Moore cycles across America
Published 11:45 am Wednesday, April 21, 2010
By By GREG KATSKI
Community Editor
Durwood Moore pedaled across the Sen. Ashley B. Futrell Bridge, exited the U.S. Highway 17 bypass, turned left onto U.S. Highway 264 and proceeded west before making a right turn into the Rosedale community, where he was greeted by a slew of family, friends and well-wishers April 13.
The celebration was a fitting conclusion to Moores two-month, 3,000-mile-plus, cross-country cycling trek from San Diego to Washington.
It was wonderful, Moore said, adding that he didnt know his wife, Joan, would get such a crowd together for his arrival.
Moore could barely get off his cycle before he was mobbed by his four youngest grandchildren.
You would have thought it was Christmas, said Joan Moore. They were hugging and kissing him.
In keeping with a promise, one of the travelers friends was waiting with some cold beer.
He couldnt believe Durwood was doing it, Joan Moore said. He said, When you get back, Ill have a six-pack of beer for you.
Moores journey started in early February when he flew from New Bern to San Diego. From there, he followed the Southern Tier Route, mapped out by the Adventure Cycling Association. The route stretches from California, along the U.S.-Mexican border then to the Atlantic Coast of Florida. Hundreds of cycling enthusiasts take the 3,000-mile-plus trip every year. Before the end of the route, Moore turned north and cut through Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina to reach Washington.
According to an odometer fastened to the front of his cycle, Moore traveled exactly 3,365.4 miles the longest cycling trip of the 71-year-olds life.
At about 1,000 miles into his trip, the Washington Daily News caught up with Durwood Moore via cell phone. At the time, he said, the 3,000-mile-plus trek would be his last hurrah. Now, less than a week back from the trip, hes rethinking that statement.
Itll be the last long one, he said, adding that a friend from Greenville wants to take a two-week cycling trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway in October. He hasnt committed to that trek, saying that decision is up to his wife.
If she says No, I wont do it, he said with a chuckle.
Joan Moore was more hesitant about her husband taking the cross-country trip because he was alone.
She didnt like this trip because I was by myself, he said. Its really not as bad as people think.
Moore called his wife almost every night while he was away sometimes with interesting stories.
One morning, he was coming out of Reidsville, Ga., on U.S. Highway 1, when he was stopped by a Tattnall County sheriffs deputy.
She asked, Was I the first one to check on you? he said.
Then the deputy asked for his drivers license to run a background check.
I wish I had given her my retired Navy ID, he said.
Moores license checked out, and the deputy sent him on his way.
His run-in with the law aside, Moore said he met a lot of friendly people during his excursion.
Because of my bike, people wanted to stop and talk to me, he said.
His vehicle can be considered a sit-down tricycle, featuring two, small front tires and a bigger rear tire. The rear tire supports a recliner seat, from which the rider pedals and uses two handbrakes on the front of the cycle.
Its just like sitting in a chair at home, Moore said, adding that he bought the cycle three years ago to ease the strain on his back from cycling.
He bought a journal around the same time, and started writing entries in it on a daily basis for every trip hes taken. And, from the sound of it, the journal will get a little more ink in it.
Asked why hes keeping the journal, Moore said, Maybe, someday, my grandkids will want to read it.