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Sep 05, 2024 - Dec 01, 2024

Pacific Coast Cycle: Canada to Mexico

4852

Pacific Coast Cycle: Canada to Mexico

Silas Lawrence

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.

Supporting

Alzheimer's Research UK Logo
Alzheimer's Research UK

Health | 1077089

70%

Alzheimer's Research UK are the UK's leading Alzheimer's research charity aiming to find a cure for dementia.

University of Glasgow Trust Logo
University of Glasgow Trust

Education | SC004401

30%

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.

Updates

Day 15: Long Beach to Tijuana Day 15: Long Beach to Tijuana

Day 15: Long Beach to Tijuana

[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 …
Day 14: Carpinteria to Long Beach Day 14: Carpinteria to Long Beach

Day 14: Carpinteria to Long Beach

[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 …
Day 13: Nipomo to Carpinteria Day 13: Nipomo to Carpinteria

Day 13: Nipomo to Carpinteria

[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 …
Day 12: Watsonville to Salinas (to Nipomo) Day 12: Watsonville to Salinas (to Nipomo)

Day 12: Watsonville to Salinas (to Nipomo)

[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 …
Day 11: San Francisco to Watsonville Day 11: San Francisco to Watsonville

Day 11: San Francisco to Watsonville

[17th of September] After a rest day in Frisco I am back on the road with (relatively) fresh legs.
Day 10: Sea Ranch to San Francisco Day 10: Sea Ranch to San Francisco

Day 10: Sea Ranch to San Francisco

[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 …
Day 9: Leggett to Sea Ranch Day 9: Leggett to Sea Ranch

Day 9: Leggett to Sea Ranch

[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 …
Day 8: Eureka to Leggett Day 8: Eureka to Leggett

Day 8: Eureka to Leggett

[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.
Day 7: Crescent City to Eureka Day 7: Crescent City to Eureka

Day 7: Crescent City to Eureka

[12th of September] Redwood country. Stunning. Breathtaking. A truly special part of the planet.
Day 6: Coos Bay to Crescent City Day 6: Coos Bay to Crescent City

Day 6: Coos Bay to Crescent City

[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 …

Day 5: Depoe Bay to Coos Bay

[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 …
Day 4: Seaside to Depoe Bay Day 4: Seaside to Depoe Bay

Day 4: Seaside to Depoe Bay

[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 3: Shelton to Seaside Day 3: Shelton to Seaside

Day 3: Shelton to Seaside

[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. …
Day 2: Port Townsend to Shelton Day 2: Port Townsend to Shelton

Day 2: Port Townsend to Shelton

[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).
Day 1: Vancouver to Port Townsend Day 1: Vancouver to Port Townsend

Day 1: Vancouver to Port Townsend

[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 …

Supporters 33

71%

£1,785.50

+ £111.25 Gift Aid

£2,500 target | 33 supporters

£0.00

 Offline donations

Charities Supporting

Alzheimer's Research UK

70%

University of Glasgow Trust

30%

fundraising hero picture
Day 15: Long Beach to Tijuana picture
Day 15: Long Beach to Tijuana

[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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Day 14: Carpinteria to Long Beach picture
Day 14: Carpinteria to Long Beach

[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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0 comments

proflie pic
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Day 13: Nipomo to Carpinteria picture
Day 13: Nipomo to Carpinteria

[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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0 comments

proflie pic
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Day 12: Watsonville to Salinas (to Nipomo) picture
Day 12: Watsonville to Salinas (to Nipomo)

[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.

0 likes

0 comments

proflie pic
AnonymousUser Just nowDelete
Day 11: San Francisco to Watsonville picture
Day 11: San Francisco to Watsonville

[17th of September] After a rest day in Frisco I am back on the road with (relatively) fresh legs.

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0 comments

proflie pic
AnonymousUser Just nowDelete
Day 10: Sea Ranch to San Francisco picture
Day 10: Sea Ranch to San Francisco

[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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0 comments

proflie pic
AnonymousUser Just nowDelete
Day 9: Leggett to Sea Ranch picture
Day 9: Leggett to Sea Ranch

[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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0 comments

proflie pic
AnonymousUser Just nowDelete
Day 8: Eureka to Leggett picture
Day 8: Eureka to Leggett

[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.

0 likes

0 comments

proflie pic
AnonymousUser Just nowDelete
Day 7: Crescent City to Eureka picture
Day 7: Crescent City to Eureka

[12th of September] Redwood country. Stunning. Breathtaking. A truly special part of the planet.

0 likes

0 comments

proflie pic
AnonymousUser Just nowDelete
Day 6: Coos Bay to Crescent City picture
Day 6: Coos Bay to Crescent City

[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

0 comments

proflie pic
AnonymousUser Just nowDelete
Day 5: Depoe Bay to Coos Bay

[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.

0 likes

0 comments

proflie pic
AnonymousUser Just nowDelete
Day 4: Seaside to Depoe Bay picture
Day 4: Seaside to Depoe Bay

[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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proflie pic
AnonymousUser Just nowDelete
Day 3: Shelton to Seaside picture
Day 3: Shelton to Seaside

[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.

0 likes

0 comments

proflie pic
AnonymousUser Just nowDelete
Day 2: Port Townsend to Shelton picture
Day 2: Port Townsend to Shelton

[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).

0 likes

0 comments

proflie pic
AnonymousUser Just nowDelete
Day 1: Vancouver to Port Townsend picture
Day 1: Vancouver to Port Townsend

[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.

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proflie pic
AnonymousUser Just nowDelete
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