CA, US & World
Utah Couple Biking 4,000 Miles Across the United States for 40th Wedding Anniversary
A Utah couple is preparing for their most ambitious cycling adventure yet: a 4,000-mile coast-to-coast trek across the United States to mark their 40th wedding anniversary. Bliss and Robert Sawyer, residents of Saratoga Springs, plan to spend more than three months on the road traveling from Bellingham, Washington—the city where their relationship first began—to the coast of New Jersey.
The Sawyers are experienced cyclists who took up serious road biking about 25 years ago. Over the years, they have pedaled across various terrains both domestically and internationally, including cycling trips through the United Kingdom, Norway, and Switzerland. However, this upcoming cross-country expedition, which is scheduled to begin on June 20, 2026, represents their longest and most challenging journey to date, featuring roughly 142,000 feet of total elevation climbing along a northern route.
Beyond celebrating four decades of marriage, the couple is turning their milestone ride into a charitable fundraiser called Hope Across the USA. They have set a goal to raise money to support two non-profit organizations close to their hearts: Habitat for Humanity and Tabitha’s Way Local North Food Pantry, a Utah County organization providing temporary food assistance to families facing economic crisis. While a few corporate sponsors have stepped forward to assist the couple with essential gear, the Sawyers are funding the majority of the trip's travel expenses themselves.
The three-month journey will test the couple's endurance as they plan to cycle daily through unpredictable summer weather patterns across the northern United States. Their itinerary relies heavily on a mix of outdoor camping and overnight stays at roadside hotels, though they plan to leave their day-to-day accommodations flexible depending on road conditions and daily fatigue. Robert Sawyer noted that while they used to obsess over speed and daily mileage tracking in their early days of cycling, this anniversary tour is focused entirely on enjoying the scenery, listening to music, and appreciating the time spent together.
Supporters can track the couple’s daily progress and contribute to the fundraiser by visiting their official project page online.
Explore NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the valley.
By: CNN Newsource
May 18, 2026
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