{"id":1546,"date":"2026-04-19T20:28:59","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T00:28:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.randonneursontario.ca\/?p=1546"},"modified":"2026-04-19T20:28:59","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T00:28:59","slug":"a-u-s-permanent-road-trip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.randonneursontario.ca\/?p=1546","title":{"rendered":"A U.S. Permanent Road Trip"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Having completed three Grand Randonnees and a few brevets in the United States over the past decade, I discovered that I\u2019d ridden in\u00a0seven different states.\u00a0 This is only three short of the minimum requirement for RUSA\u2019s \u201cAmerican Explorer<\/em><\/strong><\/a>\u201d award, so achieving the American Explorer was very much on my randonneuring \u201cto do\u201d list.\u00a0 However, with the recent souring of the Canada-US relationship, I\u2019d lost interest in riding in the United States.\u00a0 Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago, when my San Diego-based daughter provided me with an ideal excuse for a solo road trip to Maine.\u00a0 (She\u2019d be there on business \u2013 I could share the Maine hotel room, and she could share the driving on the trek back to Ontario for a family reunion).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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So I began to tinker with the Google map<\/em>s driving route to Bath, Maine, and with the excellent RUSA resources<\/a> for identifying Permanents in the vicinity of the driving route.  Through a number of iterations, I gradually landed on a plan for a multi-day, three-permanent journey which would give me six \u201cnew\u201d states for the American Explorer<\/em>.  For example, I found the recommended driving route went through Spencer NY, the starting point for a 126 km (958 m)  \u201cpermanent Populaire\u201d route (Athens Revisited<\/a>) touching into Pennsylvania.  After looking at available hotels in Spencer and in Owego, NY (another Control on the Athens Revisited route), I decided to target Owego as my starting point.  If I started driving from home at 4 am, I should be able to make Owego and start the permanent ride by 11 am.   With 8 hrs 26 minutes available to complete the ride, I\u2019d be back to my hotel in daylight.  The second day would be a relaxed drive to Putney VT, where I\u2019d get a good night\u2019s sleep before tackling the 206 km (1,476 m)  South to Northampton<\/a> permanent, touching on VT, NH, and MA.  Three states in one ride!  What could go wrong?  After completing the 3-state ride, I\u2019d hop in the car to drive to Bath, ME where (the following morning) I\u2019d head out on the 161 km (1,324 m) Slate’s Bakery Century<\/a> to give me a total of six new US states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The first day went completely according to plan \u2013 after a smooth early-morning drive and Buffalo border crossing, I started the Athens Revisited<\/em> permanent almost on the stroke of 11 am.  Temperatures were very cool, and the wind made it feel even chillier.  I was disappointed when I passed by the \u201cOwego Donut & Beer Company<\/em><\/a>\u201d too early in the ride to warrant investigation.  I\u2019m sure I\u2019ll be back.  The roads on this first permanent Populaire were great, and the rural hilly scenery was wonderful.  As I left the single major climb of the route behind me and crossed the NY\/PA border, I knew states #8 and #9 were in the bag.  But on this cool early-season ride, my septuagenarian legs were complaining, and my 17 km\/hr moving average did not allow for any sight-seeing stops. Getting back to Owego, I was grateful for a celebratory Yuengling and a good night\u2019s sleep.  [Permanent #1 on Strava]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Observing the significant climbs and descents on the stunning drive to Putney VT, I began to question whether my planned second permanent would be achievable. With the next-day forecast calling for near-freezing temperatures and possible precipitation, I decided to \u201cscale back\u201d and do a shorter 103 km \u201cPutney Jaunt<\/a>\u201d which would give me VT and NH.  My bike was loaded and ready in the motel room, and my cold weather kit was laid out for an early morning start.  However, after looking at the view out of my motel room door, and contemplating the potential consequences of the snowy Vermont descents, I realized I had to cancel my Vermont permanent.  So instead of a late-day post-permanent drive to Bath, I enjoyed a relaxed scenic drive through hilly, snow-covered New Hampshire arriving in Bath ME late afternoon.  With the forecast still calling for cold and windy conditions for the next morning, I again pared down my ambitions for my final permanent, selecting the 106 km (787 m) Maine Town Landings<\/a> permanent instead of the longer century.  This permanent (plus 11 km rides to\/from the perm start) provided a great first exposure to the wonderful cycling which Maine has to offer.  [Permanent # 2 on Strava]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Back in the Bath hotel room, I submitted my results for this state #10 permanent Populaire.  I was then immediately able to apply for the American Explorer<\/em><\/strong>, with my qualifying rides automatically validated through RUSA\u2019s excellent site.  Scanning the list of American Explorer Awardees<\/a>, there now appear to be four non-Americans: one Swiss, one Japanese, one Australian, and now one Canadian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the opening of the cyclable Gordie Howe Bridge and (hopefully) with a return to warmer Canada-US relations, I sincerely hope that earning American Explorer<\/em><\/strong> status is added to your bucket list. It is definitely achievable for all randonneurs, especially if your employment or vacation plan provides for a multi-state road trip.  Remember to share your driving kilometres and permanent accomplishments \u201clive\u201d with family and friends via  a Spotwalla Trip Page (here\u2019s my PermPopulaire Road Trip to Maine<\/a>) .<\/p>\n\n\n\n