As summer welcomes Bozemanites into its embrace of warm, sunny days, spandex-laden cyclists flock to the streets to train their legs in hopes of racking up their Strava miles or taking home the gold at the upcoming mid-summer races. However, for two Bozemanites, their bicycling aspirations are
looking a bit different. Within our adventurous little town are two young cyclists preparing for a 4,600 mile cross country bike tour…with their dog.

Nathan White, a cook at the Emerson Grill, and Kate Glasch, a technical writer at MSU, will be accompanied by their one-year-old Australian Shepherd/Husky mix, Yogi, as they cycle across the country. No newbie to cycle touring at 25 years old, Nathan has already toured throughout parts of the United States and Europe. Kate, however, is a cycle touring novice drawn toward not having to work for six months, I mean, ahem, drawn to the idea of a bike tour by her adventurous spirit. And Yogi — well, this 50 pound mutt has no idea what he’s in for, but let’s hope his love for running doesn’t die down in the coming months!

On July 1st, the trio will rent a car and drive to Seattle to begin the Pedals & Paws Tour. While you soak in the Bozeman sun, fly-fish along the Gallatin, or mountain bike throughout Hyalite, Nathan, Kate, and Yogi will be cruising along the Pacific Coast among rolling hills and craggy coastal pines, exploring Big Sur, and traversing through the Sierra Nevadas. As fall rolls around, the trio will head east to explore sites such as the Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest National Park, the Guadalupe Mountains, New Orleans, and finally, they’ll be able to dip their front wheel in the Atlantic Ocean in St. Augustine, Florida.

Nate has his fingers crossed that the usual easterly winds and rains will keep to a minimum along the Gulf Coast. “We’ll be traveling through the Southeast during Hurricane Season. I’ve been imagining us cycling our hearts out in 60 mph winds and rains, going nowhere, thinking, ‘This bike tour was the worst idea EVER.’ I’m hoping that doesn’t happen, but if it does, hopefully we’ll just laugh about it. Maybe Yogi will let us crawl into the trailer with him to keep dry.”

During their tour, they hope to showcase the generosity and good nature of human beings; better know the landscape, culture and history of our country; and seek exhilarating and refreshing adventure.

“It’s amazing the generosity that people show when you’re out on the road. On my previous tour, I was resting on a curb at a gas station, looking raggedy and worn out from cycling all day, and someone gave me a six pack of beer and said, ‘You look like you could use this.’ It’s always refreshing to get a few honks and supportive hollers from drivers as I’m huffing and puffing up a steep climb. It encourages me to keep going,” recalls Nathan.

“Especially with Yogi, a lot of people will come up to us and ask what we’re doing. It’s a great way to meet people all over the country.”

Kate is especially looking forward to getting to experience America via bicycle. “I’ve been all over the country in a car and in a plane, but by bicycle, there’s nothing separating you from the redwoods on the side of the road. You pass them much more slowly and have more time to process and appreciate them. I’m also looking forward to experiencing some of the history and culture in the Southeast.”

Along with meeting wonderful people and getting to know our country better, I’m eager to not have many responsibilities on the tour. Many of us go through life and occasionally stop to think, ‘Is this how I want to be living?’ but there aren’t too people who do something about it when their answer is ‘No.’ I just don’t want to turn 30, sitting at a desk in a small fluorescent-lit office and think, ‘How did I get here?’ Perhaps I’ll be thinking that one day on the tour as I’m crying and kicking myself when we’re climbing a 20 mile, 12% grade mountain, but at least I’ll have some good stories to explain how I got there.”

After all is said and done, it seems that the trio will have experienced quite the adventure.

The awesome crew at local bike shop, Summit Bike & Ski, has helped Nathan and Kate gather the necessary gear for a successful tour. Dee-O-Gee, Bozeman’s finest natural pet store, has donated a collapsible bowl, yummy dog treats, and a wealth of knowledge to keep Yogi healthy and happy on the tour. Although their trip does not have an official end date, the trio plans to be back in Bozeman by the end of the year to share stories of their adventures.

So when you’re biking, driving, or walking around town and spot two bikers and a yellow trailer with a large gold dog catching the odors in the wind, be sure to honk and wave!

Learn more about the Pedals and Paws Tour at www.PedalsAndPawsTour.com or find them on Facebook.

Kate Glasch is pursuing her love affair with bicycling as she cycles 4,600 miles across the country. Until then, you can see her cycling around town with her charming canine, Yogi.