Why This Newcastle Man is Riding Across 48 States in 48 Days on a Harley-Davidson
Newcastle's Christopher Gordon is riding a Harley-Davidson across 48 US states in 48 days to help raise awareness of motor neurone disease (MND)
In November last year, Christopher’s sister Sandra sadly lost her battle with terminal neurological disease MND, just over a year after being diagnosed. As a former PE teacher and keen tennis player, Sandra’s diagnosis came as a huge shock to family and friends. ‘Sandra was remarkably fit, and never neglected her health,’ says Christopher. ‘She’d always looked after herself. She was a formidable tennis player and was even playing into her mid-60s; it was tennis actually that gave her the indication that things weren’t right. She was maybe just off the mark, possibly stumbling a little bit and noticed there was something happening, but wasn’t really sure what it was.
‘She tried to gain a diagnosis which is a very difficult thing to do with MND because there actually isn’t one specific test that will diagnose it. It’s a long, drawn-out process of elimination, and eventually you get to a diagnosis. That was probably one of the most challenging things she had to deal with because no cure, no hope. All the statistics are out there but Sandra, our family and myself weren’t really familiar with MND. We knew about Stephen Hawking and Rob Burrow, but we weren’t really sure what strains of MND there were.’
According to the MND Association, MND kills a third of people within a year of diagnosis and more than half within two years, typically as a result of respiratory failure.
Local hero Christopher is a charitable man and this isn’t the first epic challenge he’s taken on. In 2019 he journeyed across the 48 states to raise funds for the Great North Air Ambulance. Christopher was always by Sandra’s side, caring for her as the disease progressed, and together they both discussed his plans to ride across 48 states of the US on a Harley-Davidson to help raise funds on behalf of the MND Association and awareness of MND across America. On 1st August Christopher jetted to Las Vegas to start his challenge.
The MND Association have been supportive of Christopher’s plans. ‘It’s with the blessing of the MND Association that I can highlight the disease here in the UK, but equally I approached companies that I knew quite well from my previous biking experiences in the States,’ says Christopher. ‘The motorcycle is being supplied by the largest motorcycle rental company in the world – EagleRider. We have Harley-Davidson working in conjunction with them, and they’re sharing everything on their social platforms to help raise awareness and support donations. I have Dawson & Sanderson in Gosforth High Street sponsoring the flight and Spot White, a snooker and American pool hall, paying for my fuel throughout the ride. Each of their platforms are equally being used to carry the MND Association’s message at the same time.
‘In America the same disease is affecting people in the same way, but they refer to MND as ALS so I’m also fundraising to help to raise awareness there with The ALS Association. Really its a cross-Atlantic coalition – a Brit in America trying to raise awareness. My sister was very happy and enthusiastic about me trying to use her story in a positive way.’
With no support and no sat nav – just himself, the bike and his bags – Christopher is now on his journey. ‘I’ll head north going to Utah, then eventually end up at Washington, then go through Montana and work my way towards the east,’ he says. ‘We’re going to have an event with Harley-Davidson in Wisconsin next to The Great Lakes, then I’ll head east to Maine, then turn south and work downwards towards Florida, picking off states as I go. Every day will probably be on average 300 to 400 miles, with a total mileage of around 11,000 to 12,000 miles.’
