Gordon Taylor from Stone is hoping to cycle across the length of the United States this summer – 3,800 miles from Seattle on the Pacific coast to Boston on the Atlantic. He flies out on Friday (17th July) and starts his journey on Saturday – and we’re delighted that Gordon will be posting regular reports for A Little Bit of Stone so we can follow his adventure!
We caught up with Gordon on a training ride round the local lanes of Stone to find out more…
Tell us about the trip
“This year’s summer bike ride is a big one for me – around 3,800 miles from Seattle on the Pacific coast to Boston on the Atlantic. The route, known as the “Northern Tier” runs for a couple of thousand miles just below the Canadian border. It then follows the Mississippi River for a while before turning east to cross Lake Michigan. I’m hoping to have a week in hand to stop and visit some relatives near Toronto before taking on the last leg across New York State and Massachusetts. I expect to ride about a hundred miles every day.”
Is it an organised trip or are you travelling on your own?
“It’s just me. I have my bike and my tent and a dozen maps. This cycle route is well known so there are campsites in nearly every little town and I’ll treat myself to a night in a motel perhaps once a week. I find cycle-touring very relaxing; it’s just a simple and repetitive cycle of “eat, sleep, ride all day… eat, sleep, ride all day…”
You had treatment for an Achilles tendon injury three months ago. How’s the ankle?
“I was in a plaster cast for six weeks through April and May after I managed to partially tear the Achilles tendon just walking up the stairs at work. My treatment at the County Hospital A&E was wonderful and the Physio department are pleased with the recovery. The ankle is still weak but I find it easier to pedal than to walk.”
Are you raising money? Are you sponsored?
“No. I’m just having a holiday and enjoying my hobby. There’s a good chance that I won’t be able to complete this trip. It’s a long way and there are a couple of big mountain ranges. If I was sponsored I might feel obliged into pressing on when the sensible option is to stop.”
How do you get the time?
“I’m a support worker in a high school in Stafford. As many parents will know, the summer holiday is seven weeks’ long this year. I fly out on the first day and return on the last. My wife and (grown up) family are looking forward to the time too – they seem to have a long list of fun things to do while I’m out of the way.”
Are you ready?!
“Pretty much, although I’d like to be much fitter and 10kg lighter! The bike is packed up in a big cardboard box for the flight and everything else is ready to go. The only thing I need to do after today’s ride is to pop down to the High Street to buy some, er, Vaseline.”
Good luck Gordon! We look forward to following your adventures.
