West Coast 2018

Sarah gave me a lift to the airport. It felt very strange to say goodbye to her and set off through security by myself. Dropping off the bike proved very straightforward - because it was oversized we were ushered to a special desk and escorted through in minutes About ten minutes after boarding the plane - in row 75D near the back, one of the stewards asked if I was Mr Hobson. I said I was (I’m not a great liar at the best of times and did not think it was a good time to test that particular skill). He asked me to come with him. Compliant being my middle name I jumped up and followed him - all the way to BUSINESS CLASS - oh yes all those dreams of leg room and free champagne came true! Thank you BA! The flight went brilliantly- I smiled for 10 hours straight. Jaw aches a bit.... On arrival at Vancouver put bike together in the airport baggage reclaim area then cycled into Vancouver - 15 miles Met up with Simon my cycling buddy who set off from home a few days ago. We ...

School’s out for summer! Let packing commence!

This year I turned 50. With all landmark birthdays comes the sense of time slipping by. I'm not one for the grass to grow beneath my feet anyway, but I decided to take the opportunity to do something big.  I've always loved cycling and especially cycle touring. In 2012 I helped lead a school trip - cycling 1,000 miles from Lands End to John O'Groats. In 2014 a few friends and I cycled from Dorset to West Wales and then in 2015 we cycled from La Manche to Le Med (the length of France).  My other passion is surfing. Having surfed in Australia, the Canaries, Morocco and the West Country, surfing on the US West coast has always been an ambition. Cycling the almost 2,000 miles of the US west coast was an easy choice! I am very lucky to have a couple of friends (of a similar vintage) – both called Simon who are also up for a challenge and adventure. I am hoping to raise money for Julia’s House – a children’s hospice which supplies...