left from his home town of Ottawa, Canada to cycle to the tip of South America on a recumbent bike. Gordon had been preparing for this biking trip for many years. The trip was ambitious, crossing the United States from New York State to Arizona, then through Mexico, Central America and into South America at Ecuador. His route was painstakingly mapped out to pass through almost every country possible. With a plan that would last almost two years on the road, he would be as self- sufficient as possible, carrying tent, eating equipment and clothing all on a recumbent bicycle.
This site is designed to follow Gordon's experiences on this journey. It is being periodically updated as information is received. The description of the bicycle trip on the following pages is in Gordon's own words.
Gordon's distant cousin (second cousin 4 times removed), Karl Creelman of Truro, N.S., is believed to have been the first Canadian cyclist to have completed a trip around the world on a bicycle, one hundred years previously. As described in the book, Freewheeling: The Story of Bicycling in Canada, he started from his hometown of Truro, Nova Scotia on May 11, 1899. He cycled through Canadian wilderness, American desert and occasionally on railroad tracks. On the West Coast he earned a passage to Australia. He biked across Australia twice and then went on to Ceylon. From there, he gained a passage to India. Starting at Calcutta, he traveled to Benares, a distance of 800 miles. He described the roads
in India as being magnificent. Because of the extreme heat, he rode only in the morning and
during the night. For a few weeks, he was hospitalized with malaria but, after resting, he left
for Bombay where he was again struck down with malaria.
On leaving India, Karl then sailed for Port Said and traveled through Egypt up to Cairo and Alexandria. Most of the Egyptian tour was by foot however, as riding the bicycle was only possible at certain points along the Suez Canal. From Egypt, he shipped to the British Isles, touring the length of the country. In Scotland, he was arrested for not carrying a lantern!
Karl finally returned to Truro in September 1901, riding on the rim of the rear wheel of his Brantford Red Bird. To celebrate his accomplishment, hundreds turned out at a local hotel to cheer his arrival.
Gordon was born in Montreal, Canada and raised in Ottawa. After graduating from high school,
he attended York University in Toronto where he obtained a degree in Fine Arts with a major in
Film Studies. After graduation, he worked in the television and film industry in Toronto for 16 years.
Gordon plans on filming this trip and producing a documentary video of his journey.
Last updated 2005-11-4 from Canada