Folsom resident, 76: Biking across US the 'most important thing I've done in my life'

A Folsom resident did what he calls "the most important thing" in his life: He rode his bike across the United States. Dave Jorz, 76, had the opportunity to ride alongside 12 other bicycle enthusiasts from across the country and two guides from Transamerica Express Westward. They traveled from Arlington, Virginia, to Waldport, Oregon, over the course of 74 days beginning in May. "I have been an avid bicyclist for 50 years and had wanted to ride my bicycle across America for as long as I can remember," Jorz said. "I always thought I was destined to do it." Before the long ride, Jorz trained mostly in Folsom, El Dorado Hills and on the American River Bike Path from Folsom Lake to Old Sacramento. Folsom Lake's numerous trails were a great pick to train on hills and view the nature and conservation scenery. In training, he totaled about 2,300 miles with 30,000 feet of elevation gain. The team of riders set off from Virginia, their bags packed with necessities for the day and a trailer filled with their tents and other items for the trip. They passed through the District of Columbia and 16 states: Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and Oregon. This was Jorz's first tour. He chose this particular one "because it was mostly on country roads and historic trails that went through rural America. I also wanted to visit the many historic towns, landmarks and museums and meet its people that can only be done at a slow pace on a bike." In total, Jorz rode more than 4,100 miles during the trip, including 3,000 miles on paved roads and 800 miles on dirt and gravel of historic trails. He also climbed 144,000 feet in elevation and lost 29 pounds. The ride was comprised of 60 to 75 miles per day. Sometimes, it got into the 80 range. "Most days, I was on my bike for eight to 10 hours, arriving in camp usually between 2 and 4 p.m.," Jorz sid. The group camped in campgrounds and city parks, and stayed in churches, hotels and motels. There were many moments that resonated with Jorz. "I enjoyed riding through many landscapes, including beautiful rolling green hills in the east, prairies in the midwest with endless crops of corn and beans, forests, rivers, mountains, volcanic lava fields, rain forests and large areas of burned forests, especially in the west, and high mountain passes," Jorz said. "The high point was over Patterson Pass in Wyoming, which was over 10,000 feet in elevation." Jorz also remembers the town of Denton in eastern Maryland, "where the price of gas was $2.95 a gallon." Among the many scenic routes, he also remembers the moments shared with his fellow riders, and the special surprise he received. After riding a whopping 76 miles in Indiana, Jorz said, "I rode exhausted into camp at about 4 p.m., and all of the riders and guides were standing and clapping. I assumed they were making fun of me because I was the last to camp. As I got off my bike, I thought I saw my sister Rickaye and her daughter Wendy and two of her kids. … I thought I was hallucinating and better lie down for a while, then I realized they were there to surprise me and I broke down and hugged them. Everyone in camp cried with us." His sister flew from Woodland to Tennessee, then drove to Indiana to pay Jorz a visit. Luckily for him, all the riders had the following day off, so he spent it with family he hadn't seen in a long time. "I will always remember that special day," Jorz said. There was so much to see throughout the trip, including nature scenery on historic trails, wildlife, town landmarks and much more. They traversed varying weather, from 100-degree heat to wind and rain. Jorz said it was especially difficult riding through prevailing winds in the mountains. "The trip was not without consequences," Jorz said. He had poison oak that made his eyes swell shut, cramping in his hamstrings "every night for the first three weeks and frequently thereafter," a sore right shoulder during most of the ride, severe sunburns, one of which caused a blister on his mouth, he got lost a few times, he fell off his bike three times and was chased numerous times by dogs. Jorz triumphantly completed the tour despite these obstacles and finished in Waldport, Oregon. His wife, brother and sister-in-law were waiting there to greet him. "Although my bicycle ride across America was the most challenging and difficult of my life, the friendly people that I met and talked to, the experiences I had, the history that I learned and the changing and beautiful landscapes that I saw will always be with me."