The Arctic Rider

Welcome back to he latest edition of The Arctic Rider blog.  It's my first (proper) blog of 2016 so I can officially say it's this year that I'm doing my Iron Butt challenge! Woohoo! While it's not as big an undertaking as my trip to the Arctic Circle in 2014, it's still going to be a mighty challenge but one that I am really looking forward to.  It was Winston Churchill who said "You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks"...And like my Arctic Ride in 2014 I've managed to attract some unexpected negative responses...  Only a few days ago at work I was chatting to a colleague about my Iron Butt ride and another colleague (who I don't know) butts in and queries  "Are you doing it on a peddle bike, like?" To which I truthfully replied "nope, motorcycle in less than 24 hours" "well how's that a challenge? People peddle it in a few days don't they?" ...

The Arctic Rider - Becoming a Sponsor of the Iron Butt challenge The Arctic Rider is an ongoing project of charity motorbike challenge s by fundraiser Gordon Stuart. Gordon is an Ambassador for special care babies charity  Tiny Lives , UK-brain injury charity  Cerebra , and global youth leader forum  One Young World .  Gordon on his departure to the Arctic - May 2014 Gordon combines his passion for motorbikes to help raise money and awareness for charities close to his heart (check out  'The Charities Page'  for more info). This is done through setting himself motorbike related challenges and gaining sponsorship donations for completing them which go straight to the charity. Gordon uses social media including Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, as well as corporate sponsors to help raise the profile of his challenges. "The Arctic Rider is all about a burning sense to do what is right, adventure, community, and raising a shed-load of cash for charity. Ye...

Hi all, Thanks for tuning in to the latest Arctic Rider blog. Your continued support by reading and sharing my blog, and sharing my story is truly appreciated. Even though our house is currently full of cold germs passed on via Islay's nursery, and we've managed to have a major leak that's threatening to ruin Christmas, I've been making some good progress on securing backers for my next adventure, The Iron Butt Challenge. Firstly I'd like to introduce Devitt Insurance. Devitt have been providing UK insurance since 1936 and offer competitive insurance on motorbikes, cars, vans, home, and business insurance. Devitt were amazing supporters of my 'Arctic Ride 2014' and its is a true pleasure to be supported by the Devitt team again for my Iron Butt Challenge. Not only have Devitt provided insurance for my ride, by they will also be holding a fundraising event at their office next year, and will continue to support The Arctic Rider through media cove...

Hi all, Thanks for tuning in to another edition of the Arctic Rider blog. Hopefully by now you know that I am getting stuck into the planning of my next charity motorbike adventure... THE IRON BUTT CHALLENGE. In July 2016 I'll ride my motorbike the length of the UK from Land's End to John O'Groats in (hopefully) less than 24 hours... all to raise money and awareness for the charity Tiny Lives Trust . I'm both excited and nervous about my Iron Butt ride but one thing is for sure, its going to be a challenge. However today's blog is not about my Iron Butt training but about my continued work with the charity Cerebra whom I did my Arctic Ride 2014 for ( click here if you want to know more about that). After my Arctic Ride 2014 fundraising Cerebra gave me the honor of becoming an Ambassador for them. Cerebra has a team of ambassadors, made up of parents, carers, professionals, and others who are passionate about the work that the charity does (like me). M...

Hi everyone, Thanks for tuning in! I've been very bad and not blogged for a month or so, but I've been a busy lad so hopefully you'll let me off. Its been nearly 2 months since I announced that I am taking on the Iron Butt Challenge in 2016 and the Dalton Highway in Alaska before 2020. The Iron Butt challenge will see me ride the length of the UK from Land's End in the South to John O'Groats in the North in LESS THAN 24 HOURS - The map below shows you my route : Now not only do I have to ride the 875 in less than 24 hours (300 of which is through the Scottish Highlands), I've also got to get myself to Lands End from my home of Newcastle upon Tyne the day before and back from John O'Groats the day after... its a good job I like riding my bike!!! I've had a few people ask me if I'm mad... I think the answer is yes. A few people have asked if its possible, which of course it is... but not many have officially completed it which is why I s...

Hello, Thanks for tuning in to my blog! I'm currently planing my next charity motorbike challenge, which will raise money for the charity Tiny Lives who supported my little girl Islay when she was born. Islay turned 1 this week which means this time last year was being cared for on the Special Care Baby Unit at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle. What a difference a year makes... In my last blog I detailed the different options for my next ride which I asked you, my lovely readers, to help me decide. I also spent a bit too much time on Paint making them into 'Top Trumps'. Thanks to all those who voted and let me know their thoughts. All of the options will be a challenge and its my goal to complete all of them, some day, but your votes and my thoughts will take me through the next few years. So... THE RESULTS ARE IN! In 4th place is Arctic Ride: Trans Siberian Highway -  The 9,000 mile ultra long distance ride didn't appeal to those who v...

Hi everyone, As I said in my last blog, I'm currently planning my next charity motorbike trip to raise money for the charity Tiny Lives who supported my baby girl Islay when she was first born. Ever since I returned from Arctic Norway I've been looking at the map to decide where I'm going to head in the future on my trusty steed. I've narrowed it down to 4 options (at the moment). Arctic Ride: Adventure Alaska (Dalton Highway) Summary - Ride from the city of Anchorage is Southern Alaska to Prudhoe Bay, the most northerly town in Alaska, deep inside the Arctic Circle. The route is via the deadly Dalton Highway, one of the worlds most dangerous road. Total mileage - 2,000 Difficulty rating - Very High - Due to the treacherous nature of the Dalton Highway and the potential climate of Arctic Alaska. Off road riding required. What the experts say - " Every year motorcyclists are killed on the Dalton Highway. Almost half of the highway is paved or chip...