Last April, we wrote about Mike Campbell who was beginning a 12,000 mile bike trip to raise money for cancer research. (See: April 27, entry “Endurance 2007″)
In may he left (by air) for Vancouver to pick up his bicycle. He started out in late July and 4,700 kms later (and more than 20 lbs lighter) has arrived back at the Canadiana Hostel for a well-earned rest.
His pace across North America (the first leg of his epic trek) has been somewhat slowed due to an old knee injury acting up. Mike was struck by a drunk driver in the UK some years ago and the leg? still gives him problems at times.
He’ll spend some time here with us to give his injured leg time to strengthen then he’s off for Boston where he will have knocked off his first continent from the Pacific Coast to the Atlantic shores.
Mike will also spend some time raising more sponsorships for his worthy cause before heading for New Zealand where he intends to cycle the length of those lovely islands. Also on his list is cycling the length of Japan; the width of Australia; the length of Britain before heading home to ride the roads of the Emerald Isles from County Cork to his home in Belfast.
So far Mike has endured the gruelling climb of the Canadian Rockies; the oppressive heat of the Prairies – land so flat you can see the night rising? on the horizon? behind you. He has battled headwinds in the hills and forests of Northern Ontario. But most amazing of all is the fact that he has covered the first 4,700 kms without a single puncture!
All we have to say is, thus far, nicely done Mike! And touch wood Mike! Touch wood.?
