Ride Across the USA
Matt is cycling 3,800 miles across the USA to raise money for 2 incredible causes Royal Trinity Hospice and Cyclists Fighting Cancer
On 20 August 2026, I'll be setting off on the toughest challenge I’ve ever taken on - riding across the northern part of the United States from the Pacific to the Atlantic.
Over 43 days I'll cover 6,100 kilometres (3,800 miles) averaging around 135 kilometres a day, climbing more than 47,000 metres and travelling through 15 States. Every morning starts another ride and another adventure. Every evening ends with preparing to do it all again.
The route will take me through some of the most spectacular landscapes in North America - across the Rocky mountains, a high desert, into Yellowstone Park, through the Great Plains and the cornfields of the Midwest, along the Great Lakes and lush countryside & hills of the North West. It will test every aspect of endurance - physical, mental and emotional.
But while the challenge is enormous, it isn't the reason I'm riding.
I'm riding because I want to make a difference for two charities that have become deeply personal to me.
The Big Adventure.
My Chosen Charities ∙
My Chosen Charities ∙
In 2024, one of my oldest school friends, Alex Coxon, sadly lost his battle with a brain tumour.
During the final months of his life, Royal Trinity Hospice provided extraordinary care, compassion and dignity - not only for Alex but also for his family and those closest to him.
The kindness, professionalism and humanity shown by everyone at Royal Trinity left a lasting impression on all of us who knew Alex.
No family ever wants to need hospice care, but when they do, organisations like Royal Trinity make an immeasurable difference.
Supporting Royal Trinity is my way of remembering Alex, saying thank you to them for their incredible support, while helping ensure other families receive the same outstanding care.
Royal Trinity Hospice
@RoyalTrinityHospice on Instagram | Royal Trinity Hospice Official Website
Cycling has helped me deepen many important friendships, and one of those friendships was with Neil Bowler.
In 2018, Neil tragically suffered a cardiac arrest while taking part in the London to Manchester Great Hotel Bike Ride.
Neil was riding to raise money for Cyclists Fighting Cancer, a charity that helps children living with cancer regain confidence, strength and freedom by providing specially adapted bikes.
The event has since been renamed the Neil Bowler Hotel Bike Ride in his memory.
Continuing to support the charity Neil believed in feels like a fitting way to honour both his generosity and his spirit.
Cyclists Fighting Cancer
@CyclistsFightingCancer on Instagram | Cyclists Fighting Cancer Official Website
This ride is dedicated to the memory of two great friends, and to recognise the tremendous courage and resilience of their wives, Sal and Rachel. All donations will be equally split between the two causes.
Royal Trinity Hospice provides expert end-of-life care, emotional support and practical help to patients and their families.
Their work allows people facing life-limiting illnesses to receive compassionate care with dignity, while supporting loved ones through incredibly difficult times.
Last year, it cared for over 2,500 people as inpatients and in their homes. This year, it needs to raise over £14m through fundraising so that it can maintain its services and care levels intact.
Every donation helps ensure this care continues to be available to everyone who needs it.
Cyclists Fighting Cancer believes every child deserves the freedom and joy that cycling brings.
The charity provides bikes, adapted trikes and specially designed equipment to children and young people living with cancer throughout the UK. It also supplies specialist equipment into the NHS’s Paediatric Oncology Units.
These bikes and equipment help children rebuild confidence, improve physical rehabilitation and mental wellbeing and, perhaps most importantly, allow them to simply enjoy being children again.
The Journey ∙
The Journey ∙
The trip starts on the coast in Astoria, near Portland on 20 August and completes in Portland Main on 5 October. The route across America is shown below. I will provide regular updates via the blog page.
I will be riding with 3 great friends Stephen Mercer, Robert Elstone and John Brooks, as well as 20 other riders from across the globe, supported ably by Trek.
43 days riding
4 rest days
Portland Oregon to Portland Maine
47,300m vertical ascent
over 5 Everests
2,900m highest point in Yellowstone national park
15 States crossed
6,100 km total distance
Stay in
the Loop
Keep up to date with blogs from Matt throughout his adventure.
The four of us who are taking on the Portland to Portland ride. I’m with Brooksie, Merce and Robert.