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Cross-Country Biking with the Romp Family In April, 1999, the family of five left their home in tiny Shoreham, Vermont, bound for Homer, Alaska - the "end of the road". They will spend six months bicycling a zigzag course across America visiting historic sites, museums, natural wonders and plain old American places as they bring their home-school lessons out onto the road. They will be mounted on a "Quad", a bicycle-built-for-four, except for the toddler, who will be pulled along in a trailer. Camping, staying with friends, and enjoying the occasional stay at an inn or motel, they will share their learning adventures with school children along the way by visiting them, and with their home-schooled friends (and the rest of the world) via their web site (www.rompfamily.com). Back home in Vermont, they will write a book detailing the insights gained by seeing our country from the seat of a bicycle, together as a family. Billy, the expedition's "Captain" is a 45 year old writer, born in Troy, New York, and has spent the last thirty years in bike shops and leading tours in Vermont, Europe, Japan and China. Racing, touring, off-road, track, tandem and street riding all interest him, and the history, literature, science and business of bicycles remain a fascination. The Romp family, of Shoreham, Vermont are home-schoolers, bicycle enthusiasts, campers, adventurers. Like a lot of Vermonters, they make a living as best they can while enjoying this beautiful part of the world. They arrange the children's home-school lessons around real-life experiences like everyday cooking, household chores, bicycle rides and races, and the agricultural surroundings. They have hiked, skied, and camped in Vermont's mountains with their children in every month of the year. On their annual December foray into Manhattan, they sell Christmas trees while living in their camper on a street corner in Greenwich Village. For a closer look, read "Christmas on Jane Street" (William Morrow, 1998) or see the December, 1998 issue of Ladies' Home Journal for a condensed version. Billy's "Christmas on Jane Street" dives deep into the intimate life of the Romp family's annual month-long residency on the corner of Jane Street and 8th Avenue in Greenwich Village. His second book (for children this time) is just having the finishing touches put on and will soon go to press. The cross Country Bicycle Expedition will produce another book that will share the best to be found in America. Traditionally, the front rider on a tandem is called the "Captain", however, the Romp Family is more like a rowing "crew", where every member pulls together at a cadence established by a leader. The rest of the "crew" includes: Patti - "Navigator" - 43, is a health practitioner, masseuse and the "dreamer and planner" of all of the Romp family's expeditions. Born in Atlantic City, New Jersey and transplanted to Vermont where she built a reputation as a respected alternative health practitioner. Although Patti was riding a bike the first time Billy laid eyes on her, she would be the first to admit that she was no bicyclist. They honeymooned by bicycle in China and Japan. The same year she did her first century and was hooked for life. Ellie - "Stoker" - 11, an accomplished bicycle racer and competitive chess player. She was born August 11, 1987 at the family's Bed and Breakfast in Wolcott, Vermont. A few days later, she was riding in a bike trailer (in a car seat) around the dirt roads and trails in their neighborhood. Her first bike was a chrome plated Schwinn BMX that Dad rescued from a scrap heap years before he had kids. By the time Ellie was racing her little bike at the local weekly off road races, she had hundreds of miles on Mom's tandem and a huge advantage over kids her age (six and seven). She almost always came in first even after racing in the next-older age group. Ellie says about the trip, "I'm really looking forward to riding a lot, getting strong, and maybe entering some mountain bike races out west. I can't wait to se the horses in different parts of the country - Virginia, Kentucky, the Western ranches. And I really can't wait to see Alaska!" Henry - "Engineer"- 7, is also an accomplished bicycle racer, skate boarder, horseback rider and spy. On the Quad, Henry's position near the rear wheel gives him a god view of the overall picture. He reports to the captain about drivetrain noises and chain position. He is in charge of the tools, checking tire pressure and chain tension. He was born in the family's camper in Stowe, Vermont on July 20, 1991 and learned to ride a two wheeler before his third birthday, entering his first race later that week. Timmy - "Conductor" - 3, an angel and a charmer! He's put in many miles on his wooden bike on the kitchen floor! Timmy's position in the caboose gives him the title of Conductor, shouting "Let's go!", "Faster!", or "Slow down!" He was born at home in South Burlington, Vermont on a cold February 1, 1996. His age is one reason they have planned this bike trip for 1999. At three years old, he is young enough to enjoy long rides in the trailer, napping and sightseeing. He'll be riding "caboose" in his Burley trailer which faces forward and he'll share the space with about 30 pounds of camping gear. How will they share these experiences with others? they will visit school groups, church groups, children's summer camps, Girl Scout and Boy Scout groups, YMCA groups, and bicycle clubs, to name a few. Ellie, Henry and Timmy will be the featured speakers and guests at these visits, with Mom and Dad playing the supporting role, providing pictures and materials that they have gathered in our travels. A much wider audience will enjoy their Web site, continually updated with same-day reports from the Romp Family on the places and people that they encounter. The interactive site will allow school children and home schoolers (or anyone) to ask questions, make suggestions, even influence the route and itinerary. It will also allow visitors to the web site to schedule a visit or a ride with us. From the departure date of April 1, 1999 to their arrival in Homer, Alaska in September, they will be the eyes and ears for anyone with a modem. A constantly revised schedule of their public appearances and local publicity along the way will be posted on the web site. They can also be reached at Mission Control, the home of Christine Romp (Billy's sister) and webmaster Robert Glarner. Note: Adapted from information found at www.rompfamily.com In cooperation with Troy United Ink Corp., a not-for-profit corporation 
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