Oregon cyclist celebrated for ‘coast to coast’ mental health ride
Published 3:12 pm Friday, May 15, 2026
A Gresham woman was celebrated for completing a cross-country bike ride to honor a lost loved one and embody the spirit of movement and kindness.
Amy Swank, the school counselor at Metro East Web Academy who is turned 50 this year, is back home in Gresham after crossing the United States by bicycle. Her journey, “The Righteous Ride,” was all about mental health. Her late son, Clayton, died by suicide in 2023.
The two had long mused about a coast to coast journey. So to honor him and support others, Swank hopped on a bike and set off.
“Clayton didn’t just support my dreams, he strengthened them,” she said. “He held me accountable to the goals I set and made me feel like anything was possible.”
It was a monumental task. She followed the “Southern Tier Route,” created by the American Cycling Association. That took her from San Diego to St. Augustine, Florida. She began on Feb. 22 and finished on her birthday, April 22.
“It was surreal to finally make it, it was just something I decided to do,” Swank said. “The final days were such a blur.”
Along the way she raised money for the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a grassroots organization that supports those affected by mental illness through support, education and advocacy. So far she has raised more than $20,000.
“Mental health has such a stigma around it, and too many people don’t talk about it,” she said.
The Journey
Swank rode 3,078.4 miles, crossing eight states and visiting many small towns along the way. Her route included San Diego; Tempe, Arizona; Silver City, New Mexico; El Paso, Texas; Del Rio, Texas; Austin, Texas; Navasota, Texas; New Orleans; Mobile, Alabama; and St. Augustine, Florida. She detoured to spend a week on the Gulf Coast, was joined by loved ones for stretches, and averaged 60 miles a day.
“You just have to step in with both feet,” Swank said. “Break down big things like this into small pieces, take it one day at a time.”
Her final day was eventful. She had a swollen face from a bee sting, and had to contend with a detour due to construction in St. Augustine. But what made everything worth it was being surrounded by friends and family at the beach finish line.
“My family and friends were there waiting for me,” Swank said. “I was overwhelmed in the best way.”
As a band played “Happy Birthday” Swank took her bike down to the water and dipped her tires into the Atlantic Ocean.
“I still can’t believe it — I did it, and I didn’t do it alone,” she said.
Her welcome home was hosted Friday evening, May 15, at Metro East Web Academy. The surprise gathering had music, cake and snacks, a slide show showcasing photos from her journey, and a whole bunch of folks impressed by her incredible accomplishment.
And her task isn’t over. Swank is still accepting donations to support mental health. One of the recent fundraisers was held at Pulse Fitness and Strength in Sandy. Donate online: https://donate.nami.org/fundraiser/6782519
“Tomorrow’s not promised, so get out and do things you are passionate about,” she said.