Roydon man completes 4,918-miles tour across North America on his bicycle

A man with a love for the great outdoors travelled a staggering 4,918 miles, passing through four US states and two Canadian provinces, on his trusty bicycle, all while sleeping in a tent.

Sean Cole, of Church Close, Roydon, embarked on his once-in-a-lifetime adventure on September 15, which started in Alaska and culminated in the vibrant city of La Paz in Mexico.

“It was really good,” said 31-year-old Sean. “The whole experience was an eye-opener and worth the time put into organising it.

“It was an incredible tour, a once-in-a-lifetime trip.”

His trip, which is approximately the equivalent of cycling from Diss to Bangladesh, was completed on two wheels, although Sean said he was grateful for a little respite on a bus journey and the one occasion when someone offered him a lift.

The overall distance covered was 5,618 miles and, while Sean’s choice of transport was mainly down to cost-saving, the bike-enthusiast also said it was a great way of getting to know a country.

“I enjoy camping and cycling, but it was also to make the trip last longer,” said Sean, who used to work at Madgetts Cycles in Diss.

“I think it’s a good way to get out into the world because, if you are in a car or on a bus, you pass quite a lot of places, but you don’t really get a chance to see them.

“On a bicycle, you’re going slowly enough to take everything in.”

While some of his highlights included seeing a wild herd of bison and cycling down the coastal road in California, Sean also faced some difficulties on his five-month journey.

“I got chased by a coyote,” he recalled, laughing, “At first, I thought it was a dog, but then I realised it wasn’t barking and didn’t look too friendly.

“Luckily, I had bear spray with me, which was all I could think of doing at the time. And a car came behind which scared it off.”

Sean, who planned this trip for several months, said he would not recommend it to everyone.

“You do have to give up your creature comforts and be a bit more comfortable with not knowing where you’ll sleep each night,” said Sean.

While he only got back on Friday, Sean is already itching to get back in the saddle. “I wouldn’t mind doing a tour around the UK, or maybe Iceland,” he said.

For anyone interested in his video diary, visit his channel on YouTube.