Recently, we wrote about
Doug's cycle trek across America to raise money for
RNIB Rushton School and Children's Home.
Follow Doug and his team as he checks in weekly at this page with updates of the adventure.
If you would like to sponsor him online, visit Doug's
JustGiving page. It's quick and easy to do - and you could be helping blind and partially sighted children with complex needs to receive great care and specialist education.
Week Five
We're getting very close now and passed the 3,000 mile mark on Sunday, with only 300 left to do. We can't believe what we've done but we have, very nearly completed the trek!
Yesterday was a tough day, covering 94 miles in 100F temps at times and probably 90 per cent humidity.That all finished with an almighty thunderstorm that had been brewing for an hour or so. A couple of us were lucky to have somewhere to take shelter but others had nowhere and had a real soaking. Humidity is the killer, happily, it was cooler today and I was flying, don't know why but I was.
Had some fun when we left Erie, two motorcycle cops gave us an escort out of town but not before they had a go at me, the one with the 'funny accent'. They were told to 'check my passport'. I knew it was a set up and played them at their own game!
Week Four
Now in Champaign, Illinois and looking forward to a lie in tomorrow on our day off and looking forward to a day off tomorrow, We've now covered some 2,200 miles and well on the way, with only 14 more full riding days to go, finishing on 25th June.
Things are still going very well and I'm getting stronger by the day, Each day seems like a flat out blast from start to finish. We started earlier today, following a threat of rain. This meant getting up at 4.30am. Not a problem but it was a tough 87 miles with a strong head wind, especially after yesterday's 107 miles when I really did pull out the stops.
Things have gone very well all round with few problems my end except a niggle with an Achillies tendon. That now seems to have cleared I'm pleased to say, following the usual ice and hot water treatment.
There's only 14 more full riding days left and I actually saw Chicago on a sign post earlier today, so something's happening! Can't believe we've covered 2,200 miles, they slip by so fast and each hotel and one-horse-town, is very much the same as another.
Fundraising tally
The sponsorship side of things seems to still be going very well, now nearing £20,000.
Week Three
I'm now in Topeaka, which is exactly half way and I'm riding like a demon!
Left Abeline this morning at 07.20 and arrived here at 3pm, having covered 107 miles and climbed 6,500ft during the day. People were asking what I had for breakfast, as I was really unstoppable and gave one or two of the more capable riders a very hard time.
Every day seems to be flat out for those who want it and today was just one of those days. Great scenery and rolling countryside, with lots of wildlife and brightly coloured birds, helped too. I even saw three wild turkeys cross the road and disappear into the long grass. There's so much space here, wildlife isn't threatened as it is at home.
I was entertained by the Masonic Lodge in Abeline last night and they are giving us $200 towards the charity, which, on top of the Mexican meal they bought for me, was well received.
Everything seems to be holding up very well, no aches and pains anywhere, no sore bits and pieces, so no excuses. I'm amazed at the riders who take a lift on the truck at times, there were more than a few today with the hills, extra distance and heat. Can't understand what makes them tick. So far, I've ridden every inch of the way and having got this far, fully expect to complete the course in good form.
I've not fallen off the bike but a few people have. There was a particularly bad accident earlier in the tour. The rider had to have his arm lanced and his shoulder was a real mess too but despite all, he has ridden most days.
We're typically up at 05.30 and in bed between 8.30 and 9pm. Food has been very good and excellent hotels, really no complaints at all. Looking a bit grubby with the daily dose of sunshine and even had a haircut yesterday. Probably why I went like the wind today.
We rode miles in the earlier stages on the hard shoulder of the Inter State motorways, with shredded tyres and all sorts of debris, giving us lots of punctures. More recently, we've ridden beautiful quiet, rolling country roads, just as I imagined the US to be like. Crossing Arizona, New Mexico and Kansas was a challenge both physically and mentally, as I've never seen such endless miles of dead straight roads, mile after mile, right to the horizon and rarely a car. One day we covered 100 miles without a single bend in the road and not a lot to see in the way of scenery but it's all part of it.
We've been told the car drivers are less tollerant to cyclists the further east we go but I just keep my eyes and ears open all the time.
There have been a few spills and two people went down yesterday crossing wet railway lines but no serious injury. One chap had a really nasty fall early on, probably day two and cycled for many days. He has now gone home but plans to return and join us at Erie.
I can't believe the fuss some riders make when there's a threat of rain. All the kit comes out and they really get worked up, I just look at it as another day in the saddle but more like home. I'm pleased the clear blue skies have gone for the moment at least. Four weeks of continuous sun is enough for anyone. I have these strange white stripes where the helmet straps have been and odd brown bits where the gloves fit. There are some very defined brown and white sections of legs and arms making me look like some sort of Panda - not a pretty sight.
Despite the day off, I was awake just before 5am and down for breakfast at 6. It's now 9am and I think it's bike cleaning time before we have a look at down town Champaign, which I guess is much the same as any other US City.
Week Two
Since my last email I have pushed right on through Arizona and am nearly through New Mexico. Currently, I'm in Albuquerque.
Everything seems to be going well. Covering just under the 1000 mile mark I have only had three punctures and had to scrap just one tyre. My uncle who joined me for the first two weeks is now back in England so I'm on my own now. Getting on well with the other guys on the ride though so not getting lonely.
Some of the days have been broken up with getting the huge Chicago to LA freight trains to blow their horns as they go by. It doesn't take much to entertain some people!
The climbs have been quite continuous over the past few days but I'm getting into a good rhythm with no physical problems so far.
Fundraising tally Week Two
I have added another £725 this week to the count so just £100 from the £18,000 mark!
Week One
Starting from Los Angeles the weather was in the low to mid 20's and just right for riding.
It all began with a customary wheel dip in the Pacific Ocean...just to make sure I was starting from the furthest western point without drowning!
The first day began with a steady 85 mile ride to Indio in Palm Springs. Last time I was in Indio it was 45 degrees however he was lucky the temperatures peaked at the mid 30s.
The ride took 5 hours, 45 minutes with an average of speed of 14.7 mph. Climbing for the day was 3300 feet. With the weather staying very warm, a stroke of luck happened with a constant 30mph tail wind that lasted for miles so no pedaling was required!
This was perhaps a good thing as the first desert crossing loomed for the next day with over 100 miles due to be covered. Seeing the first snake of the trip in the road helped him get to the finish line a bit quicker!
The following two days saw two large desert crossing of distancing just shy of 230 miles. Luckily the heat was kind and stayed in the 20s.
Now in Arizona, the scenery is becoming a little more interesting as well. This will hopefully keep my mind from the riding for a few miles. Over these two days and the following two, I have climbed roughly 12,000 to 13,000 feet averaging six to eight hours in the saddle!
Fundraising Tally Week One
Sponsorship now is over the £17,000 mark!