Santa Monica to New York City
By Calvin Trampleasure February 2022
Endurance Genes
Maybe it all started at a corner bike store in Berkeley. In 1973, Velo Sport Cyclery imported bike racing magazines from England – International Cycle Sport, and France – Mirror de Cyclism. One day, an article about England’s Paul Corbett and the United States transcontinental cycling record caught my eye. Paul cycled 3,000 miles in 14 days plus a few hours. My 14-year-old mind was fascinated!
Maybe it started earlier, in 1968. Getting up at five am to deliver sixty Berkeley Gazette newspapers on my Skyway one-speed bike was exciting; the whole world lay fresh and empty, and the city streets belonged to me. Leaves with dew sparkled and the early birds sang their songs. As the sun rose, freedom was my riding buddy.
Maybe it began in 1966, as a few 8-year-old boys enjoyed the dawn’s early light, reeled in a few perch and bass from the San Francisco Bay, and cycled home with their catch. Adventure and love accompanied Mark and me, as we pedaled to the Berkeley fishing pier and back home on Sting-Ray bikes.
Continue reading Riding Long Roads in 1982