Cycling Across the USA – The Final Chapter
After a few great months living in Thailand, it’s almost time to start the final chapter of my round-the-world cycling tour, crossing the continental United States.
On March 17th I’ll fly into Los Angeles, where the final leg of my journey begins — a 7,000+ km ride across the United States to Boston, Massachusetts.
The U.S. leg begins on the Pacific coast in Los Angeles, heading north along the California coastline to San Francisco, before turning inland toward Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada.
From there the route climbs over the Sierra Nevada, passing near Reno, before continuing east through Utah, with a short detour south to visit Monument Valley, and then on into the Rocky Mountains of Colorado — the highest elevations of the entire crossing.
After the Rockies, the terrain gradually flattens as the route moves across the central United States — through Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio.
The final stretch continues through Pennsylvania, crosses into New York State, and then heads into New England, finishing on the Atlantic coast in Boston.
Where possible, I’ll aim to follow sections of Adventure Cycling’s recommended routes, which are designed specifically for long-distance bike travel across the U.S.
In total, the route runs coast-to-coast, and crossing a wide range of landscapes — coastal roads, mountain passes, high desert, farmland, and eastern forests.
The route will involve around 436 hours of riding, with 46,690 metres of climbing. To make the mountain sections easier, I’ll be shipping about 11kg of non-essential gear from Los Angeles to Boston, including my laptop, so the bike is as light as possible for the Sierra Nevada and the Rockies!
The Journey So Far – Live Tracker Provided by TravelMap
My 35,000 km journey began in January 2024 in North Wales, cycling south through England before crossing the Bay of Biscay by ferry into Northern Spain.
From there I rode across the Basque Country, along the south of France, through Italy and Croatia, and into Eastern Europe, eventually reaching Turkey.
Continuing into Asia, I cycled through Georgia and across Central Asia, riding through Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
From there I flew to India with another cycle tourer I’d met on the road. Together with a few other friends we cycled through parts of India and Nepal, before I continued on to Southeast Asia, riding solo through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
The journey then continued in Australia, where I rode a 2,000 km winter stretch of the east coast from Brisbane to Melbourne.
Time in Thailand
Since September 2025, I’ve been based mostly in Thailand, taking a break between continents and using the time to reset a few things.
During this period I quit alcohol and nicotine, started running regularly, and focused on improving my health and daily routine to better reflect the lifestyle and discipline I want to carry into my thirties.
I also passed my Thai driving licence and spent a month on the road completing a 5,000 km road trip around Thailand.
Alongside this, I’ve been quietly working on a new business project, using the time to think clearly and prepare for the next phase of life after the ride.
More than anything, this period has been about reorganising my life and preparing for what comes next once the journey finishes.
After Boston
Reaching Boston will mark the end of the cycling tour after 21,000 km of actual riding, and 36,420 km in total including continental flights and the occasional train.
After Boston, I’ll return to the UK to launch a business I’ve been quietly developing during the journey.
It’s a first-of-its-kind project designed to solve a real problem and help a lot of people. Something I’m genuinely excited about.
Crossing the United States will mark the end of the ride, and the beginning of building something new. More to come!
If You’re Along My Route
If you live somewhere along the route and would like to meet while I pass through, feel free to comment below or send me a message. I’ll do my best to link up along the way.
Ciao for now!
Ben Clark
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Great review, keen to watch your travels..!
Don't forget if you need any support when you reach the east coast I have family along the New York to Boston corridor. Really looking forward to following this section of your ride, if it's as good as the rest then this will be fantastic. Good luck and stay safe.