American Challenge

Overview

When you get to the Pacific, you will jump off your bike, race across the sand and dive into the water. You’ll scream, yell, shout and hug. Onlookers will not understand, and even if you tried to explain what that moment means to you, they probably still wouldn’t get it. That’s the way a lot of the American Challenge is.

The American Challenge doesn’t require previous experience—it requires determination. The American Challenge isn’t a race—there is no sag wagon or support team. The American Challenge won’t change you into a “hard core” biker—but it will change the way you see yourself and the world around you. Bike with us across America and discover for yourself the meaning of the American Challenge.

We start our six-week journey just east of Savannah, Georgia, on Tybee Island. This first section of the trip takes us straight into the heart of the South, as we make our way to one of America’s greatest rivers, the Mississippi. The terrain is generally forgiving, as we skirt south of the Appalachians, but our daily mileage is long with most days in the 75 to 85 mile range. As we work our way to the Rockies, long days on the bikes take us across the Great Plains where towns are few.

The Rockies offer challenge and beauty—high passes and snowcapped mountains, thigh-burning climbs and rollicking descents. We’ll pause briefly at the Grand Canyon, before we make our way across the Arizona and California deserts. Our final stretch of riding will take us up into California’s San Gabriel Mountains. We’ll camp high above Los Angeles and look back on six weeks of adventure and camaraderie. On our last day, we’ll work our way down and out of the mountains, through L.A. and all the way to the Pacific. When we reach the coast, we’ll sprint across the sand, front wheels in hand and dive into the crashing waves. Surrounded by tripmates with whom you have shared every day, every mile and every moment of these past six weeks, you’ll scream, yell, shout and hug.  Only then will you really, truly know what the American Challenge means to you.

“The American Challenge is a once in a lifetime trip. I couldn’t have asked for a more amazing experience! Overland has shaped me into the person I am, and it makes me want to grow even more. Thanks!”
Rachel Peebles, Richmond, Virginia

Highlights

• Bike from the Atlantic to the Pacific
• Ride over 3,000 miles across the U.S.
• Discover small-town America
• Cross the Rockies
• Visit the Grand Canyon
• Swim in the Pacific

Grade

For students who will finish grades 9-12 in June 2012.

Every year there are typically between two and five groups; multiple considerations go into our placement process (age, grade, gender, hometown, school, etc.).

Call us (413-458-9672) to check on current availability.

Challenge Level

10 (1-10, 1 is easiest)

Start and End Location

Starts in Savannah, Georgia.

Ends in Los Angeles, California.

Accommodations

The group will camp about half the time at comfortable campgrounds with modern amenities - most have flush toilets and showers - and stay indoors half the time. Indoor accommodations include: churches, community centers, motels and a hostel in Santa Monica. Laundry facilities are available at most campgrounds. The group will do laundry once a week.

Dates and Fees

6 Weeks

Wednesday, June 20 to Thursday, August 2
Thursday, June 21 to Thursday, August 2
Friday, June 22 to Saturday, August 4
Saturday, June 23 to Saturday, August 4

To keep our groups separate we have four staggered start dates (note that the 6/20 and 6/22 groups have a slightly longer first week—about 25 miles total—so their trips run one day longer than the 6/21 and 6/23 groups). Students need not choose a start date; instead, we will put together groups based on a number of factors (age, grade, gender, etc.) and notify all students of their assigned start date on May 1. If you have an end-of-the-school-year conflict that is inflexible (for example, Regents Exams in New York State) please contact us and we will try to accommodate you on one of our later departures.

$5895 (airfare not included)

Please note, one of the following bikes is required: Trek 520, Surly Long Haul Trucker, Cannondale Touring 2, Fuji Touring, Jamis Aurora, Novara Randonee. They must be in excellent condition and have been purchased in the past 48 months. Other bicycles will not be accepted. Questions? Please contact Alec at alec@overlandprograms.com.

“Thank you for five amazing summers. Through Overland I have met some of the most interesting, determined and selfless people I know. The AC presented the greatest challenge and, in turn, offered the greatest reward. Thank you for the best summer of my life.” Kelly McFall, Darien, Connnecticut

Itinerary

The Atlantic to the Mississippi

We start our six-week journey just east of Savannah, Georgia, on Tybee Island. On the first day of our ride, we’ll watch the sun rise over the Atlantic, dip our front wheels in a gentle breaker, then look west and begin our 3,000+ mile trek to the Pacific. This first section of the trip takes us straight into the heart of the South, as we make our way to one of America’s greatest rivers, the Mississippi. The terrain is generally forgiving, as we skirt south of the Appalachians, but our daily mileage is long with most days in the 75 to 85 mile range. The mileage is made more difficult by the demands of making the transition to group living—getting up early, waiting for others, sharing tents and meals, and making new friends.

The Ozarks & The Great Plains

As we work our way to the Rockies, we'll climb a bit in the Ozarks and then head out for some long days on the bikes that will take us across the Great Plains where towns are few. By the time we reach the Great Plains the group is in fine shape and trip routines are down pat.

The Rockies, The Grand Canyon & The Desert

Crossing the Rockies is a major goal of every American Challenge group. Left behind are the green, rolling hills of the East and South, and the wide open, but barren plains. The Rockies offer challenge and beauty—high passes and snow-capped mountains, thigh-burning climbs and rollicking descents. We’ll spill out of the Rockies and into vast painted deserts on our way to the Grand Canyon. We’ll pause briefly at the Grand Canyon, spending a night on the South Rim, before we make our way across the Arizona and California deserts. There is one day in the desert when we'll have vehicle support (one group will have support from Needles to Ludlow, California, the other group will cross the desert from Parker, Arizona to Twentynine Palms, California and both will have vehicle support on that day).

The Last Days & Santa Monica

Our final stretch of riding will take us up into California’s San Gabriel mountains. On our last night before riding to the Santa Monica pier, we’ll camp high above the lights of Los Angeles and look back on six incredible weeks of adventure, camaraderie and challenge. The next morning, we’ll work our way down and out of the mountains, through L.A. and all the way to the Pacific (where lots of parents and siblings will be waiting!). When we reach the coast, we’ll sprint across the sand, front wheels in hand and dive into the crashing waves. Surrounded by trip mates with whom you have shared every day, every mile and every moment of these past six weeks, you’ll scream, yell, shout and hug. Only then will you really, truly know what the American Challenge means to you.

Why We Ride From East To West

Anyone who has ever flown across the U.S. knows that the trip is shorter when heading east than it is when heading west—the reason is simple: upper atmosphere winds are from the west so a jet at 35,000 feet traveling east can have quite a nice tailwind (oftentimes over 100 mph). But surface wind conditions are not nearly so uniform—in fact, a study of wind conditions across the U.S. demonstrated that prevailing winds at the surface are so varied that there is no clear, country-wide prevailing wind (as there is at 35,000 feet). Our experience on the American Challenge over the past decades has borne this out: while we always have some difficult days with strong headwinds, those days are random and scattered, and, anecdotally, we hear many complaints about headwinds from bikers heading east. So, if wind is not an issue, then, to us, the obvious choice is to go east to west since: (1) the country becomes scenically more interesting as you head west, (2) the country was settled (largely) from east to west, (3) there’s an almost epic or legendary quality to heading west (think wagon trains filled with hardy pioneers) and (4) there’s a romantic, “Go west, my son” feeling to riding into the sunset. Plus, Santa Monica is an exciting place to finish—more so than, say, Rye Beach, New Hampshire—know what we mean?

“Thank you for the best summer of my life!” John Dowling, West Hartford, Connecticut

Trip Details

DAILY ROUTINE, BUFFER DAYS & MEALS, SNACKS & COLD DRINKS

Daily Routine

We'll get up before sunrise every morning and be on the bikes by shortly after first light. We'll bike for a couple of hours before stopping for a morning snack. We'll bike until 10 or 11 before we stop again for another snack and then continue until 1 or 2 before we stop for lunch. The afternoon riding is broken up by a snack stop or two. Depending on the day's mileage and delays en route, the goal is to pull into our overnight accommodations (typically a campground or church) between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. There will be shorter days and longer days—if the day gets too long we'll change our plans and stop for the night before reaching our planned destination (and we'll make up the mileage in the coming days).

Buffer Days

During each section of the trip, there are buffer days built into the itinerary to allow for delays en route. Most groups will find that they spend these buffer days partially or completely off of the bikes for rest, relaxation and exploration on foot.

Meals, Snacks & Cold Drinks

Breakfasts are generally made up of cereal, fruit, juice and milk. A typical morning snack is bananas and granola bars. Lunch is usually sandwiches (peanut butter & jelly, cold cuts & cheese, hummus), plus lots of chips and cookies and fresh fruit and veggies. Based on the availability of stores along our route one afternoon stop a day will include cold drinks (for example, cold water, juice or Gatorade purchased by Overland from a convenience store) and a salty snack (chips, pretzels or crackers). Popular dinners include pasta, stir-fry, tacos and burritos.

Overland's goal is to always provide more food than is needed so that everyone—no matter how big their appetitie—gets enough. Each group will plan and prepare their meals everyday. Over the course of the first week or so, groups develop a comfortable routine around meals and their favorite meals become established.

Please note that every meal, snack and cold drink on the American Challenge is provided by Overland and is shared by the group. This asks a lot of everyone in the group: even though it would be easy to allow students to buy their own meals and snacks if they wanted, doing so would break down the cohesiveness of the group. Getting 14 people across the country on bikes requires tremendous teamwork—sharing meals, snacks and drinks is an important building block of that teamwork. 

“The caliber of the leaders, the itinerary and organization were exceptional.” Jean Kane, Devon, Pennsylvania

STUDENTS: IS THIS THE RIGHT TRIP FOR YOU?

Only you can answer this question. We suggest you start the decision making process by reading everything on our website about the trip. Then, email us with any questions you have. Then, talk to students who have done the trip (we can give you references).

To start your thinking about the American Challenge, consider the following:

1. There are many kinds of challenges on the American Challenge:

• Mileage: 80+ miles a day for six weeks with many days over 90 miles and a handful over 100 miles.
• Weather: high temperatures (hot and humid east of the Mississippi; hot and windy across the Great Plains; hot and dry across the desert) and the good possibility of some rainy stretches.
• Not-Feeling-Great: over the course of six weeks there's a good chance that you'll catch a cold or that you'll have a minor stomach upset—nothing serious but still a challenge when you're far from home and working hard.
• Scrapes, Bumps & Bruises: before you jump joyously into the Pacific at Santa Monica you'll have scraped a knee or elbow, or bruised a thigh, or had some such minor injury (there has never been a major injury on American Challenge).
• Homesickness: even if you've never had it before, there will likely be times when you long for the comforts and ease of home.
• Camping & Sleeping In Churches And Community Centers: you'll get very comfortable sleeping out and sleeping on floors but you'll still miss the familiarity of your own bed, the ease and efficiency of screens and windows to keep bugs out, rain off and air-conditioned air in.
• Group Living: group meals, group snacks, group cooking, group cleaning, group chores, etc., etc., etc. The demands of group living will be some of the most important challenges you'll face.

2. Are you ready to commit yourself to the training that is required for this trip? Visit the Pre-Trip Training page to see what is required. The pre-trip riding is essential as, once the trip starts in Savannah, students who are not able to maintain an average speed of 12 miles per hour will have to leave the trip.

3. Are you ready to commit yourself wholeheartedly to a demanding group experience? The American Challenge is all about the group succeeding, about the group getting the miles done, about the group enjoying the highs together (reaching the Rockies!)... and sticking together through the lows (heat... or humidity... or rain... or tough headwinds). Are you the kind of person who can put his or her own needs and wants after those of a group?

“I will tell all of our friends to do what it takes to send their kids to Overland—wonderful program! Thank you.” Jennifer Oriola, Carlisle, Massachusetts

PARENTS: WHAT YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND

The American Challenge Requires Fitness And Pre-Trip Training

Parents need to understand how demanding the American Challenge is-- 80+ miles a day over demanding terrain in all kinds of weather averaging 12 miles an hour on a fully loaded touring bike. Your child must be active, involved in sports and fit; in addition, your child must be willing to complete the Pre-Trip Training page. Parents need to understand that if a student is not able to maintain the group's pace (12 miles an hour on average) that he/she will have to leave the trip.

The American Challenge Requires Selflessness, Sacrifice And Teamwork

Every summer there is a small number of students who wonder why they can't do as they please on the American Challenge: "Why can't I buy my own snacks (or lunch... or dinner... or dessert)." "Why can't I ride ahead of the group... I'm so much faster than the others?" What these students have failed to grasp is that the American Challenge is a chance to see beyond their own needs and wants, to see the needs of the group before their own. In this way, the American Challenge is a chance to become a caring friend... a terrific group member... an exceptional leader. Parents need to discuss this with their son or daughter to make sure that he/she understands the group demands of the trip (and parents need to understand, too, that if their son/daughter is not able to commit to the group that he/she will have to leave the trip).

Conclusion

The American Challenge is a chance for your son or daughter to be challenged in ways that school and sports might never have. Riding a bike is not technically difficult—but riding a fully-loaded bike for 80+ miles a day for six weeks with 13 other people is just about the hardest sustained challenge we can imagine. For your son or daughter to succeed on and enjoy the American Challenge you have to be committed to the goals of the trip so that you can help your son or daughter understand what it is they are to be a part of.

The American Challenge ends in Santa Monica... the group rides right down Santa Monica Boulevard... parents and siblings are waiting at the pier... the riders come streaming by, shouting for joy and racing for the beach where the entire group—front wheels in hand—dives into the water together. It's a remarkable achievement for each of the kids and the group as a whole... and, for the parents who are at the pier, it's an unforgettable moment in their lives, too.

“Chris had an adventure of a lifetime.” David Toups, Madisonville, Louisiana

“Zoe turned in her phone in Savannah and engaged in a truly human experience of working within a team to share the joy and pain, independence and interdependence of an epic, unsheltered, amazing trek across America.” Joan Fox, Long Lake, Minnesota

“The AC was a once in a lifetime adventure for Connor. His sense of accomplishment just couldn’t be measured as he biked down the Santa Monica Pier. He will never forget the summer of 2011.” Sally Mackenzie, Ridgefield, Connecticut

Photos

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Before You Go

• Enrollment Forms
• Prepare & Pack
• Travel Information
• Mail Stops
• Helpful Reminders

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HOW TO APPLY

You have two choices. You can apply online with a credit card by clicking the link below.

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Or you can download the 2012 Overland Application as a PDF (you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader).

Then mail your completed one-page application and $795 deposit check to:

Overland
P.O. Box 31
Williamstown, MA 01267

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Overland
63 Spring Street
Williamstown, MA 01267

Applications are reviewed in the order in which they arrive at our office and we cannot hold spots over the phone.

Learn about our admissions process.