Arctic Ride 2014

Arctic Ride 2014 

With little more than his motorbike and a camera, IT manager Gordon Stuart, 25, swaps his desk and laptop for 3 weeks in the saddle on an epic journey to the Arctic Circle and Nordkapp. Inspired by his disabled brother, Gordon battles freezing temperatures and snow capped mountains to raise money for charity Cerebra.

"Gordon's story is both touching and inspirational. His epic journey takes in some incredible scenery - this great movie will encourage other riders to take a trip of a lifetime, as well as helping to raise money for a very worthy cause" - John Milbank, Editor MotorCycle Monthly and MoreBikes.co.uk

You can now watch the full 'Arctic Ride 2014' film on YouTube. See the window below.


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In 2014 I rode 6,000 miles to the Arctic Circle and raised over £5,000 for brain injury charity Cerebra. Below is a snippet of my adventure.

Day 13 - Reaching Nordkapp

I kicked off my boots and unzipped my jacket after another long days riding and got ready to start making dinner. I’d put my tent up for what seemed like the 100^th time and unloaded the bike. Having ridden over 400 miles on twisty, gravel covered roads my whole body was aching. I hadn’t slept well in nights due to forgetting to pack my air bed pump and the freezing temperatures at night. Riding alone on the road was starting to take its toll too. Nothing had gone ‘wrong’ but I was craving some real company other than meeting other bikers at petrol stations and answering tweets and Facebook messages. 

Travel survival training during preparation

After a hard days’ ride I really wanted some home comforts but it was something I’d never seen before, the midnight sun, which raised my spirits. I was here, only 200 miles from my destiny, Nordkapp, the most northerly point in Europe and deep inside the Arctic Circle.

I never thought that a glance at a half setting sun would ever be the instant switch from feeling low to becoming content and at peace with life. I’d been planning this motorbike journey to Nordkapp for over 4 years, an idea born out of a late night conversation talking about dreams. I’d had plenty of these types of conversations in the past but from the moment it left my lips those 4 years ago I knew I’d make it to Nordkapp one way or another.

Having battled through the disappointment and feeling of failure after a crash in Sweden 3 years ago during my first attempt to the Arctic, I remembered just how far I had come both literally, being 2,800 miles from my home in Newcastle, and metaphorically. It was as I looked up at the sun that I thought of two things in my life back home; my 6 month pregnant wife Kirsty, who had been my biggest support and motivation; and my little brother Robbie who my adventure was all about. 

"I took off my helmet and felt a cold mountain breeze across my face. As I got off the bike I turned back to see the road I had just ridden."

Robbie suffered a brain injury as a baby which has left him brain damaged and with learning difficulties. He’ll never get the chance to ride a motorbike 6,000 miles to the Arctic and back or be able to sit on a patch of grass, next to the bike of his dreams, with just a tent and a mess tin full of pasta and realise just how precious life is.

My ride was not only for Robbie but to raise money for brain injury charity Cerebra (www.cerebra.org.uk) who have helped him and my family over the past 17 years and do great work all across the UK.

"The reason for Arctic Ride 2014.. My little bro and the amazing charity Cerebra"

At the gateway to the Trollstigen,
Norway's most notorious mountain pass...

I set off, solo, from my home town of Whitley Bay in Northern England at the end of May with the goal of reaching Nordkapp in Norway. Over 3 weeks I battled 6,000 miles of freezing temperatures, monsoon type rain, gravel roads, snow covered mountain passes, lorry crashes, and some of the world’s most amazing roads on my Suzuki GSX 650F to reach my goal.

I passed through France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway before reaching the Arctic Circle and Nordkapp. It was the most difficult and arduous 3 weeks of my life, but at the same time the experience of a lifetime and I am so glad that I was able to be an ambassador for Cerebra and my little brother along the way.

In total I raised over £5,000 for Cerebra. Thanks to all those who sponsored and supported me.