Cross country: possibility, or a dream?
I turn 50 in October, and have for years thought about riding across country, but I've done absolutely nothing about it. I basically haven't been on a bike (other than here and there) for 35 years (when I did some very memorable riding in the Canadian Rockies). I would describe my current fitness as better than the average guy my age (I run 4-5 times per week, and was a decent, though not great marathoner...but the last one I ran was in 2003). After reading the Washington Post story about the two guys on the cross country trip who ended up in the Aurora, CO theater, I can't shake the idea that this ride is something I want to do. When my daughter told me that she was up for doing the ride next summer (the last summer before she heads to college), I thought it was time to do more than just talk.
Which takes me here...is this a possibility, or just a dream? Can I go from zero to cross country by next June? When I ran marathons, I came across a very helpful online coach who was incredibly valuable...training regimen, encouragement, the occasional hard push when I fell off the program, etc. Is there any sort of coaching like this available for someone looking to do what I have in mind?
Many thanks.