Cyclists Completed 2,400-Mile Journey to Milwaukee

Three riders over age 60 finished a 51-day cross-country trek from Washington state to Milwaukee.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Cycling

Expressionist sports illustration of three cyclists in motion against a landscape horizon, representing a cross-country endurance journey.
Scott Selby, Dale Swindler, and Kay Spangler arrived in Milwaukee on September 26 after completing a 2,400-mile cycling expedition from Washington state. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Scott Selby, Dale Swindler, and Kay Spangler finished a 2,400-mile cycling expedition that started in Anacortes, Washington. The trio arrived in Milwaukee on September 26 after 51 days on the road.

Why it matters

The group completed the challenge to test their endurance, with Milwaukee serving as the symbolic end point due to Scott Selby's past professional and family history in the region.

The trio of cyclists, all over age 60, successfully completed the 2,400-mile trek in exactly 51 days. The route followed the Northern Tier path established by the Adventure Cycling Association.

The players

Scott Selby

He is a cyclist who completed the 2,400-mile trip despite managing atrial fibrillation.

Dale Swindler

He is one of the three cyclists who finished the long-distance trek from Washington to Wisconsin.

Kay Spangler

She is a member of the trio who finished the cross-country cycling journey and plans to return to the area in 2027.

Adventure Cycling Association

This organization maintains the Northern Tier cycling route used by the group to navigate across the country.

The details

The riders navigated the Northern Tier route while staying at various accommodations including campgrounds, RV parks, hotels, and with Warm Showers hosts. They relied on collective support from one another and assistance from local residents encountered throughout their journey.

Timeline

  1. Aug. 1: The trio departed from Anacortes, Washington.

  2. Sept. 26: The cyclists arrived in Milwaukee.

  3. September 2027: Kay Spangler expects to return to Milwaukee.

Season Trajectory

This successful crossing follows the pattern of long-distance riders utilizing the Adventure Cycling Association Northern Tier route to achieve personal endurance milestones. It highlights the continued popularity of traditional touring routes for senior cyclists looking to complete significant cross-country challenges.

The arrival of the trio in Milwaukee marks the successful conclusion of a 2,400-mile route that effectively requires significant logistical planning regarding daily nutrition and rest. Future long-distance riders may use this specific 51-day timeline as a benchmark for their own pacing and route duration expectations.

The takeaway

Completing a long-distance cycling challenge requires careful planning and a reliable support network of hosts and local contacts. Engaging with established routes like the Northern Tier can provide structure for riders planning their own multi-state expeditions.

Further reading

For more information on local riding events and infrastructure, visit the Cycling section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by TMJ4.

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