By STEVEN VIERA
Staff Writer
SPOTSWOOD – Nancy Spina didn’t expect her son, Philip, 27, to quit his job to bike across the country with his friends, but that’s exactly what he has been doing.
On May 2, Philip Spina and his former roommates from Rowan University, Sandro Anello and Nick Marcello, left Asbury Park and embarked on a cross-country road trip toward their final destination of San Francisco.
“They wanted to put their feet in the water and actually say they were going coast to coast,” Nancy Spina said.
According to Nancy Spina, the men decided to leave jobs they didn’t like in order to pursue the opportunity to bike across America with each other. They began training for the trip in late 2015, but didn’t tell their families until after the holiday season.
As of June 21, the men had reached Sugar City, Colorado. Along the way, they stopped at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the weekend of the Indianapolis 500, the Gateway Arch and Budweiser Brewery in St. Louis, as well as other landmarks.
The men have spent nights camping in state parks, church parish houses and even the houses of complete strangers who they meet along the road.
Nancy Spina pointed out that people they have encountered “have been so awesome” and willing to provide them meals, water and other supplies, as well as being generally friendly.
However, the trip has not been without its challenges, Nancy Spina explained. Her son and his friends have had to overcome mountainous terrain, adverse weather and problems with their bikes that have required repairs. Additionally, Marcello had to leave in Wichita, Kansas, due to family issues; now, Philip Spina and Anello hope to make it to San Francisco in the coming weeks.
“There have been obstacles along the way, but they’ve gotten through it,” she said. “And I’m proud of them.”
The young men hope to reach California by the end of the month. For more information, “like” Coast 2 Coast Bicycle Adventure 2016 on Facebook to receive updates and to see pictures from the journey.
Contact Steven Viera at [email protected].