‘As of May 8th, we have biked 475 miles and have removed more than 171 pounds of trash.’

Collecting trash while crossing the country by bike, Seth and Abby (above) are in week two of their ‘Packing It Out’ tour.

After departing Cumberland Island National Seashore, we began biking toward my hometown of Statesboro, Ga. Our mission: Collect trash and inspire others to leave the environment better than they found it.

We’re just getting used to life on the move. The routine is forming. The coming weeks will be dedicated to discovering this new mode of travel. We are looking forward to finding cadence and falling into our rhythm on the road!

475 Miles, 171 lbs of Trash Collected

The first few days on the bikes went surprisingly smooth. We moved fast and arrived a day earlier than anticipated. Our gear has been functioning without fault and so far we haven’t been hassled about our rogue camping locations (see tent photo below!).

Our biggest challenge? Enduring the sweltering heat and getting our bodies used to biking on a daily basis.

As of May 8th, we have pedaled 475 miles and removed more than 171 pounds of trash from scenic spaces.

This is what we came to do. We removed 43 pounds of trash from the Cumberland Island and removed 21 pounds of trash from a boat landing along the Altamaha River.

We had a huge haul — 83 pounds — from the group cleanup at Morningside Nature Preserve and the beachfront in Atlanta. All of that, combined with impromptu roadside cleanups and at camp has caused the trash to add up.

Trailer To Haul Trash By Bike

So far, having a Bob Trailer to haul out trash has been a huge help. During the past ‘Packing It Out‘ initiatives, we’ve carried out this type of poundage on our backs.

While we still have to put the human-power behind pulling the trailer, I think having wheels will be more sustainable for the long haul.

The next week will be an interesting combination of managing the constant heat of the South, escaping the urban sprawl of Atlanta, and beginning our climb into the Appalachian Mountains.

One of the most incredible and equally unnerving aspects of the start of these endeavors is the unknown…. What will tomorrow be like? What type of trash will we find? Where will we sleep?

Until the answers are unearthed, we will keep focusing on the present moment and leaving it better as we go.

Join Us At Cleanups

Join us at our next cleanup in Asheville, N.C., where we will be tackling the Elk Mountain Scenic Highway. Register for the event here.

'Packing It Out' Tour Begins! Event And Cleanup Schedule Today, the Packing It Out duo embarks on a 5,025-mile bike tour. Along the way, they'll host REI store events and local cleanups. Check out their schedule here and join the cause! Read more…

Keep an eye on our trip progress and upcoming events for opportunities to meet up, bike, lend a hand at a cleanup, or hear about our journey.

See you out there on the road and the trail!

–Check out the crew’s 2015 and 2016 efforts on our ‘Packing It Out’ page. Connect with Abby and Seth on Instagram, Twitter, and their blog.

–Our 2017 ‘Packing It Out’ coverage is sponsored by REI.