Touring - Want to be a "lifeline" for a British round-the-world cycle tourist?

I have just had a couple of the most enjoyable days I have spent in a long time. A British cyclist named Gordon Taylor posted several months ago about a planned tour across the U.S. and on around the world. I offered him a place to stay, do laundry, etc. Gordy arrived mid-day Wednesday. Rainbabe and I convinced him that after 12 days averaging over 70 miles/day he needed a rest day. He was hesitant, but after sleeping 11 hours straight decided that a rest day was, indeed, a good idea! We had a great time roaming around New Orleans a bit and sampling some of the local delicacies - garlic oyster po-boys, grilled shrimp po-boys, king cake (it is Mardi Gras season, after all), cafe au lait and beignets (fried square "do-nuts" with powdered sugar). We had so much fun it was hard to see him go.

So here is the point of the post. It is NOT to solicit places to stay. However, it occurred to me that it might be reassuring to have people along the route that would be willing to lend a hand in case of emergency. He will basically be following the Adventure Cycling southern tier route across the U.S. From New Orleans Gordy will be passing through the towns listed below. In general, the route runs more or less parallel to Interstate 10, generally about 30-50 miles north, sometimes dipping south. If you live within reasonable driving distance of the route and would be willing to be on standby, again, just in case of emergency, please drop me an email at RainmanP@att.net. Don't send me a phone number right now. Just let me know where you live. As Gordon gets closer to your area I will ask for a number.

By the way, if you want to follow his progress you can check his website at
http://www.gordontaylor.co.uk
Regards,
Raymond

Here are the towns the Southern Tier route passes from here west:
LOUISIANA:
Baton Rouge
St. Francisville
Simmesport
Lebeau
Opelousas
Oberlin
Mittie
De Ridder
Merryville

TEXAS
Kirbyville
Spurger
Kountze
Romayer
Coldspring
New Waverly
Navasota
Burton
Lagrange
Bastrop
Lockhart
Kyle
Blanco
Kerrville
Hunt
Leakey
Camp Wood
Brackettville
Del Rio
Comstock
Langtry
Dryden
Sanderson
Marathon
Alpine
Fort Davis
Kent
Van Horn
Sierra Blanca
Fort Hancock
Faberis
El Paso

NEW MEXICO
La Mesa
Hatch
Salem
Hillsboro
Silver City
Buckhorn

ARIZONA
Threeway
Safford
Geronimo
Globe
Superior
Apache Junction
Phoenix
Tempe
Wickenburg
Aquila
Salome
Quartzite

CALIFORNIA
Blythe
Palo Verde
Glamis
Brawley
Seeley
Jacumba
Boulevard
Pine Valley
Alpine
San Diego

Hey Rainman, good idea! Unfortunately we don't live along his route. Thanks for his website!

I understand you're going to be in Scotland this summer on a Whiskey tasting trip! In a couple of years we hope to get over to Northern Ireland to cycle and visit with some good friends. We also hope to get over to the west coast of Scotland and ride a bit with Stever and his better half. Anyway let us know here in the threads how your trip went.

y'all got mail.

Gus,
Thanks for the note. I was planning such a trip. It looks like I may have to push it back until next spring. That's OK with me. I was originally planning it for next year anyway when Rainbabe suggested I go sooner. I was feeling kind of rushed trying to get all the pieces together so postponing is a relief.

Oh, here is a picure of the two of us this morning before he hit the road again.
Regards,
Raymond

HELP - The file attachment procedure has apparently changed again and after three attempts I still can't get a pic attached. Can someone enlighten me?

I just got through reading Gordon's site, and down toward the bottom of the page, he slips in that he's doing all this on a fixie!

Did he bring multiple gears, lockring wrench (oops, spanner) and chain whip?

I don't mean to be negative but many 100's of people travel this route each year without emergency contacts. It's not like you are a third world nation. If there is a real emergency, the locals will always be willing to help to get you to hospital or even to a bike shop. And there is a list of people already along this route on the Warm Showers list. You might want to check into that also.

I don't mean to be negative but many 100's of people travel this route each year without emergency contacts. It's not like you are a third world nation. If there is a real emergency, the locals will always be willing to help to get you to hospital or even to a bike shop. And there is a list of people already along this route on the Warm Showers list. You might want to check into that also. What is the Warm Showers list?

What is the Warm Showers list?
good place to stay for the night warm shower on the www (http://www.rogergravel.com/wsl/vh_for_a.html)

I just got through reading Gordon's site, and down toward the bottom of the page, he slips in that he's doing all this on a fixie!

Did he bring multiple gears, lockring wrench (oops, spanner) and chain whip?

I also was surprised to see it on a fixie. He's going to need an extra pair of knees as well

good place to stay for the night warm shower on the www (http://www.rogergravel.com/wsl/vh_for_a.html)

Hey that is really cool!! Thanks for posting the link, it is very useful!

Roger

I was kind of surprised at his touring on a fixie, also. I can understand the attraction of the challenge, but to me touring is already pretty challenging without adding unnecessary suffering. I love my fixie, but when I tour I want access to some TINY gears.

gpsblake, thanks for the suggestion though that wasn't exactly what I was getting at. I will pass that site on to Gordon.

Rainman,

I've been following Gordon's exploits also. I can't believe the daily mileage he is planning to do on a fixed with a trailer!

By the way, sorry you appear to need to delay your trip.

I was thinking of you the other evening as had a glass of 12 year old Highland Park.

Bear in mind, the principle of reciprocity stands when you are over here! :)

Chewa,
Gordy and I sampled a little Highland Park 12 Wednesday evening! That night we also had a taste of Macallan 18. Then Thursday evening we had Bunnahabhain (which Gordy insisted on buying for me), Glen Rothes single cask, and, the piece de resistance, Springbank 21. I try to be a hospitable host. All wee drams, by the way, as we didn't want to overdo it with Gordy heading out the next morning.
Regards,
Raymond