International Cross Bicycle Ride 2016

It has been a dream of mine to ride a bicycle from Homer, Alaska to Key West, Florida.  The journey would take about 4 months to complete, and is about 6,300 miles long.  The adventure would take me from Coastal Alaska into the interior near Fairbanks.  Then the ride starts heading south and eastbound.  Riding through the gorgeous mountain scenery of the Alaskan Range and Canadian Rockies. I will be traveling through Yukon, British Columbia, and Alberta, with incredible views of the Icefields of Jasper and Banff National Parks.  Heading further south, I will enter the US again in Montana.  The ride continues in the Rockies going through Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, and finishing the Rockies on Hoosier Pass in Colorado near 11,500 feet.  Then its downhill!  Hitting the southern Plains of Oklahoma and Texas.  Now its time to head east along the deep south along the Gulf of Mexico into Florida.  The ride will finish in Key West about 123 days later.
 
The ride is not a fast paced ride.  Averaging about 60 miles a day with emergency or rest days added in.  The money will actually be going for the cost of a bicycle and gear.  But, to keep the weight down on the bike.  I will be living day-by-day, or sometimes town-by-town in the north country for supplies instead carrying all this additional weight that would just weigh me down.  I will be camping very few days on this ride.  There are a few stretches on the route where towns are more than 120 miles apart in mountainous country.  Only during these stretches I would pursue a camping spot.  I would like to reduce my chances of running into bears though.  Overnight stays will include hotels, motels, and cabins stays with a much needed shower! I will be carrying very little food on the bike.  I will be eatting at restaurants, gas stations, and cafes to get a sence of the people and culture that live in the region.  Meet and greet and eat!  I love that!  Maybe even a drink! Cost of hotels, shipping supplies to start, food, buying amenties every few days or so.  Airlines from Milwaukee to Homer, Alaska and back from Key West, Florida.  The cost of bills and rent that I have to come up with before I leave. Technology and a website to track my progress.  That is just to name a few.  This comes out to be expensive over a period of 4 months.  I will always be looking on ways to save on the cost of the trip which is estimated at this time at about $40,000.   

So, I aimed the goal at the high side.  But, any money that won't be used.  I will donate the remaining amount to a charity that has not been determined yet.  But, already knowing many individuals that are HIV positive.  It will most likely be HIV/AIDS related in Wisconsin.  Still alot more planning to do on that part too.  I figured there might be a possible way to raise money for an event much quicker than I can save for.  So, I'm giving GO FUND ME a try.  With this site, I hope to be on the road in July of 2016 or 2017, if I have to save to get on this ride on my own it will probably be happening near 2018.  By the way, did I mention that I am doing this solo.  So, I hope you join me in this adventure which I can share this with you every step of the way.  I always see stories of people going on incredible adventures.  For this 38 year old.  My time is now!  Much Love!

By the way!  Checks are now being accepted.  You can make checks payable to the "International Cross Bicycle Ride" and send to my home address.

Jeffrey Kennedy
1114 N Marshall St.  Apt 212
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Attn: International Cross Bicycle Ride

Please make a note though, if you would like this as a private donor donation, or if you would like to be visible on this site.  Thanks!