Our winter (such that it was this year) has truly ended and we are in the mild, double-digit temperature ranges very early in May.
Our first long-distance cyclist of the season just pitched up having arrived from Boston after a week on the road and well-over 900km of riding. Tom Morris is a long way from his home in Leeds, Northern England. He’ll be a good deal farther away when this adventure is over at the end of summer.
You can spot the long-distance cyclists with ease. They arrive on heavily-loaded, special-purpose “hybrid” bicycles equipped with side bags (front and rear) with extra water bottle attachments.These “hybrid bikes” are built for strength and endurance and considering that Tom expects to log at least 5,200 miles in Canada and the U.S. alone.
He is also no stranger to long-distance riding. He traveled Europe last year from Norway to Turkey on a 13 week oddessy.
His bike is rather a Rolls Royce of touring bikes. It is a Dutch made bike with a Japanese sounding name. It is a Koga-Miata Bike originally designed in Japan but taken over and manufactured by a Dutch engineering concern.
You can be assured that anyone up riding a Koga-Miata is a serious bicyclist.
In our experience, long-distance cyclists are a rather unique breed of traveler. They are usually fiercely independent and pursue their stated goals with a singular will.
Tom was last seen heading south. If we recall our conversastions correctly, he is California bound. The most direct highway route involves a road well-over 4000 kms. But that route is not an option for bicyclists. Bicycles are forbidden on major highways and turnpikes.
Tom will be taking a rather indirect route to sunny California. He feels that his bike will allow him to savor the rich scenic beauty of America.
We wish him well.