Well, that’s it. The Marathon Ride is over for now and it’s ‘back to business’. 40,000km, 25 countries, 9 months — and 5 marathons on 5 continents. A massive thanks to all of you who have followed my journey and offered so many messages of support and encouragement along the way. There were times when I really needed it — and it made all the difference. This short film is for all of you, wherever you may be.
Only in America…
So that’s the USA well and truly covered: 10,000 kilometres (6,200 miles) from LA to New York and a lot more besides. I’ve dipped a toe in the pacific and made it all the way across to the Jersey Shore (the water there didn’t look too clean). Continue reading Only in America…
What happens in Vegas…
Well, my American adventure didn’t get off to the best of starts (see earlier blog) but things have picked up pretty well since and I’m starting to enjoy being in the USA for the first time in 23 years, especially now I’ve got the hell out of Sin City. Continue reading What happens in Vegas…
“Welcome to the United States”. NOT!
I couldn’t have picked a worse time to arrive into the USA, as the terrorist attack in New York City earlier that day had put everyone on high alert, especially the Federal agents at airports right across the country. But even as I made my way through Los Angeles airport, I had no idea what was about to happen…
“They can’t take that away from me…”
A good friend once told me that you never know what you are capable of until you push yourself right outside your comfort zone, and that’s how The Marathon Ride has been for me so far: a series of challenges of endurance, heat, language, riding, crashing and culture clashing — with a bit of running thrown in for good measure. Continue reading “They can’t take that away from me…”
“All I know is, never bet on the white guy…”
Ten days on, I’m still waiting for my legs to come back to me but I think I left them halfway up ‘Struggle Hill’, outside Pietermaritzburg. Without any shadow of doubt it was the toughest 42km race I’ve ever done, but the Mandela Day Marathon was worth every tortuous, gruelling, sweaty hour of physical and mental anguish, just to have been there. Continue reading “All I know is, never bet on the white guy…”
Making a difference with Stationery4Africa
I head out with top GS rider and all-round good guy Marchant Maasdorp to several schools in Kwa-Zulu Natal to distribute pens, pencils, crayons, rulers and rubbers to needy pupils, courtesy of Stationery4Africa. Find out how you can get involved at www.stationery4Africa.com or via Facebook, Instagram or Twitter
Get your head in the game kid!
There are worse places to be stuck than in the highest pub in Africa, but I am well and truly stuck. I’m in Lesotho — the highest Kingdom in the world — and was feeling great yesterday after slipping and sliding my way up the Sani Pass on the big GS but then the wind picked up overnight and it’s now too risky to make the descent. Continue reading Get your head in the game kid!
Great snakes, I’m gettin’ too old for this!
I love the wildlife, but Australia’s got a bit too much of it for me, and after today’s encounter, I’ll be glad to leave it behind for the (relative) safety of Africa… Continue reading Great snakes, I’m gettin’ too old for this!
Hats off to the Grey Nomads!
I’d never heard of the Grey Nomads but had been warned about them by Kinga Tanajewska, a Polish girl riding around the world on the same kind of bike as me. When I say ‘warned’, I mean in a GOOD way, because the Nomads have made this section of my journey really special. Continue reading Hats off to the Grey Nomads!