Avon Distanzia tyres fitted to charity biker’s dream ride

Since Andrew Gordon was told that cancer had returned to his liver and was now inoperable following years of treatment, his love of biking and desire to help the hospital at which he has been treated have led to his plan to ride 5,000 miles around the coast of the UK. His Ride for Life aims to raise money for The Royal Marsden Hospital, London and tyre manufacturer Avon is clearly pleased that its tyres will be fitted to the Honda XLV1000 Varadero, on which he will complete epic journey. His website, www.andrewsrideout.co.uk is currently taking donations.

Gordon says, “Last year I had to sell my beloved BMW R80 as I needed the money, but figured that I could buy another bike at a later date. A short time later I had one of my check ups to see if any Carcinoid cancer had recurred and unfortunately it had returned to my liver. This time I am not treatable so you can imagine my whole world just collapsed.”

During the last six years it’s been the love of motorcycling that has helped him through the tough times and so it was natural that he should take to two wheels to embark upon his Ride for Life.

He adds, “With no bike, my brother David asked me what I wanted to do while I was still fit enough and I said I would love to ride the coastline of the UK by motorcycle. Something epic, but also something that my friends could finish on my behalf, should I not live long enough to do the trip or not be able to complete it through illness. David later sold his own bike and gave me the money towards a newer one so I could do the trip. My children, family and friends had also raised some money and by Christmas last year I had a machine on which to embark on the journey.”

His initial target was to raise £5,000 for The Royal Marsden Hospital, but his target is now £10,000 by the end of the year as this was soon shattered.

Gordon adds, “Before even setting out it’s been a staggering adventure, with so many family and friends helping me realise this dream. I’ve been a biker for 30 years and over the last six years, biking has truly made me feel alive.”

Gordon will cover three countries – England, Wales and Scotland – as he leaves from Portsmouth on Saturday 20 August, and heads anti-clockwise around the coast, arriving back home 18 days later.