Never too old to take a Harley across the US
Oil pipeline blast deaths
MORE than 50 people are missing after a leaking oil pipeline exploded and caused a stampede in southern Nigeria, local officials say.
The Nembe Chiefs Council spokesman, Chief Nengi James-eriworio, said that the blast caused a massive oil spillage in the Nembe kingdom in Bayelsa state.
The Nembe trunk line is operated by the Port Harcourt-based Aiteo Group and carries crude to the Bonny export terminal.
Video from the scene shows a large blaze from the ruptured pipeline as villagers look on.
It is not immediately clear if the pipeline has been shut down. Aiteo is yet to comment. WITH the wind in his face, motorbike-mad Gordon Wilson has always loved the open road.
And now he’s taking his passion to the extreme when he rides across 48 states of America in 48 days.
He’s a man on a mission to rev-up £20,000 for the Great North Air Ambulance. And he’s decided to start it on his 61st birthday on August 1.
He’s already persuaded Harley Davidson dealerships in Gateshead and Leeds to be his main sponsors to pay towards his trip. But he’s willing to fork out thousands of pounds from his own pocket to get him there.
His aim is to raise £20,000 for the emergency service that is kept in the air by donations alone. And he says he’s proving those with grey hair can still do exciting things.
“I do a lot of solo riding in the UK, Europe and in America and three years ago when I was travelling from Phoenix to Los Angeles then Los Angeles to Daytona Beach in Florida. It was when I was riding along the Mexican border that I decided I wanted to ride 48 states in 48 days.
“People might think I’m mad but I’m actually on a motorbike, not a pedal bike,” laughed Gordon, of Wideopen , North Tyneside.
“I will be there for 52 days as I need time to get the bike and then a few days when I finish.
“I’m wanting to raise £20,000 for the Great North Air Ambulance because they’ve pulled so many motorcyclists off the roads and other road traffic accidents and saved their lives. It’s run by charity and they do a fantastic job.”
Gordon, who also is a black belt in judo, will be flying to Orlando before starting off and heading east to Maine. He’ll then head west to Chicago, Washington State, down the Pacific Coast to San Francisco, then go east to Las Vegas, Colorado and back to Florida – taking in 48 states and covering between 12,000 to 13,000 miles.
“This ride was going to happen last year on my 60th birthday but my granddaughter arrived and I felt it was the wrong time. I’ll be 61 and not a spring chicken but just because you lose your hair or it goes grey, it doesn’t mean you can’t take on a challenge,” added dad-of-one Gordon, who is married to Valerie, 60.
“I’m doing this to promote how motorcycling can be a good thing. It’s good to disengage and to get rid of the stresses and strains of life. It will demonstrate you can ride safely and to promote long distance motorcycling.”
Gordon bought his first motorbike, a Yamaha FS1E for £199, when he was just 17. He’s owned Harley Davidsons over the years but now rides a Kawasaki Z1000SX.
“I don’t have one now but you have to ride across America on Harley, it’s the only bike to do it on,” added Gordon, a retired senior lecturer in management and business studies at New College Durham.
“I’m hiring the Harley when I get there and they have given me a good deal knowing it’s for charity.”
Gordon, who is an advanced motorcyclist and a member of Northumbria Advanced Motorcyclists, has won sponsorship from around 35 other businesses including the LGA Foundation, but he’s still looking for more to help him raise his £20,000 target.
He added: “I have a very understanding wife. She does a lot of charity work herself so as soon as I said it was for the Great North Air Ambulance, Valerie said just go. I’m a great believer if you don’t use it, you lose it. We have to have challenges in life, I want to be able to leave this world having done something for others.”
Anyone wanting to sponsor or donate can visit Gordon’s Justgiving page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gordon-wilson13