John Stimpson’s Meet and Greet Tour

John Stimpson is planning an epic bike ride – John Dustrude photo

When you don’t see a familiar face around for several months, it sometimes means that person is off on a big adventure.

In the case of John Stimpson, who retired as manager of Friday Harbor Marketplace about a year ago, it will be because he’s bicycling across the United States: Anacortes ferry terminal to Bar Harbor, Maine.

He said in an interview Tuesday afternoon that he’ll leave early next week; he’ll cross the Cascades on Stevens Pass (because the North Cascades Highway isn’t open yet) and the Rockies on Marias Pass just south of Glacier National Park.

He hopes to arrive at the Atlantic Ocean about August 9th.

“My sister Caroline, who lives in Maine, will have all her children visiting at that time and I want to arrive then as well.” The total distance, by his calculations, should be 4400 miles. He’ll be riding with a new friend, Lee Kanning, from Langley on Whidbey Island.

The two men will aim to cover about 50 to 60 miles a day, giving them time to stop and visit with anyone they find intriguing.

The calling cards John has printed up to hand out call it a “Meet and Greet Tour,” and that’s really his goal. Those who know him best know he’s always happy to hop off the bike and pass the time chatting with anyone.

With maps and advice from the Adventure Cycling Association, and with just a few overnight hosts lined up, they can generally be open to anyone they meet and whatever adventures turn up. They’re mostly following the ACA’s Northern Tier route.

You’ll be able to follow John on this website:
crazyguyonabike.com/john_k_stimpson.

John has been riding with his bike all loaded for the trip, about 30 miles around the island every other day for the past couple of months — not to mention that he’s ridden for pleasure for many years now.

In addition to his clothes, he’ll be packing a tent, sleeping bag, and pad; a cook pot, stove, and fuel for the stove, food, a spare tire, a cable lock, and a bike computer for measuring distance and speed. He’ll use his iPhone 7 Plus as a camera, phone, and for blogging.

John says he weighs 220 lbs., the bike weighs 35 lbs., and the four panniers total 52 lbs., so with the bike all loaded he’ll be “pushing 307 lbs. down the road, whoa!”

John’s bike and gear

Cyclists on the island know him as the organizer of the Annual Commitment Ride starting at the post office on January 1st every year. He has ridden the STP (Seattle to Portland) about a dozen times.

John moved to Friday Harbor in 1979 and went to work for Verne Howard in July of 1980. As thanks for 25 years of service Verne gave him a trip to the Tour de France in 2006. And at his retirement party Verne gave him the touring bike he’ll be riding on this epic trip.

John has been planning a cross-country trip for at least 10 years, he said, but really seriously in the year since he retired. His two sons, Taylor, 32, and Loch, 28, will be cheering him on along with the rest of his family and friends.

John’s mascot “Chomp Chomp” will be leading the way on the front fender

By Louise Dustrude
Photos by John Dustrude

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