For me, the symbolic act is more *me* touching the water, rather than the bike. I would leave the bike on the boardwalk/motel/campsite/whatever and walk down to the water for the ceremonial dip of the toe (actually, more like touching the water with my hand, somehow that symolises more "me" touching the ocean). After all, it's not really about that particular wheel or tire or even bicycle doing the trip, it's about *me* making it from coast to coast. I would not want to get sand on my bike, personally, but I can completely understand the sentiment.
Last edited by NeilGunton; 02-10-09 at 01:45 PM.