Kiwis on marathon bike ride across the United States

While some people are watching television at home on the couch, East Auckland resident Gerald Patterson is plodding across the United States.

The chairman of the Howick Village Association is undertaking the monumental cycle ride with a group from New Zealand, Britain and the US to raise money for charity.

They left on May 18 to drive from San Francisco, California to New York, a distance of 3,150 miles (5,150 km) in 36 days.

The three Kiwi riders in the group are raising money for Motor Neurone Disease NZ.

According to the organization, motor neurone disease is the name “given to a group of closely related conditions that affect the motor neurons.”

“The upper motor neurons run from the brain to the brain stem or spinal cord to connect to the lower motor neurons.

“The lower motor neurons then travel outward to connect to the muscles for swallowing, chewing, tongue movement, facial expression, breathing, coughing and limb movement.”

The three Kiwi riders have raised $49,654 for Motor Neurone Disease NZ to date.

Patterson previously told the newspaper Time he is doing this ride because he not only loves cycling, but also loves challenges and it is an “opportunity to raise money for a very good cause together with friends”.

He sends regular email updates to supporters at home. His June 16 report on his journey states that the group’s members have traveled more than 2,600 miles (4,200 km) so far.

“I’m glad I did enough altitude training in the months leading up to the ride!” he says.

They have been driving in Ohio for two days and then go to Pennsylvania and then to West Virginia.

“This past week has been pretty flat and level. Today it was good to have some variety with hills again.

“It did mean that a little more effort was needed, but it kept the concentration higher.

“The weather has remained warm and dry, with temperatures in the mid 30s.

“Sufficient drinking stops are needed. We also tried to start at 7am some mornings to avoid the heat later in the day.

“Over the past week I have also had the urge to pour ice water over the sun protectors on my arms, sometimes even filling them with ice; make for great mobile air conditioning units!

“Tonight we’re camping near Miltonsburg, Ohio.

“We’re not getting too excited, but tomorrow we’re on day 30, so not too far to go until R&R (rest and relaxation) time in New York.

‘There are still a few kilometers to be covered and concentration is always needed.’

Patterson’s recent report says the Rotary Club of Pakuranga, of which he is a member, has donated a further $1000 to Motor Neurone Disease NZ.

“A great gesture and much appreciated,” he says.

An earlier update from him, on June 1, day 13 of his ride, says it turned out to be an accident.

“We were going to drive over the last pass of the Rockies for a 120km ride.

“The pass was closed due to snow and ice. The only alternative was a 220 kilometer route on highways where cyclists are not allowed.

“We could have driven on secondary roads, but the distance would have been even greater.

“Safety comes first during this trip, so it was decided not to cycle for a day.

“The ride itself was spectacular and required reaching an altitude of over 3,000 meters and even then driving through a tunnel to avoid an even greater altitude.

“It was amazing how some areas on the hill resembled Swiss/Austrian villages with similar landscapes and house designs.

“Today was officially a rest day and we all took the opportunity to look around Estes.

“A real seaside resort and not much different from Queenstown with its tourist focus.”

People can donate to Patterson’s fundraising efforts online at https://mnd-new-zealand-fundraise.raisely.com/gerald-patterson.