THE FINAL 48 — CROSSING THE COUNTRY ON TWO WHEELS

Touching Two Oceans

The ride began leaving my home state of Ohio and heading towards the Atlantic coast. From there, I turned west — WAY west — chasing the Pacific with no small amount of country in between. The ride across the states became a living scrapbook: days of slow meandering through small towns, and others where the odometer rolled past 1,000 miles before I finally parked for the night.

The Wild West and Beyond

From the plains, I climbed into the jaw-dropping peaks of Glacier National Park. Riding Going-to-the-Sun Road felt like a religious experience. A few days later, I found myself on Lolo Pass, chasing the curves of the Clearwater River. Northwest Washington delivered one of the most scenic rides I’ve ever experienced: Route 20 through the North Cascades. Towering peaks, glacier-fed rivers, and that feeling of being somewhere truly *new* (This Midwestern Girl was ogling every single bend). From there, I looped around the Olympic Peninsula, rode the rugged Pacific coastline, and watched the sun sink into the ocean — bookending my trip from where it all began on the opposite shore.

Why We Do This

Thirty-nine days on the road changes you. Riding solo sharpens your instincts, teaches you to listen to your gut, and reminds you that the world is a lot bigger — and a lot friendlier — than we sometimes believe. Whether I was crawling along a mountain pass or blasting across the plains, each mile was its own story. And I came home with a million memories of the in-between moments.

The Final 48 wasn’t just a checklist. It was the ride of a lifetime — proof that if you’ve got the time, the drive, and a bike you trust, the road will give you everything you’re looking for… and plenty you didn’t even know you needed.

This series will also be available to watch on my YouTube Channel- @HerTwoWheels