Making miles matter.
This is a rough markup of the route – don’t take it too literally, but it’s about right !
In 2023, InnerTuba raised $7,000 for Mississippi River based charities. These gave help to children with all kinds of supportive and specialised needs.
We are now limbering up for a higher profile, higher challenge journey in 2026. Over the Rocky Mountains, from Midwest to Northwest USA!
Once more the challenge’s main aim will be to raise money for “not for profits” and the youngsters they support. These charities will be spread along the entire length of the journey.
With the right backing of finance, and widespread multi media promotional publicity, surely this epic challenge could raise even more money? We can then pay it forward to the deserving communities which InnerTuba will visit.
Why not double what we raised in ’23?
Or go for a target of, say, $100,000?
Between us – InnerTuba and its creative supporters – we can make it happen.
As of October 2025, $6,000 is pledged in support of the tour. A further $12,000 is now sought to give the tour the green light to roll West in April ’26. Please pledge or donate and help turn the idea into a reality.
Broadly speaking, this figure allows for flights, travel insurance, daily living costs, and some innovative upgrades to tour equipment. There is also a “catch all” contingency fund built in, to deal with any unexpected situations on the road.
InnerTuba touring is, by its resourceful and adventurous nature, inherently low budget; tents not hotels, supermarkets not restaurants.
As with previous tours, surplus funds held at the end of this one will be rolled over to the next.
And now a word from a valued sponsor:
“Connecticut Yankee Pedaller is once more sponsoring Jon in his continued adventure. We are excited that he will be traveling extensively in the USA again. We understand that the total financial support necessary for Jon is lacking,so if you would like to chip in for Jon’s ride, please contact Jon directly or Connecticut Yankee Pedaller. As a major sponsor for Innertuba the last two times he has traversed the Central U.S., we would be happy to answer any questions regarding InnerTuba’s upcoming Midwest to Northwest trip”. Dave Hendricks, Proprietor, Connecticut Yankee Pedaller, Chariton, Iowa, USA.
Want to be a sponsor, too? Call Dave at CYP for the lowdown! www.cypbikes.com/contact-us
Leaving from the banks of the Mississippi River, the intended journey crosses Iowa, then visits South and North Dakota. Montana, Idaho, Washington State, and Oregon will be next. Having passed through Portland, the end point is a little beyond Astoria, Oregon, on the Pacific Northwest Coast. That’s 3,000 miles of varied, ofttimes challenging, terrain!
Whilst this tour is truly ambitious it is also following a proven and tested model.
As in ’23, InnerTuba will engage with and perform to communities, big and small, all along the journey. Also for TV and radio stations, at assisted living centres for older people, and in State Park Visitor Centres. Oh, let’s not forget in libraries, in people’s homes, in schools, with community bands, and what else have you!
I will be following The Adventure Cycling Association’s recommended Lewis and Clark Trail Route. You can easily see that there is a fair bit of climbing up and over the Rocky Mountains!
InnerTuba will ride sections 2 thru 7:
Averaging about 30 miles per day, that would take about 100 days. So, add to that 50 plus non travel days, and set them aside for performances and media appearances. The tour then becomes around 150 days in total.
Leaving Iowa in early April, and reaching the Pacific Coast by early September, we can make it happen!
To help this ambitious project to get the green light, please consider what support you can offer. Please pledge or donate here.
Thank you!
