Biker’s epic trip across 48 states is over
HE’S done it... motorbike-mad Gordon Wilson has successfully completed 48 USA states in 48 days.
And he’s sharing his journey with our army of Chronicle readers.
Gordon set off from Orlando on his 61st birthday on August 1 and has clocked up over 10,000 miles as he recorded his travels on social media. And at the finish line in Alabama he stopped to record his finale for us to see.
In his video he said: “So here we have it, it’s 48 states and it’s Alabama. It’s been a tremendous experience to be able to ride for the Great North Air Ambulance, what a remarkable charity they are.
“It’s been a truly remarkable experience. It’s taken me up the east coast through Florida, then up to the Appalachian Mountains, through the Blue Ridge Highway, the Dragon’s Tail, further up north past Boston, New York, up to Maine, we turned west and went past Niagara Falls, truly unbelievable.
“Through the BadLands, the Dakotas and into Yellowstone National Park where I got chased by a bear. My advice would always be whatever you rent or whatever you ride, you certainly make sure it’s quicker and faster than a bear.”
Gordon, from Wideopen, North Tyneside, added: “I went up to the Glacia next to the Canadian Border where it was absolutely freezing. I then headed south to Washington State, then headed down through Oregon and into Nevada, where the temperatures were in excess of 110 degrees.
“Then into Las Vegas, the crazy city and the city that never sleeps, onto Route 66, through to the Grand Canyon, through Monument Valley, to Colorado, New Mexico and worked our way gradually to where we are now on the Gulf Coast.
“We are keeping our eye open at the moment because there is another tropical storm that is starting to develop and looks like it might hit the Florida coast, just as I
OLD COMRADES
am about to arrive.
“What a fantastic experience this has been, it is totally rewarding but it is for an amazing cause - the Great North Air Ambulance.
“I’m glad to have your support with me, it’s been really unbelievable. The support I’ve had in the US has also been remarkable. I have spoken to, seen and stayed with some remarkable people.”
Gordon earlier told how he’d been chased by a bear, came faceto-face with a wild bison and rode in extreme weather conditions on his Harley Davidson.
The retired senior lecturer took on the mammoth challenge to raise £20,000 for the Great North Air Ambulance.
The dad-of-one got the idea when he was riding along the Mexican border three years ago and set himself the challenge.
He persuaded Harley Davidson dealerships in Gateshead and Leeds to be his lead sponsors to pay towards his trip.
But he’s also forked out thousands of pounds from his own