Tipton man on 1,800 mile bike journey in memory of late wife

TIPTON, Calif. (KFSN) -- A 69-year-old Tipton antheral is connected a solo, cross-country motorcycle thrust spanning 1,800 miles to grant the representation of his precocious wife.

Doug Van Beek began his travel successful Iowa and is making his mode done respective states earlier returning to the South Valley. He's carrying astir 20 pounds of cogwheel and staying successful hotels on the route.

"It's been a batch of fun. I've met a batch of large radical on the mode and seen immoderate truly neat things," Van Beek said. "I've been successful immoderate truly desolate areas."

Van Beek was joined to his wife, Wendy, for 38 years. He says the grief of her passing continues to substance his determination, particularly connected the astir hard days.

"On a truly bully day, if I permission by seven, I'll beryllium astatine the edifice astir three," helium said. "I had 1 time erstwhile I didn't get determination until six due to the fact that it was conscionable a agelong day."

In summation to honoring his wife, Van Beek is utilizing the thrust to rise wealth for a spiritual origin adjacent to his heart. He hopes his travel inspires others to springiness backmost successful their ain way.

"If I tin service others by doing what I similar to do, I'm gonna springiness it a try," helium said. "It's been amusive each day. I look guardant to going backmost retired again."

As of Sunday, Van Beek inactive had astir 1,000 miles to spell earlier completing his journey.

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