EPIC Cross Country - Southern Tier Bike Tour

Rider Requirements: Must maintain a daily average pace of 12-18 mph.
We have chosen the Southern Tier of the US from San Diego, CA to St. Augustine, FL as the route for our EPIC Cross Country, Southern Tier Bike Tour for Spring 2026.
There will be a second crossing of the Southern Tier from Oct3- Nov 17, 2026. Most riders will be fundraising for charities. If you are interested, please call us with your details. You may find the October daily itinerary listed at the end of the "Trip Outline".
Why this route? This is the shortest route from coast to coast at 2940 miles, yet you’ll still have bragging rights of cycling across the country. 
The timing of the Spring tour will be perfect for those who want to get a big jump on their new year miles. As we progress West to East, we should have the best, consistent temperatures ranging from the 60s to perhaps the 80s–perfect cycling conditions.
While we won’t guarantee a freshly paved bike trail for the entire route, we will boast that we have sought the most accommodating routes available in the area, and you will enjoy scenery to include: seashores, mountains, ranch lands, wildflowers, bayous and citrus groves.
This southern route takes us through wonderfully warm towns in southern California. We climb out of San Diego and head toward the Arizona border, Tucson, Tombstone, and the Chiricahua Mountains before taking on our third state, New Mexico (Land of Enchantment).
Then, we are on to Texas where we will ride 1/3 of our tour, crossing TX at its widest part. We enjoy the flat ranches of western TX, the TX Hill Country, just outside of Austin, and on to the rolling hills of east TX.
From there, it’s a few days of riding across Louisiana. Time to enjoy some Cajun cooking. We cross the boot heels of both Mississippi and Alabama, then take a ferry across Mobile Bay to enter FL’s panhandle. North Florida has a varied landscape of strawberry fields, lush Live Oaks, horse farms, small college towns and orange groves, as we move toward the coast. If you are curious, try connecting the dots:
San Diego, CA · Tucson, AZ · Tombstone, AZ · Columbus, NM · El Paso, TX · Del Rio, TX · Austin, TX ·  LaGrange, TX · De Ridder, LA · St. Francisville, LA · Poplarville, MS · Mobile, AL · Dauphin Island, AL · Pensacola, FL · Tallahassee, FL · Gainesville, FL · St. Augustine, FL
Cycle of Life Adventures has and always will offer all-inclusive bicycling vacations. We encourage you to compare our cross-country tour to others in the industry. We do not camp, but stay in nice clean hotels and inns. There are no wet, cold tents to set up and break down. There are no cold, clammy showers and outhouses. You are not sharing the cooking and cleaning chores with other cyclists. We eat dinner at nice restaurants in the evenings and sometimes grill out under the stars. We have healthy breakfasts, nutritious fruits, vegetables, snacks and beverages on the van.
Every morning, you simply take your items to the van and we take care of your things from there. Our vans are equipped charging stations. Your family and friends are welcome to visit on our off days or ride along for a day.
We use the Adventure Cycling maps as our basic guide, but do not adhere to them entirely, as we have our own special stops, quaint backroads, amusements and break days planned. The average daily riding mileage is 74. Due to geography and lodging availabilities, there will be several century days scheduled. Along the route, we have 5 layover days scheduled at approximately 7-day intervals.
Final route details and lodging arrangement are being finalized. Please call with your questions. Routes and hotel accommodations will be provided upon registration.
For a special look inside this EPIC tour, check out Project 2950: Pedaling Coast-to-Coast on the Southern Tier or read our blog posts from the 2018 and 2021 rides.
Travel
Airline service should be scheduled into San Diego by March 7, 2026 prior to 1 pm. Returning airline service should be scheduled out of Jacksonville, FL, after April 21 at 11 am.
Trip Insurance
Travel insurance is highly recommended due to our refund policies for this tour. Various insurers are available. We suggest Allianz.
Accommodations
All hotels (no camping).

Special Note
Due to the length and cost of this tour, we ask that each registrant call the office staff personally and discuss the personal goals you desire to achieve from a tour of this magnitude. Prior to Registering, please read the following link to our special tour documents: Cross Country Bike Tour – Waiver and Release/ Safety Procedures
This tour is not sold in segments, but is planned as a complete cross country tour to fulfill your bucket list. Half segments will be offered after Jan 1,2026, if space is available at Austin, TX.
Due to extensive long-term planning, special cancellation and refund policies are needed. Because of distance, we suggest that you ride your own bike. Arrangements can be made for pre-shipping, and with provided specifications of your bicycle, we do have parts and supplies with us for emergency repairs, but we are not a retail store. It is highly recommended you bring 2 additional tires, 10-12 tubes, extra spokes, a chain and a well-tuned bicycle.
We cannot accommodate tricycles or recumbent bicycles on our Epic tours.

Spring 2026 Deposit
A non-refundable $500 registration fee is required at sign on.

1/3 balance is due by Sep 1, 2025
Second 1/3 due by Oct 1, 2025
Final 1/3 due by Dec 1, 2025  –  [PAID IN FULL]
Double occupancy registration fees are due at the same time.
Fees are paid by check. There will be a 3.0% additional fee for credit card use.
Tour is limited to 12 riders, and we need a minimum of 6 required prior to July 1, 2025.

Spring 2026 Cancellation Policy

Cancellation prior to Oct 31, 2025: 60% refund (of full tour price)
Cancellation between  Nov 1-30, 2025: 50% refund (of full tour price)
Cancellation between Dec 1-31,2025: 25% refund (of full tour price)
No refunds for any reason after Jan 1, 2026
Please purchase travel insurance for this reason.