Mama’s Miles

Mama’s Miles is a 2,409-mile bicycle tour dedicated to my mother Kathryn. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the summer of 2013 and after four hard years of fighting, on December 5th, 2017 she passed away. On June 18th I will ride out from Vancouver, BC and continue south until I reach Tijuana, Mexico with all donations benefiting the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance.

When my mom was diagnosed I was getting ready to pack up my life, drive across the country and start a new chapter in California. After learning of her diagnosis I wanted to stay and help but she wouldn’t hear it. She insisted I pursue my career and go because that’s the type of woman she was; so I went.

Fast forward to the beginning of 2017, we’re chatting on the phone and I am telling her about my trip idea with no inclination to use it as a fundraiser. I just thought it would be tight to ride from border to border. As always, she said go for it!…just make sure you call me everyday so I know you’re safe and didn’t get eaten by a bear. The trip had to be put on the back-burner because of work and even now I can think of countless reasons to push this a year further. But I can hear what my mom would say, “just go for it cutie patootie”.

Other than riding my bike around the streets of Los Angeles and a few trips moseying around the “mountains,” I don’t know shit about bike touring or bikepacking, especially for over 2,000 miles. However, now more than ever I’m determined to make this trip in her honor.

I ask for your support in this journey in hopes of putting a stop to stories that end too soon. This ride is about raising money for those affected by this disease, from the warriors like my mom to the family members like myself.

Join me on my escapade down the pacific coast as I ride for mama!

Follow me and my bicycle’s journey on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @hydrostapler