Pensioner embarks on 20,000-mile charity ride

EXMOUTH pensioner Phil Corcos, has embarked on an epic journey – riding his Suzuki enduro bike from Anchorage, in Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, Argentina.

By the time he ships his bike home from Buenos Aires, in a few months’ time, he will have ridden 20,000 miles. Phil, who is married with three grown up children, wants to challenge assumptions about what older people can do.

He said: “People often think of pensioners as living a pretty quiet life. I hope my trip is an example of something different. You are never too old to do something new, to explore the world.”

His travels will take him through Alaska, Canada, Monterey and some of the famous national parks of the USA.

He will also visit many ‘bucket list’ sites, such as Mayan ruins in Mexico, the Panama Canal and in South America, Machu Picchu and the Andes Mountains.

There will be no fixed itinerary, no major highways and no luxury hotels. Indeed the trip will not be without danger; but Phil says it’s important to maintain perspective.

He said: “If you think about the fears too much you would probably never go – bandits, drug dealers, falling off the motorbike. But you have got to take each day at a time; I am probably a bit of a risk taker, but I am not reckless.”

The 27kg of luggage Phil will be carrying on the bike, including camping equipment, will allow him to live basically, but independently.