Originally Posted by
aquamoose32
Do you think it is a bad idea to tour the USA alone along the transamerica trail as a 25 year old female? I have a friend who only wants to do a portion with me. I will be camping. I feel pretty confident, but others have expressed concern. Has anyone done this trail and have any words of advice?
Also
Does anyone have experience finding a sponsor? I was looking for a company to help support me (with a touring bike or food or camping stuff) and I would advertise for them. I contacted Cliff bar. I figured if they gave me bunches of cliff bars I would tell everyone along the way how awesome cliff bar was. You know be a traveling promoter. Apparently that didn't go over so well. They only sponsor pro cyclists. Looking for a way to afford my trip. I traveled NZ by bike on $10 a day, so I think I can make this work in the USA. Any advice would be great. Thanks
At the risk of sounding like a smarta**, it probably didn't help your cause with Clif to the extent you may have misspelled their name in your correspondence to them.
Beyond that, I'm with Shootingstar on this. Most larger companies that have a national presence--like Clif--have far more effective marketing tools that having a lone rider hawking their product. And most smaller, more local companies have no need to advertise outside their immediate area, which is they typically chose to sponsor local race teams and the like instead.
If you really cannot afford to ride cross country without some financial assistance, perhaps you could hook up with a not-for-profit that does a x-country trip to raise money and awareness. Typically, there's a fundraising minimum you have to meet, but many of your expenses are otherwise paid for. Plus, you have the security of some support along the way.
Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen hard. Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Laugh. Choose with no regret. Continue to learn. Appreciate your friends. Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is.
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