3. October 2024
Matthias Wagener, Fabiola Kaiser

Part 3: A return trip with detours - safe, green and with new destinations!

After two months of family, friends and team, the time had come: At the end of August, we (Maren and Matthias) started the return trip of our “New York and Back” experiment. But although the “and Back” stands for the way back south to the starting point in Austin, Texas, we first went north – until we found ourselves in awe of Niagara Falls. Sounds like we got lost, but it was on purpose!

On the long ride from Austin to New York, we wondered more than once if the busy, often dirty (nails! screws!) shoulder of the highway was really where we wanted to spend the majority of our biking life. Spoiler: Nope.

In the spring of 2024, on our way from Austin to New York, we learned (often painfully) how to stay flexible and open-minded when planning our route. In addition to five flat tires due to nails in the road and a lack of space for cyclists in Georgia and North Carolina, there were also plenty of highways that were definitely not meant for us: rumble strips on shoulders that were too narrow, no shoulders – and did we mention the road dirt?

Cycling is fun, we love long days in the saddle and this form of relatively slow exploration – but not like this.

On two stretches in the South, we were grateful that our warm-hearted AirBnB or Warm Shower hosts offered to drive us safely through the next leg. Our tracking map reflects this with color-coded lines: orange for the parts we cycled, and blue for when we switched to a car or ferry.

Our key takeaway for the second part of our journey: if we don’t want to cycle on certain roads, we simply find another route. And that’s how the return trip plan came together: not in the right direction, but more nature – and hardly any risky highways.

Highways? No thanks - why we changed our mind

Green, safe and beautiful: The Empire State Trail

We did a lot of research for the start of our return trip and finally picked out a real treasure: the Empire State Trail. This biking and hiking trail stretches over 750 miles, about 1,200 kilometers, through the state of New York, from the Canadian border down to Manhattan (in our case, of course, the other way around). It partly follows old railroad tracks (“Rail to Trail” or “Track to Trail”) and canal paths and offers 85% of the route off the beaten track through picturesque landscapes, along canals and rivers and through countless small towns – without the constant roar of cars and trucks around us.

By using the old railway lines, there was no need to cut down trees or undertake complex and expensive construction projects; the existing infrastructure is given a new purpose. A great example of how biking can be made safe and enjoyable for many miles – something that should happen more often in the USA! Our impressions of the route speak for themselves: green forests, quiet rivers and wide open fields. It makes biking fun again.

As in the first part of our tour, we will continue to raise one dollar per kilometer for two charities. One is the League of American Bicyclists. This great initiative has been working since 1880 (!) to improve cycling infrastructure in the USA. They fight for safer bike lanes and better protection for cyclists in every state.

With every kilometer we ride, our donation to the league grows – and you can follow the progress live on our website. Our goal? More safe bike paths, like the Empire State Trail, and fewer dangerous highways where bikes have no place. This would also significantly increase the incentive for tourists and locals to switch to two wheels – which is not only nicer, but also much more sustainable.

Miles for a good cause: The League of American Bicyclists

And now? On we go!

It feels good to be back on the road with a plan and a safe, green route. The Empire State Trail experience showed us once again how important it is to advocate for better bike infrastructure. And that’s what we’ll continue to do – mile after mile.

So how do we get to Austin?
Just stay tuned, follow us live on our website or Instagram, and see what else awaits us on the way back. See you on the road – cheers!