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James Wilson Rides Onto Our Bookshelves
James Wilson OO (1987-1994) has written a book with an odd title. "Riding the Biscuit Highway" is an extraordinary tale of three friends who attempt to bicycle 15,000 miles down the Americas; a year long journey by bike from the north of Canada to the south of Argentina, a journey that took two years to plan and both challenged and rewarded James and his companions on the trip in ways they could not imagine. It is now available from bookshops including Amazon.
More information about the trip can be found at www.55degreessouth.com and copies of James' book can be found in the school library after the summer holidays.
Asked why he had undertaken the journey, James answered
"Although you could argue the trip came about as a response to a midlife crisis at the age of 27, in reality it was the desire to see what lay beneath the veneer of operating within modern day middleclass England that kick started things. What determination, resolve and commitment did I have away from the creature comforts? What would happen if we changed the boundaries for while and dug a little deeper?
"Quite honestly, it is the periods of stress and mental fatigue that I now hold up as the greatest challenges we faced that year, along with the breakdown of a close friendship with one of my companions. It was an epic year. It taught me a lot about myself, both good and bad and about how lucky I am to have been born into a supportive, financially secure environment. Many of those we passed on the roadside were not so fortunate; as part of the ride we raised ten of thousands of pounds for a number of communities in mountainous El Salvador - specifically refurbing some schools, training teachers, providing computers, books etc - riding through the area en route.
"The trip planning took two years, August 2003 - August 2005, to get the fundraising sorted and our lives arranged and then the trip itself, August 2005 - July 2006. I remained in Argentina until June 2007 to write the book.
"I hope the book inspires one of two pupils or OOs to seek out their own challenges."
James then returned to the UK and starting work on the Olympic Park, managing one of the sites within the park where contaminated soils are being cleaned to allow construction of the venues etc. Interviewed for his company magazine, here's what he said.
1) When was your book published and how long was the process behind it?
May 2008. Writing took 18 months due to work commitments. Writing at night, weekends, Christmas Day etc!
2) What do you feel was your greatest achievement/challenge during your bike ride?
This is hard as the planning and fundraising took 2 years, I went and learnt Spanish in South America as preparation. On the ride the greatest challenge was the mental one. Dealing with group politics. 1st 400 miles were on a gravel road north of the arctic circle with no building or civilisation for six days and risk of grizzly bears. Personally, cycling Colombia solo proved a little fool hardy.
3) How long did it take to cover the 15,000 miles?
14,812 miles in 347 days.
4) What were the highs and lows during this time?
Highs: getting your kit dry after 9 days continuous rain in Canada, riding over the Panama canal, an unbroken ride of 8,800 miles; reaching the Colombian/Ecuador border without getting kidnapped; bridging the Andes mountain range at 3,200m between Chile/Argentina.
Lows: getting bitten 100 times a day by mosquitos in Alaska , the collapse of my relationship with one of my best friends (also riding), dysentery in Peru for 15 days, camping in -15 degrees c in Patagonia .
5) What made you undertake the bike ride?
Personal challenge. What was I made of?
6) Who did you go with and how did you all get on during this time?
Two friends from university. Highs and lows all the way.
7) If in any way, how was your bicycle ride similar to your job at Olympic Park?
You need a lot of patience!