Just over two months ago, Jacksonville native Greg Taylor embarked on a six-month journey of bike-riding 11,500 miles across the country to raise money for local cancer support charity, Chemo Noir.
During this time, Taylor has travelled west through Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona and, as of March 24, Taylor has officially made it to California. This completes the first leg of his journey, which next will take him up the West Coast to Seattle, and then back East along the northern half of the country. He is already two full weeks ahead of schedule and predicted to remain ahead in the continuation of his travels.
Taylor has made most of the ride solo but has never actually been alone. He has steadily collected a following on his Instagram page, where he films daily shoutout videos and updates of his travels.
“Instagram has become his journal,” said Katrin Casey, Chemo Noir founder and one of Taylor’s close friends.
Through social media, supporters have been able to see the country through Taylor’s eyes as he stops at important landmarks and details the people he has met along the way.
Taylor remains brutally honest about the difficulties of his journey, but his constant optimism proves a refreshing take on the important meaning of the trip: raising money for Chemo Noir.
When Taylor set out, his goal was to raise $100,000 for the Chemo Noir charity. As of his 34 day of bike riding, Casey said that Taylor had already raised more than half of that through his shoutouts on social media and merchandise sales.
“What I found so amazing is that he is connecting all of these communities,” said Casey.
Taylor has encouraged followers on Instagram to join him in exercising or bike riding “alongside” him as he travels, all to raise awareness about his mission.
“[He] has been building a following and an awareness,” said Casey.
To follow Greg Taylor’s journey up the West Coast, and back to the East, you can follow him on Instagram at @usacancercycle, or go to usacancercycle.com to make a donation and read more about his ride.
