Why I Ride: Nature Enthusiasts Trekking Across the U.S. on Biking Adventure
A little more than three months ago, Jeremy Skaggs and Candy Kidd of Southwest City, Missouri, set out on their quest to complete a cross-country bike-riding expedition they hope will ultimately take them through all 48 contiguous United States by the time all is said and done.
While this adventurous couple is taking on a task that’s sure to provide them with plenty of twists and turns along the way, their passion for bike riding began much the same as it does with most little boys and girls.
Recollecting her earliest memories of riding, Candy says, “It is when my grandpa got my first bike for me. I remember that pink bike that he got for me with the horn and tassels on it. I just loved that bike so much.”
Pondering when it all started for Jeremy, he says, “I have been cycling since I can remember, but nothing like this. I first got involved just having fun with friends when I was young. And I’ve rode back and forth to work a lot as an adult.”
Neither Jeremy nor Candy are competitive cyclists. They are not in this for achieving the fastest timed finishes in lengthy racing events. Instead, what it’s all about for them is that “we’re riding for our health and to help keep the environment greener. It’s also a way to spread positive energy for us.”
This out-of-the-box-thinking twosome officially began pedaling on their voyage in late December 2025, but they didn’t just pack up and go on a whim.
Jeremy says, “We researched and gathered a lot of information for a year before setting out on our journey.
“We watched a lot of YouTube videos. We started with hiking videos and soon realized we didn’t want to carry our gear and moved on to bike packing. We figured our bikes shouldn’t carry all the weight either. So, we incorporated the trailers to help reduce wear and tear on our bikes.”
They made it an emphasis not to overthink it.
Candy says, “Our logic has been to simply slow down and enjoy the different experiences through every town we pass and every road we take as it goes along for us.”
There’s no reason for an ironclad itinerary or day-to-day agenda.
Jeremy says, “We started out in Southwest City, and our only plan is to cycle full circle for as long as we have supporters, while riding through as many states as possible and hearing everyone’s stories along the way. We do not have any specific plans.
“We’re just letting this journey unfold however it happens. Starting each day, we don’t know how many miles we’ll go with factors like weather, including the wind and things like hills, and going up or down. Too much planning can make it stressful, and we don’t need that. We’re just spreading lots of love and generosity and receiving lots of love and generosity back.”
It’s easy to find, like and follow this pair wherever their path takes them. Jeremy says, “We have a Facebook group (Road Gnome Express), and we graciously accept donations through our cash app ($jeremydanskaggs). If you donate, we will send you a postcard from our adventures.”
While they are traveling as lightweight as possible, it is important to have all the necessary equipment for such an extended trek. Jeremy says, “Our gear includes a tent, and an air pump, patch kit and channel locks.
“The weather can be so much different everywhere we go. So, we have warm clothes for when it’s colder and summer clothes when it is hot. We have kitchen utensils, along with three gallons of water and food.”
As much fun as they’re having, that’s not to say they don’t face a few challenges along the way. Jeremy says sometimes it’s repairs to the bikes and trailers that can be the worst, but that being a handyman and “Mr. Fix-It” helps a lot.
“We’ve managed to get through a few sticky situations,” he says.
Candy highlights one not-so-fun incident that they awoke to one morning.
“We woke up to dew and fog, and everything was all wet, including our tent, our blankets and our clothes,” she says.
Despite any difficulties that happen to come their way, it’s easy to see by all the good vibes from Facebook messaging just how much positivity and spirit swirls around this duo.
As an example, in a recent post, Candy talked about meeting a new friend on the beach who was camping next to them. She says, “He’s a 70-year-old man who is also a biker. Jeremy let him use our extra solar panel. He’s such a wonderful soul.”
A couple of other posts by Candy help exemplify the pure joy this pair is having. Simply put, she says, “Nature is awesome. Loving y’all.” Similarly, she says, “Beautiful sunrise. Loving y’all.”
While they’ve only been out on the road three months and are still in the early stages of this crusade, Jeremy recently provided an update on Facebook. He says, “We’re going big with seven states down and hopefully 41 still to go. Oregon is next. We’re going through the coastal redwoods and over the Golden Gate Bridge (San Francisco).”
Jeremy and Candy have already spent time camping out at a few impressive sites, including Refugio State Beach Park, which is located on the Gaviota Coast, approximately 20 miles west of Santa Barbara, California, in Goleta and hanging out at Ventura Beach in Ventura, California, which features the iconic Ventura Pier.
Another spectacular spot is Chuck Pontius Commuter Trail (5.5-mile paved, multi-use path designed for biking, walking and skating) in Santa Clarita, California, and Veteran’s Park in Big Bear Lake, California, which features a lakeside memorial honoring military veterans and has a bandstand, walking path and picnic areas.
Providing perspective on this awe-inspiring odyssey thus far, with an emphasis on what it has been like traversing through The Golden State, Candy says, “Dang, this state is huge. We’ve gone 2,600 miles from home and California is 1,000 miles tall. That is so incredible.”
“We’ve gone down Route 66 and through an old mail route the stagecoaches used,” Jeremy says. “We watched SpaceX launch and saw Navy jets training. We’ve seen packs of coyotes, and roadrunners running, as well as prairie dogs, lots of birds and so much more.”
Jeremy’s mother, Patti Skaggs, is keeping up with this expedition from back home and says, “They went down to Texas and there were lots of cool things there.
“They’ve been through New Mexico. They are enjoying all the sites and meeting so many new people along the way. They are enjoying this so much. I’m happy for them.”
Patti might be partial, but she is amazed by what Jeremy and Candy are undertaking, and rightfully so. She says, “What has impressed me is that even though they are from such a quiet, small town in Missouri, they’ve shown this is something they’re good at.”
Mom is proud of her kids, and she says, “They’re such a great couple. They just get along with anybody and make friends wherever they go. It also makes me smile big with how much they do to help others. They have good hearts.”
Jeremy and Candy find their greatest satisfaction and such a sense of tranquility just spending time in the great outdoors.
He says, “Our hobbies include but are not limited to cycling, camping, eating barbecue, enjoying wildlife and going on long walks.”
At its core, what makes this journey so wonderful for them is simply being exposed firsthand to all that Mother Nature shares from one end of the country to another and all points in between.
Jeremy says, “The rewards for us come in the form of wildlife and all the scenery.”
Likewise, the tremendous support that seems to multiply across social media with each passing day helps to lift up Jeremy and Candy and invigorate them all the more. They say, “We appreciate all our followers so much.”
The Road Gnome Express isn’t quite sure how long it will take them to complete their journey but anticipate they’ll be continuing this grand nationwide tour for at least a year. Wherever it takes them with each passing day, it’s apparent Jeremy and Candy are having the time of their lives.
Jeremy Skaggs/Candy Kidd Fast Facts
Hometown: Jeremy was born in Joplin, Missouri, and moved all around the Four States during his youth. Candy was born Sapulpa, Oklahoma, and moved around a lot before landing in Southwest Missouri.
Current Hometown: Southwest City, Missouri
Influence: Candy says her grandfather, Billy Dean Frye, left a lasting impression. As for who left a mark on him, Jeremy says, “It’s a combination of both parents, my mother’s dreamer side and my father’s hardworking side.”
