and lock it in for 4 hours
POSITIONRotate every 30min: hoods → drops → tops → aero. Build position endurance.
RPE3–4 throughout — if it drifts above 5, reduce power immediately
RACE-SPECIFIC: TRANS AM BIKE RACE
HEAT PREP June in Astoria, Oregon to Yorktown, Virginia — June start means variable spring weather across 4,200 miles. Oregon coast can be cool and foggy. Rockies may still have snow at Hoosier Pass (11,542ft). Kansas brings relentless wind and potential dust storms. Missouri/Kentucky humidity builds. Virginia's Appalachians are steep, hot, and humid. Temperature swings from 40s in mountains to 100°F+ in Kansas plains. Begin heat acclimatization 10–14 days before Trans Am Bike Race — 20–30min sauna sessions or midday rides in full kit. Pre-load sodium 48 hours out. Target 500–750ml/hr with electrolytes on race day. Race-day realities: Virginia humidity and heat in June.
NUTRITION Ultra-distance fueling for 4233 miles: 80–100g carbs/hour from mile 1 — don’t wait until you’re hungry. Practice your exact race-day nutrition in every long training ride. Carry backup calories. 4233 miles burns 8,000–12,000+ calories — you cannot replace them all, but you must try.
ALTITUDE Trans Am Bike Race with 175,000ft of climbing, much of it above 8,000ft demands altitude preparation. Arrive 5–7 days early for acclimatization. Expect 5–15% power reduction at altitude. Increase iron intake 4 weeks out. Hydrate aggressively — altitude increases fluid loss by 20–40%.
TERRAIN Mixed terrain at Trans Am Bike Race requires surface adaptability. Include weekly rides on primarily paved roads following the historic transamerica bicycle trail to build confidence. Expect: paved roads (90%), gravel roads, bike paths.
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PDX (Portland) - 100mi to Astoria start; ORF (Norfolk) or RIC (Richmond) - near Yorktown finish; DCA/IAD/BWI for D.C. finish option
Lodging
Astoria for pre-race (book early, tourist area). During race: city park camping is free and welcomed in Kansas/Missouri. Motels in most towns. Trail angels via Warm Showers app. Missoula has Adventure Cycling headquarters with cyclist amenities.
Food
Self-supported—resupply at towns throughout route. More frequent services than Tour Divide. Kansas and Missouri cater specifically to TransAmerica cyclists with water, Wi-Fi, and cyclist campsites. Carry 1-2 days food for sparse Eastern Oregon section.
Packet Pickup
Virtual registration and briefing. Show up at Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria. On-site bike inspection available.
Parking
Astoria start area. Coordinate finish transport—Yorktown or D.C. options. Consider one-way bike shipping.
RIDERS REPORT
Reflective tape should be put everywhere possible on the bike without wrapping it completely.
Have backup navigation - GPS devices may not work properly or may lack US maps.
Fast center, grippy edges. The modern all-rounder benchmark.
2
Vittoria Terreno Mix
40mm · $80 · 34W
Graphene versatility. Mixed-terrain grip with reasonable rolling speed.
3
Continental Terra Trail
40mm · $75 · 34W
excellent wet grip
FRONT/REAR SPLITRene Herse Snoqualmie Pass 44mm / Specialized Pathfinder Pro 38mmFaster front for reduced rolling resistance on straights, grippier rear for traction on loose climbs and corners
Every American climate zone compressed into one race. Kansas hit 110°F in 2016, while Colorado reached the high 90s. The self-supported heat challenge: "all the water you have turns to tea in half an hour. And it's boiling tea." In Missouri, she resorted to "knocking on people's doors and asking them, 'Can I buy some water off you or use your hose?' So I could spray myself off."[1]
How are the logistics for Trans Am Bike Race?
+
Complete self-sufficiency across 4,233 miles with no outside support or pre-arranged aid. Leah Goldstein learned this the hard way: "I lost multiple days because of ignorance, not knowing my mechanics. I had so many mechanical issues that, really, if I had understood the system, I could have fixed it on the spot." She spent eight hours in one bike shop for a simple disconnected wire. GPS tracking required, resupply only at commercial establishments through sparse sections where "you would have nothing for 100-150 miles."[16]
How adventurous is Trans Am Bike Race?
+
Ocean-to-ocean traverse of the entire continental United States following Adventure Cycling's historic TransAmerica Trail. Riders experience everything from Yellowstone and the Tetons to Kansas plains and Appalachian hollows. Wilcox described her favorites: "I had a great ride through Yellowstone and the Tetons. I liked the farm county in the brief section of Illinois and the open plains in Kansas were stunning."[11]
How prestigious is Trans Am Bike Race?
+
Founded by ultra-endurance legend Mike Hall, who won the inaugural 2014 race and proclaimed: "Nothing that's worth anything is ever easy." The race attracts icons like Lael Wilcox, who became the first American and first woman to win overall in 2016. Finishing puts you among fewer than 1,000 people who have self-supported across America—a distinction that defines careers in ultra-endurance cycling.[10]
Should I race Trans Am Bike Race?
+
Yes if you have serious ultra-endurance experience and can commit 2-5 weeks to crossing America. Yes if you can handle complete self-sufficiency across 4,200 miles. Yes if you want the ultimate American cycling pilgrimage. Skip if you haven't completed multi-day self-supported events. Skip if 200+ mile days for weeks on end sounds impossible. Skip if Kansas wind and Appalachian rollercoasters would break your spirit.
[11]
Sources & Citations
Research sources used to build this race profile. Always verify details with official race sources before making travel or registration decisions.
