Scratch one item off the bucket list of Squamish resident Candy Rustad.
The former nurse trekked across the United States this past summer, and it was no mere road trip. She went from one end of the continent to the other on a bicycle.
What makes it even more impressive is that Rustad traversed the land of our southern neighbours at the age of 70.
"When I lived in Whistler I used to compete in the Earth/Snow/Water race," she said. "One of the cyclists, Jake Dendekker, had knee surgery and after his surgery he cycled across Canada in 46 days about 17 years ago. I thought, 'Gee that sounds like a neat idea. Maybe I'll do it one day.'"
The only problem was that Rustad didn't own a bike.
"I don't really ride bikes that often," she said. "I ride a bike maybe 10 times a year but I thought this might be fun."
Rustad looked into different tours but couldn't find any sort of group tour across Canada. However, her prayers were answered after subscribing to Adventure Cycling magazine.
"I had about half an hour to make up my mind to go on the tour," she said. "I called them up, found out they only had two spots available and had to make up my mind pretty quickly. I'm glad I did it that way because sometimes the longer you think about it, the more apprehensive you can get."
She selected the Adventure Cycling Association's Trans-America race and was staring into the face of some daunting numbers. The route, which started for her on May 22, sees riders travel more than 7,000 kilometres, starting in Virginia and finishing in Oregon, with several stops along the way. All in all, Rustad would be on the road for 71 days, averaging about 100 kilometres a day. Riders travel through 10 different states and make their way through both the Appalachian and Ozark mountain systems.
Despite a lack of experience cycling, Rustad said her body adjusted and she fit in well with the group as they made their journey.
"I hike quite a bit but you get in better shape from doing this trip," she said. "And the people in my group were incredible. They were so supportive and I can't say enough about them."
Along with two leaders who ensured the riders' safety, Rustad hit the road with seven other participants ranging in age from 21 to 68 and residing from all over America. Rustad and the group followed a straight line across the continent, stopping in Kentucky, Illinois, Kansas and Colorado, then veering north through Wyoming, Montana and Idaho before reaching the final destination in Oregon.
"I'd say that, without a doubt, Montana is the most beautiful place I've ever been," she said. "The mountains there are spectacular and the scenery is amazing."
But aside from the jaw-dropping views, Rustad said what she will most take away from the trip is the bonds she made with her fellow riders.
"Just the camaraderie between us was something I'll never forget," she said. "It was unbelievable. You live, sleep, breathe and eat for 71 days with these people you've never met before but everyone got along so well."
Rustad said she plans to stay in touch with everyone in the group, which plans to meet next summer at a biking event in Seattle. She also had some sage advice for anyone, no matter what age, who might want to follow in her footsteps.
"Just do it," she said. "If anybody has ever wanted to do something like this before, just do it. That's all I can say."
To check out the exact route Rustad took, visit www.adventurecycling.org.
