The Adventure Guys - Gig Harbor man to lead family across America

The inside story on outside recreation

Wednesday, May 7th, 2008

Gig Harbor man to lead family across America - with one arm

Posted by Craig Hill @ 07:00:20 pm

Photo by Lui Kit Wong

Each year we get press releases from people who are pedaling across the United States. Usually they're doing this to raise money and awareness for a worthy cause. However, we get so many of these - four to five per year - we can't feature them all. In fact, as amazing as this accomplishment is, it takes something pretty special to get us to feature your trans-America pedal.

One trip that definitely qualifies as special will be the centerpiece of tomorrow's News Tribune. The Mortimer family of Gig Harbor will start pedaling 3,900 miles from their home to New York on May 17. So aside from ranging in age from 10 (Chanel) to 53 (Bob), what makes them different? Well, a couple things:

1. They don't really have a cause. They say they're simply spreading a message of courage and hope.

2. Bob Mortimer is a triple amputee. Mortimer lost his legs and left arm in an accident 32 years ago. He will be traveling on a handcycle.

Here are some links to more information about the Mortimers:

- Hope and Courage Journey Across America

- Bob Mortimer Motivational Ministries

- The route map.

- Track the Mortimer's via their blog

- Sign up for e-mail updates from the Mortimers' trip

- Make a donation

Categories: Craig Hill, Cycling, Adventure Guys

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The Adventure Guys

We admit it. We've got great jobs. How many people get told by their bosses to go out and play? We write about those experiences each Thursday in The News Tribune’s Adventure section. But there's always more to the story. Here, Craig Hill and Jeffrey P. Mayor will share the inside stories on their adventures - including their misadventures - plus post news and answer your questions.

CRAIG HILL

Craig Hill is The News Tribune’s injury-prone Adventure writer. After eight years covering college football and basketball, he started writing about adventure sports in 2004. He writes about everything from mountaineering and cycling to skiing and camping. You can reach him at craig.hill@thenewstribune.com

JEFFREY P. MAYOR

Jeffrey P. Mayor has been The News Tribune’s Adventure editor since 2003, and oversees our weekly Adventure section. His coverage focuses on fishing, hunting, Mount Rainier and the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. You can reach him at jeff.mayor@thenewstribune.com