One day, Steve Gilmore was buffeted by such a fierce head wind he thought he’d never reach his designated destination and the next he reported travels to be “almost effortless” after the breeze shifted.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN: San Marino’s Steve Gilmore is riding his bike across the country to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

But there will be few effortless experiences for San Marino jeweler Steve Gilmore, who as of press time (on Wednesday, June 14) had reached New Mexico 5 days into his 3,033-mile transcontinental bicycle journey that he has planned to take 26 days to complete.

“Today I was pretty tired,” Gilmore reported as he cruised through Arizona. “The highway was terribly rough in different areas. Leaving Kingman, the shoulder was like fresh ground asphalt ready for a new resurface. Some areas were glass smooth. The weather has been awesome, very comfortable and not too hot.”

Gilmore is raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. He is carrying ribbons in memory of his family members who have been lost to cancer including his sister, Gail Zotovich, who lost her battle with the deadly disease in 2001.

Last Friday, on the eve of his early Saturday morning departure, Gilmore was presented with a versatile San Marino Tribune, in his hopes of taking the ‘Travelin’ Tribune’ theme to new heights. And distances.

When he reaches Winslow, Arizona, Gilmore will pay homage to an Eagles hit and “stand on the corner” with a copy of The Tribune.

A farewell reception was held at Kraemer Jewelers last Friday afternoon where friends and family members wished him bon voyage.

A friend, Gary Cox, will be accompanying Gilmore in a custom camper.

To train for the journey, Gilmore rode between 150-200 miles per week but needs to cover more than 100 miles per day to complete the trek. Last week, he rode to Santa Monica and put the back wheel of his bicycle in the Pacific Ocean.

His front tire awash in the waves of the Atlantic will signify completion.
To sponsor Steve Gilmore on his cross-country ride, please go to coast2coast4acure.com or contact Kraemer Jewelry.