In 1976, as part of the Bi-Centennial Celebration, cyclists rode across America. Could go W-E or E-W on any course they wished as long as they started/ended either place & used west coast of Oregon & William & Mary College as anchor points.
Plane loads of DUTCH cyclists came over to participate. Others from all over the world.
You could ride all or part—just enjoy & have your support group. Check in points all along the way were monitored. Anytime during the summer months.
When the summer was over-—and all the riders who did the whole distance were verified:
A man from the San Fernando Valley—of Los Angeles—named Chris ______ had ridden from Oregon coast to William & Mary College in the shortest time. He carried custom designed saddlebags over his rear wheel. He was 65, of Scandanavian ancestors.
The other competitors called him “The Old Man With The Iron Legs”.
I knew him then-—lost track of him....When he died, it was discovered that he had a number of old barns/garages FULL of CLASSIC CARS-—and as best I heard-—no heirs.
Interesting. I was in Portland then, but I don’t remember hearing about this ride. I was commuting on my bicycle from the hills of SW Portland over to the east side that summer. Learned to stay off the bike paths because of the pedestrians.