Pacific Coast Cycle: Canada to Mexico
Thursday 5th September 2024 - Monday 11th November 2024
Silas Lawrence
Silas Lawrence
Thursday 5th September 2024 - Monday 11th November 2024
Silas Lawrence
UK
4852
Alzheimer's Research UK are the UK's leading Alzheimer's research charity aiming to find a cure for dementia.
At Glasgow, we believe people should be at the heart of everything we do. We are committed, with your support, to ensuring all staff, students, and researchers reach their full potential and continue to make extraordinary achievements. Whether you are giving your time, leaving a gift in your Will, making a regular or one-off gift, we have a project to inspire you.
I am cycling 1650 miles (2650 km) in 15 days from Canada to Mexico to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK and Glasgow University Boat Club.
My grandpa has been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease for several years and seeing his struggle has inspired me to raise money to help find a cure. It is so widespread and seen as an inevitability for some in old age but we have the power to turn the tide on what is currently a losing battle for so many sufferers. 70% of all funds raised will go directly to ARUK to help fund their research into curing the disease.
Glasgow University Boat Club has been such an important part of my life in recent years that I wouldn’t be capable of doing this challenge without the support and drive it has given me. I want to give back to the organisation that has helped build me up so it can continue to do the same for others. The program’s funding has recently been significantly reduced so it is all the more important to me to do what I can to keep it alive.
Money donated to GUBC will help in buying new equipment and delivering a high quality coaching program to develop young athletes.
All funds raised will go directly to these organisations in a 70/30 split. All costs involved in the trip are paid for by me.
Please help me fight the good fight my donating whatever your coin purse can spare <3
P.S. This site does accept donations in any currency. Since the charities are both UK based all funds will be converted into GBP when transferred to them.
[21st of September] A big slog for the final day, made longer by my detour to see where I lived as a wee baby! This was extra tough psychologically after arriving in San Diego but then having to push on for an hour and a half to the border. A large MacDonald’s order was enjoyed after crossing back into the US, followed by a good sleep.
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[20th of September] A grand day out. Things started stunningly with an excellent bike path along the coast. Malibu was as pretty as it was a horror to ride through. Roads 3/10, drivers 1/10. All the beaches through from Santa Monica were so fun to swoop through. Anaheim was enjoyable in an odd way despite being surrounded by trucks, trains and broken glass.
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[19th of September] A discontinuous start to the day due to the bus yesterday. There's plenty to be excited about now I'm in southern California and the finish line feels so close! The morning was made interesting by Vandenburg Space Force Base and then it was lovely to be back on the coast in the afternoon en route to Santa Barbara.
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[18th of September] A closure of the Big Sur coast road sadly meant I had to catch a bus in the afternoon today. I road around the area until then getting in as many miles as I could but ultimately lost about 65 miles from the total distance.
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[17th of September] After a rest day in Frisco I am back on the road with (relatively) fresh legs.
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[15th of September] I feel like I've crossed a big mental hurdle. Everything feels like smooth sailing from here on out, even though I still have a third left. The bike has been limping a bit the last few days so I'm glad to get to the big city for repairs. Fuji-san is now patched up and eager to carry me to Mexico.
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[14th of September] Hills, hills, another hill, more hills. Highway 1 is stunning, definitely a road I could describe as painted across the landscape but goodness is it a lot more wibbly than the 101. Most of my photos at this point are of beaches and cliffs but that is literally 95% of my days now! I genuinely get a bit annoyed at the road when it goes inland — the ocean and I have become good friends.
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[13th of September] Avenue of the giants was the highlight of the day. A new chain and regained access to all my gears helped a lot with the hilly end.
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[12th of September] Redwood country. Stunning. Breathtaking. A truly special part of the planet.
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[10th of September] I made it to my home state! Still a ways to go from where I was born but it feels pretty special to make it back here 25 years later. Added bonus getting to see the land where Endor was filmed.
0 likes[9th of September] Feeling confident in my equipment once again and having killer coastal views sent my reserves of spirit and pep right back up to full. I finally met some cyclists on the road today. A little bit of conversation goes a long way in making the hours fly by.
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[8th of September] The worst day on a bike I’ve ever had. A late start plus my tires deciding to give up on life (due to the Washington roads) meant I didn’t really get going until 2pm on a 170km day. I ended up on a loopy mountain road with fading light not feeling safe to ride anymore so had to hitch a lift back to the coast and then grimace my way to the end. Grateful for the mechanic who had exactly the bits I needed and the folks who gave me a ride to safety. Today proved that riding the bike is by far the easiest part of this trip.
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[7th of September] This felt big. The ride west from Shelton was a bit of a bore but once I started heading south it turned glorious. I managed to avoid the herds of Americans with guns out for hunting season. Breathtaking views pre Astoria bridge, which itself was then a horrid behemoth to cross. Encountered some weather and arrived pretty wet with little resources of mental strength.
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[6th of September] A shorter day of forest riding and views over the Puget Sound. Met my first fellow cyclists today having gas station ice creams. The chowder was as great as the roads were bad (for my tires).
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[5th of September] A big first day to start it all off. It was a real hassle navigating out of Vancouver but at least the Canadian roads were particularly nice for cycling. Stopping at a casino to refill my water was a strange experience but when in the middle of nowhere it was my best option. I did not much appreciate the US navy trying to burst my eardrums with their fighter jet drills. Being greeted by a good dog at the end of it all made things right.
0 likesJo TROMPETAS
Well done Silas a worth cause. So sorry to hear about your grandfather.
Lizzie F.
Well done Silas! I hope you reach your fundraising goal for two worthy causes. I enjoyed seeing the photos of your journey.
Anonymous
Excellente.
Mrs Mary Minns
With much confidence and to your dedication and commitment With much love 💕 Mary Hayes (Fulham, London)
Anonymous
Well done!! That's awesome!! 💪😎
Chris & Annalee
Great to meet you, Silas! Fantastic job making it all the way and best of luck with what comes next.
Nick and Lacey
Congrats Silas, really epic and awesome job raising money for a great cause!
Elise
What an inspiring journey, Silas! Thank you for representing our club in such an incredible way.
Vit
Thank you for organizing this for a good cause. I am very glad I got to know you, and I am looking forward to seeing you soon somewhere. Safe journey!
Macs
I met Silas on Saturday when he rode up to the feed zone I was manning at a cycling event; he had just climbed at least ten miles out of Leggett, CA with a beautiful smile, optimistic attitude, and positive spirit that was hard to miss. What incredible strength and stamina he showed all of us! I believe an angel put Silas in my path that day as his cause is one that is personal to me and my family. Ride on, Silas!
Josh and Lizzie Brown
Stay safe, eh, from Canada to Mexico and we love you Cinco de Silas! South of SanFrancisco on highway 1 is pretty, you will love that. I have friends all along the way if you need anything let us know.
Anonymous
Go Silas!
Maisie Archer
Apologies this is all i can spare in my current poor student condition. You're smashing it :)
Anonymous
It looks like you are outside of the UK.
Note, as only UK residents are able to make Gift Aid donations, you will not have the option to add Gift Aid when donating in a currency other than GBP.