Impossible Route Trans Appalachia

The Impossible Route: Trans Appalachia is a 3-day gravel bike-packing adventure that follows the first attempt of the Lost Roads Route.

In this expedition, The Vegan Cyclist, his 19-year-old protégé Travis Longfellow, and Jeremiah Bishop attempt to traverse the Appalachian Mountains on a route filled with legend.

Jeremiah used the Strava Route Builder to map the Lost Roads Route that he’d spent years researching. Beginning in Parkersburg, West Virginia, the route heads east traversing the Appalachian Mountains toward Virginia’s Blue Ridge. The route follows in reverse a once-vital lifeline for commerce, mail, and supplies for the American frontier. Spanning 462 miles with 38,000 feet of climbing between the Ohio River Valley and the James River in Richmond, Virginia.

Now overgrown and often abandoned, these mountain roads and abandoned rail lines once connected the first and only major route through the region’s rugged Appalachian wilderness.

As an added challenge, the riders will bring just $40 each, and the only additional supplies available to what they set out with will be what fans mail to the three U.S. Post Offices along the route.

For a bird’s eye overview of the adventure, they hatched a plan to fly in a small prop plane to the start. The journey began with a shakedown to the bare minimum in order to come under the maximum takeoff weight for the little aircraft.

Nervously they set off into the unknown, eagerly anticipating the adventure. Some things will go right and some things are bound to go sideways. Begging the question, will this route be possible?


Producer/ ConceptJeremiah Bishop
Creative Producer Editing- Graphics Sound Tyler Pearce
Footage From Kurtis Windsor
Footage Jack Anderson
Photos Preston Copenhaver
Support Kyle McCann Eddie Anderson.
Last day route, Logan Johnes Wilkins


MUSIC BY:
Nothin' Left Blues Peter Crosby
Blue Notes John and the
Sick Man's Blues Peter Crosby
The Bayou Tigerblood Jewel
On the Bayou Chris Shards
I'm Indestructible Tigerblood Jewl
Virginia Highway Tigerblood Jewl
No Regrets Today Step Two!
Trouble Stay from My Door Roy Williams
Kid Arizona Tigerblood Jewl
The Mission J.F. Gloss
She Don't Like Me No Mo' Peter Crosby
Partners in Crime Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen

Important Timestamps 🕰
[02:02] - The Impossible Route: 462 Miles, 38,000ft of Climbing, $40 Budget.

[03:07] - Rules and the $40 Challenge.

[06:44] - The Dog Attack Incident 🐕.

[09:29] - Missing the First Post Office Drop (Day 1 Morale Loss).

[13:12] - The Miracle Oasis: Finding the Dollar General for Dinner.

[16:04] - Losing Control: Eating Everything on the first night.

[18:28] - Starting Day 2 with No Water (The Forbidden Water Pump).

[22:58] - Travis's Package is Lost at Post Office 2 😥.

[24:01] - Unboxing the Resupply Packages (A Heartwarming Lift in Spirits).

[27:39] - Travis's Knee Injury and the Decision to Continue.

[29:32] - The "Belgian Push" (Teammates Pushing Travis Up the Climb).

[31:39] - The Comped Hotel Room! (Using YouTube "Swag" to Save the Trip).

[37:56] - Day 3: The Vesuvius Climb and Travis's Return to Form.

[42:08] - Riding through the Historic Blue Ridge Tunnel (A Trip Highlight).

[45:50] - Making the Third Post Office Drop Just in Time.

[48:16] - The Real Food Unboxing! (Pineapple, Oreos, and an Avocado).

[51:55] - The Final Challenge: Massive Thunderstorm and Downpour ⛈.

[55:29] - FINISH LINE!

[57:25] - The perfect quote: "It's impossible says ego... but give it a try says the heart."