Sonoma teen sets off across the country by bike

Oliver Cannard is biking the 4,228-mile TransAmerica Trail|

For most, graduating from high school means they have one last summer vacation filled with seeing friends and relaxing before heading off to college.

But 2018 Sonoma Valley High School graduate Oliver Cannard has a different plan.

On June 15, Cannard, 18, embarked upon the TransAmerica bike trail, a 4,228-mile-long trail that stretches from coast to coast.

“This is the only time in my life I’ll have an opportunity to do this,” he said. “Once you get out of high school, your life becomes really busy.”

Cannard plans to bike between 60 to 70 miles a day and slowly work his way up to 90 to 100 miles a day. He says he is giving himself 45 to 50 days to finish his ride in Yorktown, Virginia, where he will then be picked up by friends who live in Massachusetts.

“I’m doing more modern-style riding,” said Cannard.

“There’s a handlebar bag and I have two small dry bags. They hold lightweight gear.”

His Trek bike is packed with a tent, a sleeping bag, a sleeping pad, some general maintenance tools for the bike and some clothes. He will be bringing cycling clothes along with some regular pairs of shorts. He has built bikes in the past, so he is prepared to fix flat tires and anything that might break.

What he won’t be packing is food.

“I was going to buy dehydrated food for dinners and ship it to post offices along the way but… I think it’s easier to just buy food along the way and put myself to a $20 per day budget,” he said.

The Adventure Cycling Association has 12 sets of maps which have allowed Cannard to plan where he will be stopping for food and where he will be camping at night.

His fraternal twin brother was originally going to join him, but his brother is instead traveling to Oregon to study mechanics. Aside from seeing one friend in Rawlins, Wyoming, Cannard will be making the trip alone.

The lengthy journey warrants some mixed reactions from friends and family who worry about Cannard’s safety, although he says that most are supportive and excited to see him complete the trip.

“My mom has kind of been like, OK, you’re fine, you’re going to be fine,” he said.

Cannard was a member in Boy Scouts and recently became an Eagle Scout. He found his passion for the outdoors partly in these programs.

About five years ago, he began backpacking and biking, and when he decided to go on a trip post-graduation, he originally considered the Pacific Crest Trail.

“Then I watched a documentary about the TransAmerica Bike trail and I was like – that’s a really awesome idea – and I kind of went after it,” said Cannard.

His trip is partially sponsored by Sonoma Parlor #111, Native Sons of the Golden West and a local insurance agent in Sonoma. Through Native Sons, he is creating a Facebook page where he will post updates on his trip and where he is.

When he returns home, Cannard has hopes to go into the military or to explore law enforcement.

As for his upcoming trip, he is excited to see his plans turn into a reality.

“I’m ready to tackle it, just go out and do it, and have fun,” said Cannard.

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