Cycling From Coast to Coast
BY OMER PARACHA
Staff Writer
How far have most people ridden their bike? To the store and back perhaps. Many have not cycled since they were children and have never cycled as an adult. A shocking number of individuals do not even own their own personal bike, let alone use one regularly for exercise or transportation purposes.
Well for one Lynn University student, Patrick Lathrop, senior, this is not the case. Lathrop has cycled both as a hobby and to keep fit since he was young. However, a few years ago cycling turned into a passion and serious sport for him. At the age of 17, Lathrop decided to go across the country; all the way from South Carolina to San Diego.
Lathrop credits his family with his success in this regard. Especially his parents and uncle who provided him with unwavering support throughout the whole process. The training needed to achieve such a feat is no easy thing.
“My parents supported me immensely. If it wasn’t for them I would not made it through this trip,” said Lathrop. “I cycled an average of 85 miles a day. Sometimes my distance would be 100 miles plus.”
Not many people can say they cycled over 85 miles a day or cycled across an entire continent. The journey Lathrop embarked on lasted 38 days, well over a month. He traveled with a group of eleven teenagers and two experienced guides who had completed this trip before.
“Apogee Adventures is the name of the company I traveled with. They do these programs over the summer for teens aged 11 to 18. They have a website that most people can go to check out I started training five months ago to do this trip. Most days I used to train alone and some days my uncle would come train with me,” said Lathrop.
Lathrop had many responsibilities on his trip, including Having to carry his bike and was solely responsible for his belongings. This included his food, bedding and place to sleep.
While there were many rough nights and tiring days, Lathrop is proud of his achievement, as he should be.
The journey across this country will forever be ingrained in Lathrop’s mind.
