OpenTube

The TransAmerica Bike Route (TransAm) – The Full Movie

Mat Ryder Adventures

311,928 views

This is the full film of my ride across the United States, a 4,344-mile journey completed in a little under three months, travelling coast to coast by bicycle.

The ride began on the TransAmerica Cycle Route, which was my original plan when setting out. As the journey progressed, the route evolved to avoid busier roads and traffic as I made the decision after around 1,400 miles to change over to the Bike Non Stop route, a Trans American cycle route that focuses on quieter roads and rail trails. This film is presented as the ride happened, day by day.

This is a completely new edit created from all of the original footage, not simply a condensed version of the original series. A lot of time has gone into shaping it into a single, continuous film that reflects what the ride actually felt like; the long days, the quiet moments, and the challenges as well as the highlights. Even if you followed the original uploads as they were released, I hope this longer format offers a different way of experiencing the journey.

The focus of this edit is the experience of long-distance riding itself: the daily rhythm of riding, and steadily moving across an enormous and varied country. I met a lot of people along the way as I rode across the country, and many people came to join me for a day's riding, however in order keep this video to a reasonable length, this edit is a more personal account of my experience of the route.

If you’re new to the channel and enjoy this film, the original series from the ride is linked below. And to those of you who’ve been here for a while, thank you for sticking around and for all the support along the way.

Thank you for watching.

Links

Ko-fi (If you want to support the channel): https://ko-fi.com/matryder

TransAm series playlist: The Trans American Trail 2024

My 'just the riding' TransAm video (a long edit of the ride with no commentary, just natural sounds):
3 Hours Cycling Coast to Coast Across Amer...

Trans American Bicycle Trail:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/7894982

Bike Nonstop route:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41260633

TransAm to Bike Nonstop (the route I ended up taking):
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50718852

Augie's website (I don't think he has a lot on the site yet, but if you're interested in his artwork then get in touch through his contact info):
https://Augustcary.com

Ron Suchanek's YouTube channel:
@ronsuchanek

Gear featured in this video: (if you purchase using these links, the channel may make a small commission):

Jack the Bike rack: https://wholegraincycles.com/products...

Tailfin Aeropack: https://www.tailfin.cc/aeropack/?v=78...

Tailfin long top tube bag: https://www.tailfin.cc/long-top-tube-...

Ergon SMC saddle: Amazon USA: https://amzn.to/404WPLk Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/4gFJUXlMK

Lambda pedals: Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3Sry3St Amazon USA: https://amzn.to/4jt8hbv

Schwalbe tyres:
https://www.schwalbe.com/en/Marathon-...

Klean Kateen 60oz / 1900ml: Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3FilKEX Amazon USA: https://amzn.to/4kxIr7f

Klean Kanteen 40oz / 1200ml: Amazon USA: https://amzn.to/3Hgbm10

Outer Shell 137 basket bag: https://outershell.com/shop/137-baske...

Giro Source MIPS helmet: Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/4k4wE0r Amazon USA: https://amzn.to/3SgbKPz

Lezyne Macro Drive 1400 front light: Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3F1qfnv Amazon USA: https://amzn.to/3Sdgmpz

Lezyne Zecto rear light: Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/4345UqG Amazon USA: https://amzn.to/4mqOnAE Filming gear:

GoPro Hero 11: Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/4kwymao Amazon USA: https://amzn.to/44R1wg2

DJI Osmo Pocket 3: Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3Halrwv Amazon USA: https://amzn.to/4jn7g4y

DJI Mini 3 drone: Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3ZrXojd Amazon USA: https://amzn.to/45vzF5b

00:00. What is the TransAm?
01:20. Wheels in the Pacific
16:07. Pushing through the heat
24:19. Riding into the smoke
40:02. Crossing into Idaho
58:49. Questioning the route
1:07:23. Yellowstone and Old Faithful
1:18:13. Changing course
1:29:51. The long Great Plains
1:43:47. Reflecting on the trip so far
1:54:38. The Katy Trail
2:14:58. Riding into Cincinnati, OH
2:36:04. The C&O canal towpath
2:44:42. Washington D.C.
2:51:46. The last leg
3:07:30. The Atlantic Ocean

20 Comments

@TheMord1997 4 months ago

I bicycled solo in 1997, from NY up to Prince Edward Island, across Canada to Sault St. Marie, and back into the US at Michigan,...

Still living it today. Wrote 3 volume journal, and have hundreds of blessings and good wishes written & drawn into them from the people met along the way.

Way before smart phones, of which I'm very glad of.

@ClaudeBridges 6 months ago

Videos like this are way better than any content on Netflix, Hulu, etc. I was a little sad when it was over. Thanks for all the hard work documenting and sharing this with us Mat.

@keithadler965 7 months ago

I dipped my back wheel in the Pacific and my front wheel in the Atlantic in 1990. I'm old, retired still healthy. I want to do the ride across the US again . Your documentary makes me really want to do the cross country trip again. I have a fantastic touring bike and all the rite gear, So no excuses. Thanks

@Burgman22 3 months ago

I had zero intention on watching a man ride his bike for 3 hours but here we are. Great work and video sir!

@Bustergonad9649 6 months ago (edited)

Retire in May 2026. I will be doing trips like this over the course of the next few years. Great vid 👌

@linesided 5 months ago

"I am going to sleep somewhere and I am going to wake up somewhere" - now THAT"s a spirit of the road to follow :)

@padee3921 6 months ago

Watching your videos over the past couple of months, I’ve gone from ‘I’ve no desire to go cycling across or down USA’ to ‘When are we doing this!?’. Great watching thanks Mat.

@PeterManning-xj3qf 2 months ago (edited)

Not only does this gentleman make the effort, but he takes the time to create great footage with humble commentary. He has stated in a different video that if sharing his experiences inspires anyone to do the same, it would be very rewarding.
It would be very nice to cross paths with him someday. I pray Heavenly Father protects him on his treks.

@brianwilson803 7 hours ago

Rode with you as I watched. Recovering from surgery rode along with my stationary bike.I can not ride my bike yert. Love your video's! Thank you for sharing. Liz
]

@RzAn8 7 months ago

watched the GDMBR
watched the European tour
watched the TransAm series
Watched the Tour Aotearoa
watched the TransAm movie
cant wait for the Tour Dinarica

@jontyutd 5 months ago

I sat and watched this every morning over a couple of weeks before going to work with a coffee. Great watch.

@DARTHON90210HSNAP 10 days ago

Just finished the Rock Island + Katy Trail (substantial portion) and was needing that fix. This perfectly encapsulated the feeling of the biking trip. Thank you very much.

@pahhaw4251 1 month ago

People like you who not only take the time to go on an adventure like this let alone do such an incredibly wonderful job of filming/editing and posting for anyone to share are very motivational for me. I won't likely embark on a cross country or country to country journey in my life, but I enjoy gearing up for shorter 3-6 day bike packing or bike touring rides. I LOVE living vicariously through this type of content and yours is TOP NOTCH TO BE SURE!!❤ THANK YOU!!!

@patricksmodelcars 2 weeks ago

I enjoyed watching this more than any TV show or movie there is. Congratulations on your journey and thank you for taking us along Mat! 👍🏻

@mikeymcbikeface 6 months ago

Great job Mat. Filming and editing skills are top notch, keeping the viewer interested and entertained, informative facts, a little humor, and you have yourself a polished product. I too came here by accident and find myself inspired. I'm 46 and have been riding the last 6 years, I want to do something epic like this in my retirement. Thank you Mat, for all that you do.

@malzimalzi 1 month ago

Must say my Sunday was spent well. I started watching it alone and soon my family joined in and we were glued. Your humility and raw commentary inspires me. So glad we watched it. May the Lord bless and keep you.

@VWDoug1 7 months ago

Great scenery, nice drone shots, cool people, good times! Someday soon, I hope to do a nice big loop around the US of A, once I retire. GOD BLESS

@rupert6126 7 months ago

I don't know how you and Ross do it but your films have such a feel-good factor that it's a joy to watch again in this format. Truly inspirational - thank you.

@midlifetrek 1 month ago

Got me inspired. I am at a point in life where I need adventures and achievements that are not tied to jobs and money. Got a new bike after 15 years of not riding and looking to start going on some longer trips. If these guys can do this, we got no excuse. Thanks and cheers!

@paulliebenberg3410 6 months ago

I'm glad the YouTube algorithm thought I should watch your trip, I'm a West Coast (California) lad and I guess I'm a bit jaded when it comes to our Pacific geography. I've driven through the Midwest and found it quite boring, but your bike ride (and all the "rails to trails") really brings it to life. Riding from the Mississippi eastward might wind up on my bucket list!