Drive across the USA in four minutes

Haven’t we all dreamed of taking that cross-country road trip? That amazing opportunity to just jump in a car and blast across the United States from coast-to-coast? The trouble is that not many of us have actually had a chance to do it. There’s any number of reasons why, ranging from the oft-cited lack of American vacation time to the hassle of logistics planning such a trip. Well my friends, the days of your road trip excuses are numbered. Because before your next coffee break this Friday, we guarantee you will get to travel across the entire United States by car. And you’re going to do it in just about four and a half minutes.

Did Gadling somehow discover how to bend the laws of physics? Well, not quite – but we did find this sweet time lapse road trip video by YouTube user physiciandirectory. During their recent cross country road trip from San Francisco to Washington, these traveling filmmakers set their camera to take a photo once every 10 seconds. The result is a tour of our vast country taken at breakneck speed. It’s fun to watch the scenery rapidly change from desert to grassland to town as the pair motors along, accompanied by the fast paced soundtrack. If you’re still looking for reasons to make that cross country trip a reality, consider this as your inspiration.

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One Man, One Motorcycle and 1000 Stories

Here’s a cool travel vlog to check out when you’ve got some spare daydreaming moments: 1000Stories is currently being updated daily with video dispatches from Florian Thalhofer, a German filmmaker and artist who is riding cross-country on a shiny motorcycle, courtesy of his pals at BMW. Thalhofer has embarked on a “social experiment” in which he seeks to learn firsthand about the United States. In his own words:

American culture can be found everywhere in the world. But the U.S. is still a mystery to me, always a little incomprehensible. That feeling of having grown up with American culture but never really understanding what America is all about has become stronger after September 11.

So Thalhofer decided to head off the beaten path on his bike, visiting small towns and talking to people about their lives and life in these United States. His route will be determined by Americans who want to meet with him, so sign up if you’d like a chance to chat with Florian. He’s in Iowa now, and headed west. He’ll be on the road through November 15.

The “Why Indie Bookstores Matter” Tour

Oh man, do I want to ride along on this one! (In fact, be certain that I will at some point!) My bookstore lovin’ pal Larry Portzline has planned an awesome traveling adventure. The creative genius behind the Bookstore Tourism movement has just announced that he will embark on a 10-week cross country road trip that will include stops at 200 independent bookstores in all fifty states.

What better way to spread awareness of indie bookstores, promote literacy and reading, and spread the word about Bookstore Tourism? Larry will drive across the U.S. and fly to Alaska and Hawaii, celebrating indie spirit all the way. At each bookstore Larry will interview owners, booksellers and customers and ask: “Why do indie bookstores matter?” He’ll post updates, pictures and podcasts on the tour’s blog.

It’s no coincidence that
Larry chose “Independence Week” to announce the kickoff of his tour. And what about his April 1, 2008 departure date? “April Fool’s Day seems appropriate for something a little Quixotic like a cross-country trip to support indie booksellers,” he explained.

That’s nine months from today, so hopefully it gives Larry plenty of time to line up the sponsorship he is seeking to help defray the cost of the trip. He’ll also be soliciting folks for suggestions about bookstores to add to his itinerary; and will invite fans to make a donation and ride along with him for a day or two. “We won’t have luxury accommodations, but it’ll be a ridiculous amount of fun,” he said.

The national tour is merely a variation on the group bookstore road trips that he and others have led around the U.S. Except, as Larry makes sure to point out: “Instead of a luxury motorcoach, we’re taking my minivan. And I get the final say on the music choices.” Seems fair and sounds like loads of fun. But Larry — will you be pimping-out the van with a super cool bookstore-on-wheels motif?

Here at Gadling, we’ll be sure to keep you updated on tour plans as things progress. Kudos to Larry for a most excellent road trip idea.


Biking Cross Country

So you want to ride your bicycle across country. OK. Nice idea. But are you really
ready for it? Do you know what you’re up against and what a trip like that is going to cost? Well, writer/rider Calvin
Woodard is here to help. Woodard did the trip already, and has advice that he is more than happy to share. So how much WILL it cost to ride across country? Plan on $4,000
to $5,000, Woodard says, assuming that you will rest your weary legs after a day of pedal pushing in cheapo hotels.

One of your biggest expenses, perhaps no surprise, is your bike. Woodard advises you go for one of the hard-core
touring models, which will set you back as much as $1200. Which direction should you ride? Woodard says it doesn’t
really matter, but that West to East is probably more popular. Perhaps that’s because people like to end up in a place
like New York where they can blow it out at the end of such an expedition. Other concerns? He says theft is not a big
deal, presuming you’re not riding in the inner cities. Also, bring a light, a cell phone and a strong will.