EPIC Cross Country – Northern Tier Bike Tours

Rider Requirements: Must maintain a daily average pace of 12-18 mph.

05/27/26 – 07/18/26.

Cycle of Life Adventures is taking our vast experience of crossing the country on the Southern Tier and going the length of the US along two Epic routes following the Mississippi River and the Appalachian Range to now offering a Northern Tier adventure for the second time 

This route takes in the many sights and vistas of the Cascades, Rockies, Appalachian and Adirondack Mountains as we ride from Astoria, OR to Portsmouth, NH. While it will be a challenging ride, (it is not all mountain), we will also travel across the Great Plains and around the Great Lakes. What an extraordinary way to see and experience the wonderful country we live in. This Epic Northern Tier option will include an estimated 3576 miles over 52 days, taking you through numerous states and a portion of eastern Canada. The average mileage will be in the 75-80 miles/day range (but of course, this is impacted by availability of lodging) and daily elevations will be determined as the route unfolds. We work to include 6 rest days and several National Parks in our itinerary.

Travel

Airline service should be scheduled into Portland, Oregon by May 27, 2026 prior to 5 pm for an airport pickup or you may Uber to the recommended airport area hotel.  There will be an 11 AM shuttle with all bikes and luggage to Astoria, OR on May 28 to our starting hotel with a 2PM warmup ride to The Pacific ocean and back to the starting hotel.

Returning airline service should be scheduled out of Boston- Logan International, MA on July 18  or later. We will offer a 9:30AM  shuttle service on July 18 to Logan Airport. Travel insurance is highly recommended due to our refund policies for this tour. Various insurers are available. We suggest Allianz and AIG

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 will not be sold in segments, but is planned as a complete Cross Country tour to fulfill your bucket list. Half segments will be offered after Mar 1, 2026 if space becomes available. Available start/stop point will be Sioux Falls, SD. (Details will be available at a later date)

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, 6-10 tubes, extra spokes, a chain and a well-tuned bicycle.

We cannot accommodate tricycles or recumbent bicycles on our Epic tours. 

Summer 2026 Northern Tier Deposit

A non-refundable $500 registration fee is required at sign on. Please make deposits by credit card with an on line registration.

• 1/3 is due by September 27, 2025.
• 2nd 1/3 due by November 27, 2025.
• last 1/3 – paid in full by January 27, 2026.
• 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 a minimum of 9 riders is required prior to December 31, 2025 to guarantee the ride to depart.

Summer 2026 Northern Tier Cancellation Policy

• Cancellation prior to December 27, 2025: 60% refund (of full tour price)
• Cancellation between December 27, 2025 - January 27, 2026: 50% refund (of full tour price)
• Cancellation between January 28, 2026 - February 26, 2026: 25% refund (of full tour price)
• No refunds for any reason after February 26, 2026.
• This tour has an additional $250 cancellation fee due to National Park access.
• Please purchase travel insurance for this reason.

Included

• Lodging (see above)
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner (see above)
• Park entry fees
• Ride with GPS mapping; printed guide sheets, if desired
• Minimum of 3 guides
• Mechanic
• Van support
• Luggage transports
• Airport transfers
• Souvenir jersey

Not Included

• Airfare
• Rental bikes
• Alcoholic beverages
• Bike box shipping fee
• Lunch and dinner during off days
• Souvenirs
• A 10% gratuity is not included, but suggested; all gratuities will be divided among all tour support personnel