Edinburgh Evening News

I would like to thank the Edinburgh Evening News and in particular Carla Gray (Reporter) and Jane Barlow (Photographer) for the article headed   'Aileen's spirit has inspired my US Alzheimer fundraiser'   featured on Thursday 17th March 2011.  One of the aims of my trip is to raise awareness of demantia in all its forms and the fact it can affect people of all ages.  I'm sure this excellent article in the Edinburgh Evening News will go a long way in helping me achieve this aim.

For those who weren't able to read the actual paper, the article can be view at http://www.edinburghnews.com/
Whilst no photograph appears on the website article, the Edinburgh Evening News and Jane Barlow have very kindly agreed to allow its use on this page of my blog.

(Please note this image is licenced for use on this blog only. Any third party (other blogs, media, newspapers, websites) must contact TSPL for any and all uses).

Current Preparations

The preparations are currently going well and to plan.  Learning how to use a computer is the difficulty but very fortunately I've found a very heplful lady, MAMIE, who is providing lots of very helpful information and assistance. 

My Proposed Route

Feel it's about time I let it be known the route I intend to take on crossing the U.S.A.   I'll only detail that part  from my arrival in Seattle to Pueblo in Colorado and should I actually reach there,  I'll publish the remainder nearer the time.

A lovely couple, Maida and Ron, have very kindly offered to meet me at the airport in Seattle.  This is a great help, as is their offer for me to stay with them in Poulsbo until I set out.  So I shouldn't be sleepless in Seattle.  If my bike is still in one piece following the flight and requires no repairs, I'll hopefully set out the following day for Cape Flattery at the northwest corner of Washington State. This I'll treat as the official start.  I then retrace my route back to Poulsbo.  These few day will hopefully get me conditioned to being on the right (wrong) side of the road and in tune with  local driving habits, before tackling the Seattle streets for real.

To the east of the city I will encounter the first serious climbing of the trip as I cross over the Cascade Mountains on 'Federal 2' to Wenatchee.    It's then on to Spokane by either continuing on 'Federal 2' or using what might be quieter roads slightly further south. I'm now in the Rocky Mountains and heading north for Sandpoint and round the shore of Lake Pend Oreille before taking 'State 200' south to Missoula. I'll only be in Idaho for about 60 miles or 1 day.

I'm now in Montana, my third State and following the high passes south to Yellowstone National Park where I hope to see Old Faithful in all her glory.  This part of the route takes me through Corvallis, Wisdom, Dillon and Twin Bridges before following 'State 287' and 'Federal 287' to West Yellowstone.  I fully expect to encounter snow at these elevations.

If things go to plan I'll now be cycling through Wyoming and continuing generally southwards until I reach Jackson Lake where I'll pick up 'Federal 287' to Rawlins.  I leave the state south of Encampment and enter Colorado.

Hopefully the mountains passes so far won't have defeated me and I'll be able to continue on to Pueblo,  passing to the west of Denver and through Walden, Kremmling, Dillon, Fairplay and Canon City.

Thereafter it's all eastwards to the Atlantic but as mentioned earlier, I'll wait until nearer the time to provide specific route details.  

Reasons for BIKING ACROSS USA

My bicycle trip across the United States, as well as being in memory of my wife Aileen, has been an ambition of mine for many years and will hopefully help raise much need financial support for ALZHEIMER SCOTLAND.
The 4500 mile adventure, takes in 10 States and with some luck my 59 year old legs and lungs will take me the full distance. I am travelling alone and will be camping where possible. The trip is totally self financed with all donations going to ALZHEIMER SCOTLAND.
I fly into Seattle before cycling out to the Pacific coast at Cape Flattery which will be the official start. I return to Seattle, then climb up into the Rocky Mountains and follow the high passes southwards, taking in Yellowstone National Park.  On reaching Colorado Springs I turn east and head over to the Atlantic somewhere in Virginia.  Scotland Ferry appears an appropriate location. The trip ends in Washington and my flight home.  Hopefully I'll have enough time to visit very good friends in Kentucky.
My chosen good cause, ALZHEIMER SCOTLAND, which is Scotland's leading dementia charity:
+provides practical services for people with dementia and their  carers;                                                                       
+publishes information about dementia in print, on tape and at http://www.alzscot.org/                                                      
+operates a freephone Dementia Helpline 0808 808 3000 open 24/7 for information and emotional support                 
+campaigns on behalf of people with dementia and their carers,  locally, at the Scottish Parliament and Westminster.
In particular, I hope to raise the profile of the excellent work done for younger people and those approaching early middle age who are diagnosed with dementia of one form or another. This includes providing practical, social and emotional support, in the form of clubs, day care, drop in cafes, holiday breaks and one-to-one home support/care at home.  The aim is to provide  assistance not only to people with dementia but also their carers.

Aileen and I first became aware of the Early Onset Support Service operated by ALZHEIMER SCOTLAND in early 1999 and within a few weeks we were allocated a home support worker, allowing me a few hours respite on a weekly basis.  We also attended a few, week long respite breaks, run by ALZHEIMER SCOTLAND at the village of Strathyre.  In 2003 I was able to take on the role of home support worker on a very limited part-time basis and this increased in 2005 when Aileen lost the struggle.
The function of a home support worker, in addition to personal care, includes helping the person concerned carry out everyday tasks which the majority of us probably take for granted.  For example, I take people swimming, bowling, countryside walking, to the cinema, to play snooker, shopping, or simply help them carry out tasks in the house and garden. Another main aim is to allow the person's carer a few hours to themself.
I hope you will agree that ALZHEIMER SCOTLAND is a most worthwhile charity/organisation, providing vital support to people and their carers living with dementia.  I would also ask you to consider making a donation, no matter how small to this excellent good cause.  Every pound counts and I promise will be put to very good use.

Donations can be made at http://www.justgiving.com/andrewkdickson

Thank you and take care.